Julietta Vogt is a lifelong Jersey City resident who has dedicated nearly a decade of her career to public service, government, and community-focused work. A graduate of County Prep High School, Julietta grew up in Jersey City and attended Jersey City Public Schools through eighth grade.

Throughout her career, Julietta has managed complex projects, built community partnerships, and worked to connect residents with government and the resources available to them. She previously served as Executive Director of the Hudson County Democratic Organization and as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Hudson County Executive, and has managed successful local political campaigns. These experiences strengthened her ability to bring people together, navigate difficult issues, manage public resources responsibly, and turn ideas into action.

Education has also always been close to home for Julietta. Her mother is a paraprofessional, her twin sister is a teacher, and several members of her extended family are educators. Through them, she has seen both the extraordinary work educators do every day and the importance of making sure the people closest to students have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their classrooms.

Julietta is running for the Board of Education because she believes strong public schools are one of the most important investments a community can make. She will bring the same approach to the Board that has guided her career in public service: listen first, ask questions, be transparent, and follow through.

Videsh A. Bahadur has spent more than three decades working in education and workforce development, building programs and expanding opportunities that help students succeed in school, in their careers, and beyond.

A Jersey City Public Schools graduate and longtime educator, Videsh has dedicated much of his professional career to higher education. At New Jersey City University, his work has included efforts to expand access to education, remove barriers for students, strengthen enrollment, and create pathways connecting education with workforce opportunities. He also co-founded the university's Office of Workforce and Community Development and has served as Director of the Small Business Development Center.

Videsh understands education not only as a professional, but as a parent. His child is a student at McNair Academic High School, giving him a personal stake in the success of Jersey City's public schools and a firsthand understanding of the hopes and concerns families bring to their children's education.

After decades spent helping students access opportunity, Videsh is running for the Board of Education to bring that experience directly to the district. He believes every student deserves the resources, support, and opportunities necessary to reach their potential — regardless of where they begin.

Fernando Garcia is an educator, workforce strategist, and human resources professional whose career has focused on helping people and organizations reach their potential.

As the founder of Human Capital Management Group, Fernando brings more than a decade of experience in talent management, higher education, workforce development, and organizational strategy. He has also served as an adjunct professor at institutions including New Jersey City University, Hudson County Community College, and Middlesex College, giving him experience working directly with students as they prepare for their careers and futures.

His work has given him a unique perspective on the connection between education and opportunity. Fernando understands that preparing students for the future requires more than helping them earn a diploma. It means ensuring they develop the skills, confidence, and access to opportunities that allow them to succeed in college, the workforce, and life.

Fernando is running for the Board of Education to bring a thoughtful, strategic approach to governance and help ensure Jersey City's schools are preparing every student for what comes next. He believes strong leadership requires collaboration, accountability, and decisions grounded in what will create the best outcomes for students.

Zebedayo Masongo is an attorney and former educator who has seen firsthand the difference strong schools can make in the trajectory of a young person's life.

Education has been part of Zebedayo's life from the beginning. Both of his parents were educators, including a mother who taught in Jersey City's public schools for more than 20 years. Before pursuing a career in law, Zebedayo spent two years in the classroom as a teacher, where he experienced both the challenges educators face and the impact dedicated teachers can have on their students.

His experience in the legal system gave him another perspective on the importance of education. While serving as a judicial law clerk in Trenton, Zebedayo saw how the juvenile justice system intersects with education and how quickly young people can fall through the cracks when they do not have the support and resources they need. He later continued his career in public service with the New Jersey Attorney General's Office before moving into private industry.

Zebedayo holds a bachelor's degree in Biology, a master's degree in Physiology, and a law degree. He is running for the one-year term on the Board of Education because he believes strong, accountable public schools can change lives — and that every child deserves a school system equipped to help them succeed.