NJCTS Names Hilary Kruchowy as Executive Director

SOMERVILLE, NJ (July 8, 2024) —NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders (NJCTS), has announced that Hilary Kruchowy will now lead the non-profit as the newly appointed executive director.

Kruchowy, a resident of Hillsborough, started with NJCTS in 2022 as the Development Director and was responsible for building and maintaining donor relationships as well as fundraising efforts for the Somerville, New Jersey based non-profit.

“I am excited to be able to continue the legacy of our founder, Faith Rice, and prior executive director, Pat Phillips,” Kruchowy said in a statement. “I am committed to serving the needs of the TS community and ensuring that TS becomes a disorder that is no longer misunderstood.”

Rice had been at the reigns of the organization since she founded it in 2004, creating quality programming for families living with TS, before announcing her retirement in 2021. To fill her shoes, she appointed Pat Phillips to take over as executive director, which she thrived at until her passing in March of 2024.

Prior to joining NJCTS, Kruchowy served as the Director of Development at the Adult Day Center of Somerset County and Hunterdon County YMCA where she surpassed fundraising goals and launched successful campaigns. She holds an M.A. in Fine Arts Administration from Temple University and a B. A. in Art History from Rutgers University. She has been a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) since 2002, demonstrating her commitment to professional excellence in the field of philanthropy.

"Hilary is a seasoned non-profit professional with three decades of experience in strategic leadership, board development, program management, and fundraising," said Andrew Hendry, NJCTS Board President. "In her almost two years at NJCTS, she has had the opportunity to meet many families and learn of their unique challenges when facing a tic disorder diagnosis. She embraces the mission of NJCTS and sees the potential for growth and expansion of our programs.”

With as many as 1 in 50 individuals living with TS or a similar tic disorder, there is much work to be done to raise awareness and decrease the stigma associated with TS.

NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders, the nation’s first Center of Excellence for Tourette Syndrome, is a not-for-profit organization committed to the advocacy of children and families with Tourette Syndrome and its associated disorders. Dedicated to delivering high quality services to these individuals, the Center recognizes the importance of educating the public, medical professionals, and teachers about the disorder through programs and affiliations with schools, health centers, and universities.