Vera Institute of Justice

Bari Mattes is an independent strategic consultant working with non-profit and political organizations whose work is consistent with her personal mission of leaving the world a better place than she found it. Bari served as senior advisor to Senator Cory Booker for 12 years and served as Senator Booker’s campaign finance chair for his 2014 reelection campaign. As Senator Booker’s senior advisor, she oversaw public/private partnerships and special projects for the Senator as well as all of his political and philanthropic fundraising. During Senator Booker’s seven years as Mayor of Newark, she also oversaw his strategic policy team. It was Senator Booker’s commitment to criminal justice reform that educated her and ignited her passion on this issue. She was a founding Board member of The Marshall Project and was the Board Chair of The Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of The Harvey Milk School. She presently serves on the board of The Newark Mentoring Movement which she and Senator Booker founded in 2012.

Mattes joined Vera’s Board of Trustees in 2018.