Nathan D. Zasler, MD, DABPM&R, FAAPM&R, FACRM, BIM, CBIST is Founder, CMO and CEO of Concussion Care Centre of Virginia, Ltd., as well Founder and current Medical Director of Tree of Life in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Zasler is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, fellowship trained in brain injury rehabilitation and subspecialty certified in Brain Injury Medicine. He is an affiliate professor in the VCU Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Richmond, VA, and a visiting professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville.  Dr. Zasler is also a fellow of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Dr. Zasler is internationally recognized as an expert in brain injury medicine and has published and lectured extensively on TBI related neuromedical issues.  He has published well over 200 peer reviewed articles, authored over 60 book chapters and given over 700 academic lectures. He has edited eight textbooks as either editor in chief, co-editor or associate editor and is editor in chief of the core textbook “Brain Injury Medicine:  Principals and Practice” now in its 3rd edition. He serves on numerous journal editorial boards and is chief editor of two peer reviewed international scientific journals: “Brain Injury” and “Neurorehabilitation”. He also serves as chief editor of the publication “Brain Injury Professional”.

He is Emeritus Chairperson as well as Vice-Chairperson of the International Brain Injury Association (IBIA).  Dr. Zasler was the first recipient of the NHIF Young Investigator Award, and among other awards has been recognized with the Sheldon Berrol Clinical Service award from BIAA.  He has been repeatedly recognized by “Best Doctors”.  Dr. Zasler is active in local, national and international organizations dealing with acquired brain injury and neurodisability, serving in numerous consultant and board member roles.

Corporate Responsibility Analyst
State Farm Insurance

Jennifer Young has served as a Corporate Responsibility Analyst at State Farm for more than 20 years.

Jennifer manages State Farm’s multi-million-dollar philanthropic programs, media relations, and agent engagement and volunteer efforts throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.  Jennifer’s philanthropic focuses cover a variety of topics, such as, safe driving, affordable housing, financial literacy, economic development, and home fire safety.

Jennifer received her Bachelor of Sociology from William Paterson University where she graduated with honors.  She also earned her Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 2016.

Jennifer is married with two children – Matthew, 14, and Deanna, 12.  She enjoys traveling, running, fitness, yoga, reading and learning about world events and history.

Michael’s Mom
Michael Heaney Fund

Chief Executive Officer
AETNA Better Health NJ

Joseph W. Manger is recognized as an expert in New Jersey’s Medicaid Managed Care. With over 20 years of experience, Manger has successfully managed the launch of numerous Medicaid Managed Care expansion initiatives. These initiatives include the transition of Aged, Blind, and Disabled Medicaid beneficiaries to managed care; implementation of Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and Fully Integrated Dual Special Needs Program (D-SNP); and the expansion of Autism Spectrum Disorder benefits.

A New Jersey native, Manger graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning and Design from Cook College, Rutgers University. Manger began his career with the State of New Jersey’s Office of Management and Budget. Then he worked for 12 years at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, where he developed an extensive background in environmental equity, environmental and urban planning, and air pollution control.

Following his career with the State of New Jersey, Manger worked for 19 years for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey’s Medicaid Program. He ensured the company complied with applicable legislative mandates and regulatory requirements. Manger oversaw the proper coordination and preparation for external government regulatory audits and served as the contact with the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Department of Banking and Insurance, and other related agencies.

Manger currently serves are the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Aetna Better Health of New Jersey (ABHNJ) — a division of Aetna that is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies and part of the CVS Health family. As CEO, Manger is a strategic visionary and motivational leader with a passion to transform the health care system and the communities he serves. Manger manages operational aspects of various functional areas within ABHNJ, implements new programs and initiatives, and addresses issues that impacts New Jersey’s Medicaid population.
Manger is and has always been a champion for community development. Throughout the years, he has dedicated his time to volunteer activities and leadership roles within the community. Organizations he has supported include: Washington Township Environmental Commission, Washington Township Outdoors Education Task Force, Hamilton Township Junior Chamber of Commerce and NJ Blue Star Memorial Highway Council. Manger served as President for the Washington Township Board of Education, and on the board of directors and/or trustees for Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, Parents Inc., and Youth Environmental Society.

Manger is known for his jovial sense of humor and dedication to his work, which is self-evident from the numerous successful initiatives and programs, and his service to the community.

President
Nikhil Badlani Foundation

Sangeeta Badlani is the Founder of the Nikhil Badlani Foundation and Families for Safe Streets New Jersey. Sangeeta lost her 11-year-old son, Nikhil, in a car crash in 2011. Nikhil was a gifted student, Boy Scout, and passionate musician. He was remembered for his talents, kindness and lasting influence in the House of Representatives by Honorable Mikie Sherrill of the 11th congressional district in New Jersey. His name is now in the congressional record of the 117th Congress, First Session.

Since her loss, Sangeeta has mobilized her pain and grief into action to make our streets safe for all. Soon after the crash, Sangeeta and her family established the Nikhil Badlani Foundation, with a mission to raise traffic safety awareness, provide music lessons to underserved children, and give scholarships to graduating seniors in New Jersey. To date, the Foundation has given out $226K in academic scholarships to 144 graduating high schoolers; spent over $100K in music lessons to benefit more than 150 students; and invested over $200k in traffic safety awareness projects.
Sangeeta was a Portfolio Manager for a global financial company and co-managed $5 billion in assets for retirement plans. She transitioned into a full-time role as the President of the Foundation after a successful run of 22 years in this position.
Beginning in 2013, Sangeeta experimented with an innovative and immersive program, Drivers Ed Through Art, to educate teen drivers. The program was a resounding success and has been implemented in 30 high schools in New Jersey. She has worked directly with around 9,000 students and the program has impacted more than 33,000. To date, the Foundation has created 34 traffic safety murals. The artwork created by these students have been used to run Public Service Announcements in NJ Transit buses, Light Rail, and train stations.

In 2015, Sangeeta with her husband Sunil was successful in passing the “Nikhil Law,” currently being implemented throughout the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicle Commission. The law informs drivers of the dangers of disobeying traffic laws and gives them the option to take the STOP for Nikhil safety pledge. Thousands of drivers have taken the pledge to drive safely.

In 2017, Sangeeta along with others affected by traffic crashes launched the Families for Safe Streets NJ chapter. Currently there are over 20 chapters around the country with the common mission to end traffic violence and support those affected. In 2021, the group along with hundreds of partner organizations urged President Joe Biden and Secretary Buttigieg to commit to zero roadway deaths by 2050. In January 2022, a new National Roadway Safety Strategy was released by the U.S. Department of Transportation, setting a first-ever national goal of zero roadway fatalities and committing to specific actions to advance the goal of safe mobility for all people.

Sangeeta continued her outreach to teens by launching a Traffic Safety Youth Advisory Board at West Orange High School in 2018, with a vision to empower youth to make a difference by providing a platform for them to express ideas and develop recommendations for traffic safety projects. These students have used innovative campaigns to educate their peers, created a first-ever street mural in West Orange to reduce speed, and have testified before the state Senate and Assembly transportation committees in support of a mandatory 50-practice hours bill. The group participates in the U Got Brains Champion Schools Program and has been a three-time winner of its contest. In 2020, Sangeeta partnered with local traffic safety organizations in NJ to start the Vision Zero New Jersey Alliance with the mission to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in NJ by 2035.

On June 11, 2021, to mark the tenth anniversary of Nikhil’s crash, the intersections where the crash occurred was named, “Nikhil’s Way.” Sangeeta and her Foundation have been recognized for their work by the West Orange Township, South Orange Township, AAA Northeast, New Jersey Teen Coalition, Traffic Officers Association of Essex County and the Russell Berrie Foundation.

Sangeeta is supported by her husband, Sunil and her younger son Anay. Both have made significant contributions to the success of the Foundation. Sunil was instrumental in passing Nikhil’s Law and Anay was the President of the Traffic Safety Youth Advisory Board at his high school. Sangeeta attributes her success to her family, friends and the West Orange Community.