Meet the
Nutley Democratic Action Officers
President
Laura Valente, Ed.D.
Laura is the President of Nutley Democratic Action. She moved to Nutley in 2015 and continued her lifelong commitment to social justice and civil rights. Knowing the results of the 2016 Presidential election posed a fundamental threat to all marginalized people, Laura immediately joined forces with like-minded activists. Together, they have fought the worst abuses and failures of the past seven years. From the Muslim ban, family separations, and anti-trans laws to book banning, regressive tax policy, and permissive gun laws; from the rollback of reproductive freedom and voting rights, to the killing of unarmed black men and the rise of anti-Asian and anti-Semitic violence. Laura has been an impassioned voice for progressive policy and democratic principles.
Vice President
Andrea Podgarsky
Andrea is the Vice President of Nutley Democratic Action. With degrees in education and gender and social policy, Andrea has been a social justice advocate for her entire adult life. From marching for reproductive freedom and protesting systemic racial injustice to canvassing and phone banking for progressive candidates, Andrea is a firm believer in the need to take action to affect change. In 2022, Andrea completed both Everytown for Gun Safety’s Demand a Seat Program and the Working Families Party Board of Education Candidate Training and was endorsed by both organizations in her bid for BOE. Currently, Andrea is the Co-Lead of the Essex County Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America group.
Corresponding Secretary
Patricia Doherty
Patricia Doherty is the Corresponding Secretary for Nutley Democratic. Her world view has been informed by her extensive travel and diverse life experiences. She has worked and lived in various areas in the US and abroad before moving to Nutley. Lifelong Democratic roots, coupled with commitment to social justice, motivate her volunteerism with a number of grassroots organizations. She is focused primarily as an independent researcher and writer for advocacy efforts which promote issues related to sustainable communities and governmental transparency. Patricia is also an Off-Broadway/Regional Theatre Designer, a proud member of IATSE United Scenic Artists Local 829 and the fourth in a five-generation union family. She holds an MFA in Theatre Design and BA in English Literature. She is passionate about the arts, organic gardening and healthy neighborhood habitats.
Recording Secretary
Emma Cortese, PhD
Emma Cortese is the Recording Secretary for Nutley Democratic Action. She began grass roots activism during the 1970’s with peace actions and reproductive freedom movements, and has been engaged ever since. Recognizing the intersectionality of progressive democratic ideals and community service, over the years she has been involved with mental health and hunger intervention efforts. Associations have included Friends Acting and Caring Together (FACT), Toni’s Kitchen, and Nutley Family Service Bureau. Additionally, she was a founding member of INFO•ED, an online resource to address issues related to inclusion, diversity, and social awareness within the Nutley community for optimal school system environment
Treasurer
Michael Evangelista
Michael Evangelista is Nutley Democratic Action’s Treasurer. Mike is a long-time Nutley resident and graduate of Nutley High School.. He attended the Pennsylvania State University. He is retired from an officer-level career in the financial services sector. Mike has been a politically active volunteer at the local and federal level for a number of years. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of a local non-profit that provides mental health services and food assistance to the Nutley area. Mike is involved in multiple volunteer efforts, including FACT, a local organization feeding those in need.