TRENTON - Governor Phil Murphy on July 25 announced the departure of Cabinet Secretary Andrea Spevak from his office. Jayné Johnson, currently serving as the Governor’s Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, will assume a dual role as Cabinet Secretary. Spevak, who was recently confirmed as an Administrative Law Judge, will depart the office on July 31st and Johnson will assume the role on August 1st.

“Andrea Spevak has been a member of my administration since day one, and a key part of my senior leadership team over the past two years, serving as a vital link between my office and the Cabinet through some of the defining moments of my administration,” said Governor Murphy. “As she embarks on this next chapter as a New Jersey Administrative Law Judge, I am deeply grateful for her service and steadfast commitment to the people of New Jersey. I wish her every success in her new role.”

“I am proud to name Jayné Johnson as my new Cabinet Secretary,” continued Governor Murphy. “As New Jersey’s first Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Jayné has been a driving force in advancing our vision of a stronger, fairer, more equitable state. I am grateful that she will continue in her current capacity while taking on this expanded role, and I look forward to her leadership as we work to solidify the vision that has guided our administration from the start.”

“Serving in the Governor’s administration for almost eight years has been the greatest privilege of my career," said outgoing Cabinet Secretary Andrea Spevak. "I have seen firsthand as Governor Murphy and our outstanding Cabinet met historic challenges and improved the lives of countless residents. I am immensely proud to have contributed to this work during my time at the New Jersey Department of Human Services and then as Cabinet Secretary. I am deeply honored and humbled by the support of the Governor and the New Jersey Senate for the opportunity to remain in public service as an Administrative Law Judge.”

"It has been an honor for nearly four years to lead efforts that strengthen our state workforce, expand opportunity, and improve outcomes for our most vulnerable neighbors. I had the privilege of working closely with Andrea and her predecessors and I am deeply grateful for their leadership in supporting the work of our brilliant and dedicated Cabinet leaders,” said incoming Cabinet Secretary Jayné Johnson. “As my role expands, I am honored to carry the torch and continue partnering with the Cabinet to sustain and extend the transformative progress they have made on behalf of the people of our state. I thank Governor Murphy and the administration for the opportunity to serve in such a critical position."

Andrea Spevak, Esq., has served as a senior administration official within the Murphy Administration since 2018. In her capacity as Cabinet Secretary since 2023, she has served as the Governor’s primary liaison to the Cabinet and senior department leadership, and as a senior member of the Governor’s policy team. She fostered cross-agency collaboration in support of the Administration’s highest priorities.

Spevak previously served as Deputy Commissioner of Operations at the New Jersey Department of Human Services, overseeing human resources and employee relations, department operations, legal and regulatory affairs, the Office of Emergency Management and the Human Services Police. Spevak had served as Chief of Staff at Human Services since 2018 before becoming a Deputy Commissioner in 2022. She previously served as Associate General Counsel at the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office and as Chief of Staff for Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle. She also worked in private practice as an attorney.

Spevak received her Bachelor of Arts from The George Washington University and Juris Doctor from the Seton Hall University School of Law.

Jayné Johnson, Esq., has served as a senior administration official within the Murphy Administration since 2021 when Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 265, creating the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Governor’s Office. In her capacity as the inaugural Director of the Office, her work includes overseeing training, coordinating programming, and developing policy and internal guidance to advance equity across all of state government; establishing cabinet liaisons to support a whole-of government approach to identify and address structural barriers; ensuring interagency collaboratives embed people-centered considerations in government decision-making; maintaining professional networking groups; and promoting cross-agency resource sharing. As part of this role, Johnson convenes the Wealth Disparity Task Force, composed of cabinet members, advocates, and stakeholders. The task force’s work has informed policy initiatives including those to reduce medical debt, provide down payment assistance for first-generation homeowners, implement the Social Impact Investment Fund, and expand employee stock ownership programs. The task force’s recommendations were published in the comprehensive report, New Jersey – Building a State of Opportunity.

Johnson joined the Murphy Administration with over 15 years of legal, policy, and advocacy experience in both state government and the nonprofit sector. As Counsel to the New Jersey Law Revision Commission, she authored reports that informed enacted legislation and testified before the legislature on pending bills and proposed amendments. At The Council of State Governments, where she served as Senior Policy Analyst, Johnson supported internal employee engagement initiatives and advised state and local officials on criminal justice reforms and strategies to reduce recidivism. She also served as Senior Counsel at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, where her work focused on expanding economic opportunity for cost-burdened households. Her scholarship and advocacy helped inform state and local policies related to land banking, first-generation homeownership, guaranteed income programs, and workforce development initiatives.

Johnson received her Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers University Law School in Newark, New Jersey, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from Oakwood University.