Dr. Rochelle Wimpfheimer, Executive Director of The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County, Named a 2025 NJBIZ ICON

(Eastern Bergen County, New Jersey; April 7, 2025) – The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County announces Executive Director Dr. Rochelle Wimpfheimer has been named a 2025 NJBIZ ICON honoree. NJBIZ, a prominent business publication in the Garden State, awards this prestigious recognition to distinguished business leaders from New Jersey, ages 60 and older, who are trailblazers and innovators across several industries.

During her twelve year tenure with The Community Chest, Dr. Wimpfheimer made significant enhancements. Among them, she increased the organization’s fundraising capacity, developed new programs, and expanded its service area. She also created the Professional Development and Executive Director Roundtable programs for nonprofit staff to develop further their skills and knowledge about a range of topics, to share challenges and successes and to collaborate on programs. Additionally, she developed initiatives, run and supported by The Community Chest, including the Partnership for Healthy Eating, the Racial Justice Library Program, the Young Women’s Leadership Program, and the Connections program, focusing on loneliness, which former US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called an ‘epidemic’.

Previously, she served as the Executive Director of the Partnership for After School Education and as Vice President of Youth and Family Services of the YMCA of Greater New York. Prior to joining the YMCA, Dr. Wimpfheimer served as the Executive Director of the Division of Family Guidance in Bergen County, New Jersey for 16 years. She also served as an adjunct faculty member at the Columbia University School of Social Work and the Rutgers School of Social Work. In addition, she held the position of advisor to graduate students attending Fordham University’s School of Nonprofit Management and as an Executive Coach to several leaders of public and private agencies.  

Dr. Wimpfheimer has also served on nonprofit boards of directors, where she held various leadership positions. A leader in several national and statewide professional organizations, she was a 20-year member of the Network for Social Work Management, where she held the office of president. She also was a member of the national board of National Association of Social Workers and a longtime member of the Board of National Association of Social Workers of New Jersey, where she also served as president. 

Dr. Wimpfheimer holds a Doctorate of Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work, a Master of Social Service from Bryn Mawr School of Social Work and Social Research and a Bachelor of Arts from Pennsylvania State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey and a Licensed Master Social Worker in New York. 

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

With the motto "Neighbors Helping Neighbors", The Community Chest, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization, was founded in 1933 during the Great Depression. From its headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey, the organization has strengthened the community through leadership and philanthropy by spearheading initiatives and supporting nonprofits that help people in need in eastern Bergen County, New Jersey. The organization's service area covers these municipalities: Alpine, Bergenfield, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Rockleigh and Tenafly.

The Community Chest has provided funding to local agencies and nonprofits. The organization also develops collaborative action plans with community partners and identifies and provides solutions for community issues with local influencers. The founders' vision was to fill a chest with individuals and businesses' generous contributions and to empty the contents by awarding competitive grants to support worthy projects led by local nonprofit agencies in the area demonstrating the capacity to provide services to local residents. The Community Chest provides support and awards grants to vetted nonprofits that strengthen communities and benefit people in need in the area. For further information about The Community Chest, visit the organization’s website, www.thecommunitychestebc.org, or call 201-568-7474.

About The Community Chest

Founded in 1933, The Community Chest, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Englewood, New Jersey, has supported local not-for-profit agencies for 92 years. The Community Chest leads initiatives and supports nonprofits that make our communities stronger and benefit people in need in eastern Bergen County. Each year, The Community Chest raises funds and allocates them to agencies demonstrating the capacity to provide services to local citizens. The organization also provides coordinating and planning services in its communities, serving as a bridge between agencies and organizations and investing in the stability and quality of the service network. 

The Community Chest's Board of Managers is comprised of community leaders dedicated to improving the lives of neighbors in need. People interested in volunteering with the organization may contact Executive Director Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer at (201) 568-7474. For further information about The Chest, visit www.thecommunitychestebc.org/ or contact (201) 568-7474.  Stay updated about the organization’s activities on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Photo: Dr. Rochelle Wimpfheimer, Executive Director, The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County  Photo Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Wimpfheimer