New Board Of Education Member Appointed In Summit

SUMMIT, NJ — The Summit Board of Education welcomed a new member at its meeting on Thursday.

Jennifer Sykes Erday was appointed to serve on the Education and Police committees on Summit's school board, according to an announcement from the district.

Erday has been a resident of Summit for 24 years and has been active in the community and schools.

She will filling the seat of Dr. Joseph Porac, who resigned from the board in January after being appointed by Mayor Nora Radest in May 2022.

According to the district, Erday cherished her time as a volunteer class parent at St. Teresa of Avila Preschool and Kindergarten, which ultimately led to her engagement on various committees at St Teresa of Avila
Preschool, Washington Elementary School, Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School and Summit High School.

Each of her four children attend or attended schools in the Summit Public School system; one is a graduate of Summit High School, two are currently at Summit High School, and her youngest attends Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School.

"Ms. Erday is an engaged member of our Summit community and has volunteered in and around our school district for many years while raising her four children," said Michael Colón, President of the Summit Board of Education. "Additionally, Ms. Erday has extensive professional experience in the areas of compliance, policy development, people strategy, training and development, compensation analysis, and employee relations, which will contribute meaningfully to our Board of Education. We are enthusiastic about her appointment and welcome her to the Board."

Erday is also the Founder of Harbour Bridge Consultants LLC, a Human Resources Consulting Firm.

She is a "recognized leader in her field," having attained the Senior Certified Professional SHRM Designation, the highest level of certification from the Society of Human Resources Management.

"Additionally, Erday completed the Certification in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion from Cornell University, which gives her a unique and rare qualification to provide knowledge and resources to corporations in an ever-changing business environment," the district wrote.

Erday is a graduate of Manhattanville College and previously worked for Hilton Hotels Corporation, Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher and Flom, LLC, and Schering Plough Corporation through its merger with Merck.

"[Erday] brings a unique and valuable perspective to the board, coupling her large corporate experience, entrepreneurial creativity, and patience as a mother of four children and wife of Tim," the district wrote.

More information on the Summit Board of Education can be found on the District website.