Several Mercer County organizations and institutions have announced leadership appointments, regional initiatives, and community recognition events in recent weeks, reflecting continued investment in food security, education, healthcare collaboration, and social impact across the region.
Mercer Street Friends names Lisa Weber Chief of Food Security
Mercer Street Friends has appointed longtime New Jersey food-bank leader Lisa Weber as its first Chief of Food Security, a newly created role overseeing all food bank operations and distribution partnerships across Mercer County.
Weber previously held senior leadership positions at Norwescap and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and led statewide efforts that increased fresh produce distribution from America’s Grow-A-Row by more than 85 percent, reaching 2.6 million pounds annually.
“Her extensive food banking and senior leadership experience will be a tremendous asset,” said CEO Bernie Flynn, noting the role supports the nonprofit’s expanding response to food insecurity.
Mercer Street Friends distributed more than 6.5 million meals in 2025 to 140,000 residents through a network of more than 150 partner agencies. Weber said she aims to strengthen systems ensuring “every family in Mercer County has consistent access to healthy, nutritious food.”
Pennington School names Adam Cooley varsity girls’ lacrosse head coach
The Pennington School has named longtime faculty member and assistant coach Adam Cooley as varsity girls’ lacrosse head coach for the 2026 season.
Cooley, a math teacher at Pennington since 2014, brings more than a decade of coaching experience at the school. He served eight seasons as varsity assistant under longtime head coach Wendy Morris, coached middle school girls’ lacrosse for two years, and is also a member of the school’s football coaching staff.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to take on a new challenge and help the girls succeed,” Cooley said. He credited Morris and fellow coach Jerry “Chief” Eure as mentors and said his goal is to build a program defined by speed, effort, and sportsmanship.
The Pennington School is an independent coeducational day and boarding school serving grades 6–12, with athletics as a central component of its college-preparatory program.
County announces 2026 Women of Achievement honorees (March 18)
The Mercer County Commission on the Status of Women will honor five community leaders and students at its annual Women of Achievement Reception on March 18 at the Boathouse at Mercer Lake in West Windsor.
This year’s Woman of Achievement honorees are Kieanna Childs Alexander of Hamilton, Nicole Plett of Lawrenceville, and Ruth Scott of Princeton. Young Woman of Achievement awards will go to Megana Madhurakavi of Robbinsville and Xintong Si of Lawrenceville.
The event will also recognize La Resistencia en Acción New Jersey (REA NJ), a volunteer organization advocating for immigrant and working-class communities.
County Executive Dan Benson said the recipients “have had a significant positive impact on our community through service to others.”
CHOP to headline regional healthcare symposium (April 21)
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will headline the 2026 Central New Jersey Regional Healthcare Symposium on April 21, hosted by the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, highlighting the regional impact of CHOP’s planned Hamilton Township campus.
CHOP executives David Kontra and Donald Moore will deliver the keynote alongside Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin, followed by a panel with leaders from Capital Health, Penn Medicine Princeton Health, and RWJ University Hospital Hamilton.
Organizers say the symposium will focus on regional healthcare growth, collaboration, and access — themes gaining urgency as Mercer County prepares for major healthcare expansion projects.
Younity to honor journalist Amna Nawaz at 30th annual awards (May 28)
Younity, the Mercer County-based domestic violence services organization formerly known as Womanspace, will honor PBS NewsHour co-anchor Amna Nawaz at its 30th Annual Awards Dinner on May 28 at Trenton Country Club.
Nawaz will receive the Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award, recognizing journalism that advances public understanding of domestic and sexual violence and systemic barriers facing survivors.
“Her reporting reflects the belief that protecting those most vulnerable is a shared community responsibility,” said Younity CEO Nathalie Nelson.
The milestone event will also recognize a community partner and volunteer and supports Younity’s crisis, counseling, legal advocacy, and prevention programs across Mercer County.
