Erica Jedynak
Chief Operating Officer
Erica Jedynak is the COO for yes. every kid., a leading national advocacy organization with a families-first approach to transform education. At Yes, she has led and developed different teams, including business operations, public affairs, and state government affairs. Jedynak also currently serves on the boards of the Institute for the American Worker, New Jersey Policy Institute, and Drew University’s College Alumni Association.
As a passionate public speaker on education and building a stronger workforce for the future, Jedynak has appeared on Fox Business, been quoted in the NY Times, and published in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the NY Post. She has received distinctions, including Jersey 1st’s Education Advocate Award, the Athena International Leadership Award, the NJ Globe’s Top 100 Most Powerful People, and InsiderNJ’s Power 100 List and Top 100 Policymakers.
Prior to yes. every kid., Jedynak was the Director of Economic Opportunity for Stand Together, one of the country’s largest philanthropic communities, where she led national investment strategy and shepherded multi-state initiatives to successfully protect workers’ rights. She earned a reputation as a thought leader and effective coalition builder in NJ politics as State Director for Americans for Prosperity, in numerous roles for state legislators in district offices and on the campaign trail, and on the New Jersey State Advisory Committee for the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.
Jedynak holds a B.A. in Political Science, cum laude from Drew University; and studied at both the United Nations Headquarters in NYC and abroad at the Institute of Venice, Italy. She later earned a Mini-MPA from Rutgers University’s Center for Executive Leadership in Government. She calls New Jersey home with her family, where Jedynak and her husband were named a 2019 Power Couple by Insider NJ.
Erica in the News
RealClearEducation: 70 Years after Brown v. Board, Sending Your Child to a Better Public School Shouldn’t Be a Crime
RealClearEducation: How States Like New Jersey Can Finally End School Segregation
NY Post: Moms lead the fight for better school options — it’s time everyone joined them
The 74: Coalition Challenges Residency Requirements for Public Schools
Fox News: Sorting kids into public schools based on household income is ‘immoral, discriminatory,’ says advocacy group
NJ Now: Residential assignment in New Jersey
Save Jersey: Open Up Public School Access in New Jersey: No More Lines
The 74: National Poll Finds Overwhelming Support Among Black Teachers & Parents for ESAs
