Board of Trustees - Executive Board

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Laurel A. Porcelli,  President (2021-2023)  

Laurel Porcelli, AAA, is the Founder of Artisan Advisory Group, LLC. A former Director of Rago Arts and Auction Center’s Trusts, Estates and Appraisal Department, Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), Member of the Chubb Preferred Provider Network and graduate of New York University's Appraisal Studies Program, she holds a B.S. in Design from Philadelphia University. A USPAP compliant appraiser since 2006 and auction house executive, she has successfully conducted estate planning, estate tax, equitable distribution, charitable contribution, insurance scheduling and damage/loss appraisals for private clients, attorneys, wealth managers, insurance companies, artist estates, and internationally recognized museums and institutions. An instructor at Princeton Adult School, she teaches an appraisal methodology course and is a guest speaker for the Appraisers Association of America. Sharing her knowledge with both clients and industry professionals, she advises on how to make informed decisions regarding their collections. A resident of Far Hills and a sustaining volunteer with the Junior League of New York, her interests include fine art, antiques, historic preservation and community service. 

 Yolanda Cillo, M.D., First Vice President (2021-2023)  

Medical Director, Diagnostics Division, Abbott Laboratories. An orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Cillo received undergraduate degrees in English and Biology from Case Western Reserve University, a medical degree from New Jersey Medical School (where she completed her residency in orthopedics) and an M.B.A. from the University of Redlands. Passionate about American history and serving her community, Dr. Cillo serves as a docent for the Jacobus Vanderveer House. Resident of Raritan Township, Hunterdon County. Member – Education and Outreach Committee.  

Paula Podgurki, Second Vice President (2023-2025) 

Paula, who also volunteers as a docent at the Jacobus Vanderveer House, is a pianist, choir director, former teacher and writer. Her screenplay was recently selected as a semi-finalist in the 2020 BlueCat Screenplay Contest. Entitled “The Pearl of Gloucestershire”, the biopic tells the story of the eighteenth-century doctor Edward Jenner who pioneered the smallpox vaccine. Paula is interested in history, and finds the life of Henry Knox and his family particularly inspiring and worth remembering. She believes the Vanderveer House has an important role in keeping our local history alive for both present and future generations. Paula currently is employed in the credentialing office at BAYADA Home Health Care, Inc. 

Craig Sutherland, Treasurer (2021-2023) 

COO and Principal, Meeker Sharkey & Hurley Insurance in Far Hills and Cranford, New Jersey. Formerly president of the James F. Hurley Insurance Agency and previously executive vice president of global insurance broker Willis of New York, Inc. Experienced in developing, placing and managing risk financing, insurance and employee benefit programs for businesses of all sizes across numerous industry segments, as well as personal insurance and risk management programs for affluent and high net worth individuals. Holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Northeastern University. He is a trustee of Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church and a resident of the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township, Somerset County. Chair – Personnel Committee.  

Robin Ray, Assistant Treasurer (2021-2023) 

Municipal Clerk for Bedminster Township; former marketing, product and event manager with AT&T and Bohler Engineering; graduate of University of Rhode Island. Active community volunteer who has worked with numerous non-profit organizations, including Philadelphia University, Bernards High School, New Jersey Special Olympics, the Upper Raritan Watershed Association, and Alpha Xi Delta Foundation. Resident of Bedminster, Somerset County. Chair - Raising the Bar(N).

Stephanie Daugherty Secretary (2021-2023)
Stephanie holds a B.A. in History with a minor in Art History from Gettysburg College and an M.A. in Museum Professions with a concentration in collections management from Seton Hall University. Her professional experience spans a decade in the museum field as a collections manager and curator. As the Associate Manager & Curator at The President Woodrow Wilson House in Washington, DC, Stephanie was responsible for the documentation, management, and preservation of approximately 10,000 objects in the collection. This deepened her passion for scholarly connoisseurship inspiring her to transition to the appraisal field. Currently, Stephanie is a USPAP compliant independent personal property appraiser providing substantiated and objective personal property appraisals for a wide range of property. She is a certified member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) with dual specialties in both Fine Art and Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Art. In addition, Stephanie earned her Graduate Gemologist (GG) diploma from the Gemological Institute of America.

Sean Blinn (2021-2023) 

Former president of The Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House Board of Trustees (2013-14). Graduate of M.A. Program in Museum Studies at The Johns Hopkins University. Specialties include museum technology, community engagement, and museum evaluation. Has worked on museum community engagement and cultural heritage projects in Ukraine and Washington, DC. Former senior manager at AT&T. Holds M.A. degree in political science from Binghamton University and B.A. in political science from Haverford College. Extensive community service background, including serving as chair of Bedminster Environmental Commission, vice chair and member of the township’s Planning Board, trustee and Chairman of the Programming Committee of Heritage Trail Association, member of the Bedminster Historic Preservation Commission, and Bedminster liaison to the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission. Resident of Bedminster Township, Somerset County. Chair – Museum and Acquisitions Committee.

Renée Mareski , Bedminster Township Committee Representative 

A resident of The Hills in Bedminster NJ for 20 years. Has served on the Crestmont HOA board for 10 years. Purchasing agent for 10 years for Opici Family Distributing, Glen Rock, NJ. A PATH International Certified Instructor for 15 years, currently teaching at Freedom Horse in Long Valley, NJ. Has served on the Bedminster Township Environmental Commission, most recently serving as Chairman. As a newly elected member of the Bedminster Township Committee, she serves as liaison to the Friends of Jacobus Vanderveer House and Museum. Holds a B.S. in Biology from St Lawrence University, Canton, NY and a M.S. in Animal Science from University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.

Raymond N. Sanderson (2022-2024) 

An avid historian, who has served on historic preservation commissions for 18 years. He is chairman of the Branchburg Historical Commission, a representative for Branchburg Township on the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Committee, and a past member of the Washington Campground Association. A Revolutionary War reenactor who has made numerous presentations to visitors and school groups at the Jacobus Vanderveer House and other historic sites, Mr. Sanderson is a member of John Lamb’s Artillery Company and the Brigade of the American Revolution. Resident of North Branch, Somerset County. 

Debbie Weisman (2021-2023) 

An independent award-winning photographer, who has lived and worked in the Somerset County area for over 25 years. Her photos, which have appeared in New Jersey Hills Media newspapers, New Jersey Monthly and other publications, have chronicled breaking news from all areas of the Garden State. From recent presidential visits, celebrity appearances and fundraisers, and the Basking Ridge 600-year-old “Holy Oak” to the many events at the Jacobus Vanderveer House & Museum, the Pingry School, Bonnie Brae School, and The Discovery Orchestra, Ms. Weisman has been instrumental in visually documenting Somerset Hills history. Ms. Weisman attended Alabama University, Muhlenberg College and Douglas College (as a journalism major). She has taught photography in schools and local institutions and participates in photography shows and exhibits throughout the state. Ms. Weisman has been a longtime member of the Warren Township Lions Club and Watchung Hills Elks Club. An avid animal lover, she is a volunteer for Lifeline Animal Rescue in Watchung. Resident of South Plainfield, Middlesex County.