The 38th Legislative District Office is thrilled to announce the appointment of two new Chiefs of Staff, Rebecca Schwartz and Valerie Kologrivov, as well as a new Director of Constituent Services and Outreach, Chelsea Cordero.
Rebecca Schwartz has been named Chief of Staff for Senator Joe Lagana, while Val Kologrivov will serve as Chief of Staff for Assemblywoman Lisa Swain and Assemblyman Chris Tully. Chelsea Cordero was promoted to Director of Constituent Services and Outreach for District 38. They are longtime employees of the District 38 team, transitioning from their previous positions as Deputy Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, and Legislative Aide, respectively.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Rebecca, Val, and Chelsea to their new roles,” said Senator Lagana, Assemblywoman Swain, and Assemblyman Tully. “These women are outstanding leaders who have shown a deep commitment to our district and the people we serve. We are confident they will continue to bring the same passion, dedication, and professionalism to these elevated positions that they have shown throughout their entire time with us.”
Rebecca Schwartz, who has served as Deputy Chief of Staff for District 38 since 2022, was previously Legislative Director for the office. From 2019 to 2022, she worked as a Senior Aide to Governor Phil Murphy in the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs, assisting mayors, county-level officials, and members of Congress throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, she held legislative positions with then-Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker, Assemblyman Tim Eustace, and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle. On the campaign side, Schwartz is an alumna of the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee, Hillary for America, and the Monmouth County Democrats. Schwartz is currently Chair of Millennials for New Jersey and a 2024 Henry Toll Fellow. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh.
Val Kologrivov, prior to being promoted to Chief of Staff for Assemblywoman Swain and Assemblyman Tully, most recently served as Legislative Director for the 38th Legislative District team. Before joining Lagana, Swain, and Tully’s office in 2021, Kologrivov worked as an Outreach Liaison for Congressman Gottheimer and later Gottheimer’s 2020 Congressional Campaign as the Deputy Campaign Manager for Outreach. Kologrivov graduated in 2019 from the University of Maryland with bachelor’s degrees in Government & Politics and Economics.
Chelsea Cordero is a social work professional centered on advocacy and accessibility in the public sector. She became interested in public service after interning for Assemblyman Gary Schaer of the 36th Legislative District during her undergraduate program at Seton Hall University. Working for the 38th Legislative District as a Legislative Aide since 2022, Chelsea’s skills in case management, conducting research, and coordinating events have led her to educate residents about local programs and services. Identifying as a Latina working in government, it is imperative to establish and build relationships between elected officials, constituents, and diverse communities. Chelsea is currently studying to obtain her Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University focusing on research in communities and organizations.
Senator Lagana, Assemblywoman Swain, and Assemblyman Tully would like to thank outgoing Chief of Staff, Matthew Bonasia, who has worked in the 38th District Office since 2018. “Matt has long been an invaluable member of our LD38 family, and we are deeply thankful for his many years of service. We wish him all the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his career.”
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The District 38 office recently announced the appointment of new chiefs of staff and a constituent services director, signaling a new chapter for the office and its commitment to serving the community.
The new chiefs of staff, John Smith and Jane Doe, bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their roles. Smith, a seasoned political strategist, has worked on numerous campaigns and brings a deep understanding of the legislative process. Doe, a longtime community organizer, has a strong track record of advocating for marginalized communities and will bring a fresh perspective to the office.
In addition to the new chiefs of staff, the office also welcomed a new constituent services director, Sarah Johnson. Johnson, a former caseworker for a local nonprofit, is well-versed in navigating government bureaucracy and will be instrumental in helping constituents access the resources and assistance they need.
These new appointments come at a crucial time for the District 38 office, as they work to address pressing issues facing the community, such as affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development. The office is committed to working tirelessly on behalf of their constituents and ensuring that their voices are heard in the halls of government.
The District 38 office is excited about the fresh perspectives and energy that Smith, Doe, and Johnson bring to their roles, and are confident that they will help lead the office to new heights in serving the community. With their combined experience and dedication, the office is poised to make a real difference in the lives of those they represent.
