Mayor Risa Clay
Borough of Tinton Falls, New Jersey

Risa Clay is serving her seventh year with the Borough of Tinton Falls and currently holds the office of Mayor. Before becoming Mayor, she served on the Borough Council and was the liaison to the K–8 Board of Education. Her work in local government began after an early retirement from a 27-year career in public education.

Ms. Clay spent much of her career at Red Bank Regional High School, where she served as Principal for ten years. She led a school community of over 1,200 students and 180 staff, representing more than 21 communities. While there, she secured funding to create The Source, a school-based counseling center recognized statewide for its support of teen mental health. She also built an award-winning ELL/Bilingual program and launched a scholarship initiative to help undocumented students access full college scholarships.

Her contributions to education and public service have been recognized by organizations including the Monmouth County Education Association, the NAACP, the Community Affairs and Resource Center, and NJ Business and Professional Women. She has received awards such as the Friend of Education Award, Educator of the Year, the Wilbur Ray Educational Service Award, and was honored to speak at the Brookdale Community College commencement. Most recently, she received the Founder’s Award from The Source in recognition of her efforts to establish and grow the program.

Outside of her official duties, Mayor Clay continues to advocate for those with vocal cord disorders, is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor, and works as a certified life coach. She is a proud mother and grandmother, lovingly known as “Gigi” and remains grounded in service, integrity, and community values.

She is guided by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which reflect the principles that shape her work and her life:

“Cowardice asks the question, is it safe?
Expedience asks the question, is it politic?
Vanity asks the question, is it popular?
But conscience asks the question, is it right?
And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular—
But one must take it because it is right.”

Contact Info:

Mayor Risa Clay

Phone: 732-542-3400 x668

Fax: 732-542-2075

Mail: Office of the Mayor, 556 Tinton Avenue, Tinton Falls, NJ, 07724