Leadership Changes to Elect Women NJ’s Executive Committee

Elect Women NJ is announcing changes to its four-person executive committee. Founder and Chairwoman Kerri Kennedy resigned from her position effective December 15, 2023, due to the demands of her career in international peacebuilding and the need to prioritize family.

Kerri is an executive leading multinational organizations in peace and security, humanitarian response, and human rights for more than two decades. She currently oversees global peacebuilding and humanitarian operations in 17 war-affected countries, including in Gaza and Israel, as the Associate General Secretary for the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).

The Executive Committee accepted Kerri’s resignation and has appointed Co-Founder Tricia Maguire as the new Chairwoman. Tricia had previously served as the Executive Director. The Executive Committee also appointed board member Shelly L. Bell as the Fundraising Chair and a new member of the Executive Committee. “I am eager to be part of the Executive Committee and to strategize about how we can raise even more funds to invest in critical local races,” said Bell.

Kennedy will remain involved as an Emeritus Board member. “I am deeply proud of what we accomplished since our founding four years ago, investing in hundreds of powerful, talented candidates. Tricia Maguire’s dedication and contributions to building Elect Women NJ are unsurpassed. I am thrilled to see her accept the Chair position and for Shelly Bell to take on the Fundraising Chair position. Elect Women NJ is in great hands and I can’t wait to see what it will accomplish next.”

Organizations must maintain continuity and benefit from the wealth of expertise and guidance that founders like Kerri Kennedy can offer, even after stepping down. The emeritus role plays a critical part in ensuring that valuable insights and experience contribute to supporting the mission of funding women in local races as we work to achieve gender parity. Tricia Maguire added, “It’s an honor to step into the role of Chairwoman for Elect Women NJ. Kerri’s visionary leadership has been instrumental in our journey so far, and I am grateful for her unwavering support. With guidance and support from our co-founder Linda Peng-Grooters, the full board at Elect Women NJ, and our Emeritus Board member, Kerri, we are poised to make a lasting impact in advancing gender equity in our political landscape.”