Renata is a lifelong resident of Plainfield and graduate of PHS class of 1984.  She is a wife and the mother of Milani Hernandez who currently attends Plainfield Academy of Arts and Advanced Studies (PAAAS).  She is a tireless youth advocate and is currently serving on the Plainfield Youth Council – Youth Summit 2011, and  lead-mentor/co-founder of a young girls mentoring program; Tiaras to Crowns.

Renata holds dual-degrees in Business Administration and Marketing; Magna Cum Laude, as well as a Masters in Business Administration.

Renata served on the Board of Parents Empowering Parents (PEP) from 2007-2009, and is probably most noted for her outspoken advocacy both voiced and penned through her blog – Peptalk: Revisited. She still continues to pen her opinion on her new Blog – Standing in the Gap for Plainfield Public Schools. She was also the treasurer for the PTO at Cedarbrook Elementary School for 3 years, and prior to her appointment to the Board of Education, served as the President of the PTO at PAAAS.

During the 2010 – 2011 School Year, Renata served as the Chairperson for the School/Community Relations Committee and was successful in faciliating a  district wide Multicultural Event and Co-chairing the Social Network Taskforce initiative.  She is committed to establishing more opportunities to forge stronger links between the district and the community.

At the Reorganzation Meeting of May 3, 2011, Renata was elected as the President of the Board of Education for the 2011 – 2012 School Year. As President, Renata has pledged to help develop a solid infrastructure based on the principles of integrity and comprised of effective policies, community and parental involvement, as well as a rigorous curriculum that will work together to produce 21st Century prepared Plainfield Public School Students.