Clelia G. Pergola, CDP

Clelia G. Pergola is an award-winning business leader, author, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and passionate advocate for caregivers, women, and older adults. As Chief Operating Officer of the NJ Elder Law Center at Goldberg Law Group, she has played an instrumental role in transforming the firm's operations while helping families navigate the legal, financial, and emotional complexities of aging and long-term care.

Born in Italy, Clelia's passion for advocacy is deeply personal. Her experience caring for her beloved grandparents, particularly her grandmother, Nonna Lidia, during her journey with dementia, exposed her firsthand to the challenges families face within the long-term care system. That experience became the foundation of her commitment to caregiver education, support, and meaningful change.

Beyond her executive leadership, Clelia is a dedicated champion of women's empowerment. She is the co-founder of Ladies Who Lunch, a community of accomplished women executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals built on meaningful relationships, mentorship, collaboration, and the belief that women are stronger when they support one another.

As the founder of the North Jersey Senior Care Group, Clelia brings together healthcare professionals, senior living providers, attorneys, and community leaders to strengthen collaboration, education, and access to valuable resources for older adults and their families.

An accomplished author, Clelia co-wrote The Law Firm Revolution with Barbara Mannino, sharing innovative approaches to law firm leadership and operations. Her second book, Life, Lessons & Legacy: How Caring for My Grandmother Changed My World, shares her deeply personal caregiving journey and the lessons that inspired her advocacy. She also co-hosted What's Your Legacy?, a podcast featuring accomplished women and the experiences, challenges, and defining moments that shaped their lives.

On a Personal Note

An Italian immigrant with deep roots in her heritage, Clelia remains passionate about family, tradition, and the importance of leaving a meaningful legacy. Her personal experiences as a caregiver to her Nonna and Nonno have strengthened her dedication to helping caregivers navigate the emotional and often overwhelming responsibilities of caring for loved ones.

She is equally passionate about empowering women to establish goals, overcome challenges, find balance in their lives, and become the best versions of themselves. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or community involvement, Clelia believes in the power of supporting and uplifting others.

Outside of her professional and advocacy work, Clelia enjoys traveling back to her family home in Italy, cooking, reading and learning about business, and spending quality time with her husband, Brandon, and their sons, Dante Domenico and Gino Angelo. Her family also includes their beloved dog, Mina, cat, Vito,and chickens.

Awards:

2018 Leading Women Entrepreneurs & Business Owners Top 25 Leading Woman Intrapreneur
2018 Boy Scouts of America Tribute to Women Award
2018 NJBIZ 40 Under 40
2019 NJBIZ Top 50 Women in Business
2021 NJ Business & Industry Association Executive of the Year
2022 Forbes & Fortune Magazine Extraordinary Women in Business
2023 NJBIZ Empowering Woman

Associations:

Founder of North Jersey Senior Care Group
Co-Founder of Ladies Who Lunch
Founding Member of Ragazzi: An Italian-American Business Owners Club
Member of the Passaic County Ethics Committee
Board Member of R.O.A.R.
Certified Dementia Practitioner
Former Vistage and Toastmasters Member

She also hosts a podcast named What’s Your Legacy interviewing accomplished women and their journeys. Her workand leadership have been featured in Forbes, Fortune, VUE,Wayne Lifestyle Magazine, and iHeartRadio.

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http://www.roi-nj.com/2018/05/15/lifestyle/leading-women-entrepreneurs-announces-its-75-honorees-for-2018/

https://njbiz.com/njbiz-names-40-under-40-awards-winners-for-2018/

https://njbiz.com/event/best-50-women-in-business-2019

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