Brenda Brathwaite is an educator, advocate and community leader committed to ensuring that every child has a fair opportunity to thrive. As Education Chair of the Atlantic City Branch NAACP, she works with families, educators, community partners and policymakers to advance equitable, high-quality public education for every student, regardless of race, background or ZIP code.

With 19 years of experience teaching middle school mathematics, Brenda brings the perspective of and educator who understands both the promise of public education and the real challenges students and families face every day. She currently serves as a Harvard University Opportunity Insights Fellow, where she engages with research on economic mobility and opportunity to help connect data, education and community-driven solutions. Her work is grounded in the belief that a child's future should not be determined by the neighborhood where they grow up.

Donald Campbell, executive director of Atlantic Center for Independent Living, is a lifelong resident of Atlantic County, growing up in Egg Harbor Township and attending Egg Harbor Township High School. He graduated Atlantic Cape Community College and Stockton University with his bachelor's degree in Political Science. Donald went on to Widener University Delaware Law School and has his JD.

Donald has cerebral palsy, a congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture. His personal experience of living with a disability, his robust humor and positive outlook make him a perfect fit to lead this new Center in its inaugural journey. He is excited at the prospect of being able to combine his knowledge of special education and disability law with his passion to advocate along with others who live with disabilities.

Maura Collinsgru serves as the Director of Policy and Advocacy for New Jersey Citizen Action (NJCA). In this role, she spearheads legislative policy initiatives aimed at advancing social, racial, and economic justice for low and moderate-income residents of New Jersey. Maura previously served as Director of Health Care Programs at NJCA, where she played a pivotal role in statewide efforts to promote and defend the Affordable Care Act, ban surprise medical bills, and expand health coverage to all children, regardless of immigration status. Prior to joining NJCA, Maura served as the director of a special education parent advocacy organization. With over 20 years of experience in public policy, advocacy, community organizing, and coalition building, her efforts have resulted in significant legislative policy victories at both the state and federal levels. Maura graduated with a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012. She is a mom of 3, grandmother of 5 from Burlington County NJ, and is a part-time summer resident in Cape May County. 

Laura Gaffney is a nonprofit leader and family-support professional whose work is grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience. As the proud mother of Andrew, an adult with autism spectrum disorder, she has dedicated her career to advancing inclusion, opportunity and quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

For nearly a decade, Gaffney has served as Director of Family Support at Durand, Inc., where she oversees services for 39 adults and the support professionals who provide individualized home- and community-based care funded through the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities and Medicaid. She recruits, mentors and leads staff with a hands-on management approach focused on regulatory compliance, service quality and person-centered support.