About Gina Verdibello
Gina Verdibello is a lifelong advocate for education, community service, and responsible leadership. Born to immigrant parents from Italy and Peru and raised in Fort Lee, New Jersey, Gina learned early the values of hard work, integrity, and giving back. She earned her bachelor's degree from Rutgers University, where she met her husband, Robert, and together they have built a family rooted in service and community. They reside in Jersey City with their three children.
Ms. Verdibello has built a distinguished career in the arts, education, and nonprofit sectors. Her professional experience includes positions at Liberty Science Center, the American Folk Art Museum, and The Picower Foundation. She currently serves as Director of Development at Peace Care, where she oversees fundraising strategy and special initiatives. She is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Philanthropic Studies at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, strengthening her expertise in nonprofit leadership and governance.
Gina is also active in numerous civic organizations, including serving as President of the Kiwanis Club of Jersey City and as a Girl Scout troop leader for more than a decade. She is also a member of the Women’s Dante Alighieri Auxiliary, the University Club of Hudson County, the Association of Fundraising Professionals New Jersey Chapter, the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce and Women in Development New Jersey, reflecting her continued commitment to leadership, service, and philanthropy.
Gina previously served on the Jersey City Board of Education, where she fought for transparency, fiscal responsibility, and policies that put students first. Gina is running because she believes Jersey City deserves a Board of Education that listens to families, makes responsible financial decisions, and focuses every decision on student success.
Why I’m Running
I am running because our Board of Education has lost sight of who it serves. Families, teachers, and taxpayers deserve a board that listens, communicates honestly, and makes decisions with students—not politics—as the top priority. Instead, we continue to see declining facilities, concerns about educational quality, increasing taxes, and decisions that leave residents feeling unheard. Our community deserves better.
Having previously served on the Board of Education, I understand both the challenges and the opportunities facing our district. My career in nonprofit leadership has reinforced the importance of transparency, accountability, and building trust with the people you serve. As a mother, community volunteer, and education advocate, I want every child in Jersey City to attend a safe, high-quality school where they have every opportunity to succeed. Now is the time to restore confidence in our schools through honest leadership, responsible stewardship, and a renewed focus on student achievement.
A transparent, accountable Board of Education that puts students first, supports educators, and earns the trust of every Jersey City family.
Our district faces several significant challenges. Families are frustrated by a lack of transparency and meaningful communication. School facilities continue to deteriorate while taxpayers are asked to shoulder increasing costs. Academic performance must improve, and our educators need the support and resources necessary to help every student succeed.
My vision for the district is simple:
Every student deserves access to a safe, welcoming school, excellent teachers and opportunities that prepare them for a successful future. That should be the focus of every decision made by the Board of Education.
Our campaign's five pillars address these concerns by focusing on transparent governance, fiscal responsibility, safe and modern learning environments, academic excellence, and meaningful community engagement. Together, these priorities create a roadmap for rebuilding public trust, strengthening our schools, and ensuring every decision is made in the best interest of Jersey City's students.
My goals are:
Prioritize students and school facilities by directing resources toward classroom instruction, safe buildings, and educational programs that improve student achievement.
Restore transparency and accountability by improving communication with families, increasing public access to information, and ensuring decisions are made openly and responsibly.
Practice responsible financial stewardship by carefully reviewing spending, holding the administration accountable, protecting taxpayer dollars, and ensuring every investment benefits students.
Jersey City has always been a community of hardworking families who want the very best for their children. Every student deserves access to a safe, welcoming school, excellent teachers, and opportunities that prepare them for a successful future. That should be the focus of every decision made by the Board of Education. I believe we can restore confidence in our school district by bringing transparency, accountability, and common-sense leadership back to the board. We must listen to parents, respect taxpayers, support our educators, and make decisions that put students above politics. Strong schools strengthen neighborhoods, attract families, and benefit our entire city.
That is why I’m running.
Last, I am not doing this alone. With Jessica Taube, Chloe Williams, and Danielle Walker, I am running on the “For Stronger Schools” slate. If you also feel frustrated with the direction of the Board, please join us. You can get involved by:
Finding us on Instagram at @forstrongerschools and on Facebook at https://facebook.com/forstrongerschools.
Get involved with the campaign and Donate via ActBlue (any amount helps)
Most importantly, voting for all four (4) of the For Stronger Schools slate (myself, Jessica Taube, Chloe Williams, and Danielle Walker) on November 3, 2026. Early voting starts on October 24 and runs until November 1, 2026.