Stockton University announced that Lori Herndon, the former president and CEO of AtlantiCare, has been named the new chair of the Stockton University Foundation Board of Directors. Her nomination was officially approved during the board’s meeting on Feb. 5.
Herndon, a 1992 Stockton Nursing graduate, succeeds Brigid Callahan Harrison ’88, who has led the board since September 2022.
Herndon’s journey from a staff nurse to the head of a major regional health system is a storied one in South Jersey. During her 40-year career at AtlantiCare, she eventually oversaw more than 6,000 employees and providers before retiring in 2023.
Despite her demanding professional life, Herndon has remained a cornerstone of the Stockton community:
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Foundation Board Member: Serving since 2005.
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Strategic Advisor: Member of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy board.
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Search Committee Leader: Helped select Joe Bertolino as Stockton’s sixth president.
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Mentor: Active member of the Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Council.
“A lot has changed over these decades, but the passion of the people who support Stockton students is still just as strong and just as vibrant,” Herndon said. “I’m looking forward to this new opportunity.”
As chair, Herndon becomes the foundation’s chief volunteer leader, overseeing more than $60 million in assets. Her role is critical in driving the foundation’s mission to remove financial barriers for students through scholarships, academic funding, and enhanced campus experiences.
Dan Nugent, executive director of the foundation, praised Herndon’s proactive nature. “Even before officially stepping into this role, Lori has already begun setting ambitious goals for herself and for the board,” Nugent noted.
The transition marks the end of an era for Harrison, whose relationship with the university has spanned nearly four decades in various capacities.
“It has been an honor to serve my dear alma mater,” Harrison shared. “First, I was a student… then a faculty wife… an adjunct professor, and then a board member and chair. It really has been quite an honor to get to know this side of the university.”
Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff Terricita Sass expressed the university’s enthusiasm for the new leadership: “We are very blessed to have Lori bring all of her talents, her energy, and her heart. We are absolutely thrilled that she’s going to lead this board.”
