Administrative Staff
Albert Pelham
Executive Director
Al is a 1979 graduate of Bloomfield College, Bloomfield NJ with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He is married to Audrey Pelham and they have two grown children: Dwayne Jones who is married and living in Scottsdale, Arizona and Rhonda Fischer who is also married and living in Atlanta, Georgia. After high school, Al spent three years in the U.S. Army and joined Prudential Insurance Company, where he spent 18 years in various roles and departments. After leaving Prudential, he joined the non-profit world where he has been for the past eight years. Along with his role in MNDC, Al works on a part time basis with the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN), Inc. of New Jersey. SPAN’s mission is to empower families and inform and involve professionals and other individuals in the healthy development and educational rights of children. Al is the Office Systems Manager for SPAN. Al is a graduate of the Montclair Public Schools system and has been a vocal community activist in Montclair for many years.
Elaine Spears
Director of Program Services & Case Management
Ms. Spears attended Kean College of Union, New Jersey, where she earned her BSW. She began her social work career at the Annandale Juvenile Correctional facility of Annandale, New Jersey. Ms. Spears was assigned to the Trap Program, an inmate substance abuse program, where she provided substance abuse counseling. After a few years, Ms. Spears moved on to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) the New Jersey Child Welfare agency, where she was employed as an investigator. During the course of her employment at the Division, she maintained many positions such as Policy & Planning Analyst and NJ Adolescent Services Manager. After 33 year of service she retired from her final position of Mercer County Area Office as the Area Office Manager.
Several years later, Ms. Spears rejoined the social work community as the Assistant Social Work Director of the Urban Pathways Organization of New York, NY. After some time, she returned to the New Jersey workforce and procured a position with the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation. Ms. Spears states “this position affords me the opportunity to work on what really matters, families and children."
Taneshiah Harris
Administrative Assistant
Ms. Harris is the Administrative Assistant and Case Coordinator for The Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation. She joined the administrative team in 2013 bringing 8 year of experience working in an administrative support role, client services, and other organizational functions. Ms. Harris holds an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Office E-Ministration and Business from Gibbs College.