Leadership Spotlight: Pat Hartpence of NJM

Author: JANJ
Community Involvement
Published: Monday, 02 Nov 2020

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Through its employee volunteer program, NJM Insurance Group has developed a very strong connection to Junior Achievement of New Jersey and Corporate Giving Officer Pat Hartpence can’t say enough good things about their 11-year relationship. It all started in 2009, when former NJM President & CEO Bernie Flynn was introduced to the JA program at Trenton’s Washington Elementary School. His favorable experience led to NJM’s first JA Day at the Village Charter School, just down the road from the company’s corporate headquarters in West Trenton. Over 20 NJM employees participated in this event as volunteer teachers and found it very rewarding.

The success of the school volunteer effort in Trenton led to two others, in Hammonton and Parsippany, and these events have become an annual tradition at the company.

“We wanted to align our JA Days with schools near our other NJM offices so these employees could also have the chance to volunteer while helping JANJ achieve its mission of teaching financial literacy and career readiness in additional locales in New Jersey,” Pat said. “The JANJ materials provided to volunteers to share with students are terrific. We’re supposed to be volunteer teachers in these settings, but, while the students are learning, we are learning, too!”

While the COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily curtailed the in-person program, participants, including current NJM President & CEO Mitch Livingston, are looking forward to the time when they can return to the classroom to work with the students. “The opportunity to spend time with students and experience their excitement and engagement in the classroom is truly special,” said Mitch.

In explaining the strong ties that have developed between JANJ and NJM, Pat remarked, “Our relationship is a true collaboration in every sense of the word. It is one built on mutual respect and admiration.”

Pat ended by saying, “We can’t wait until the next time we are able to interact in person at a JANJ volunteer event, but look forward to participating in the upcoming virtual New Jersey Business Hall of Fame celebration.”