Two Haddonfield residents have been sworn in as the newest members of the Board of Education. They are Megan Hollingworth and Gregory Esemplare.
Mid-term vacancies were created by the resignations of Susan Kutner and Tom Vecchio. More than 30 people applied for the positions and underwent an intensive interview process in September and October. Hollingworth was sworn in on Oct. 28, and Esemplare on Nov. 11.
Megan Hollingworth is a Product Director for UnitedHealthcare where she has been employed since 2007. She earned her bachelor’s at Randolph-Macon College (Virginia) and her Master of Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania. A Haddonfield resident for nine years, she has a second- and a sixth-grader enrolled in the school district.
“It has been a wonderful journey – for all of us – so far,” she said. “My daughters love their teachers and friends, and they are proud of their schools and community! I want to strengthen and enhance that experience for all the children in our town.”
Hollingworth and her husband lived in London and Philadelphia before moving to Haddonfield.
“Ours is an international family,” she said. “My husband is a Brit, as was my father, so we spend lots of time in England with our family and friends and love travelling the world! I am a dedicated member of our local Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense chapter in South Jersey, a CrossFit enthusiast, a member of the Collingswood Community Choir, and a vocal supporter of the Haddonfield Antiracist Coalition here in town.”
Joining the Board of Education offers Hollingworth an opportunity to apply her passion for progress to school district issues and projects.
“Our community is a special place,” said Hollingworth, “and the schools are an important part of why Haddonfield was the best choice for our family. It is challenging to deliver high-quality public services that meet the needs of our whole community. I will bring my professional experience and expertise – as well as my passion for change and progress – to tackle the tough challenges facing our district. Even in a district as strong as ours, we have work to do to continue to improve and to make the Haddonfield School District a supportive and positive educational experience for all of our children. I
love our community and am joining the BoE to make sure our schools continue to go from strength to strength.”
Gregory Esemplare is Vice President for Producer Relations at Broadreach Medical Resources (New York). He earned his bachelor’s at the College of the Holy Cross (Massachusetts). A resident of Haddonfield for 17 years, he has two children in the school district.
“As our two children have gotten older, my wife and I frequently discuss their education and the preparedness for their academic and professional futures,” he said. “We want to be sure our children have a well-rounded academic experience but at the same time are exposed to other social and humanitarian issues that may affect them in their futures. Being involved is an important part of our kids’ futures, and I am honored to serve on the board.”
The Esemplares moved to Haddonfield to establish a family and to belong to a community.
“My wife, Toni and I worked in Philadelphia before having our children,” he said. “Anticipating that Haddonfield would be a great place to find our ‘community’ and build our family, we moved from the city 17 years ago. We have two children in the school system; our daughter is a sophomore and our son is in eighth grade.”
Esemplare’s community involvement includes coaching and the PTA.
“For several years, I managed the snack bar for the Little League and coached my son’s teams,” he said. “I have coached youth basketball and currently coach boys youth lacrosse. My wife and I were very involved in the PTA when our kids were at Lizzy Haddon. Additionally, I enjoy cooking in my free time.”
