Pat McKernan is a non-profit executive with more than 25 years of progressive experience in leadership, operational management, and program development.  

 

She served as Chief Operating Officer for Gaudenzia, Inc.; a non-profit organization providing substance abuse treatment to individuals and families across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C. Dr. McKernan was previously Chief Operating Officer for Volunteers of America Delaware Valley for more than 20 years.  Volunteers of America provides services to individuals struggling with homelessness, individuals with intellectual disabilities, people struggling with substance use disorder and mental illness, veterans, and people returning home from the criminal justice system.  

Dr. McKernan is a known as a thought leader.  She has been a social worker since 1990.  She was President of the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey where she has served in leadership roles for more than 15 years.  Pat was appointed by Governor Christie to the Board of Social Work Examiners in 2014 and served for nearly 10 years.  She has served as a Board Member for various non profit organizations serving individuals with intellectual disabilities, families affected by domestic violence, and people who are housing-insecure. She is a licensed Social Worker who received her Bachelor of Arts from Trenton State College and her Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University.  She completed her Doctorate in Social Work at Rutgers University.  Wanted for Warrants was her multi-media project for 2018.