New Leaders Council – New Jersey (NLC-NJ) Announces Petra Gaskins as New Chapter Director

Louis Di Paolo elected to serve as NLC-NJ Deputy Director

Trenton – New Leaders Council – New Jersey (NLC-NJ), the local chapter of the nation’s largest organization that recruits, trains, and promotes a rising generation of progressive leaders, announced today that Petra Gaskins will serve as its next Director.

“I am humbled and excited at the opportunity to serve as Chapter Director of NLC-NJ,” said Petra Gaskins. “NLC-NJ alumni are enacting progressive change in nearly every sector imaginable — from the Governor’s office to the Legislature, in advocacy, health care, business, and the legal field. I look forward to helping them continue to make the Garden State the best in the nation, and I will do all I can to ensure that other emerging progressive leaders have the same opportunity to enact transformative change. Kaitlyn, Katie, Justin, and Jackie left big shoes to fill, and I hope to continue that legacy.”

Formed in 2011 by Justin Braz and Jackie Cornell, NLC-NJ has trained and graduated more than 200 rising progressive leaders across the state.

“Petra has always prioritized service in the work she commits herself to, going above and beyond to ensure the well-being of others,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. “New Leaders Council – New Jersey is lucky to have her as their new leader, and I have no doubt of the impact she will make across the state for inspiring and encouraging others to make a difference.”

Petra, who currently serves as Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker, was a New Leaders Council Fellow in 2016. She began her political career as a teenager, advocating for the rights of marginalized and at-risk youth, after experiencing parental abandonment at a young age and the extraordinary challenges faced by homeless youth. After graduating from Rider University in 2015, she worked as the Director of Outreach and Programming for Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, where she gained a progressive political mentor. Additionally, she served in the front office of Governor Murphy.

“I can’t think of a better choice than Petra to lead the New Leaders Council – New Jersey into its next phase,” said Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker. “Her dedication to helping those around her succeed, whether it is by advocating for a change in public policy, helping a constituent, or paving the way for the next generation of progressive change-makers is remarkable.  I am excited to see how NLC-NJ grows and thrives under Petra’s leadership.

Petra will lead the organization with Louis Di Paolo, who will serve as NLC-NJ’s Deputy Chapter Director. Louis was an NLC-NJ Fellow in 2016 and currently works as Communications Director at New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP), a statewide nonpartisan think tank. He previously served as Councilman in his hometown of Dumont, NJ from 2016 through 2019.

Petra and Louis will be joined by the following NLC-NJ alumni newly elected to the executive board:

• Elizabeth Coulter, NLC Class of 2016, Advisory Board Co-Chair

• Elena Peeples, NLC Class of 2020, Institute Co-Chair

• Robert Matos-Moran, NLC Class of 2019, Institute Co-Chair

• Fatima Heyward, NLC Class of 2019, Diversity Co-Chair

• Hector Oseguera, NLC Class of 2021, Recruitment Co-Chair

• Katie Wertheimer, NLC Class of 2019, Recruitment Co-Chair

• David Nelson, NLC Class of 2020, Selections Co-Chair

• Sam Parker, NLC Class of 2021, Development Co-Chair

• Brittany S. Hale, NLC Class of 2021, Mentorship Co-Chair

• Anne Songcayauon, NLC Class of 2019, Mentorship Co-Chair

• Ericka Persson, NLC Class of 2020, Communications Co-Chair

• Ruth Delgado, NLC Class of 2021, Communications Co-Chair

• Christopher Keating, NLC Class of 2019, Alumni Co-Chair

• Renee Kraus, NLC Class of 2021, Operations Co-Chair

Applications for the 2022 NLC-NJ Institute are open now through September 3rd.