Family Success Institute Appoints Three New Board Members

New Board members will help guide FSI’s mission to strengthen families and communities across New Jersey.

The Family Success Institute (FSI), a New Jersey-based nonprofit dedicated to helping families succeed and thrive, has appointed three distinguished leaders to its Board of Directors, further strengthening the organization’s commitment to advancing policies, partnerships and community-driven solutions that help children and families thrive.

Joining the Board are Bryan Evans, Chief Executive Officer of The Father Center of New Jersey; Kathy S. Collins, LCSW, retired Executive Director of MonmouthCares and a nationally respected leader in behavioral health and family systems of care; and Diana Cooper-Vanderlip, longtime community advocate and retired President and CEO of the Community Planning and Advocacy Council.

“Bryan, Kathy and Diana each bring extraordinary experience and an unwavering commitment to strengthening families and communities,” said Tim Carden, Executive Director of The Family Success Institute. “Their leadership spans nonprofit management, public policy, behavioral health, workforce development and community advocacy. As FSI continues to expand its statewide impact, their perspectives and expertise will help guide our work to build stronger, more resilient communities across New Jersey.”

Bryan Evans is a nonprofit executive, community development leader and strategic communications professional with more than 25 years of experience advancing community development, workforce and family-strengthening initiatives throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. As Chief Executive Officer of The Father Center of New Jersey, he leads efforts to empower fathers and strengthen families through innovative programming, data-informed strategy and expanded fundraising capacity. His previous leadership roles include Senior Vice President of Greater Trenton and Policy Director for the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Evans also serves on the boards of the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber and CNJN-TV and is active in national fatherhood and family policy initiatives.

Kathy S. Collins, LCSW, is a respected nonprofit executive, behavioral health leader and clinical social worker whose 40-year career has helped shape New Jersey’s children’s behavioral health and family systems of care. She retired in 2023 after serving 22 years as Executive Director of MonmouthCares, where she led a staff of 120 providing comprehensive care management for children and families with complex emotional, behavioral, developmental and multi-system needs. Earlier in her career, Collins served at Jersey Shore Medical Center’s Community Mental Health Center and has extensive experience in crisis intervention, organizational consultation, professional training and higher education, including serving as an adjunct professor and field instructor with the Rutgers School of Social Work.

Diana Cooper-Vanderlip has dedicated her career to advancing community empowerment and improving outcomes for children and families. A lifelong resident of the Camden County region, she earned a master’s degree in Community Economic Development while raising her three sons and has spent decades building collaborative programs that strengthen families and neighborhoods. She served as Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Camden County, where she launched the Youth Volunteer Corps, before leading the Community Planning and Advocacy Council as President and CEO for more than 30 years. Her many honors include the NAACP Frances Hooks Award, the Rosemary R. Jackson Drum Major Award, the MLK Drum Major Award and the Non-Profit Advocate of the Year Award.