Prior to her role at PSEG, Ms. Peña served as the Director in the New Jersey Department of State’s Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development under Governor Murphy’s administration. She was twice named NJ’s Insider 100: Policy-Makers Power List for her work leading the Center. During her tenure, at the NJ Department of State she was widely lauded for expanding its statewide footprint and national presence in advocacy for Hispanics and Latinx.

 

Ms. Peña received her bachelor’s degree in management science from Kean University and her master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University in Newark. Sara was born, raised, and educated in the City of Newark, NJ. She is the proud daughter to an Ecuadorian mother and Dominican father.

 

Sara is a proud mother to Anthony, who inspired her to start her own non-profit, Boys to Leaders Foundation in 2013. In response to her commitment to her community and most importantly her son, she decided to create an organization that will benefit young men, giving them a strong sense of direction to enhance their achievement and demonstrate her commitment to them and her community.   

 

A prominent leader, advocate and trailblazer Sara’s story has been highlighted in two books, “Uncolonized Latinas-Transforming our Mindset and Rising Together”, by Valeria Aloe. This book takes you on a journey where along the way you meet immigrant Latinas and daughters of immigrants who through trials and tribulations, have uncolonized their limiting mindsets.

 

Her story was one of the “Hispanic Rising Stars” Volume III of which showcases stories of U.S. Hispanics with diverse backgrounds, experiences, challenges, and ongoing contributions being made by this strong and resilient community. In addition, Ms. Peña has been featured in magazines and media platforms for her work throughout the State. Sara interviewed on shows such as Que PasaNJ, SOS Network with Marleny Cruz, Univision, Cablevision, Tiempo with Joe Torres, and others.

 

Ms. Peña served on the Executive Board of LUPE (Latinas United for Political Empowerment) Fund, Inc., an organization dedicated to the empowerment of all Latinas in New Jersey (2008-2023). Sara served in the capacity of President for three (3) years, Treasurer; Co-Chair of the Young Latina Leadership Conference; Co-Founder & Chair of the Scholarship Committee, Mentorship Program. She transformed the organization and became the champion and inspiration for women, families, and young people across New Jersey.

 

Early in her career she decided to volunteer in the Immigration Department at La Casa De Don Pedro, a non-profit, whose immigration program is to serve those who have been victims of serious crimes by ensuring those individuals are provided with the right legal services and to educate them on the applicability of various Immigration Laws.

 

She is a proud fellow graduate of the Leadership Newark Program, which focuses on public policy and issues that affect the city as well as various community engagement projects (2009)

 

Sara has served on numerous distinguished boards and commissions throughout her career.

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• Appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the Roseville Community Charter School Board of Trustees in Newark. (2024). She had previously served on this board as a member and Chair.

 

• Elected to serve as a delegate under the New Jersey Delegation for the 2024 Democratic National Convention being held in Chicago.

 

• Served on the Bloomfield College of Montclair State University Advisory Board. This board makes recommendations to ensure that the education delivered through Bloomfield College is up to date and relevant to current business, industry, labor, and professional employment practices. Provide support and advice to academic programs, assist in the development of new programs and identify best-practice standards.

 

•  Appointed to the Victoria Foundation who partners with Black and Brown residents and other marginalized communities in Newark and nonprofit organizations to champion bold strategies that strengthen community power, foster economic justice promote youth self-determination, and respond to pressing needs.  (2023)

 

• Appointed to serve on the NJPAC Women’s Board, the anchor cultural institution for the city of Newark and the state of New Jersey (2023).  

 

• The Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute’s Advisory Board at Seton Hall University.  (2022, 2024)

 

• In 2020 Ms. Peña was invited and served as a Biden-Harris national policy volunteer on the Education Committee.

 

• Sara is a proud sister of   Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Incorporated, who were founded on November 21, 1981, at Rutgers University New Brunswick as the first multicultural sorority in the nation (Spring 1992).

 

• Newark Mayor, Ras J. Baraka appointed and in 2019 reappointed Ms. Peña to the Commission on Status of Women, for a two-year term, who serve as Ambassadors, policy makers for women’s issues, advocates for community outreach, and advisors to the mayor on city issues.

• In 2018, she also served on New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy and Lieutenant Sheila Oliver’s Human and Children Services Transition Advisory Committee.

 

• Ms. Peña is a founding board member and served as Board Chair on the Board of Trustee to Roseville Community Charter School in Newark, NJ.  Their mission is rooted in the belief that all children can learn and achieve at high levels when provided with high-quality learning experiences in a challenging and supportive environment. 

 

• Ms. Peña is dedicated to women leadership and empowerment. Her work has led her to serve on the executive board for The Esther Project since 2019. It is a global sisterhood empowering woman to discover their life purpose and launch intentional leaders.   Through the Esther Project she has been a Co-Host on the Breakfast at Tiffany’s virtual monthly show.

 

• Sara serves as a member of the Community Advisory Board for the Center of Excellence for Latino Health at Clara Maass Medical Center in Essex County. The Center serves as a hub of health and wellness information for Latino families.  

 

• She serves on the Advisory Committee for the New Jersey League of Women Voters. 

 

Ms. Sara Peña is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions from prominent organizations and leaders throughout the Garden State

 

In October 2024: The Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute in Seton Hall University will recognize Sara for her commitment to youth and her community with the “Viva” Award. This extraordinary yearly celebration honors exceptional individuals that inspire and uplift Latino communities.

 

October 2024: Programs for Parents is a non-profit organization that works to ensure that children get the best possible start in life. Sara will be the recipient of their 2024 Community Partnership for Childhood Award.

 

October 2024: Receiving the Excellence in Community Service by a New Jersey-based non-profit organization serving as an advocate for the Hispanic community known as Save Latin America will honor Ms. Peña.

 

July 2024: Boys to Leaders Foundation “Non-Profit Organization of the Year” by the NJ Peruvians, Paterson, NJ; for your dedication, leadership and outstanding contributions to our community.

 

May 2024. “Making Democracy Work Award” by the League of Women Voters of New Jersey. Empowering Voters, Defending Democracy.

 

November 2023. Received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of work uplifting her community and creating opportunities for all. Presented by: Odyssey International Production an organization that focuses on building stronger communities in partnership with Councilwoman-at-Large Louise Roundtree of the City of Newark.

 

November 2023. “Mujeres Brillantes Award” by Prospanica NJ. This award honors Latinas who have used their acumen, professional achievements, power, and personal tenacity to advance other women, help their community and open doors for others. 

 

November 2023. Recipient of the Hispanic Empowerment Award at the 56th Focus Gala. Focus is a nonprofit in Newark that is committed to the advancement of the community toward self-sufficiency, growth, empowerment, and a better quality of life.  

 

October 2023 Servant-Leader Exemplar Award by the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership at Seton Hall University.  This accolade recognizes individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to placing a primary focus on the well-being of others, resulting in measurable impact on individuals, communities, organizations, and society more broadly. 

 

In 2022 Sara was recognized by the NJ General Assembly for her steadfast advocacy and many years of dedication to the Hispanic Community in New Jersey.

 

October 2022 Leadership Newark recognized Ms. Peña at their annual Gala (2022) for her leadership and dedicating her time, talent and gifts to Newark, NJ.

 

April 2021: The Association of Latin American Law Students recognized Ms. Peña with the “Abriendo Puertas” Award for the work she has done with her non-profit in exposing students to opportunities and offering mentorship.

 

March 2021: Recipient of the “Leader in Diversity” award by Girls; Live, Love, Laugh, an organization whose mission is to empower girls by building positive self-esteem, proper etiquette, and self-respect.

 

In December of 2020, she was honored as the “Latina Trailblazer of the Year” by the New Jersey Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

 

Earlier that year she was recognized for her leadership as Latina of the Month during the Women Entrepreneur Empowerment Summit by Latinas in Business during Women’s Month.

During Hispanic Heritage Month in 2020, She was commended by the Newark Municipal Council and the Hispanic Commission of Newark, for her contribution to the Hispanic community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

In September of 2020, Women in Media honored her at their 11th annual Women’s History Month Film Festival. Ms. Peña received a joint New Jersey Legislative resolution by Senator Scutari, Assemblywoman Carter and Assemblyman Kennedy. This is dedicated to illustrious community members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the greater community through actions, deeds and humanitarian efforts.

 

“International Godmother” of the historic Newark Puerto Rican Day Parade (2019)

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The Essex County Board of Commissioners congratulated and issued a resolution sponsored by Freeholder President Britnee N. Timberlake, to the Boys to Leaders Foundation for their commitment to providing educational, social and cultural, services and programs to the community, especially young Latino males.

 

Sara was honored at the “Women on Fire; Our Time is Now!” award ceremony sponsored by the Newark Circle of Sisters for her commitment to Mentorship. Their mission is to empower women through the principles of sisterhood, scholarship, service, and celebration; ultimately creating a stronger network of women in Newark who support one another.

 

She received the Achievement Award from the Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee of Newark for her outstanding service and dedication to the Puerto Rican community.

 

In 2017 Ms. Peña received the distinguished illustrious award, a signature initiative of The Institute for Latino Studies, documents and highlights the contributions of Tri-State Area Latinos to the advancement of the United States of America.

 

Sara is the proud recipient of the Shaping our Future Leadership Award in Political Empowerment sponsored by the Friends of the Hispanic Research and Information Center who support the Newark Public Library and create awareness of the importance of documenting the history of Latinos in New Jersey.

 

In 2019, during Women’s History Month, Newark City Council President Mildred Crump recognized Ms. Peña with the “Trailblazer Award” for her outstanding achievements.

 

During Hispanic Heritage Month 2016, Essex County Commissioner President and currently Assemblywoman Timberlake recognized her for her entrepreneurial success for empowering women to make a difference in their communities.

 

Honored by the City of Newark Municipal Council during Hispanic Heritage Month, for her unwavering commitment to the residents through her affiliations with the Hispanic community and community at large.