SUMMIT – Frank Cahill, Governor of the New Jersey District of Kiwanis International, has appointed Jessica C.M. Almeida to serve on the New Jersey District Kiwanis Foundation. At a recent meeting, Almeida was nominated to the position of Secretary.
A lifelong New Jerseyan, Almeida was born and raised in West Caldwell, where she currently resides with her husband, Philip, their three children—Christian, Julianna, and Lucia—her mother, Nancy, and their two rescue dogs, Roni and Carolina.
A Lifelong Commitment to Kiwanis Service
Jessica’s journey with the Kiwanis Family began in middle school as Co-President of the Grover Cleveland Builder’s Club. She continued her leadership in high school as Treasurer and Secretary of the James Caldwell High School Key Club, before being elected Lieutenant Governor of Division 18 during her senior year. Her service earned her several top distinctions, including Outstanding District Board Member, a G. Harold Martin Fellowship, and recognition as a Robert F. Lucas Outstanding Lieutenant Governor by Key Club International.
At the University of South Carolina, Jessica earned her Bachelor of Arts in History (cum laude) with a minor in English. While there, she chartered and served as the first President of the Circle K Club, expanding her Kiwanis leadership into higher education. She was also active in Delta Zeta Sorority, the Panhellenic Council, and Student Government, and was inducted into several honor societies, including Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board, Golden Key International, and Order of Omega. Among her many collegiate honors were the South Carolina Outstanding Senior Award, the USC Student Government Meritorious Service Award, and the Charles W. Coolidge Award for excellence in history.
Professional Excellence and Legal Service
Jessica went on to earn her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Seton Hall University School of Law, where she was an active member of the Student Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Society, and Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Board. She received the Best Brief Award in Appellate Advocacy and clerked for the Honorable Mary Catherine Cuff, P.J.A.D., during her tenure on the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Currently, Jessica is a partner at McManimon, Scotland & Baumann in Roseland, focusing on land use, affordable housing, redevelopment, municipal counsel, and utility law. She has successfully argued cases before the Superior Court, Appellate Division, and New Jersey Supreme Court. Since 2022, she has served on the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness and has been recognized as a Rising Star (2021, 2023) and Super Lawyer (2024, 2025).
Kiwanis Leadership and Community Impact
Jessica has been a dedicated member of the Kiwanis Club of Caldwell-West Essex, serving on its Board of Directors since 2017. From 2022 to 2023, she led the club as Distinguished President, followed by two terms as Lieutenant Governor of the New Jersey District. She also chaired the New Jersey District Convention Committee (2022–2024).
Her dedication has earned her multiple honors, including the Carrington-Swain Fellowship (2023), a George F. Hixon Fellowship (2025), and recognition as part of the New Jersey Society of Outstanding Leaders.
Jessica continues to mentor future generations as Kiwanis Advisor to several Service Leadership Programs, including the Saint Catherine of Siena School K-Kids, Grover Cleveland Middle School and Saint Catherine Builder’s Clubs, and James Caldwell High School and Mount Saint Dominic Key Clubs. She also serves on the Board of Overseers for the Rotary–Kiwanis Caldwell Street Fair, the largest outdoor event in Essex County.
Beyond Kiwanis, she is a member of the Saint Catherine of Siena School Advisory Board and the Major Joseph Bloomfield Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Family and Personal Life
In her free time, Jessica enjoys supporting her children’s activities—watching Christian play baseball and basketball, Julianna compete as a Level 4 USAG gymnast, and Lucia perform with her dance company. Together with her husband, Phil, they are lovingly restoring their 1860s farmhouse in West Caldwell.
About the New Jersey District Kiwanis Foundation
The New Jersey District Kiwanis Foundation supports the charitable, educational, and service objectives of Kiwanis clubs across the state. The Foundation provides scholarships to students, grants to clubs for community service projects, and financial assistance during emergencies. It also funds leadership development programs for youth involved in Service Leadership Programs such as Key Club, Circle K, Builders Club, and K-Kids. Through the generosity of donors and the commitment of its members, the Foundation ensures that Kiwanis continues to improve the world—one child and one community at a time.
