Mayor Liz Lempert announced the hiring of Elisa Neira as the new director of Princeton’s human services department on May 28.
Neira is recommended by a committee of municipal staff and Human Services Commission members. She was one of 25 practitioners who applied for the job.
Neira has Bachelors degree in Social Work from Rutgers University and a Masters of Social Work from Fordham University.
Most recently, she worked for the New Jersey Association of the Deaf-Blind, serving first as group home manager and residential coordinator, then social worker overseeing the operation of eight group homes for the developmentally disabled throughout New Jersey.
Neira is replacing Cynthia Mendez, who led the Human Services department for 13 years.
Princeton’s Department of Human Services provides general assistance and oversees events for the community. Among its initiatives are the Summer Youth Employment Program, Wheels Rodeo, back-to-school backpack program and holiday gift drive.
Neira said she looks forward to starting her new role on June 3.
“I am excited to work with the Human Services Commission to help launch and sustain the ‘Send Hunger Packing’ program, which is in its inaugural year, with a kick off at the Garden Theatre on June 9,” Neira said in a statement. “I am eager to meet the residents of Princeton and the many community partners who are so instrumental to the work of the department and commission.”
She is set to maintain an office in Monument Hall.
Neira can be reached via email eneira@princetonnj.gov or by phone (609) 688-2055.
