Stacey L. Flanagan serves as the visionary Director of the City of Jersey City’s Department of Health and Human Services, an award-winning organization dedicated to enhancing the well-being of nearly 300,000 residents. With over two decades of leadership experience in public health, nonprofit management, and community development, Flanagan exemplifies strategic and impactful leadership. She has revolutionized health and social services delivery through innovative programming, effective policy-making, and fostering equity-focused initiatives.
Since joining the Fulop Administration in 2013, Flanagan has overseen an extensive portfolio of ten divisions, ranging from Disease Prevention and Community Health to Veterans Affairs and Environmental Health. Managing a team of over 140 staff members, she administers an annual budget exceeding $12 million, funded through federal, state, county, and private grants. Her approach emphasizes strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration, addressing the diverse needs of Jersey City’s population while positioning the city as a model for urban health governance.
Prior to her tenure in Jersey City, Flanagan was the Director of Neighborhood WIC at Public Health Solutions in New York City, where she managed New York’s largest Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Food Program, serving 50,000 clients annually. Her leadership extended to coordinating public health insurance enrollment, nutrition education, and risk reduction counseling, underscoring her expertise in operational efficiency and community impact.
Flanagan’s career is marked by a commitment to education and mentorship. As a part-time faculty member in Saint Peter’s University’s Master of Public Administration program, she draws on over 20 years of university teaching experience at institutions including New Jersey City University, Touro College, and The New School. Her courses on program development, research methods, and international affairs have inspired emerging leaders and practitioners in public service.
Her professional journey began with grassroots development as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica. There, she worked with local municipalities to build small enterprises, facilitate adult education programs, and secure over $500,000 in grants for community initiatives. This formative experience shaped her lifelong dedication to capacity building and sustainable development.
Flanagan’s diverse career includes roles at prominent organizations such as Share Our Strength, where she led the design and implementation of a national nutrition and food budgeting program, and the Leader to Leader Institute, where she managed national nonprofit training initiatives. These roles honed her expertise in program evaluation, policy analysis, and fundraising, skills that she continues to leverage in her current leadership role.
An alumna of Michigan State University, Flanagan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science before pursuing her Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Milano, The New School for Urban Policy and Management. A commitment to lifelong learning led her to complete the prestigious Women’s Leadership Forum at Harvard Business School Executive Education in 2019.
Flanagan is also a staunch advocate for public health and social equity, evidenced by her fluency in Spanish and her capacity to bridge gaps across diverse communities. Her accolades include fostering groundbreaking partnerships and designing programs that resonate with the real needs of underserved populations.
Stacey Flanagan continues to lead with unwavering passion and resilience, driving transformative change that enhances the quality of life for Jersey City residents and beyond. Her legacy is one of innovation, collaboration, and an unyielding dedication to public service.
Character: Stacey Flanagan exemplifies unwavering dedication to public service, equity, and community empowerment through her compassionate leadership.
Knowledge: With over two decades of expertise in public health, nonprofit management, and education, Flanagan integrates deep subject matter proficiency into transformative initiatives.
Strategic: She leverages innovative strategies and cross-functional collaboration to manage a $12 million portfolio and drive impactful programming for Jersey City residents.
Communication: Flanagan excels in fostering stakeholder relationships, mentoring emerging leaders, and effectively conveying complex ideas to diverse audiences.
