Jennifer Correa Joins Pinkerton Staff

Jennifer Correa, the former Senior Manager of the innovative Science Career Ladder program at the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI), has joined The Pinkerton Foundation as an Associate Program Officer, Pinkerton’s President Richard M. Smith announced today. In her new role, Correa will work closely with Senior Program Officers Chris Bell and Laurie Dien to identify and evaluate the foundation’s growing list of grant proposals.

“Jenny is an immensely talented young leader who brings great energy and creativity to her work,” Smith said. “She literally grew up in the Science Career Ladder program, and as a result has a unique perspective on how private philanthropy can change young lives. We’re delighted to have her with us.”

“Through my experience at the Hall of Science, I became passionate about youth programs and the impact they can have on the lives of young people,” Correa said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to influence youth programs throughout the city.”

Correa joined the Science Career Ladder—an initiative to attract young women and minorities to the sciences–as an intern in 1998, three days after graduating from a New York City high school for pregnant and parenting teens and six weeks after the birth of her son Joel. While working at NYSCI, she completed her B.A. at Queens College and a Master’s in Public Administration at Baruch College, eventually rising to lead the 100 high school and college student “Explainers” who guide thousands of visitors through the NYSCI exhibits each year.

Correa has presented papers and led discussions at science education conferences at home and abroad and has been recognized as a Next Generation Getty Leadership Fellow. Joel is now 13 years old and is thinking of becoming an Explainer himself.

The Pinkerton Foundation was established in 1966 by Robert Allan Pinkerton, the Chairman and CEO of Pinkerton’s, Inc., the corporate successor of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. The foundation, which retains no connection with the security company, supports community-based organizations serving economically-disadvantaged young people in New York City. Many of the programs take place in the after-school, weekend or summer hours and focus on providing opportunities for academic development, career readiness, cultural enrichment and youth leadership.  Pinkerton also supports a number of mentoring, training and internship programs that offer a way forward for young people involved in the criminal justice system or after years in foster care.

For further information, contact the foundation at 212 332-3385 or go to www.thepinkertonfoundation.org