Integral to our crackerjack Town Hall team is Recreation Director Jennifer Haley Zeisler, who is also known as Cali and Zoey’s mom, Kurt’s wife, best friend to all, and a true ringleader of fun. Zeisler joined us part time in 2023 and soon thereafter became its captain. With Zeisler came a whirlwind of new events, community service projects and business support that has driven community pride to new levels.

Participation in longtime programs like youth soccer and summer camp have doubled and feature many new bells and whistles like food trucks to serve families a quick dinner at the park. Kids are enjoying the opportunity to try new experiences like field hockey, science, art, bowling and line dancing. TOG kids are being challenged to get off electronics and instead enjoy face-to-face fun. TOG camp now fosters key values that matter like honesty, inclusion, respect and being helpful.

The Rec Department’s holiday gift program works with Greenfield Elementary Principal Dr. Tina Davis to be sure that our local families receive assistance during the holidays. We added a summer lunch program and many times Zeisler delivers the meals herself. Fundraiser events help families afford rec scholarships and bring improvements to Brookhaven Winter Park. TOG Rec now represents all residents, not just the children. Multiple programs have targeted women of all ages, empowering them to try new skills like Nordic skiing, golf or barre class. TOG social hours and weekly summer farmers markets provide a chance to know your neighbors and elected officials. If you haven’t attended one of our many events from yoga to bingo, to social hours to bus trips, what are you waiting for?

It won’t surprise you that Zeisler has always been a person who can’t sit still. She graduated from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla in 2002 and studied abroad at the American College of Dublin. She went on to complete two years of professional acting training at the Howard Fine Acting Studio in Los Angeles, CA. Beginning with tiny acting roles in popular tv shows (like CSI Miami and The OC) she then performed lead roles at the historic Beverly Cannon Theatre. At the same time, she became a buyer at a trendy accessory store, Siany. She also met Kurt Zeisler and became best friends and the true love whom later she would marry.

When her family convinced her to join them back in Boca Raton, she partnered in a luxury retail shop, Trilogy Boutique. While speaking to students at her alma mater, she was introduced to a manufacturer she started working with to create handbags, her favorite accessory. She branded the bags and began selling first to family and friends. Within 18 months, her bags exploded in popularity, purchased by more than 100 high-end national and international retailers like Bloomingdales and Free People. Many of the bags, which range in cost from $150-$555, feature fringe and the most popular products have names like “Bohemian” and “Sophisticated Shopper.”

“I believe that confidence is your greatest accessory and wanted to create bags that gave wearers a bigger sense of themselves,” Zeisler said. “I always said that getting dressed each morning is like playing a different character, which I love.”

Jennifer Haley Inc. earned a large social media presence and some “pretty press” that included top fashion magazines like InStyle Magazine (“Fall’s Top Trends” 2012), US Weekly Magazine and Glamour. Oprah Winfrey and International Vogue both cited her as a handbag designer to follow. Celebrities like Halle Barre, Selena Gomez, Demi Moore, Vanessa Hutchins, Heidi Klum and Rachel Zoe were all publicized wearing the bags. Zeisler attended fashion shows across the country, including New York’s Fashion Week for many years. She organized charity fundraisers, hosting many big league events, such as a Young Friends of Elie Weisel event to support Israel with Natalie Portman and Weisel (a Romanian-born American writer, Nobel Laureate, and Holocaust survivor).

Marriage to Kurt in 2010 and the subsequent birth of daughter Zoey in 2012 and then daughter Cali (named for California) in 2017 gave the family inspiration to slow down and simplify her career craziness. The Zeislers packed up and followed her brother to Upstate New York and relocated to Greenfield, N.Y. in 2017.

“Moving to Greenfield felt like stepping into a Hallmark movie. I traded in my fast-paced life to the quiet of beauty of country living and never looked back.” Zeisler

The couple named their home and seven acres “The Farm on Tall Acres” with its high pine trees. Zeisler found herself immersed in Greenfield Elementary School fundraisers, drama club, leading a Girl Scout Troop and as a community volunteer for the Food Pantry, Greenfield Recreation and The Home of the Good Shepherd. Although she closed her showrooms and runway appearances, the handbag brand’s online presence expanded to candles and home décor. Her products still are sold at shopjenniferhaley.com and at local retailers like Violet’s in Saratoga Springs, at Greenfield Farmers Markets and Brookhaven’s Winter Ski Shop.

The passion that once focused on fashion, now focuses on parenting and building the TOG into a town that emphasizes a sense of pride and belonging.

Working with Supervisor Kevin Veitch and her peers, Zeisler is proud to have helped build the Greenfield community to an exciting place to work and live. “I’m very appreciative of all the support I receive from Supervisor Veitch and his willingness for us to try new things,” she said, “And there are others at Town Hall who contribute to make our programs successful. Nothing is more rewarding than setting a good example with my children and showing them the importance of contributing to your community.”  

Zeisler said she wants to continue expanding her events beyond social outings. She has a major breast cancer fundraiser scheduled Oct. 4. After hosting a drug awareness program for parents last year, she is excited to start a regular family guidance program for hot parent and child topics in the future.

“Our teenagers and children are hurting today from the digital takeover of our society,” Zeisler said. “I want our town to be a leader in helping our parents and children manage their stresses and concerns together.”

Veitch said employees like Zeisler are irreplaceable. “She brings such positivity into our town and an unmatched energy,” he said. “I’m very proud of the excellent team of professionals we have assembled here at Town Hall. They allow us to raise the level of professionalism and support to our residents.”

We may be in rural Upstate New York, but the hurricane that is Jennifer Zeisler, is stirring up some big feels for the TOG.