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Nominated by: New Jersey School Public Relations Association
Lori Perlow has spent her career helping school districts communicate with greater clarity, strategy and authenticity while also helping elevate the profession of school public relations across New Jersey and beyond. As founder and leader of New Jersey’s only public shared-service communications consortium, Perlow provides strategic communications support to more than a dozen school districts, helping communities strengthen trust, improve engagement and navigate increasingly complex communications challenges.
A nationally recognized communications professional, Perlow has built a model that allows districts of all sizes to access high-level communications leadership and strategic counsel. Through the Haddon Township School District Communication Consortium, she leads branding, communication planning, crisis communication and media relations efforts tailored to each district’s unique culture and community needs. Since launching the consortium model, she has partnered with more than 40 school districts throughout New Jersey.
Her work is deeply rooted in research and strategic planning. Perlow frequently uses surveys, focus groups and stakeholder feedback to guide communication action plans and long-term engagement strategies. She has also helped districts successfully navigate major funding and referendum efforts through transparent communication and extensive community engagement. In both Haddon Township and Readington Township, her work helped districts secure voter approval for major school funding initiatives while strengthening community understanding and trust.
“Lori has fundamentally redefined school communications,” says Haddon Township Superintendent Robert J. Fisicaro in support of her nomination. “She has transitioned the role into a pillar of educational leadership, proving that strategic engagement is the heartbeat of a successful district.”
Perlow’s leadership extends far beyond the districts she serves. A past president of the New Jersey School Public Relations Association (NJSPRA) and former NSPRA Northeast Region vice president, she has helped expand professional development opportunities and strengthen recognition of school communications throughout the region. During her six years leading NJSPRA, she helped forge partnerships with state education organizations, launched the chapter’s School Communicator of the Year Award and helped professionalize the organization’s long-term structure and operations.
She is also passionate about mentoring and developing future leaders in education communications. For more than a decade, Perlow has led communications training through the New Jersey Association of School Administrators’ New Superintendent Academy, helping nearly 1,000 new and aspiring superintendents better understand communication planning, media relations and crisis response.
“School communications is not just a job for her, it’s a calling,” says NJSPRA President Maren Smagala. “Her excitement for what we do and how much we can make a difference for school districts was contagious.”
In addition to her work in school PR, Perlow is actively involved in community leadership efforts throughout New Jersey. She currently serves on the board of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and has helped lead regional initiatives focused on school funding advocacy, legislative engagement and community partnership-building.
Known for her authenticity, strategic insight and willingness to mentor others, Perlow continues to champion the idea that strong communication is not an added benefit for school systems; it is essential to effective leadership, trust and long-term success.