Who we are

MPACT is an independent, non-partisan group of Montclair parents and community members who have an interest in budgets and finance, and the policy choices affecting our schools — and the desire to understand and explain the issues in a clear and unbiased way. Contributors include community members with expertise in public policy, law, finance, management, education, data, research, operations, and more. As MPACT takes on new topics, it will bring together teams of residents with experience relevant to specific issues who will offer their time pro bono. 

Our team members include:

Jason Bell has two young children in MPS. He is a management consultant with deep expertise in market research, data analysis, and helping clients work through complex, unstructured problems.

Michael Crowley is the proud parent of two children in Montclair’s public schools and is a lawyer with experience advising on mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, joint ventures and complex governance matters across both top law firms and a leading professional services firm.

Jean Edelstein is the mom of two MPS students. She is an expert in communications and has worked in journalism, tech, publishing, and public policy.

Aysu Farbiarz is the mom of two children in MPS. She leads data science and analytics teams in tech, driving strategy and operational excellence.

Dan Hafetz is a parent of two children in MPS. He is a lawyer, public policy expert, and a veteran of state and local government and non-profits, with expertise in legislation, oversight, designing public policy and programs, and helping government navigate complex and sensitive problems. He began his career as middle and high school social studies teacher.

Mariana Horta is the mother of a student in MPS. She has lived in and observed Montclair since 2015. Mariana is a demographer by training with expertise in data, budget, and public policy analysis.

Rob Moss is a parent of two children in MPS. Coming from the UK, the way schooling happens in Montclair often leaves him vaguely confused! As an actuary he has expertise in the analysis of complex data, communication of results and, having worked on some of the more niche areas of insurance, a pragmatic and creative approach to problem solving.