Debra M. Borrero
Director of Legislative & Strategic Affairs
As CREC's Director of Legislative & Strategic Affairs, Debra Borrero leads strategic planning and legislative advocacy efforts to advance education policy and equity. She oversees the development and execution of CREC’s government relations strategy, advocating on behalf of both CREC and the Regional Education Service Center (RESC) Alliance. Her work ensures that legislative priorities align with the needs of Connecticut’s students, schools, and communities, driving impactful change in public education.
Prior to this role, Debra served as Director of School Choice where she successfully led the growth of CREC Magnet Schools enrollment and expanded the Hartford Region Open Choice Program, advancing the Sheff v. O’Neill case for integrated education. Her advocacy led to key policy and programmatic changes supporting students and families seeking diverse, high-quality education.
A former community organizer in Brooklyn, NY, Debra also worked at Trinity College on community partnerships efforts before serving as Deputy Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs under Governor M. Jodi Rell.
She serves on several boards, including the Betty Knox Foundation and iQuilt Partnership. She holds an MA in public policy from Trinity College, a BA in communications from the State University of New York at New Paltz and a certificate in Diversity & Inclusion Essentials from Central CT State University. She also completed The Campaign School at Yale University and the Education Policy Fellowship Program from the Institute of Educational Leadership.
Phone: (860) 524-4033 E-mail: dborrero@crec.org
