The Diane Sugrue Franzese Scholarship Fund

Diane E. Sugrue Franzese was a gifted lawyer, devoted mother to her two sons Hunter and Louie, a beloved wife to her husband Lou, and a light to everyone who knew her. On May 21, 2020, Diane passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Throughout her life, Diane was the epitome of grit and resiliency. She was a graduate of Saint Catherine of Siena primary school, Cedar Grove High School, Montclair State University, and Seton Hall Law School. She had a remarkable legal career, rising to the position of Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Novartis, and served as Global Compliance Officer for Ingersoll Rand. During the last 14 years of her legal career, Diane was a Partner at Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, a women-owned employment law firm, where she headed the Counseling Department and was a member of the firm's Executive Leadership Team. Diane was a brilliant attorney and a passionate advocate for her clients. She also had a unique ability to inspire, lead, and mentor her team. She met each day with grace, strength, and determination, and made everyone around her feel better. Diane was fondly referred to as "walking sunshine"!

A passionate champion for social justice, Diane served as President of the Board of Trustees for the Community Health Law Project, a statewide nonprofit advocacy and legal services organization designed to deliver services to the disabled. Never one to be in the spotlight, Diane worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help others. She was a champion and advocate for those in need and those without a voice.