Our Staff
Please scroll through this page to find the appropriate staff member for your inquiry. For general questions, please contact info@acanynj.org. Thank you!
Alicia Skovera (she|her|hers)
Executive Director
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Prior to joining the American Camp Association, NY and NJ, Alicia was with The Fresh Air Fund for14 years, serving as director of camping and year-round programs for 10 years. In this role, she oversaw six camp programs serving over 3,500 children annually and all year-round student/camper engagement programs. Alicia was involved with ACA, NY and NJ for many years before joining as Executive Director. She has served on the ACA, NY & NJ Board of Directors as a member and treasurer for nine years and volunteered as a standards visitor for 14 years. Alicia also served as an officer and president of the New York State Camp Directors Association, tirelessly advocating for issues that affected New York camps. Over the years, Alicia has been recognized by our organization as a leader and advocate in camping with the Thelma Hurwitz Leadership Award and the Tri-State CAMP Conference Award.
Talk to me about: all things camp, legislative initiatives, fund development, and hiking with my daughter.
Jenna Dunlay (she|her|hers)
Director of Training and Engagement
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Jenna is thrilled to be a part of the American Camp Association team! After spending 11 summers as a day camper, Jenna dedicated her next 11 summers to working at camp in a multitude of capacities including counselor and head counselor, theater director and choreographer, Swim Director, and Aquatics Director. Branching out into the full-time world of camps after spending time traveling is a dream come true! In August 1995, at the completion of Jenna’s first summer at camp she received the “Most Spirited Camper Award”- the rest is history.
Talk to me about: onsite training, involvement opportunities, travel, or CrossFit.
Samara Feinberg (she|her|hers)
Director of Events
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Samara is going on her 20th year in the event planning industry and has been at the American Camp Association, NY & NJ for over a decade. She is a self-proclaimed meeting planner "geek" and loves all aspects of the conference and tradeshow industry and loves applying that knowledge to organizing our annual CAMP Conference. Samara LOVES camp and spent 4 summers at day camp and 9 incredible summers at a sleepaway camp in the Poconos. She then worked at a local day camp for 2 more summers. As an only child, Samara credits the time she spent and the skills she learned at camp with preparing her for what life had to offer in the future. Samara lives in the 'burbs with her husband and daughter (who also loves camp, thank goodness).
Talk to me about: being an exhibitor at Tri-State, all things events, volunteering, and food & wine.
Renee Flax (she|her|hers)
Director of Camper Placement
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Renee Flax is the Director of Camper Placement for the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey. She has been assisting area families to find the right camp experience for their children since 1998. Renee has extensive knowledge of camp programs and philosophies. Each summer, Renee travels to dozens of ACA accredited camps. She knows the camp directors and senior staff personally and has a keen understanding of each camp's philosophy, program and facilities. She is recognized as an authority on camping and has been featured in The Associated Press, The New York Times, The New York Post, Newsday, The Journal News, Parent Guide, and New York Family. Renee graduated from Syracuse University (1971) with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Renee attended summer camp for 15 years as a camper, counselor, and group leader. She is the mother of two daughters who were also long-time campers and grandmother to four grandchildren.
Talk to me about: choosing the right camp for your child(ren) and my grandkids.
Kyle Medeiros (he|him|his)
Senior Director of Member Services and Operations
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Before joining the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey team, Kyle was the Afterschool and Summer Camp Coordinator for a Settlement House in New York City. Being in camping for most of his life, Kyle has a deep passion for the lessons that can only be taught at camp and works to enhance the experience not only for campers but for parents and staff as well. With a background in music, he is always looking to bring a creative aspect to his work and personal life. Kyle loves being part of the ACA, NY & NJ team and is glad to continue to develop and strengthen this field. Kyle is the recipient of the 2018 New York City Young Nonprofiteer of the Year Award. He lives in Queens with his dog, Lucky.
Talk to me about: accreditation, EPIC, nonprofit management, and knitting.
Brett Melito (he|him|his)
Events Associate
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One of our newest hire at the American Camp Association of NY and NJ, Brett joined us after his last job as a marketing associate. He attended his first Tri-State Camp Conference in 2022 as a freelance videographer and again in 2023. Afterward, Brett knew he wanted to join the camp community in a more meaningful way and have a larger role in the ACA family. Brett loves to bring his creative experience into event planning and conferences. He is a graduate from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Brett lives in Butler, New Jersey with his wife.
Talk to me about: Speaking at Tri-State, our Fall conferences, and your favorite TV shows/movies.
Jess Michaels (she|her|hers)
Director of Communications
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Prior to joining the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey, Jess Michaels was the Associate Director of Publicity for the publishing company Penguin Young Readers Group, where she executed national and regional publicity campaigns for bestselling and celebrity children’s book authors. In this role, she also managed a team of six publicists and coordinated various press and book events. Before working at Penguin Young Readers Group, Jess worked on national publicity for Thirteen/WNET, the flagship PBS station in New York. At Thirteen/WNET, she pitched and secured national media for television documentaries and series, worked with celebrities and television producers, and coordinated press conferences and screenings. Jess is a lifetime camper. Beginning at age five, she attended day camp on Long Island for three years. By age eight, she was off to resident camp for eight weeks each summer and loved every minute of it. Jess was a camper at resident camp for nine years and a counselor and girls’ athletic staff member for three years. She is thrilled to be able to combine her publicity skills with her love of camp. Jess lives in Connecticut with her husband and two daughters. When not publicizing camp, Jess enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the beach, traveling, running in Central Park, and skiing.
Talk to me about: anything media-related, best communication practices with your camp families, skiing, and travel.
Deirdre Riggsbee (she|her|hers)
Membership and Standards Coordinator
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Deirdre Riggsbee is our Membership and Standards Coordinator. She comes to ACA after 5 summers at Camp Weequahic, where she was a Division Head and Gymnastics specialist. A graduate of Manhattan College, Deirdre credits her time as a camper at International Gymnastics Camp as the inspiration for her career in the industry. She is from Englewood, NJ and enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Talk to me about: membership, accreditation, and gymnastics.
