Expanding Our Leadership: CEOs Cory Neering and Triste Brooks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
March 22, 2021
Contact: Ben Glaser (201-396-1149, [email protected])

Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey announces leadership expansion

Public health expert and longtime reproductive health advocate Cory Neering joins Triste Brooks as CEO

TRENTON, N.J. — Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey (PPNCSNJ) is building strength and leadership with the addition of Planned Parenthood veteran Cory Neering, who will serve as CEO alongside current CEO Triste Brooks. Neering has more than 20 years of experience working with Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country, including here in New Jersey, and is a health care and organizational management expert with extensive experience in critical areas, including: sexual and reproductive health care, philanthropy, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging programs, community partnership development, and government relations.

“I’m thrilled to welcome a trusted and longtime colleague to join me as CEO,” said Triste Brooks. “Cory Neering and I have worked together for years, which will allow us to hit the ground running as we strive to meet challenges and leverage opportunities in 2021.” 

The challenges of COVID-19 and the resulting economic crisis have dramatically increased demand for affordable reproductive health services, while also increasing the urgency to address racial and economic disparities in accessing health care. PPNCSNJ is experiencing greater demand, even as the federal government under the Trump administration attacked and attempted to restrict access to reproductive health services.

“These are difficult yet inspiring times,” said Neering. “While we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we also expect opportunities to emerge as new leaders take the reins in Washington. I’m excited to work with Triste, our incredible colleagues, and our partners across New Jersey to meet the challenges head-on and leverage opportunities to expand access to sex education and health care for all.”

Advocates in New Jersey and beyond are bracing for increased attacks by decisively anti-reproductive health legislators across the country who are advancing cases to challenge the right to safe, legal abortion at the U.S. Supreme Court. With the high court stacked with anti-abortion justices, many predict that the historic Roe v. Wade decision is destined to be overturned or rendered meaningless, leaving states to legislate access to abortion, with many poised to make it illegal. However, 2021 also brings tremendous opportunities, as the White House and both houses of Congress are in the hands of supporters of reproductive health and rights. 

“We’re at an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history with a new federal administration poised to expand access to sexual and reproductive health care,” said Brooks. “If ever there were a time for action and leadership, this is it so we can leverage the moment and innovate.” 

Neering has been a sought after leadership and nonprofit management consultant and has worked as an executive leader with other Planned Parenthood affiliates for 20 years. Some highlights from his career with the organization include the launch of the New Jersey Advocates Alliance program at PPNCSNJ. Through this program, the agency invests in local partnerships that advance maternal justice issues, increase access to health care and education, and build community resources. In Florida, he launched the Carrera Model Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, supervising five sites with 53 staff, 250 teens and a $3.8M annual budget. He also served as a city commissioner in Florida and served on the Health Care District, which oversees a wide range of public health initiatives, including: health coverage for the uninsured in Palm Beach County, funding the trauma system, a network of primary care clinics, a pharmacy program, a skilled nursing facility, a school health program that staffs registered nurses in our public schools, and a rural, acute-care teaching hospital. The system has 1200 employees, $255M annual budget and serves over 285,000 community members. 

“Cory is a dynamic leader and a great addition to the team,” said PPNCSNJ Board Chair Dr. Connie Newman. “By adopting a leadership model with two CEOs, PPNCSNJ is increasing our capacity to open new health centers, work with state legislators to pass the Reproductive Freedom Act, and work with community partners to address systemic inequities and disparities in access to health care.”

Triste Brooks has served as President/CEO for PPNCSNJ since 2009. During this time she oversaw the merger of four Planned Parenthood affiliates in the state and led the organization to provide 90,000 patient visits annually across 17 health centers. Before moving to New Jersey, she was the chief operating officer of a Planned Parenthood affiliate in Florida. Brooks has also operated juvenile treatment programs in Florida and Maryland. She served on Governor Phil Murphy’s transition committee on health care and was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Florida State Advisory Group for Juvenile Justice.

“We have an ambitious agenda in 2021,” said Brooks. “With our expanded executive team, we will work to ensure that all New Jerseyans have access to the reproductive health care they need, no matter what.” 

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Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey, Inc (PPNCSNJ) is a leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for people of all genders, as well as a highly regarded provider of sex education. With 17 health centers across the state, PPNCSNJ serves all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through our health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.