Biographical Highlights
￫ Special education advocate and SEPAG Co-Leader experienced in strengthening family-school partnerships, fostering collaboration, and promoting meaningful family engagement.
￫Diverse professional background in performing arts, business development, account management, education, and nonprofit operations, bringing strong communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
￫Experienced in developing practical resources, coordinating community initiatives, and supporting parent and district leaders in building inclusive, collaborative school communities.
Leslie Ponzo is a Special Education Family Engagement Specialist at Rutgers Center for Effective School Practices (CESP), where she contributes to the BRIDGE initiative’s efforts to strengthen Special Education Parent Advisory Groups (SEPAGs) and foster meaningful partnerships between families and school districts throughout New Jersey.
Leslie brings a diverse professional background spanning performing arts, business, education, nonprofit organizations, and family advocacy. Beginning her career as a professional musical theater performer, she developed strong communication, creativity, and interpersonal skills that continued to grow through her experience in account management, business development, and client relations. Her work as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional further strengthened her understanding of educational environments, student needs, and collaboration among families and educators.
Her commitment to family engagement and advocacy includes serving as a founding member of The Connected Parent, contributing to the PCDH19 Alliance through advocacy, outreach, and nonprofit operations, and serving as Co-Leader of the Hazlet Township SEPAG. Through these experiences, Leslie has supported families, coordinated community initiatives, developed educational resources, and fostered collaborative relationships with school district leaders. She also previously served as a consultant with the BRIDGE team, helping develop practical tools and resources to support SEPAGs across New Jersey.
Leslie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater/Speech from Wagner College and completed a certificate program in Event Planning at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Combining her professional experience with her lived experience as a parent advocate, she is passionate about empowering families, strengthening community connections, and creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration in support of students with disabilities.