Karen H Jackson is currently serving as the Executive Director of East Orange Child Development Corporation in East Orange, New Jersey, leading the Head Start and Early Head Start program. Karen started her career in the Healthcare industry, then transitioned to Education.

Since working at EOCDC Karen has been very active in the NJHSA and currently serves as the Vice-President of the Board of Directors. Karen has a MBA from University of Phoenix and BA in Public Administration from Kean University. She enjoys working with our children, mentoring our staff and working in the community.

Tara Jones is the Program Director of Passaic Family Head Start, bringing extensive experience in early childhood education, organizational leadership, and program operations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Montclair State University and a Master’s degree in Education from Grand Canyon University.

Throughout her career, Tara has demonstrated a strong commitment to high-quality early childhood education, leadership development, and building systems that support positive outcomes for children, families, and staff. She is passionate about empowering educators, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring that every child has access to meaningful early learning opportunities.

Bonnie Eggenburg is a Vice President who works with Gateway Community Action Program in southern New Jersey and Philadelphia area, providing leadership to the Early Head Start and Head Start programs in eight counties. Bonnie has been active in state-wide early education initiatives, and currently serves as the President of the Region II Head Start Head Start Association, advocating for quality early childhood programs for children.

Bonnie has completed the UCLA Johnson and Johnson Head Start Management Fellows Program and she is a Certified Community Action Professional. Bonnie holds a Master’s degree Education from Southern Illinois University with a focus on Early Childhood Education.  She has been a teacher, college instructor, a mentor, and an innovator, working to improve the lives of children. 

Claudette Lamothe-Galette is a dedicated and passionate early childhood education professional with over 25 years of experience working with young children, families, and educators. She currently serves as the Education Manager at East Orange Child Development Corporation and is a Staff Affiliate of the New Jersey Head Start Association. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to providing high-quality early childhood education and believes that every child has the potential to succeed with the right guidance, encouragement, and support.

She embraces a whole-child approach to school readiness, emphasizing the importance of nurturing children’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development. Her passion for early childhood education inspires her to empower educators, strengthen family partnerships, and create meaningful learning experiences that build a strong foundation for lifelong success.

Jai Gorrell is a parent leader with Gateway CAP, Inc., where she serves as Policy Council Chair, and a board member of the New Jersey Head Start Association and Region II Head Start Association. She is pursuing an MBA in Nonprofit Management and is the founder and Executive Director of Doing Our Part Eclectically (D.O.P.E.), a nonprofit she has led since 2014.

Jai is also a founding member of Parents Unite, a National Head Start Association initiative focused on parent advocacy and empowerment. She is passionate about elevating family voices and helping children and families thrive.

Susan Chaberski is the Founder and Strategic Finance Officer of Grant Warriors, bringing extensive executive leadership and financial management expertise to the nonprofit sector, with a particular focus on Head Start and Early Head Start programs. A former Chief Financial Officer for New Jersey Head Start grant recipients, Susan is a passionate advocate for fiscal excellence, accountability, and organizational sustainability.

She proudly serves as Treasurer of both the New Jersey Head Start Association and the Region II Head Start Association, where she champions strong fiscal stewardship and advances their shared mission of providing high-quality early childhood education and comprehensive services to children and families.

Dr. Dorothy C. Handfield is a retired Principal from the Newark Board of Education in Newark, New Jersey.   She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University, a Master of Arts from Kean University, a Master of Educational Administration from Caldwell University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California.  Dr. Handfield loves spending time with her family and friends and volunteering at local hospitals.

Kelly holds a Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Emerson College. She is passionate about strengthening families, building meaningful community partnerships, and advocating for programs and services that support children and families.

Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to collaboration, community service, and creating opportunities for families to thrive.

As Chief Program Officer at The Leaguers, Inc., she provides strategic and programmatic leadership for Head Start and Early Head Start, oversees compliance with federal and state standards, and develops partnerships with local school districts

Dr. Evans earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy from Fordham University and holds master’s degrees in Educational Leadership and Early Childhood Education from Montclair State University.

Driven by her passion for developing effective leaders and building strong organizations, Dr. Evans is also the Co-Founder and Chief Learning and Impact Officer of Future Mindset Wins Consulting Company. Through this work, she partners with schools, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses to build leaders, strengthen culture, and drive results.

Gita holds a PhD in Environmental Science and Management from Montclair State University, along with two master’s degrees and a bachelor’s degree in Science. She is passionate about supporting children, families, and communities.

Jasmine Gomez-Demby, MSNPM, is an accomplished early childhood professional and nonprofit leader with more than 20 years of experience in family services, Head Start, and community-based programs. She is passionate about strengthening children, families, and communities through high-quality early learning, equity, and sustainable systems of support.

Jasmine has a proven track record of leading program operations, ensuring compliance, implementing quality improvement initiatives, and developing high-performing teams.

Her expertise includes Head Start and Early Head Start, program management, compliance, staff development, training, and multi-site oversight. She has also served on nonprofit and civic boards, advocating for children and families at the local, state, and federal levels.

As an Early Childhood & Nonprofit Consultant, Jasmine partners with organizations to build capacity, improve outcomes, and create lasting impact. Her approach is rooted in collaboration, data-driven decision making, and a deep commitment to community wellness and leadership development.

As CEO, Hazel has successfully expanded ICC’s impact by developing innovative programs that address the intersection of social services and environmental justice, understanding that accessible childcare is essential for working families in underserved communities. Her extensive experience in early education programming aligns directly with Head Start’s mission of comprehensive child development and family support. She has led campaigns against industrial polluters near childcare facilities, advocated for increased green space in underserved neighborhoods where children play and learn, and championed state and federal policies that prioritize low-income communities of color. Her deep understanding of how policy translates to real-world impact comes from years of direct service and community organizing in one of New Jersey’s most diverse neighborhoods, where she has witnessed firsthand how childcare access affects family economic mobility.

Hazel’s leadership philosophy centers on inclusive governance and community empowerment, recognizing that childcare policy must be shaped by the families it serves. She has demonstrated success in building coalitions across racial and economic lines, ensuring that marginalized voices shape the policies affecting their lives. Her work addresses critical state priorities, including affordable housing (which intersects with childcare facility placement), workforce development (impossible without reliable childcare), environmental health (crucial for young children’s development), early childhood education, and racial equity—all essential components of New Jersey’s future prosperity.

With a BS in Business Management, an MBA, and an Executive Master of Public Administration, Hazel combines financial expertise with public sector knowledge, understanding the complex funding streams that support childcare programs. Her 12 years managing complex budgets as CFO, coupled with her current role leading systemic change initiatives and her deep experience in educational programming, position her to provide practical, actionable recommendations for sustainable childcare solutions. Her commitment to evidence-based solutions and community-centered governance will help ensure that policies truly serve all New Jersey residents, particularly the youngest and most vulnerable, while supporting the working families who depend on quality childcare to participate in the economy.

Dr. Joselyn Estevez-Vargas brings more than 35 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and a longstanding commitment to the Head Start mission. As Vice President of Early Childhood Education at HOPES CAP, Inc., she provides executive leadership and oversight of programs serving more than 1,000 children, birth to age five, through Early Head Start, Head Start, and district preschool partnerships throughout New Jersey.

As President of the New Jersey Head Start Association, Dr. Estevez-Vargas is committed to strengthening statewide advocacy, fostering collaboration among Head Start programs, and advancing professional development and quality early learning opportunities for children and families. She also serves on the Region II Head Start Association Board, where she previously served nearly a decade as Treasurer, and has held leadership roles within NJHSA’s Directors’ Affiliate. Affectionately known as Dr. JEV, she is passionate about empowering families, supporting the early childhood workforce, and advancing the Head Start mission.

Eileen Gibbons – Staff | Member | Center for Family Resources | Eileeng@cffr.net

Dr. Carey Brown – Community | Member | HOPES CAP, Inc. | Chb63@yahoo.com | 908-265-3729

Yarvy Lopez Read – Parent | Member | La Casa de Don Pedro | y.read@hotmail.com