In advance of the next governor’s inauguration in 2026, Rutgers’ Center for American Women in Politics and the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey are hosting a Dec. 6 workshop offering practical guidance for anyone interested in serving on state boards and commissions.
Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill will have the power to make hundreds of appointments to New Jersey state boards and commissions across every department and policy area after she is sworn in as New Jersey’s 57th Governor on Jan. 20.
The workshop, Shape New Jersey’s Future and Yours: Appointments to State Boards and Commissions, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Rutgers-New Brunswick Academic Building East. The registration fee is $30.
Attendees will learn how the appointments process works within the governor’s office and gain insights from members of the governor’s transition team and political leaders about the factors that shape appointments. Workshop participants will gain actionable strategies for pursuing and securing appointed roles in public service.
Speakers include:
- Kellie Mitra Doucette, Executive Director of the Sherrill Caldwell Transition Team
- Chrissy Buteas, President & CEO of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey who formerly served on Gov. Phil Murphy’s 2018 healthcare transition team
- Tara Dowdell, President of the Dowdell Group and formerly the Director of Appointments for Gov. Jim McGreevey
- Jean Sinzdak, Associate Director, Center for American Women in Politics
- Jennifer Duffy, Regional Vice President, Sellers Dorsey and formerly Appointments Director for Gov. Chris Christie
- Gail Gordon, New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority Commissioner and a former member of Gov. Chris Christie’s 2008-2009 transition team
- Jeannine Frisby LaRue, Partner, Moxie Strategies, who formerly served as Gov. Jon Corzine’s Deputy Chief of Staff, a role that oversaw the governor’s appointments office
- Laura Matos, Partner, MAD Global Strategy, who formerly worked in various roles in the Governor’s Office for Governors Jim McGreevey, Dick Codey, and Jon Corzine
- Senator Renee C. Burgess (D-28)
For more information about the agenda, or to register, go here.
