Dr. Cooper-Basch joined Victoria Foundation in 2003 and has served as its director since 2006. She has spent the past 25 years in philanthropy, with a deep commitment to address the needs of children and families living in low-income urban communities. Before coming to Victoria, Irene spent six years as the founding program officer for the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, which also has a grantmaking focus in Newark.  Irene holds numerous leadership roles in and around Newark, including as a trustee or advisory board member for: Newark Trust for Education, Newark City of Learning Collaborative, Safer Newark Council, Newark 2020, Newark Education Funders Affinity Group, NJPAC, and the Russ Berrie Making A Difference Awards.  She is also the past Chair of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and served as the Fundraising Chair for Newark Celebration 350. 

Irene holds a bachelor’s degree from New York University, a master’s from Drew University, and a Ph.D. in Urban Systems from Rutgers University-Newark. Irene taught English, Math, and Drama to middle school children in Botswana, Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer in the early 1980s.

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