NJ SEEDS Welcomes Two to Board of Trustees

New Jersey SEEDS, a nonprofit organization that provides life-changing educational opportunities to low-income students, announced today that John Green, Head Emeritus of Peddie School, and Gayle Wieseneck joined its Board of Trustees.

Previously having served on SEEDS’ Board of Trustees for nine years, John Green began his second tenure with the organization last month. Mr. Green has more than 30 years of education experience, including time as a faculty member, Director of College Placement, Director of Admission and Dean of Faculty at Fessenden School, Western Reserve Academy and St. Paul’s School. From 2001 until 2013, Mr. Green served as Head of School at Peddie School, an independent coeducational boarding and day school in Hightstown, New Jersey, and one of SEEDS’ partner schools. Today, he advices independent schools and programs on strategic planning, mentoring, and administrative and board support.

Mr. Green earned his B.A. in history from Wesleyan University, completed coursework for his M.A.L.S. at Dartmouth College and earned his Master of Education from Harvard University. He also serves as a Trustee for his alma mater, Choate Rosemary Hall.

Ms. Wieseneck graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Economics and received an M.B.A. in Management from New York University’s Stern School of Business. She worked as a commercial banker at Manufacturers Hanover Trust and then at Credit Lyonnais. After leaving the world of banking, Ms. Wieseneck took on a number of volunteer commitments as she began to raise her family. She served in many different roles on the board of the Early Childhood Center at Congregation Agudath, ultimately becoming Chairwoman, and has been a member of the Executive Committee for several years.

She has also volunteered for the Young Leadership Division and Women’s Department of the United Jewish Communities of Metrowest and her children’s schools. At Golda Och Academy, Ms. Wieseneck worked on several fundraising events and helped develop a strategy for the institution’s capital campaign; at Newark Academy, she is the Community Service Liaison between the students and parent association and serves on the Campaign Executive Committee. Ms. Wieseneck first became involved with New Jersey SEEDS when her husband Larry joined the Board of Trustees in 2007, and has been an active member of Friends of SEEDS.

“John and Gayle bring tremendous knowledge and skills to New Jersey SEEDS,” says SEEDS President Ronni Denes. “John’s extensive experience in the independent school sector makes his an important voice among our Trustees. Paired with Gayle’s activities in the community which have included leadership in support of educational and religious organizations, they provide expansive perspectives to SEEDS’ Board.”

In addition to Mr. Green and Mrs. Wieseneck’s Board appointments, New Jersey SEEDS welcomed Alan Heaps to the organization as Director of Education and Guidance. He brings more than 30 years of nonprofit experience to SEEDS. His past positions include Chief of Staff and Vice President at the College Board, Chief of Staff at the Children’s Defense Fund, and Assistant Commissioner for Employment for New York City.

About New Jersey SEEDS

Since its inception in 1992, New Jersey SEEDS has provided educational access for highly motivated, low-income students and created a viable path for them to achieve their full potential. SEEDS strives for a world in which young people’s initiative, creativity and intellect can flourish without regard to socioeconomic status. To date, more than 2,000 scholars have benefited from its programs. For more information, visit www.njseeds.org.