TRENTON, N.J. - AussieJournal -- Governor Phil Murphy yesterday unveiled the official portrait of Kim Guadagno, the state's first lieutenant governor and current president and chief executive officer of Mercy Center in a ceremony held at the Statehouse in Trenton.

To honor the occasion, Mercy Center hosted a private reception afterward, bringing together former Governor Chris Christie, community leaders, Guadagno's family and friends, and its board members to celebrate her decades of service, past and present.

Christie, who selected Guadagno as his running mate in 2009, spoke at the reception and at the portrait unveiling, reflecting on her trailblazing career and continued impact as a nonprofit leader.  "She's spent her entire life in public service, not just the eight years she was lieutenant governor, and is still doing that today for those in need," Christie said.

Guadagno, of Monmouth Beach, was sworn in as New Jersey's first lieutenant governor in 2010 and served two terms, also holding the role of secretary of state for eight years. She was the Republican nominee for governor in 2017 and, in 2007, made history as the first woman elected sheriff in Monmouth County. She has practiced law for more than 30 years and remains a partner at Connell Foley LLP.

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Today, Guadagno leads Mercy Center, a vital community organization based in Asbury Park. The nonprofit provides food support, social services, and education to vulnerable individuals and families across 24 towns in Monmouth County and six additional counties throughout New Jersey. With a mission to end generational poverty, Mercy Center empowers people with the tools, support, and opportunities they need to build stronger, more self-sufficient lives.

"Kim's leadership has fueled the growth of our mission and the expansion of our reach," said Laurence M. Downes, chairman of the board of trustees. "Under her direction, Mercy Center has strengthened its impact across Monmouth County. We are now preparing to build a new facility that will allow us to serve more people, more effectively, and that's a testament to her vision and commitment."

Prior to joining Mercy Center, Guadagno served as president and CEO of Fulfill, a regional food bank. She currently serves on numerous public and private boards and remains involved in statewide efforts to improve access to food, housing, education, and justice.

The reception served as both a tribute and a call to action, reminding guests that while portraits capture the past, Guadagno's mission is very much focused on the future.

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"I've always believed that leadership is about service, not status," Guadagno said. "I am honored by the portrait, but even more humbled by the work we do every day to make life better for people who are struggling. Everyone deserves the chance to thrive, and I'm committed to doing everything I can to help open those doors."

To learn more about Mercy Center's life-changing programs and services offered to the community, visit its website, www.MercyCenterNJ.org.

About Mercy Center
Mercy Center, founded by the Sisters of Mercy, is a nonprofit charitable organization based in Asbury Park, NJ, working to break the cycle of generational poverty among vulnerable people in 24 Monmouth County communities and six additional counties in the Garden State.  Our food pantry nourishes families, caring programs and services help stabilize them, and our Sisters Academy provides a quality education to put an end to the cycle of poverty, one child, one family at a time. See our mission in motion. To donate, volunteer or learn more about how we empower, enrich, and educate the people we serve, visit www.MercyCenterNJ.