Dr. Naydeen González-De Jesús (she/her)
Interim Executive Director
Dr. Naydeen González-De Jesús is a distinguished higher education leader, organizational psychologist, author, speaker, and consultant with more than two decades of experience advancing student success, equity, and institutional transformation. Her career spans senior academic administration, international public diplomacy, strategic organizational change, and community partnership development.
Currently, she serves as Vice President of the Lawrence Campus and Community Relations at Northern Essex Community College (NECC) in Massachusetts, where she champions student achievement and fosters strategic partnerships that strengthen educational pathways and economic opportunity within the campus and the broader Merrimack Valley community. She also serves as Interim Executive Director of the Lawrence Partnership, a public-private collaborative dedicated to strengthening the city’s economy and improving quality of life for its residents.
Previously, Dr. González-De Jesús served as the 13th President of San Antonio College, one of the largest community colleges in Texas and among the nation’s most impactful community colleges. At San Antonio College, she became only the second woman to lead the institution, advancing student success initiatives, deepening community engagement, and expanding equity-centered institutional practices.
Her leadership experience also includes serving as Executive Vice President of Student Success at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), where she led integrated strategies to improve retention, completion, and guided pathways frameworks. She has also held senior roles as Vice President of Student Affairs at Bergen Community College, Associate Dean at Rowan College at Burlington County, and Assistant Dean of Student Services at Salem Community College.
Beyond academia, Dr. González-De Jesús served as a Public Diplomacy Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Argentina, where she helped advance educational exchange agreements between the United States and Argentina during the 2018 G20 Summit and supported Fulbright program partnerships.
She is the founder and CEO of Empowered Group Strategies LLC, a consultancy focused on leadership development, organizational change, and sustainable strategic planning. Dr. González-De Jesús is also an Aspen Presidential Fellow and has received numerous honors, including recognition by the Texas Diversity Council as San Antonio Woman of the Year, along with awards for her leadership and public engagement.
Dr. González-De Jesús holds a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Northcentral University, an M.A. in Student Personnel Services from Rowan University, a B.A. in Journalism from The Pennsylvania State University, and a certificate in Ministerial Studies and Theology. Her professional work and personal commitment reflect her belief in education as a powerful driver of economic mobility, equity, and community empowerment.
Areas of Focus:
- Cross-sector partnerships
- Workforce and economic development strategy
- Equity-centered leadership
- Institutional transformation and systems change
Giselle Peguero Grullón (she/her)
Executive Administrative Assistant
Giselle Peguero Grullón is a community-centered leader specializing in workforce development, higher education partnerships, and inclusive economic growth. With a strong foundation in psychology and community engagement, she has dedicated her career to expanding access to education and career pathways for immigrants, refugees, and underserved populations.
Prior to joining the Lawrence Partnership, Giselle served as Associate Director of Lawrence Campus & Community Relations at Northern Essex Community College, where she led strategic initiatives connecting students and community members to educational and professional opportunities. Her work included supporting internationally trained professionals as they navigated credential evaluation and workforce integration, as well as developing experiential learning opportunities such as international immersion programs and resource-driven initiatives that increased access to academic and career advancement.
Giselle brings expertise in program development, partnership building, and community advocacy, with a proven track record of designing initiatives that bridge gaps between education and employment. She has successfully collaborated with cross-sector partners to expand access to funding, support services, and career pathways for diverse communities.
She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in psychology with a focus on clinical practice and remains committed to advancing culturally responsive approaches that support both economic mobility and mental health within underserved communities.
Areas of Focus:
- Community engagement and partnership support
- Workforce and education pathway development
- Program coordination and strategic initiatives
- Advocacy for immigrant and underserved communities