New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association Expands Grassroots Advocacy with New Hires

Galen Johnson and Ashley Cordero to Lead Parent and Community Outreach

Hamilton, New Jersey – October 10, 2024 – Today, the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association (NJPCSA) announced that Galen Johnson and Ashley Cordero have joined the organization as Senior Director of Grassroots Advocacy and Newark Community Organizer, respectively.

“We are strengthening our grassroots outreach at the Association with Galen and Ashley at the helm. The entire public charter school sector will benefit from their deep well of relationships as they work with our public charter school families to advocate for their children and communities. We are excited to welcome Galen and Ashley as we continue to grow our organization,” said Harry Lee, President and CEO of NJPCSA.

Galen was previously the Director of Youth Leadership Development at The North Ward Center in Newark, where he led youth programs that provide structured activities for over a thousand kids yearly. Most recently, he served as the Director of External Relations for the New Jersey Children’s Foundation based in Newark, managing relationships with nonprofits and local government, as well as nearly $500,000 in community based grants.

“I have been fortunate to have centered my career around supporting families and children. Whether working in foster care, as a coach and physical education teacher, leading youth sports programs in Newark, or connecting schools and community based organizations to resources, serving others is one my core values,” said Galen Johnson. “I could not be more excited for the opportunity to lean on my past experiences in this new role and work to further elevate parent voices in support of quality educational options.”

Ashley Cordero is a dedicated community organizer with a passion for social justice and grassroots activism. Born and raised in Newark, she is a proud graduate of Rutgers-Newark and Robert Treat Academy Charter School. She has an exceptionally strong background in community work and has been actively involved in various initiatives aimed at empowering marginalized groups and fostering social change.

“I am excited to work with the Association to help lift the voices of public charter school students and families across New Jersey. I am deeply invested in improving the lives of others and this new role furthers that commitment, both to my home city of Newark and communities across the Garden State,” said Ashley Cordero.

Galen and Ashley will work closely with NJPCSA’s Chief External Affairs Officer Danielle Alpert and Senior Advisor T.J. Best as they lead the organization’s grassroots advocacy efforts.

Learn more about the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association at https://njcharters.org/.