Born and raised on the South Shore of Staten Island, Janine Materna was always interested in making the community a better place. As the product of the New York City public school education system, Janine looked up to her teachers who taught her the importance of giving back to the community and setting an example for others. Janine started her education at P.S. 3 in Pleasant Plains, where she was involved with the Girl Scouts of America. She then continued her education at I.S. 34 in Tottenville, and Tottenville High School in Huguenot. While in high school, Janine served as the Senior Class President of over 1,000 students and was an inducted member in Council for Unity and the Multicultural Leadership Council, where she served as a mentor for fellow students. She was always active in volunteering within the community by raising money, food, clothes and other goods for various charities and organizations including the Make a Wish Foundation, Hoops for Heart, Toys for Tots, United Cerebral Palsy, March of Dimes, Greenbelt, Breast Cancer Awareness and Meals on Wheels. She also accompanied the late Mr. Kevin Sheehy, teacher at Tottenville High School, each year to the state’s capital in Albany to lobby for new books and additional school supplies for New York City public schools. Janine was the first recipient of the Kevin Sheehy Memorial Scholarship for outstanding community service.

Janine earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Environmental Science from Columbia College of Columbia University in Manhattan. While in college, Janine was on the Dean’s List each semester and was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Delta Gamma Sorority, Columbia Political Union and the Blue Key Society. Columbia University bestowed upon her the Order of Omega Award and the Columbia College Class Day Representative Award.

Janine is active in various civic, fraternal, and charitable organizations throughout the district and city. She is on the advisory council of the Children’s Aid Society, and sustains active membership in the New York Junior League, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group, South Shore Democrats, Richmond County Young Democrats, Women’s Auxiliary of the Staten Island Historical Society – Historic Richmond Town, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York Junior Board, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York, and the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee.

Janine currently works with Deloitte Consulting, a top management consulting firm, providing her clients with technical, operational, governance and risk management advice on how to increase productivity and efficiency. She specializes in integrating people issues with business strategy - experience she would bring to the City Council as the City deals with its budget concerns.

Janine would also bring to the Council experience in constituent affairs from her time as an intern in the New York office of then U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton where she worked on environmental, energy, transportation and military affairs.

Janine is a lifetime parishioner of St. Clare’s parish in Great Kills, where she was active in the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) basketball. Janine looks forward to representing the 51st District and to continue to mentor, inspire and give back to the community by setting an example for others.