VOORHEES, NJ, UNITED STATES, August 11, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — A Multidisciplinary Leader in Organizational Strategy, Higher Education, and Community Advocacy, Dr. Sernak Creates Inclusive Systems That Empower Individuals and Communities
Voorhees, New Jersey — June DePonte Sernak, Ed.D., is an accomplished diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leader and organizational strategist dedicated to creating environments where individuals and communities can thrive. Currently serving as Statewide Multicultural Leadership Officer at the Center for Family Services, Dr. Sernak brings a multidisciplinary background spanning telecommunications, nonprofit leadership, higher education, and organizational development to her work advancing cultural competency and inclusive excellence.
In her current role, Dr. Sernak collaborates with behavioral health organizations throughout New Jersey to design and implement diversity strategies, develop impactful training programs, and support leadership teams in embedding equity into organizational operations, service delivery, and community engagement. Through her work, she helps organizations strengthen their understanding of cultural differences, improve accessibility, and build systems that better serve diverse populations.
Dr. Sernak’s career reflects a longstanding commitment to education, leadership development, and social responsibility. She previously served as Dean of Life Long Learning at Rowan College at Burlington County, where she led workforce development initiatives, diversity programming, and community-based educational efforts across multiple campuses. Her leadership focused on expanding opportunities for learners, strengthening community partnerships, and creating pathways for professional and personal growth.
In addition to her administrative leadership, Dr. Sernak serves as an Adjunct Professor at Wilmington University, where she teaches courses focused on ethics, organizational citizenship, and social responsibility. She also serves as a Corporate Leadership Consultant with the Derrick Samuels Leadership Institute and as Chief Inclusion Officer of Rafforzare, LLC, advising organizations and individuals on DEI strategy, leadership development, and personal brand transformation.
Dr. Sernak earned her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University and her Master of Business Administration in Management from Strayer University. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to lifelong learning and using education as a tool to create meaningful change.
A recognized thought leader and community advocate, Dr. Sernak serves as Board Chair of the Alice Paul Center for Gender Justice and contributes to initiatives focused on mental health awareness, cultural understanding, and social equity. Her work reflects a deep commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices, improving access and opportunity, and helping organizations develop more inclusive approaches to leadership and service.
Dr. Sernak attributes her success to her multicultural family, her ancestors, and the lifelong values of resilience, learning, and perseverance that have shaped her journey. Both of her grandmothers were born in 1911, before the passing of the 19th Amendment in 1920, the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, the Civil Rights Act of 1963, and the Loving Law of 1967. Their experiences and resilience have profoundly influenced Dr. Sernak’s passion for lifelong learning and her commitment to leading through a lens of cultural humility.
Sharing the stories of her heritage has provided Dr. Sernak with opportunities to better understand different perspectives and build meaningful connections with others. She believes every interaction and experience offers a chance to learn something new, whether professionally or personally.
Dr. Sernak is guided by the belief that individuals must trust their own abilities while continuing to grow. She often reflects on the quote, “A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not in the branch but in her own wings.” For her, this represents the importance of confidence, resilience, and recognizing the strength developed through personal experiences.
The most meaningful career advice Dr. Sernak received came from a woman commander in the military who shared a powerful lesson about understanding one’s role in creating change. The commander explained that individuals will not always be present to watch an entire garden grow. Sometimes they are responsible for planting the seed, sometimes watering the flowers, and sometimes seeing the final results. However, no one person can do everything for everyone.
This perspective helped Dr. Sernak understand that every contribution matters, even when the full impact may not be immediately visible. She believes each person plays an important role in advancing progress and creating opportunities for those who come after them.
Dr. Sernak also learned the importance of being valuable wherever she is, raising her hand for opportunities, and remaining open to growth. She believes even small experiences, such as volunteering on projects or stepping into unfamiliar situations, can provide valuable lessons, new relationships, and skills that prepare individuals for future opportunities.
When advising young women entering their fields, Dr. Sernak encourages them to never doubt their instincts. She believes preparation, confidence, and trust in their abilities are essential for professional growth and success.
She encourages women not to be limited by the idea of imposter syndrome. Dr. Sernak believes individuals are complex, multifaceted, and shaped by generations of experiences, perspectives, and knowledge. Rather than allowing outside perceptions to define their abilities, she encourages women to recognize that they are continuously learning and evolving.
For Dr. Sernak, entering a new role or exploring a new opportunity does not mean someone is an imposter. Instead, it means they are growing, developing new skills, and bringing valuable perspectives to new spaces. She believes women should embrace their ability to contribute in multiple ways rather than feeling pressured to fit into a single definition of success.
Dr. Sernak believes one of the greatest challenges facing society today is that many people do not take enough time to pause, reflect, and understand their own cultures, experiences, and perspectives. She believes a lack of self-awareness and emotional intelligence can contribute to conflict, misunderstanding, and harmful behaviors.
Throughout her work, Dr. Sernak has supported individuals and organizations navigating difficult conversations involving bias, discrimination, and cultural awareness. While these moments can be challenging, she believes they also represent opportunities for education, accountability, and growth.
She encourages people to expand their understanding by engaging with different communities, attending cultural events, exploring history, trying new experiences, and learning from perspectives different from their own. Dr. Sernak believes education is one of the most powerful tools for building empathy and creating stronger connections.
Accountability is also central to Dr. Sernak’s approach. She believes people must be willing to acknowledge mistakes, apologize sincerely, and remain open to learning when they discover they have caused harm or demonstrated a lack of understanding. Whether addressing cultural differences, gender pronouns, or other aspects of identity, she believes a willingness to listen and learn can create meaningful progress.
The values that guide Dr. Sernak’s personal and professional life serve as a roadmap for her moral compass. She believes loyalty, authenticity, compassion, humility, and fairness are essential for navigating complex environments and building meaningful relationships.
At the foundation of these values are spirituality and inner harmony, which provide balance and direction for her purpose and passion. Dr. Sernak believes these principles influence how she approaches leadership, relationships, and opportunities to make a positive impact.
Through decades of leadership, education, and advocacy, Dr. June DePonte Sernak continues to demonstrate the power of culturally informed leadership and lifelong learning. Her work remains focused on creating inclusive systems, empowering individuals, and helping communities move toward greater understanding, equity, and opportunity.
Learn More about Dr. June DePonte Sernak:
Through her Influential Women profile, https://influentialwomen.com/connect/june-depontesernak or through her website, https://www.rafforzarellc.com/
Influential Women
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