NEWARK, NJ – December 3, 2025 – La Casa de Don Pedro (LCDP) is proud to announce that our President and CEO, Peter T. Rosario, has been named to Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill’s transition team as a member of the ‘Delivering Strong Education for Children’ Action Team. In this role, Mr. Rosario will collaborate with community leaders across New Jersey to develop policy recommendations designed to ensure that all children have access to a strong and equitable education.
Governor-elect Sherrill’s transition teams are charged with advising the incoming administration on priority policy areas that need to be addressed. Rosario is among a select group of volunteers who will help shape recommendations that strengthen New Jersey’s public education system and improve student outcomes. His appointment reflects his long-standing leadership in education and community advocacy, as well as LCDP’s major role in advancing opportunity and equity for families across Greater Newark.
Education equity has been central to Rosario’s work for nearly three decades. With 28 years of nonprofit leadership experience, including senior roles with the YMCA and Boy Scouts of America, Rosario has led significant organizational turnarounds, launched major food security initiatives, and strengthened youth and family services across the state. He served two terms on the Passaic City Board of Education and is a long-standing advocate for educational equity.
Peter highlights, “governor-elect Sherrill has assembled an accomplished team of New Jersey’s most dedicated champions and advocates. These are leaders who share a commitment to building a forward-looking and inclusive agenda for our state. We are charged with developing a bold vision that moves New Jersey forward and rises above outdated approaches that no longer serve our communities. I look forward to working with the Governor-elect and my fellow action team members to deliver meaningful progress for our children and families.”
As the President and CEO of LCDP, New Jersey’s largest Latinx-led nonprofit, he and his team serve more than 50,000 residents annually across Greater Newark. LCDP’s programs support self-sufficiency, racial justice, early childhood education, affordable housing, workforce development, immigration advocacy, and community revitalization.
His advocacy began during his 18-year career with the YMCA, where he helped develop the first Healthy U grant, expanding access to high-quality afterschool programs for more than 18,000 children statewide.
As a parent advocate in Passaic, he championed the implementation of New Jersey’s new Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying policies and successfully fought against punitive disciplinary practices that pushed vulnerable students out of school.
During his tenure on the Passaic Schools Board of Education, Rosario expanded access to Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment courses, launched two new academies, and scaled after-school and summer programs to serve more than 6,000 students annually.
As President and CEO of the Ocean County YMCA, he co-chaired the Toms River Family and Community Support Coalition and launched the community’s first-ever Summer Meals program, providing more than 25,000 meals during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rosario joined La Casa de Don Pedro in August 2021. As President & CEO, he has championed pay parity for childcare teachers and staff, led successful efforts to renew the State Board of Education’s Equality and Equity Administrative Code, and continues to advocate for dismantling New Jersey’s long-standing patterns of school segregation.
“We are extremely proud of Peter’s appointment to Governor-elect Sherrill’s education transition team,” said Arcelio Aponte, Chairman of LCDP’s Board of Directors. “Peter’s nearly thirty-year career of nonprofit leadership and his steadfast commitment to children and families will make him a valuable member of this team. This appointment highlights the impact of La Casa de Don Pedro’s work in promoting equity and opportunity for our community.”
For more information on Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill’s Transition Action Teams, please visit https://www.nj.gov/govelect/action/.
