Tracy Griffinger Nelson
“I totally believe in our mission, especially the more I’m exposed to what VLJ does. I’m amazed by the resilience of our clients who survive and thrive post evictions and filing for bankruptcy. If we don’t help the community, everyone ultimately pays for it as a society.”
VLJ’s October 2022 Defender of Justice is Tracy Griffinger Nelson, VLJ’s Director of Finance. Tracy started volunteering at Volunteer Lawyers for Justice in 2008 after she and her partner sold their organic baking company to a distributor. Tracy was looking for meaningful work when her cousin Michael Griffinger, a renowned attorney at Gibbons P.C., told her, “I have the place for you!” Following his advice, Tracy recalls she rolled up her sleeves and did “whatever was needed” as a volunteer at VLJ.
Tracy is quiet and unassuming, traits that have seen her graduate from Princeton (undergrad) and obtain an MBA from Columbia University, not to mention her 15 years as Vice President of HBO Direct operating a customer service center in Chicago all the while caring for her family (including three children). Tracy credits her success to having the right supports and a strong partner at home.
VLJ’s founding director Karen Sacks immediately recognized Tracy’s talents and financial expertise. Tracy became indispensable, and her executive and operational experience not only served VLJ well during its early years, but continue to do so to this day. Indeed, in her new role at VLJ, Tracy soon found drafting and managing budgets for the organization to be in her wheelhouse. All of that began her transition from volunteer to paid staff as the Director of Finance and Human Resources. At the time, Tracy worked part time, three days per week at VLJ, albeit with full-time heart.
Tracy enjoys the camaraderie and sense of community with VLJ staff. She admires her colleagues who are “so smart and resourceful when providing legal services to our clients. I love to hear about all the work everyone does. I also enjoy learning about public policy from Jessica Kitson, VLJ’s Director of Legal Advocacy.” As Tracy puts it, “What’s keeping me here is that I care about people.” She adds, “I totally believe in our mission, especially the more I’m exposed to what VLJ does. I’m amazed by the resilience of our clients who survive and thrive post evictions and filing for bankruptcy. If we don’t help the community, everyone ultimately pays for it as a society.”
Tracy also cares about her colleagues at VLJ. She says of her colleagues, “It’s a good group and we keep adding good people. And of course, there’s Cathy [VLJ’s current executive director] offering us great leadership.”
Tracy’s love for VLJ is reciprocated by all on staff. Development Director Jaclyn Kramer expresses everyone’s sentiments in a nutshell, “Tracy is constantly working behind the scenes to make sure all the staff are well taken care of. She is diligent in her work to get us the best healthcare and benefits because she cares about us. She has great attention to detail in reporting and budgeting because accurate numbers ensure that VLJ is a strong and healthy organization. She keeps this ship running so that we all can do our jobs - not just for the sake of it, but so at the end of the day we can help more people. She truly is an unsung hero.”
Kim Garcia, Legal Assistant for the Divorce Program and Human Trafficking Program, expressed that “Tracy is a kind and giving person who does not seek the limelight but is always finding ways to give back not just at VLJ. People would be surprised to learn of how generous Tracy is with her time outside of work. For example, she helped fundraise for subway artists at Lincoln Center in New York City.” Kim references the over $2 million Tracy fundraised to produce such events as In Transit: The City’s Finest Subway Musicians at Lincoln Center and Jimmy Cliff and the Harlem Gospel Choir at Riverside Church.
Tracy credits her success at VLJ with being “task-oriented to get stuff done.” She finds “the financial work is truly interesting because numbers can be very creative. If you know your numbers well, you know where you can get creative.” VLJ’s staff are grateful to Tracy for being a consummate professional who handles the organization’s finances with the utmost care. She always confirms if a particular expenditure is necessary and asks if there are less costly (“creative”) options.
Once such instance of her sage stewardship is when a staff member requested VLJ purchase gummed moistener sticks to seal envelopes, to which Tracy offered creative solutions like using a wet sponge or one’s tongue to seal the envelope. In the end, she ordered self-adhesive envelopes that were more cost-effective for the organization and avoided dreaded dry mouth. Perhaps this seems trivial, but in the nonprofit legal services sphere, it is emblematic of how Tracy has an eye for detail and is always looking out for the organization’s best interest. She understands the importance of marshalling and maximizing VLJ’s resources so it can continue to provide free, quality civil legal help for years to come for New Jerseyans experiencing poverty.
Outside of work, Tracy is devoted to her family (that very much includes her two Portuguese waterdogs, Daffy Dean and Moseley) and the outdoors. “My life has always been about family. I love being outdoors and exercising, including walking, playing tennis, and skiing in Vermont,” although, she does the latter less these days.
While some finance and human resources professionals may find themselves relegated to basement offices or hidden behind towers of filing cabinets, VLJ is incredibly proud and grateful to have Tracy as a front-and-center member of the family; a kind, caring, and wise professional whose critical work behind the scenes ensures that VLJ keeps its lights on and doors open for those seeking justice. Thank you, Tracy!