Princeton-based The Burke Foundation officially announced its 2025 Community Champions, recognizing five influential New Jersey leaders for their transformative contributions to maternal health, early childhood development, and family well-being.
This year’s honorees were selected for their innovative, community-centered approaches to solving complex challenges facing the state’s youngest residents and their caregivers. From legislative advocacy in Trenton to frontline nursing and neighborhood revitalization in Newark, the champions represent a cross-section of leaders dedicated to the Burke Foundation’s mission: ensuring every child in New Jersey is born healthy and grows up in a safe, supportive environment.
The 2025 cohort includes pioneers in policy, healthcare, and education who are reshaping New Jersey’s “First 1,000 Days” landscape—the critical window from pregnancy through age two.
| Champion | Title & Organization | Primary Impact Area |
| Dominique D. Lee | Founder & CEO, BRICK Education Network | Cradle-to-career neighborhood transformation in Newark. |
| Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz | Majority Leader, New Jersey State Senate | Legislative leadership on universal preschool and child care. |
| Pamela Tew | Policy Lead, ZERO TO THREE | Integrating developmental specialists into pediatric care. |
| Brandie Wooding | Program Director, Family Connects NJ | Expanding universal newborn nurse home visits statewide. |
| Jill Wodnick | Assistant Director, Montclair State University | Advancing birth equity and respectful maternity care. |
The Burke Foundation’s recognition program, established in 2022, highlights the “ripple effect” that strong leadership can have on entire communities. “At the Burke Foundation, we’re proud to highlight the 2025 Community Champions, who are proving what’s possible when leadership is grounded in community and guided by evidence,” Atiya Weiss, executive director of the Burke Foundation said.
