Theresa Capparelli is a dynamic leader, accomplished fundraiser, and passionate advocate for community impact. Theresa currently serves as a Development Specialist with the Women’s Rights Information Center in Englewood, NJ, where she works to expand community outreach and strengthen fundraising efforts. The organization supports victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, and provides vital programs including counseling and case management, financial literacy, job and computer skills training, shared housing, and wellness workshops. Last year alone, the organization served more than 2,500 women and families.
She also consults with the Franciscan Community Development Center in Fairview, NJ, home to Bergen County’s only food pantry located in a designated food desert. The organization is entirely volunteer-run, ensuring that all donations and grants directly support community services such as food distribution, tax assistance through the VITA program, senior services, counseling, and legal aid.
Prior to her work with the Women’s Rights Information Center, Theresa served as Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity in Bergen County. There, she led the organization through a period of unprecedented growth, securing the largest grants in its history and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to support affordable housing initiatives. She managed a team of employees and more than 1,000 volunteers while directing fundraising, marketing, and community engagement efforts, leading signature events and campaigns to record-breaking success. Even earlier in her career, Theresa spent a decade at Lord & Taylor, building and leading the company’s highest-performing Personal Shopping Department nationwide while organizing charitable fashion events, and began her professional journey in real estate with Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty.
A recognized community leader, Theresa serves on the Board of Directors for the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Pascack Valley Chamber, and the NJ Advisory Board for Visions Credit Union. Her many honors include the Congressional Certificate of Recognition, Citizen of the Year, NJBIZ ICON Honors, and the YWCA Women of Influence Award. Her career reflects an unwavering commitment to service, leadership, and strengthening the communities she serves.
