Educational Leadership Foundation of NJ Names Lauren Cuervo as New Executive Director 

The Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey (ELFNJ) announces the appointment of Lauren Cuervo as its new Executive Director. A veteran leader in integrated growth strategy and business development, Cuervo steps into the role with nearly two decades of experience driving value and developing opportunities for school leaders in New Jersey. 

“The Educational Leadership Foundation of NJ is very excited to have Lauren as our new Executive Director,” said Maria Alamo, Chair of ELFNJ. “She not only brings fresh ideas, but her leadership style, along with her marketing capabilities, coupled with her donor contacts, will benefit us in ways we’ve never experienced before. As the Chair of ELFNJ, I have already been working with Lauren, and I’m looking forward to an extremely positive future.”

Cuervo also serves as the Senior Director of Connection for the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA), where she leads a cross-functional team and is responsible for a multi-million-dollar annual revenue portfolio. She has demonstrated success in fiscal stewardship, with a commitment to cost-efficiency and zero-based budgeting principles. This is underscored by a strong record of consistently leading her team to surpass annual budget goals while keeping within budget constraints. 

Since joining NJSBA in 2006, she has served in several roles, including Marketing Manager, Director of Marketing, Communications, and IT, and Lead Director of Strategic Development. She also leads NJSBA’s award-winning annual Workshop conference, the largest training and trade show event for school officials in New Jersey. In addition to other events and initiatives, she launched NJSBA’s first Women’s Leadership Conference in 2024, which is NJSBA’s second most popular event after the annual Workshop conference. 

“I’m excited to see Lauren Cuervo step into the role of Executive Director at ELFNJ. Her energy, responsiveness, and ability to build meaningful relationships are already creating momentum for the foundation,” NJSBA Executive Director Dr. Tim Purnell said. “I’m confident her leadership will strengthen ELFNJ’s mission and create new opportunities to support and advance the work of the New Jersey School Boards Association and its members across the state.”

In her new capacity, Cuervo will leverage her extensive background in relationship marketing, program development and B2B partnerships to bolster the foundation’s reach and impact.  

“I am honored to be selected to lead the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey and to further its vital mission,” Cuervo said. “My focus will be on advancing public education by expanding free training opportunities for school leaders and building support for innovative, equitable programs to advance student achievement.” 

About the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey. The Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey is a 501(c)(3) with a mission to advance public education through training, research, and innovative programming. Founded in 2008, ELFNJ is governed by a board of trustees comprised of members who represent education, government, business and the nonprofit community. 

For information on supporting ELFNJ, contact Lauren Cuervo at lcuervo@elfnj.org.