West Essex YMCA Welcomes New Board Members

LIVINGSTON, NJ - The West Essex YMCA at 321 S. Livingston Ave. recently welcomed several new members to its Board of Managers. The board works in close partnership with the Y’s leadership team to ensure that facilities and programs match the Y’s mission and remain accessible to all in the community. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome these accomplished professionals to the West Essex Y’s manager board,” said Executive Director Cheryl Tuturice. “Their diverse career backgrounds and unwavering dedication to community service bring invaluable perspectives to our leadership team. As we prepare to open a new Y, their guidance will be essential in shaping a space that reflects the needs of our community.”

Scott Lantzman 

Scott Lantzman, owner of FunTime Junction and former camp director, has dedicated his life to youth development through leadership roles in organizations like the American Camp Association, Boy Scouts, and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Locally, he’s served on the Livingston Soccer Club Board for nearly 25 years, including 14 as KinderKickers director, and held civic roles such as PTO President, Youth Appreciation Week Chair, and Youth Director at Temple Beth Shalom. He’s also coached multiple youth sports and served on various community committees and school boards. He has been married to his wife, Zanna, for 30 years and together they have four children: Macen, Zara, Kai, and Hunter. As a family they received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award Gold Medal from President Obama in 2017. Lantzman looks forward to bringing his youth service background to the West Essex YMCA and to finding new ways that he can serve the community.

Laima Liutikas 

Laima Liutikas, of Livingston, is a seasoned professional in organizational leadership and human resources, currently serving as Director of People & Culture at Ramas Climate and Refrigeration, a family-owned business based in East Hanover. With over 19 years at Ramas Climate, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s employee experience and operational culture. She has served on boards for civic organizations that include the Lithuanian-American Community, North American Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival, and Lithuanian Language and Culture School. 

“I’m passionate about serving the community I live in and supporting the Y’s mission in meaningful ways. I’m eager to bring ideas to the table, contribute my skills, and help strengthen the Y’s impact through thoughtful leadership and collaboration,” she said.

Falguni Pandya 

Fal Pandya is a civic leader, interfaith advocate, and strategic investor. Appointed by Governor Phil Murphy to both the New Jersey-India Commission and the Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission, Pandya champions cultural diplomacy, equity, and global partnership. She co-chairs the NJ Democratic Party’s Hindu Caucus and serves on the boards of the Hindu-Jewish Coalition and India-Israel Coalition in Washington, D.C. Pandya is a long-time Livingston resident and a seasoned investor in commercial real estate and emerging health-tech startups. As the founder of Namaste Global, she promotes youth empowerment, cultural literacy, and mental resilience through yoga, heritage education, and spiritual grounding. Pandya said she joined the West Essex Board to help strengthen the organization’s work around youth development, mental wellness, and cross-cultural connection.

“The Y’s mission of healthy spirit, mind, and body aligns deeply with my own,” she says. “I believe in contributing where I can see and help drive impact — and that’s right here in my local community.”

Gina Marie Vaccaro

Gina Vaccaro is a dedicated community leader, youth advocate, and artist. As the Head of Youth Services at the Livingston Public Library, she brings over 22 years of experience in youth programming, public librarianship, and community engagement. She is the creator behind Art With Heart by Gina, LLC, where she combines her love of watercolor with mindfulness to guide people of all ages and abilities in creative self-expression. What she enjoys most is being “Mom” to her two children, now in their 20s, who continue to be her greatest inspiration and joy. Vaccaro looks forward to contributing her experience and passion to support the Y’s mission and is especially excited to help shape the development of a new, inclusive facility that reflects the evolving needs and strengths of the entire community.