11th Annual Women Business Leaders Forum (WBLF)

Michele N. Siekerka, Esq., President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, leads the nation’s largest, most influential employers’ organization, advocating on behalf of New Jersey’s large and small businesses for policies that will make New Jersey more affordable and regionally competitive.

Being known as a collaborative leader, Siekerka is leading an NJBIA established coalition (New Jersey Business Coalition) comprised of more than 100 business and nonprofit associations across the state to tackle the tough economic and business challenges our state is facing during COVID 19.

Well versed on the ‘boots on the ground” issues affecting our state’s business community, Michele is often the “go to” resource for media and is sought after to share her expertise in public forums across the state.

Jennifer Aarons is an Assistant Professor of Hospitality, Tourism & Event Management and Esports Management at Stockton University.  With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, Jennifer brings real-world experience and a passion for mentoring to her role at Stockton. As Chair of the Stockton Women’s Leadership Council, she empowers students—especially women—to lead with confidence and compassion. Jennifer is dedicated to helping future professionals bridge the gap between college and career through thoughtful guidance and inclusive leadership.

Katie is Senior Vice President and Global Head, Late Development in Immunology Research and Development at Johnson & Johnson. In this role she leads the scientific, strategic, and operational development of post-proof of concept and registrational Immunology assets, programs, and investments globally across GI, Rheumatology, Dermatology, Respiratory, and Rare Disease.

Prior to this, Katie was the Autoantibody and Maternal Fetal Immunology Disease Area Leader, accountable for the Autoantibody portfolio and for leading the nipocalimab program, which she oversaw from acquisition through first indication launch in generalized myasthenia gravis in 2025. Katie joined Johnson & Johnson in 2019 and has also held positions leading STELARA® as well as in Strategy & Operations.

Before joining Johnson & Johnson, Katie spent 11 years at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and was a Partner in their Healthcare Practice in the UK and US.

She is a Physician by training and practiced Acute and Emergency Medicine in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) in London. She received her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Pathology from Imperial College, London and her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Imperial College School of Medicine, London. She is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians of the UK.

Anthony Abrantes is an accomplished professional currently serving as the Assistant Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the Eastern Atlantic State Regional Council of Carpenters. In this role, he provides invaluable leadership and oversight for the council, which proudly represents approximately 43,000 Union Carpenters across New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C.,
Virginia, and West Virginia.

Donna Albano is a professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies at Stockton University with extensive experience in higher education, industry engagement, and community leadership. She is a founding member of the Stockton Women’s Leadership Council; a dedicated group of business leaders and philanthropists committed to making a meaningful impact in their communities. Donna is recognized for her work in mentoring students, developing industry partnerships, and advancing experiential learning. Her professional expertise includes restaurant consulting, wine education, and workforce development in the hospitality sector. Through her leadership roles and service initiatives, Donna continues to inspire future hospitality professionals while contributing to regional economic and community growth.

Herb was the former corporate vice president of Yardville Supply Co., the former Director of Economic Development for the County of Mercer, Herb is the former Chief Operating Officer for WIMG – 1300 AM, and President and CEO of Devin Group Inc.

Herb has served on for-profit boards and non-for-profit boards, such as Admin Partners, the Boys and Girls Club of Mercer County and the Boys and Girls Club Foundation, Princeton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton Area YMCA, Miracle League, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Acting President/Chairman of the Capital Region Minority Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of New Jersey, Mercer Chapter, Living Hope Empowerment Center, and Crosswicks Community Association.

Herb is the author of “Aim High: Common Sense Success for Common Sense People”, and the founder of First Choice Bank.

Herb’s secret passion is vegetable farming.

Helen Archontou, MSW, LSW Chief Executive Officer, YWCA Northern New Jersey.  As Chief Executive Officer since 2011, Helen Archontou has guided YWCA Northern New Jersey to fully live its intersectional mission to eliminate racism and empower women by advocating against the oppression that many groups and individuals endure. Helen has overseen the development of a continuum of programs to support women and families in every stage of life as well as to raise awareness and take action to end racial and social injustice, advance gender equity, and promote the rights of all women.

In 2019 she accomplished her vision of expanding the organization’s service area to Essex, Hudson, Morris, and Passaic in addition to Bergen County and changed its name to YWCA Northern New Jersey.

Helen served as a state appointed member of the NJ State Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault and is currently a board member of Women@NJPAC, Let’s Talk about Women’s Wellness, the Childcare Research Collaborative at Rutgers University, the County of Bergen’s Age-Friendly Task Force, and the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation
Advisory Board

Helen is an adjunct professor at Montclair State University since 2005 in the School of Social Work. Her love for her work in social justice is only topped by her love for her husband, her twins Julia and Steven and her double doodle Buddy Bear

Francis Ahmed is a Vice President and Banker at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Francis advises a range of successful clients, including wealth creators, post-transaction business owners and families with inherited wealth who seek the intellectual strength and brand recognition of a premier financial institution. A longtime resident of New Jersey, she is a powerful advocate for unlocking J.P. Morgan’s fortress balance sheet and global capabilities so that clients can accomplish their financial goals in one place.

Francis takes a relationship-driven approach, partnering with clients throughout the stages of their financial lives. She gets to know each individual on a personal level, uncovering the priorities and goals they value most. Whether clients are interested in trust and estate planning, investing, lending, banking or have other sophisticated needs, she surrounds them with a team of specialists to present recommendations that are specifically tailored to the financial futures they envision. She is known for the passion she brings to her role and is a problem solver her clients can rely on to look out for their best interests.

Francis is the first generation in her biracial family to attend college, graduating magna cum laude with a B.S. in Finance from Seton Hall University. She did so on four academic merit scholarships while also working multiple jobs. Francis has completed a certificate in Women’s Leadership from the Yale School of Management and the Banking program at the Investment Banking Institute. She is a board member of the Buccino Leadership Institute and the Alberto Italian Studies Institute, both at Seton Hall.

Driven by a dedication to patients, Carole Augustine has devoted over 25 years to the pharmaceutical industry and is passionate about advancing innovative health solutions. As a pillar of Otsuka’s R&D business, Carole has led multiple CNS programs in her role in clinical management, built effective global teams and played a key role in several facets of the R&D business since joining Otsuka in 2005.

As Senior Vice President, R&D Shared Sciences at Otsuka, Carole is responsible for overseeing Portfolio Strategy & Asset Management, Global Quality and Data and Analytics. These functions are at the foundation of everything OPDC delivers. Carole’s leadership supports harmonization and focus of the R&D organization on producing quality outcomes aligned with our strategic plan and leveraging our data to better understand our patient’s journeys and optimize our products.

While at Otsuka, Carole played a key role in the Rexulti MDD program, dual NDA submission and subsequent FDA inspection. She was instrumental in the launch of the first FDA-approved digital medicine, drug-device combination product. In addition, she built the collaborative organization which sustained the commercialization of ABILIFY MYCITE® (aripiprazole tablets with sensor). Most recently, Carole served as Vice President, R&D Portfolio Strategy & Asset Management where she oversaw management of all assets within the company’s Digital, Nephrology/ Immunology and CNS portfolios.

Outside of her professional life, you will most likely find Carole traveling or outdoors with her family hiking, boating, gardening, or enjoying the beach & wildlife on Anna Maria Island. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband John and their two children, Olivia (23) and Charlie (21).

Transformational Leader | Global Keynote Speaker | Award-Winning Author | Senior Executive at Publicis Sapient

Shikha Bajaj is a transformational leader, Forbes-featured speaker, and senior executive at Publicis Sapient, where she leads AI-driven healthcare equity and innovation. With 25+ years of cross-industry impact, she’s known for building high-performing teams, empowering underrepresented leaders, and driving purpose-led transformation.

An award-winning author of Own Your Color, Shikha created the M.E.N.T.O.R.® framework and founded Own Your Color Academy to help women, first-gen professionals, and changemakers lead with confidence and authenticity. Her work has been recognized with over 10 global awards and honors from the NJ State Legislature and America’s Top 20 Women of Excellence.

Passionate about giving back, Shikha serves on nonprofit boards including Big Brothers Big Sisters and OneProject, and donates book proceeds to youth mentorship.

A proud MIT and Columbia alum, Shikha combines strategic vision, heart, and bold storytelling to inspire inclusive leadership and lasting impact—on stage, in boardrooms, and beyond.

over 25 years of experience in brand development and management, public relations, social media, marketing, and special events, Carey Balogh is a visionary entrepreneur who delivers exceptional experiences for clients in architecture, design, construction, engineering, real estate, education, and professional services.

In 2015, Carey founded Brand Groupies, a full-service social, PR, and personal branding agency that partners with B2B service companies and C-suite leaders. Brand Groupies brings a 360-degree approach to every strategy, driving long-term growth and increasing brand awareness for legacy organizations like Mancini Duffy.

Before launching Brand Groupies, Carey was a PR director for brands like Hublot and Gucci, and co-founded Frolic!, a rock ‘n’ roll-themed children’s play space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Frolic! was named Best Play Space in NYC by TimeOut New York Kids and later acquired by the Children’s Museum of Manhattan.

Carey earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in fashion promotion from the Marangoni Institute in Milan. When she’s not hosting the Brand Groupies Podcast or playing guitar in her mom band, Mamadrama, Carey resides in Red Bank, NJ, with her husband and two sons

Dana Brereton is the Head of Human Resources at Playa Bowls, with more than 15 years of HR and progressive leadership experience across hospitality, retail, health and wellness, and high-growth consumer brands. She began her professional journey in hospitality, where she learned the art of service, team development, and creating guest-centric experiences, lessons she has carried into every role since.

Driven by a passion for people, Dana has built her career by intentionally climbing across different industries, collecting tools, resources, and perspectives that she applies to building stronger teams and cultures. At Playa Bowls, she leads the company’s people strategy and culture through rapid growth and transformation, including scaling the support team, strengthening benefits, engagement, and performance management programs, and was a major contributor through a private equity acquisition in 2024.

Dana is known for blending compliance with culture, modernizing HR practices into true People Operations, and championing workforce experiences that are both high-performing and human centered. For her, people aren’t just part of the business, they’re the purpose.

Jessica Breslow is the CEO of PJW Restaurant Group. She previously served as the group’s Chief Operating Officer and led Marketing and Technology for the company since 2016. Throughout Breslow’s tenure, the company has been successfully executing its strategic growth plan, including the acquisition by Authentic Restaurant Brands.  Her proven cross-functional leadership implemented systems, leveraged data and analytics, and built the PJW team.   Previously, Ms. Breslow spent a decade at Aramark, leading a national dining program and communications strategy for the $3.5B Higher Education sector.   She began her career with Ford Motor Company, consulting for dealer franchise operations in the Mid-Atlantic region.  She holds a B.A. from Seton Hall University and an MBA from The Pennsylvania State University.

Sarah Switlik is the Chief Operating Officer at Switlik Survival Products, a family-owned manufacturing company in Trenton that has been a leading innovator in safety and survival equipment since the 1920s. Originally starting as a small canvas and leather workshop in 1920, the company quickly became the nation’s largest parachute manufacturer by the 1930s. Today, Switlik Survival Products has expanded its focus to the commercial market, offering a range of high-quality safety and survival equipment, including FAA-approved inflatable life vests and rafts, US Coast Guard-approved life rafts, and military-grade anti-G suits and anti-exposure suits.

As a fourth-generation member of the Switlik family, Sarah brings a deep-rooted understanding of the company’s heritage with a forward-thinking approach to its operations. Sarah has held various pivotal roles within the company, including Marketing Manager, Marine Sales Manager, Marketing Director, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing, which have equipped her with a comprehensive skill set in sales, marketing, and operations management. Under Sarahs’s leadership, Switlik Survival Products has experienced significant growth and innovation. Her strategic initiatives have not only enhanced operational efficiency but also strengthened the company’s market position.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Global Business Management from Babson College, which complements her extensive professional experience. Beyond her professional achievements, Sarah is passionate about giving back to the community. She is dedicated to community involvement, actively supporting local, domestic, and international non-profits, particularly those focused on water rescue. In her personal time, Sarah loves to travel and make new contacts around the world. Her passion for exploration and global networking enriches her personal and professional life, bringing fresh insights and opportunities to Switlik Survival Products.

Tasha Youngblood Brown is CEO and Founder of The Brown Bag Collective, LLC, and EvolvED Technology Ventures Corporation, which owns and operates LearningRx Jersey Shore North.

As a retired Managing Director in EY’s National Consulting practice, Tasha consulted with executive leaders in various sectors, including healthcare, higher education, government, and not-for-profit organizations, in strategic planning, accounting, internal audit, risk management, and information technology. Tasha has also spent the last 20 years helping entrepreneurs thrive in business, including women and founders from Black and Brown communities, including leading EY’s Entrepreneurs Access Network (EAN) for New Jersey, a year-long business accelerator designed to help Black and Latinx CEOs and founders scale and achieve new levels of growth.

With a deep commitment to her alma mater, Tasha serves on the Board of Trustees for Monmouth University, where she currently holds the position of Vice Chair, and as an elected official for the Board of Education of the Long Branch Public Schools District, having

previously held the roles of Vice President and President. Tasha holds a BA in Political Science and an MBA in Accounting and is currently completing her dissertation in Educational Leadership at Monmouth University. As a first-generation college student, her educational and professional journey informs and underscores her commitment to research, reducing barriers to student education.

Chrissy Buteas is the President & CEO of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ). Founded in 1997, HINJ serves as the trade association for leading research-based biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies in New Jersey.

Buteas, a seasoned leader, has held significant positions in her career. Before joining HINJ, she served as the VP of Government Affairs at Optimum, a prominent broadband communications and video service provider operating across 21 states. She served as the Chief Government Affairs Officer of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), a role that enabled her to influence policies affecting the 1 million employees of member companies. She also led the NEW JOBS PAC, the State’s largest and most influential ideological business political action committee.

Before joining NJBIA, Buteas served as president and CEO of the Home Care & Hospice Association of New Jersey, representing New Jersey home health agencies, hospices, and healthcare service firms that provide care to the state’s Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay patients.

She serves on the boards of trustees of Middlesex College, NJ Innovation Institute (NJII), Thanexus, Inc. (a funeral service cooperative), the National Association of Corporate Directors, NJ Chapter (NACD-NJ), South Jersey Technology Park at Rowan University, and the New Jersey Medical Assistance Advisory Council, Focus NJ, Junior Achievement of New Jersey, Women’s Political Caucus of NJ, and The Historic Village at Allaire.

Buteas holds an MPA from the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University-Newark and a BA from Rowan University.

Denise Campbell is a highly accomplished, board-experienced marketing executive, currently serving as the VP of Marketing, US Oncology at Novartis. With over three decades of experience, Denise has helped to shape the marketing landscape across various sectors, including consumer-packaged goods, e-commerce, consulting, and healthcare. Known for her corporate governance and strategic marketing expertise, she has held significant roles at venture-backed startups and Fortune 500 organizations, consistently driving customer acquisition and brand growth, leading to optimal penetration and monetization.

Denise has served on the board at Transparent Partners, a venture-backed marketing consultancy, and Lil’Drug Store Products, a $100million consumer healthcare company. At Lil’Drug,she provided insights on potential M&A activities, business risk identification, and mitigation planning, contributing to significant business growth and the company’s successful sale.

Denise’s visionary work has earned her numerous accolades, including the HBA (Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association) 2025 Luminary Award, 2024 Pinnacle Award,the DTC Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Cannes Lion. She is a frequent speaker at   major conferences such as NYC Advertising Week and a repeat guest lecturer at Kellogg Business School and NYU’s Stern School of Business. Passionate about inspiring future leaders,she is committed to mentoring and developing marketing talent, advocating
for gender equality, and empowering women in the workplace. At Novartis, she serves as Executive Sponsor of Empowering Women to Impact Now (EWIN).

Her educational background includes an MBA from  the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, a BA with High Honors from the University of Michigan, and the Wharton School of Business Executive Program for Pharmaceutical Executives.

Elisa is pioneering human-centered agentic AI possibilities to address one of society’s most pressing challenges: loneliness. In 2023, she launched Juego AI Lab, an immersive ‘social logistics enterprise engine’ designed to transform emotional connectivity and quality of life by optimizing in-person connectivity through mobile and web-based apps, SaaS enterprise platforms and ML/AI. Her work in the innovation space spans tech, higher education, and small business development with a focus on closing equity gaps to empower local economies. She has 30+ years of leadership experience in economic development, government and advocacy. Elisa has been appointed to leadership positions by three consecutive governors of the State of New Jersey.  She served as Vice Chair of the New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority; and currently serves New Jersey Institute of Technology as an Executive Board Trustee, the Essex County Planning Board as Vice Chair, and the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Board.

Elvira Chaush, is a financial Professional with New York Life Insurance Company.  Her passion for helping others stems from her background in nonprofit management, where she dedicated years to making positve changes in communites and improving lives. When not guiding clients through their financial journeys, she’s immersed in nature, enjoying the beauty and tranquility it brings. Her mission is to combine her love for nature, commitment to community, and focus in financial strategies to create meaningful and lastng impacts on the lives of those I meet.

Lisa joined New Jersey Business Magazine in 2003 and brings over two decades of sales and marketing expertise to her role. Throughout her tenure, she has held multiple leadership positions, beginning as an Account Executive and advancing to Advertising Director, Associate Publisher, and, most recently, Publisher, the first female to hold this title in the magazine’s 71-year history. Lisa is passionate about helping businesses succeed by building meaningful connections and driving brand awareness across New Jersey

Moushmi Culver is Senior Vice President, Head of Manufacturing Strategy, Business Development, and Alliances for the Merck Manufacturing Division. She leads a global team across a breadth of areas, including supply business development, network strategy, third-party supply sales, alliance management, strategy, portfolio management, and shared services. Her organization leads the division’s
strategic and business development activities, including evaluating acquisitions, divestitures, licensing opportunities, and managing strategic alliances.

Moushmi joined Merck in 2000 in the Manufacturing Leadership Development Program (MLDP) and has held positions of increasing responsibility across the Enterprise in Manufacturing, Global Procurement, and the Corporate Strategy Office, where she has
taken on roles involving technical expertise, strategy planning, operations, and negotiations. She is the Executive Sponsor of the MLDP and the Global Executive Sponsor of the Merck Asia Pacific Association (APA) Employee Business Resource Group.

Moushmi has received multiple recognitions for her leadership, including Ascend’s 2025 A-List Award, the 2022 Top 50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business, #6 in the 2021 EMpower Top 100 Ethnic Minority Executives Role Model List by INvolve and Yahoo Finance, the 2021 Trailblazer Award from WOCIP (Women of Color in Pharma), the Deloitte Women to Watch Program from 2019-2021, and Stevens Institute of Technology Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2015. She attended Fortune’s Most Powerful Women of the Next Generation in 2015 and has received multiple leadership awards and recognition at Merck. She also serves on the Board of Advisors at the Schaefer School of Engineering and Science at Stevens Institute of Technology.

Moushmi holds a B.E. in Chemical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, and an M.B.A. from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA.

Kristi D’Angeli is a dynamic and accomplished leader, holding the position of CEO/Founder of WorkDynamX, a WBENC certified company, and Co-Founder of MTP.

WorkDynamX offers comprehensive workforce solutions, including recruiting, HR consulting, employer branding, and more, tailored to businesses and individuals looking to excel and outperform the rest. MTP focuses on delivering cutting-edge technology services, including IT infrastructure, cloud solutions, strategic consulting, and managed service provider solutions to optimize operational efficiency.

Kristi’s career is marked by numerous accolades and recognitions. She has been honored as one of the Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs in New Jersey, featured in Forbes Magazine as a Women Business Leader in New Jersey, and named a 40 Under 40 Winner by NJBIZ. In addition, her Alma Mater, Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, awarded her the prestigious Maroon and Gold Alumni Award.

Under Kristi’s leadership, WorkDynamX was recognized by NJBIZ as a “Best Place to Work” in New Jersey, reflecting the company’s commitment to creating an exceptional workplace culture. Beyond her professional achievements, Kristi is deeply involved in community service, serving on the Executive Board of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges.

Kristi’s dedication to innovation, leadership, and community engagement continues to inspire others and drive positive change in the industries she serves.

Cary is a leader in partnership development, spearheading ALICE@Work’s efforts to build and maintain strategic relationships to scale the program nationwide. With a focus on workplace success, Cary also serves on United Way Worldwide’ s Culture Transformation Task Force and co-leads the United Way of Northern New Jersey’s Culture Initiative. Prior to joining ALICE@Work, Cary specialized in corporate and volunteer engagement, collaborating with businesses to align resource mobilization for social impact. Cary holds an MA from The New School and a BA from NYU Gallatin focused on Communication Theory, Digital Literacy & Equity.

Amy Densmore, is a marketing and growth executive with nearly two decades’ experience building brands and growing customer bases.

Densmore comes to NJBIA after a 13-year career at AAA Club Alliance. In her role as Vice President of Member Performance, she led an enterprise-wide strategy to strengthen customer loyalty and boost membership, spearheading strategies that drove customer growth and re-engaged past members.  Under her leadership, the customer loyalty program achieved industry-leading retention results.

Prior to AAA, Densmore launched her career in sports marketing with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Union, focusing on partnership activations, events, and marketing campaigns that supported corporate sponsorship initiatives. She is a Penn State University graduate, with a bachelor’s degree in communications.

June is the Statewide Diversity Leadership Officer for the Center for Family Services providing cultural competency leadership for DMHAS agencies throughout NJ.

Most recently, June was the Dean of Lifelong Learning at Rowan College at Burlington County, Sr Adjunct Professor teaching Marketing and Management and founder of the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. June also served as the Executive Director for the American Red Cross serving Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties and serves on their statewide Diversity & Inclusion Committee after working in corporate telecom for 25 years with MCI, Nextel & Sprint in sales and marketing.She currently serves as an Honorary Commander Emeritus for the Joint Base -McGuire-Dix Lakehurst, Board Chair, Alice Paul Center for Gender Justice and Cultural Anthropologist Contributing Writer for Womenz Straight Talk Magazine. She is also a member of the Distinguished Alumni Council & 2024 Alumni of the Year for Strayer University and an Advisor for the Customer Experience Certificate Program at Seton Hall University, Stillman School of Business. June is an Adjunct Professor for Wilmington University teaching Ethics and Social Responsibility and author of her book “My Mommom’s Market” winner of the International Impact Award for children’s inspiration.

June studied Marketing at Montclair State College, has an MBA in Management from Strayer University and a Doctorate of Education from Wilmington University in Organizational Leadership and Innovation.

She is a lifelong resident of New Jersey with her husband, Michael and daughter, Alyssa.

Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Nagela Duperval is a powerhouse entrepreneur, restaurateur, real estate agent, investor, and mentor. As the owner of OU LA Restaurant & Bar, Nagela, has built an impressive legacy rooted in hard work, compassion, and a commitment to empowering others, particularly women and girls.

Her entrepreneurial ventures reflect her dynamic leadership and vision. OU LA Restaurant is a vibrant culinary destination that celebrates her Haitian heritage, offering guests a space to connect through food, culture, and shared experiences.

Nagela’s impact extends far beyond her professional achievements. She is a community-driven leader who believes in lifting others as she climbs. Her story serves as a beacon of hope,reminding others that with determination, vision, and support, anything is possible.

Francine Esrig. is a highly respected Talent Management Advisor, Executive Coach, and Industrial & Organizational Psychologist with over two decades of experience helping organizations align talent strategies with business goals, strengthen team and leadership effectiveness, and drive performance, engagement, and retention.

Francine brings a unique dual-lens perspective having served as both a corporate HR and Talent Executive and an external consultant and coach. This insider-outsider vantage point allows her to deeply understand the real-world challenges her clients face — including navigating organizational transformation, change, and complex stakeholder dynamics, developing high-performing, cohesive teams, elevating leader capabilities and presence, and building scalable, people-centered talent practices.

Francine has deep experience working with clients across industries — including financial and professional services, technology, medical devices and clinical trials, pharmaceuticals, and music and entertainment. She advises Fortune 500 companies, middle-market firms, high-growth startups, as well as family-owned and mission-driven organizations. Her clients span the C-suite executives, business leaders, CHROs, and high-potential individuals at pivotal moments in their growth.

Francine earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in Industrial & Organizational Psychology from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in Psychology from Brandeis University.

Paula delivers accounting and tax services to privately held businesses spanning a range of industries. She also provides tax consulting and estate and gift strategies to individuals, business owners, and family groups.

Her more than 19 years of experience encompass tax planning and business consulting services, augmented by her solid background in individual, corporate, partnership, and LLC tax issues.

Prior to joining Forvis Mazars in 2007, Paula held a supervisory role at an accounting and advisory firm.

She is a graduate of Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, with a B.S. degree in accounting and an M.S. degree in taxation.

Nuno Francisco is the Business Banking Market Executive for Citizens responsible for the territories in New York, New Jersey, Greater DC, Florida, and California. Nuno’s teams are responsible for the delivery of client coverage needs in the $1 million to $50 million revenue range. His teams focus in on relationship management and developing deep relationships with new to the bank clients. Very passionate about entrepreneurship, Nuno dedicates much of his professional time to engaging community stakeholders and partners to carry forward the good word of responsible entrepreneurship, and the important dedication to managing the financial side of a business. Outside of work, Nuno is the proud President of Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey, the leading Youth development agency in the state, serving over 55,000 throughout NJ.

Kiran Handa Gaudioso was named Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Northern New Jersey and president of United For ALICE effective March 2020.  She had served as Chief Operating Officer since 2017, following four years as the organization’s  Senior Vice President of Community Impact and Community Relations. She has overseen strategic planning for how the
organization fulfills its mission of improving life for ALICE and those in poverty at the local, state, and national level including, United for ALICE. This research-based initiative with United Ways in 28 states provides a comprehensive study of households that earn above the poverty level, but less than a basic cost of living.

Gaudioso oversees an annual budget of $10.2M and a staff team of 50. During the pandemic, she led the establishment of the ALICE Recovery Fund and the creation of an innovative childcare pilot, United in Care. She was asked by Governor Murphy to co-chair the
Third Sector Advisory Council to work with public sector leaders across the state to develop relief, recovery, and re-imagination strategies to support ALICE. She currently serves as a Commissioner of the New Jersey India Commission.

Kiran developed programmatic and operational management expertise while serving as director of Mentoring, Volunteerism & Enrichment Programs at Sponsor For Educational Opportunity. There, she led the development of a mentoring program designed to help New York City teens reach their academic, personal, and career potential.

Kiran received her B.A. in political science and policy studies from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. She received a fellowship to attend The Eagleton Institute of Public Politics at Rutgers University, earning her M.A. in political science

Yajaira Hafley serves as Senior Vice President and Retail Market Executive for the Tri State Metro market, overseeing a network of 189 retail branches across New York, New Jersey, Florida, and the Washington DC area. In this role, she is responsible for executing and delivering on the strategic objectives of Consumer Banking and Citizens Financial Group (CFG).

With a deep-rooted passion for community engagement, Yajaira actively contributes to local initiatives and serves as a board member for the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). She is also a committed participant in Citizens-sponsored volunteer events, consistently seeking opportunities to give back to the communities where we live and work.

Michelle Hagan brings over 25 years of hands-on experience in small business operations and management, with a strong foundation in startup environments. As a seasoned leader who has worn nearly every hat in a growing business, she has a unique ability to anticipate the challenges entrepreneurs face and guide them toward strategic, sustainable growth.

Now serving as CEO and Business Partner at C3Workplace, Michelle leverages her expertise to empower both clients and team members, streamlining operations, driving results, and cultivating a culture of collaboration, innovation, and support. A lifelong advocate for the power of mentorship, she is committed to paying forward the guidance she’s received throughout her career.

Michelle’s passion for bookkeeping remains a cornerstone of her work, and she remains closely connected to the C3 Bookkeeping Team. She often says she’s “found her tribe” at C3—where purpose, people, and performance align.

Outside the office, you’ll find Michelle cheering on her sons and bonus kids at sporting events or enjoying downtime with friends and family.

Natasha L. Hemmings, MPA, is the Chief Executive Officer for the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey and is the first African American woman in the council’s history to lead the organization. A long-time advocate of girl empowerment and leadership, she is a Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts of the USA and served Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey as their Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for 18 years. As CEO, Natasha holds the most senior leadership role with significant strategic and supervisory responsibilities for the second-largest Girl Scout Council in the state, with an annual budget of over $10M. Natasha earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Non-Profit Leadership from Rutgers University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications & Theater from Trenton State College. She also holds Executive Non-Profit Leadership and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Certificates from Fairleigh Dickinson and Cornell University. Natasha was selected to serve on Girl Scouts of the USA’s National Convention Action Team for the last 4 National Council Sessions with increasing roles and responsibilities over a 12-year span. She also served as a Delegate representing GSUSA at the 35th World Conference of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. In 2022, Natasha became a Speaker for the United States Department of State, having traveled to Saudi Arabia to deliver training on Girl Leadership, Service, and Women’s Empowerment. Natasha plays a critical role in sharing the inspirational stories of Girl Scouts in the state and worldwide – inspiring girls of every age and families of every culture to join.

Natasha was inducted into RU’s African American Alliance Hall of Fame in 2021 and selected as one of the top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs in New Jersey. She also made the ROI-NJ 2020 Influencers: People of Color list. In 2018 she was named one of South Jersey Biz’s Women to Watch and was recognized by Citrin Cooperman at their Women at the Wheel event with a Leadership Excellence Award. Natasha was inducted into Pi Alpha Alpha, the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration on in 2016 for demonstrating academic achievement and outstanding public service.

It’s no mystery how Natasha can lead in teaching girls about entrepreneurial pursuits, as she is an entrepreneur herself and owns two businesses. 3KeyEvents, a wedding and special event planning company and Home Drum LLC, a company designed to reconnect  A dual citizen to both Barbados and the United States, Natasha holds dear her connection to family and attributes all of her success to the unwavering support of her parents, Ricky and Marcia Durant and children Naomi and Chelsea.

Susan acts as a trusted advisor to both the public and private sectors in all areas of labor and employment law. She regularly counsels clients on matters involving employee discipline, hiring and firing, workplace investigations, workplace harassment, wage payment, exemption and overtime issues, policies and employment manuals as well as compliance with state and federal disability and leave laws. She acts as your counsel and outsourced human resources department so that the decisions you make are the right ones for your business.  Susan’s goal is to provide strategic advice to corporations, public sector administrators and boards so that they can be confident in the everyday decisions they make.

Susan represents clients in both State and Federal courts, administrative hearings and arbitrations in both the public and private sectors.  This includes matters for private sector clients, as well as school districts and municipalities.  She regularly attends public meetings and is ready to provide advice on the Open Public Meetings Act, Open Public Records Act as well as Robert’s Rules of Order.

James W. Horne, Jr. is a mission-driven nonprofit executive with over 20 years of transformative leadership in the human services and education sectors. He currently serves as President & CEO of Junior Achievement of New Jersey (JANJ), a statewide organization dedicated to preparing young people for economic success through real-world learning in financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship. Under his leadership, JANJ is expanding its reach, deepening corporate and education partnerships, and advancing equity-driven programming that equips students with the tools to thrive.

Prior to joining JANJ, James served as President & CEO of United Way of Greater Union County, where he led the organization for over 15 years—raising more than $40 million, forming high-impact partnerships, and implementing vital programs for at-risk children, youth, and families. Across his career, he has successfully managed and led organizational growth, mergers, and equity-focused initiatives.

James brings deep expertise in fundraising, strategic planning, and cross-sector collaboration, and is recognized for building community-centered, data-driven solutions. He has held senior roles with United Way organizations across several states and currently serves on various advisory boards supporting education, workforce development, and youth empowerment.

He holds a Master of Science in Human Service Leadership from Springfield College and a Bachelor of Science in Human Services Administration from the University of Bridgeport.

Jodi Hope Grinwald is a Certified Professional Coach, Energy Leadership Index–Master Practitioner, Consultant, and Chief Change Agent.

Her work bridges leadership coaching, career coaching, sales and donor engagement, and entrepreneurial growth — all centered on one mission: fostering authentic connection that drives transformation and results.

With over 20 years of experience as a nonprofit leader, Jodi has guided teams, grown organizations, and built mission-driven strategies that created measurable impact. She also served as CEO of a 60-year business association, leading advocacy and membership initiatives that strengthened business and community relationships across sectors.

She is the founder of Today is the Day LLC and host of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast, downloaded in over 131 countries and 1,300+ cities. She created the Today is the Day International Changemakers Forum, where bold voices and brave vision come together to spark global action.

Her upcoming book, Today is the Day: Live It! — Edge of Comfort to Center of Impact, brings together the stories of 30 changemakers who stepped beyond fear, went to the edge of their comfort zone, and created extraordinary impact in their corners of the world and beyond.

She is also the Co-founder and CEO of the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation, which funds performing arts lessons for children who otherwise would not have access — empowering young people to discover confidence, creativity, and self-expression.

Melissa Isman serves as the National Vice President of Business Development at Amval Insurance Solutions, bringing over two decades of experience in the insurance industry. She is responsible for leading national growth strategies and cultivating high-impact partnerships that deliver tailored insurance solutions across both personal and commercial lines. Melissa collaborates with a diverse network of professionals and business owners to ensure they are protected through every stage of life and business. Her expertise lies in aligning insurance offerings with broader financial and operational goals to safeguard critical personal and business assets. Recognized for her strategic mindset and relationship-focused approach, Melissa is committed to advancing client protection through innovative, value-driven solutions. Based in New Jersey, she is a frequent speaker and panelist at industry conferences, where she addresses topics such as strategic partnerships, risk management, and empowering women in business.

Aiysha (AJ) Johnson, MA, IOM, is the CEO and executive director of the New Jersey Society of CPAs (NJCPA). Previously, she was executive director of BKR International’s Americas Region, where she was responsible for overseeing the implementation of all strategic efforts for BKR accounting and business advisory member firms in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. Prior to serving the accounting profession, AJ worked for a range of associations including Vizient, the nation’s largest healthcare performance improvement company, where she supported members with complex benchmarking needs. She has more than 20 years of wide-ranging global experience working for nonprofits and professional and trade associations. AJ was elected to the boards of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) in 2024 and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce in 2023. She was a member of BKR’s Center of Excellence Advisory Board and is on the boards of the Community Foundation of New Jersey, Together for Youth and Junior Achievement of New Jersey. She is a recipient of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association’s (NJBIA) Leonard C. Johnson Award (2024), recognizing leaders who successfully advocate for the business community.  In addition, she was recognized among the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today (2023, 2024), named on the NJBIZ Power 100 (2024) and its Accounting Power 50 lists (#1 2023 and 2024), and cited as one of its 2023 People to Watch in Finance. She was also named to ROI-NJ’s ROI Influencers: Accounting Power List (2024, 2025), Top 50 Women in Business (2024) and People of Color (2023). She served on the Alumni Board of the University of Chicago (2021-2023), where she graduated with a Master’s in Administration and Policy. She also completed the Senior Management Program in Business Management at University of Chicago/IE School of Business and holds a certificate in Management Accounting for Leaders. She holds a B.S. from Western Illinois University.

Dr. Johanna R. Johnson is a founding member of the Stockton Women’s Leadership Council. She is a member of the Stockton Foundation and served as its Chair for one term. Professionally, Dr. Johnson was a middle school teacher before becoming a curriculum coordinator for the Atlantic County Institute of Technology retiring in 2013. She received her BA and MA from Glassboro State College and her Ed.D. from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Dr. Johnson served on the Hammonton Board of Education, Hammonton Education Foundation and was awarded the Hammonton Lion’s Citizen of the Year in 2019. She also served on the Hammonton Heart and Soul Committee and presently serves on the Hammonton Community Endowment Advisory Board. Through SWLC, she been a mentor and serves as the Mentoring Committee Chair and also serves on the Philanthropic and Events Committees. She is committed to serving her community and the Stockton Women’s Leadership Council.

Bianca Jordan is a dedicated professional with more than a decade of experience in the home health field. She has provided compassionate support to individuals with intellectual disabilities, delivered geriatric care, and worked with children, consistently demonstrating her commitment to improving the lives of others.

Since February 2022, Bianca has served as Branch Manager at BrightStar Care of Hunterdon, where she leads with empathy and a focus on high-quality care. In May 2023, she earned an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration from Warren County Community College and plans to further her education in pursuit of a nursing career.

A proud mother of six and grandmother of one, Bianca values family and community. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with loved ones and participating in outdoor activities.

Jaclyn (Jaci) Kator is the Regional Vice President External Affairs for AT&T in New Jersey. She started with the company in 1998 in Illinois and has worked in a variety of company roles within the Information Technology organization and in External Affairs. In Jaci’s current role, she works with government entities, elected officials, and community stakeholders on AT&T’s policy, strategic, and community initiatives at the state and local level.

Jaci currently serves on the boards of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Business and Industry Association, and Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey. Jaci’s past includes serving as Chair of Northern Illinois University’s advisory board for the department of Public Administration, Chair of the Schaumburg Business Association, Chair of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, Advocacy Chair for the American Cancer in Illinois, and as a former retail small business owner alongside her husband.
Jaci is passionate about helping businesses thrive, collaborating with local and state government, and introducing students to career opportunities in local government.

Jaci obtained a bachelor’s degree in integrated communications from Roosevelt University Chicago and a Master of Public Administration degree in local government from Northern Illinois University. Jaci lives in Southern New Jersey with her husband and two children.

Sandra A. Kenoff has been the proud President/CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey (GSNNJ) since February 2022 and has been leading the organization through transformational change with a focus on ensuring that more girls in northern New Jersey can “find their voice.” Sandra joined GSNNJ in 2018 as the Chief Development & Communications Officer, and has been an integral member of the organization’s executive leadership team, working diligently to ensure the council upholds the mission and core values of Girl Scouting. 

Sandra is committed to increasing diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in Girl Scouting and to providing the best and most appropriate resources and facilities that will tap into the opportunities and meet the challenges of an advancing world. She is motivated to help each girl navigate today’s modern landscape and to achieve her life goals. 

Prior to joining Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, Sandra served in marketing and fund development roles on the senior leadership team at the JCC of Central New Jersey, and on two non-profit Boards.  Earlier in her career, Sandra honed her business skills through key account management roles at global advertising agencies such as J. Walter Thompson, Foote, Cone & Belding, and Grey Advertising leading marketing, advertising, and positioning for iconic brands including Slim-Fast Foods, Campbell’s Soup, Dannon Yogurt, Trident gum, and V8.  Her marketing expertise is leveraged nationally as she currently serves on the Girl Scouts of the USA’s Marketing Advisory Committee.

Sandra serves as a Director-at-Large on the University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association Board of Directors, is a member of the Panther Club, a Pitt Advocate, and is an active member of the New Jersey Pitt Alumni Club. She currently serves as an advisory member for the NJ4S – Bergen Hub, helping to support students and families and address the youth mental health crisis.

Sandra is a 2023 graduate of the LEAD Morris program through the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. She is also a passionate alumnae of Alpha Epsilon Phi National Sorority and believes very much in the power of sisterhood.

Tracy Kneble is a dynamic leader with over two decades of experience driving growth in the hospitality industry. Since the inception of LaScala Restaurant Group, she has played a pivotal role in shaping its success and expansion.

Raised in Haddon Heights, NJ, Tracy attended Rutgers University, earning a degree in Accounting with a minor in Business Management. While pursuing her CPA license and working at an accounting firm, she was presented with an opportunity by Rob LaScala,
restaurateur and entrepreneur, to work as a bookkeeper for his then four pizzerias. From those early days to her current role as Chief Financial Officer, Tracy has been at the heart of the company’s remarkable growth—now boasting more than 30 successful restaurants and counting.

As CFO, Tracy oversees company-wide daily operations, manages a team serving 1,500+ employees, prepares and analyzes financial statements, and plays a key role in securing financing arrangements with institutions including the SBA. Her expertise extends beyond
the financials—she is involved in every stage of the business, from construction to grand opening. In 2025 alone, LaScala’s opened four new restaurants under her financial and operational guidance.

Tracy leads both the executive team and the corporate office staff, managing all administrative and accounting functions for the group. Her leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to team development have fueled the growth of LaScala’s diverse restaurant
brands and the people behind them.

Outside of work, Tracy enjoys spending time with her family in Haddon Township, NJ.

Emily Lampkin is the Founder of the Women Leaders Series and is a sought-after speaker and advisor known for her pragmatic style and effective counsel to women in corporate, WLS non-profit, education and political spheres. The Women Leaders Series is the culmination of more than 25 years of experience advising women leaders, on ways they can perfect their skills to maximize opportunities. Emily has trained thousands of women across the country and around the world in this one-ofa-kind workshop.

As a powerful communicator, Emily offers her unique perspective on major TV networks, radio, podcasts, and social media. Committed to building a diverse multi-decade pipeline, she also speaks to young women in college, high school, and even middle school via her Young Women Leaders Series.

With a reputation as one of Washington, D.C.’s most well-respected connectors, Emily brings with her a wealth of insights from her years serving in senior private, political, and public sector leadership roles. She orchestrated some of the largest and most impactful public affairs campaigns both in and outside of government. Emily has a keen understanding of how to thread policy and cultural priorities into communications to reach and influence people.

Globally respected, Emily is proud to be a part of the United States Department of State U.S. Speaker Program which collaborates with U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. Emily was selected to join the Women’s Democracy Network Advisory Council’s elite group of speakers committed to training women across the world in the skills necessary to assume greater leadership roles in burgeoning democracies.

A St. Louis native, Emily is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri. She resides in Virginia with her husband, Marc Lampkin, and their three teenage sons.

Dr. Taneice Lewis is a powerhouse in business development, a certified premier speaker, and a 2x certified business coach with over 13 years of experience in launching and scaling successful ventures. Specializing in helping entrepreneurs build generational wealth through practical strategies, she is also the author of Pray For Rain: A Guide to Building Your Business with Little to NO Money, which was adapted into a television show in 2020 to highlight how entrepreneurs navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the Project Director for the Changemakers Entrepreneurship Program at Kean University, Dr. Lewis mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, fosters innovation, and promotes sustainable business practices, teaching entrepreneurship to both adults and youth to ensure future generations are equipped for success.

She is also the owner of Crème De La Crème Loft, an event space in South Amboy, NJ, and co-founder of JET Community for Black Entrepreneurs, a professional business group dedicated to supporting Black business owners through resources, education, and networking. Passionate about uplifting minority families and communities, she frequently speaks at universities, business events, and conferences across the tri-state area, inspiring others with her expertise, strategies, and personal journey of overcoming obstacles to achieve success.

With over two decades of experience in retail, e-commerce, and human resources leadership, Mary Ann Lindholm has built a career dedicated to driving organizational growth, optimizing workforce strategy, and leading high-performing teams.

Currently serving as Vice President at Falstrom Company, she brings a strategic vision to human resources and business operations, ensuring efficiency, innovation, and long-term success. Before transitioning to human resources, she spent over 20 years in merchandise planning and retail strategy at industry-leading companies, including Walmart, David Yurman, and Bloomingdale’s.

At Walmart eCommerce, Mary Ann led planning and forecasting efforts for the Home Division, adapting to the evolving e-commerce landscape and driving digital market share growth. This included employee development responsibilities for new hires. During her tenure at David Yurman as Senior Director of Retail and E-Commerce Merchandise Planning, she implemented structured financial planning processes that enhanced sales and margin performance in the luxury jewelry sector. Her 23-year career at Bloomingdale’s included leadership roles in merchandise planning across multiple categories including Cosmetics, Ready to Wear and Men’s, where she played a critical role in long-term business strategy and omni-channel performance. In addition, she led a variety of training classes and held leadership roles in employee development.

Mary Ann holds a Bachelor of Arts from George Williams College of Aurora University. She lives in Montclair, New Jersey, with her husband, Cliff, and where they raised their three children. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling, needle point and playing golf.

CLIFF LINDHOLM IS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF FALSTROM COMPANY. FALSTROM COMPANY, LOCATED IN PASSAIC, NJ IS A CONTRACT MANUFACTURER OF CUSTOM ENCLOSURES FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF MILITARY APPLICATIONS. FOUNDED IN 1870, THE FIRM HAS BEEN OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE LINDHOLM FAMILY SINCE IT’S INCEPTION. CLIFF IS THE FOURTH GENERATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS TO WORK AT THE COMPANY.

CLIFF’S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL OPERATIONS OF FALSTROM COMPANY. HE BEGAN HIS CAREER AT FALSTROM COMPANY AS HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER. HE BECAME VICE PRESIDENT IN 1996 WITH RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MANUFACTURING AND FACILITIES. CLIFF WAS NAMED PRESIDENT AND CEO IN JANUARY 2004. PRIOR TO WORKING AT FALSTROM COMPANY CLIFF HELD POSITIONS IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT WITH GTE CORPORATION, ATT MICROELECTRONICS AND TRIANGLE PWC, INC.. CLIFF EARNED A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE FROM ALLEGHENY COLLEGE IN MEADVILLE, PA AND AN MBA FROM RUTGERS GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT IN NEWARK, NJ.

CLIFF IS ACTIVE IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND AS A VOLUNTEER IN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. HE WAS ELECTED A TRUSTEE OF NJBIA IN APRIL 2005 SERVING AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD FROM 2022 – 2025. CLIFF IS ALSO A DIRECTOR OF NEW JERSEY MANUFACTURERS INSURANCE COMPANY. CURRENTLY SERVING AS CHAIR OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD. HE IS ALSO SERVED CHAIRMAN OF THE PASSAIC ENTERPRISE ZONE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FROM 1994 TO 2022. HE HAS GIVEN LECTURES ON A VARIETY ON HUMAN RESOURCES AND MANUFACTURING MATTERS.

AMONG SOME OF THE RECONGNITIONS THAT CLIFF HAS RECEIVED ARE THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SPIRIT AWARD FROM THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND THE LEONARD C. JOHNSON AWARD FROM THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION. HE WAS NAMED TO THE EAGLE SCOUT HALL OF FAME IN THE NORTHERN NEW JERSEY COUNCIL, B.S.A.

CLIFF AND HIS WIFE MARY ANN RESIDE IN MONTCLAIR, NJ AND HAVE THREE ADULT CHILDREN.

Meredith Lipnick is an activist and strategist committed to harnessing the power of business to drive meaningful social change. With a career spanning leadership roles at PVH (Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein), Stitch Fix, and VF Corp (The North Face, Vans, and Timberland), she has focused on integrating social and environmental impact across global value chains. Now, as Director of Private Sector Strategy at Moms First, Meredith partners with businesses to implement measurable, business-beneficial programs that support working parents and drive structural change in the workforce. Passionate about building systems that enhance the mental, financial, and social well-being of working parents, Meredith champions the role of both business and policy in fostering sustainable success and economic resilience.

Beyond her professional work, Meredith engages her local Boston community, supporting nonprofits that advance women’s health and dignity, early childhood education for socioeconomically diverse families, and literacy and storytelling opportunities for underprivileged youth. Meredith holds degrees from Clemson University and The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. She is the mother of two toddlers and a very large puppy.

Lorraine is a dynamic and engaging human resources leader with over 20 years of experience developing and managing highly functional HR departments that support and influence business strategy and create growth-oriented cultures. In her current role as Director of HR at R&P, she focuses on attracting, developing, and retaining talent; performance management; leadership and employee development; change management; total rewards; and employee engagement.

As a lifelong learner Lorraine’s steadfast commitment to personal and professional growth has led her to what she describes as her most transformational learning yet, studying Dr. Claire Zammit’s groundbreaking research in transformational learning, human potential and women’s empowerment at The Institute for Women-Centered Coaching, Training & Leadership. Lorraine helps high achieving, growth-oriented woman – and men – both 1:1 and in group coaching programs break through patterns keeping them stuck so they can reach their highest potentials, changing the conversation on how we live, work and play.

Lorraine has co-facilitated the Career Transformation Group at the Jersey Shore Association of HR since 2019 and sits on the board of EarthShare NJ. She loves hiking in the woods and spending quality time with family and friends.

For nearly two decades, Kelly Louro has been empowering small businesses to start, grow, and thrive. As Marketing Director and Senior Account Manager at C3Worx, she brings a unique blend of creativity, collaboration, and results-driven strategy to every project.
Kelly has partnered with a wide range of business owners to design and implement transformative solutions across operations, systems, and marketing. Her ability to fuse strategic thinking with a personable, good-humored approach ensures both a productive and enjoyable working experience.

Her professional background includes 17 years of office and project management and 14 years of sales and marketing support and administration. Kelly holds an MFA in Creative and Professional Writing and is also a published author of both fiction and creative nonfiction.

When she’s not helping businesses succeed, Kelly enjoys life in central New Jersey with her husband, two daughters, cat, and dog.

Ronna Marchello is a seasoned banking professional with over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently Vice President and Business Development Officer in the Retail Banking team at Spencer Savings Bank, one of New Jersey’s leading community banks, where she is focused on acquiring and strengthening new business customer relationships.

A passionate relationship manager who consistently exceeds client expectations, Ronna has a proven track record of building strong relationships with clients, identifying new business opportunities, and driving growth and profitability both for her clients and the bank.  She enjoys helping businesses and individuals achieve their financial goals and does this by providing genuine care, exceptional service and innovative solutions. Known as a strong “connector”, Ronna enjoys bringing businesspeople together to create mutually beneficial relationships that help their businesses grow and thrive. She is focused on creating lifelong client bonds and using her skills and expertise to also make a positive impact in the community.

Dee C. Marshall is the CEO & Managing Partner of AI Training Plus, a workforce transformation and AI-literacy consulting company helping small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and enterprise organizations prepare for the future of work. 

She is an award-winning Business Owner, LinkedIn Top Voice, and Thought Leader in workforce equity who now leads conversations on AI adoption, change management in high-performance culture. For over a decade, Dee C. has been solving people challenges that undermine performance, productivity, and retention—helping leaders futureproof their organizations with AI-powered, people-first training solutions.

JoAnn Martinho serves as Director, Business Development, Partner Support and Enablement at Plymouth Rock Assurance.

Before joining Plymouth Rock, JoAnn held a variety of Sales, Underwriting, and Marketing roles at several other insurance carriers and has served in key board positions across multiple organizations.

At Plymouth Rock, JoAnn and her team partner with several business organizations, including NJBIA to offer exclusive savings on auto insurance to both members and their employees.

She is wife and an avid soccer mom to her two boys, Zachary and Justin.  They live in Central Jersey.

Susan Masciarelli is the President & CEO of Web-Cote Industries, a New Jersey-based manufacturer specializing in OEM and private label glue traps for the pest control industry. She joined Web-Cote in 2008, bringing over a decade of experience in small business manufacturing. In 2024, she acquired the company, becoming part of the 2% of woman-owned manufacturers in the U.S.

As a successful woman in the traditionally male-dominated industries of manufacturing and pest control, Susan is passionate about empowering other women in these fields. She serves as a high-level sponsor and partner of Women in Pest Control, an organization dedicated to supporting women through start-up grants, educational scholarships, and mentorship.

A dynamic and visionary leader, Susan has driven innovation and growth across operations, product development, branding, and strategic partnerships—all while maintaining a focus on producing reliable tools that protect people, property, public health, and the environment. She actively advocates for her industries and participates in public policy discussions, meeting with lawmakers at least annually.

In recognition of her leadership, Susan was a finalist for the 2024 Rising Star Award at the NJMEP Manufacturing Awards. She has been featured as a guest on several podcasts, including The Women’s Network from The Think Factory® and The Pest Posse TV podcast, highlighting her insights as part of their Women in Pest Control series.

Susan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Psychology with a minor in Business from Wesley College. She is a member of Pi Chi Omega, a professional fraternity dedicated to advancing the science of pest control, and is actively involved in numerous industry associations.

Outside of work, Susan enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, reading, genealogy, and gardening. She is also a proud mom to her two adult children, Christopher and Elizabeth.

Jennifer Mazawey is a partner in the firm’s Real Estate practice. Her experience includes working with developers in a number of asset classes, including mixed-use residential, retail, industrial, and office. Jennifer advises clients on all aspects of the development process, including zoning analyses, zoning changes, local planning board and zoning board approvals, and permit acquisition. She also assists clients with navigating the redevelopment process, which may include designation as a site’s redeveloper, negotiation of redevelopment agreements, tax abatement applications, and negotiations of financial agreements. Jennifer works to secure state and local financing incentives for her clients and assists in a range of other transactional matters for them as well, including commercial leasing.

Prior to joining the firm, Jennifer served as a partner at a Newark law firm where she focused on commercial real estate and redevelopment, land use, and environmental law. She worked with clients to acquire development approvals before local boards, proceed through the redevelopment process, and obtain local and state financing incentives. Jennifer assisted clients with permit acquisitions from agencies such as the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation.

Jennifer has over 20 years of experience practicing education law, advising clients on board governance, labor relations, special education, and school construction. She has handled matters at the Public Employment Relations Commission, Office of Administrative Law, and before state and federal courts.

Monica is an Entrepreneur, owning several businesses with her husband, Stumpy’s of Green Brook, Elmsgate, LLC and Milan Construction (both real estate development companies). Owning several businesses and working in the corporate sector for years has given her tremendous insight on strategic planning, branding strategy, integrity and the important perspective of needs of the business community.

Monica has achieved considerable success over the last two decades -but it didn’t come easy. Born in Newark, NJ and a 1st generation child of immigrants, who established businesses in Newark- she can relate to the challenges that many small business owners face today. After a couple decades in the corporate world, and a survivor of an almost crippling disease, she decided to leave corporate America, and opened Stumpy’s in Green Brook with her husband (and 2 young children). Her dream was to offer an inclusive space that allows for all to relieve stress and forget about their everyday worries. Many people battle stresses on a daily basis, so why not offer a safe and fun space that would help empower families and corporations- team building, happy hours and games? She was also told by many, numerous times that she wouldn’t be successful in life, and she is living proof that you can succeed at anything you set your mind to!

Beth oversees Human Resources and Learning and Development functions within the Credit Union with a focus on culture, engagement and development. Beth has been in the banking industry for over 20 years. She has experience in all levels of Retail banking, from teller through Branch Management, and had been in bank training functions for over 16 years. Beth developed training departments for several community banks and lead multiple companies through system conversions while establishing learning initiatives and best practices for frontline and back office

staff in both Retail and Lending divisions. Beth’s true passion is helping people develop and succeed and she truly enjoys the people aspect of Human Resources.

Laura Myers is a strategic IT consulting leader with deep experience in State and Local Government. As Opportunity Pursuit Lead for the State of New Jersey at CGI, she drives high-impact proposal efforts and client engagement strategy. Notably, Laura leads a multi-year modernization of regulatory and permitting systems for a state agency, managing a team of professionals and delivering measurable operational improvements. A certified PMP, Scrum Master and Pega Business Architect,  she brings expertise in Agile/Scrum methodologies and excels at facilitating cross-functional collaboration, sprint planning, and requirements gathering. Known for her clear, confident communication and ability to bridge technical and business teams, she fosters alignment across stakeholders and project phases. Laura also mentors early-career professionals, helping to develop the next generation of consulting and project management talent. Her strengths in leadership, execution, and relationship-building make her a trusted advisor in government IT transformation.

Emily Najjar, MBA, is the Director of Membership & Industry Relations at the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association (NJRHA), a role she has held since April 2024. She brings more than a decade of experience in the restaurant industry, with a strong foundation in operations and relationship building. Prior to joining NJRHA, Emily served as Membership Manager for the Restaurant Association of Maryland, where she oversaw recruitment, retention, and member engagement initiatives. Her career began in restaurant management, where she advanced to General Manager with Terra Momo Restaurant Group, leading front-of-house operations, financial oversight, staff development, and guest relations across multiple high-volume establishments.

Emily holds a Professional MBA from Rutgers University, graduating magna cum laude, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Art History, also magna cum laude. She additionally earned an Associate of Science in Culinology from Mercer County Community College, blending her academic training in business and psychology with a strong culinary foundation. Throughout her career, Emily has demonstrated a passion for hospitality, consistent revenue growth, and a commitment to elevating the member and guest experience. Her unique combination of industry expertise, leadership skills, and business acumen makes her a trusted advocate for hospitality professionals across New Jersey.

James O’Donoghue is a Financial Advisor with a focus on retirement plan consulting. He helps small to mid-size companies initiate, review, and manage their retirement plans. He focuses on 401(k), 403(b), SIMPLE IRA, and Payroll deduct IRA plans and specializing in the Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) “EANJ Retirement Advantage” program assisting Employer Association of New Jersey members and NJBIA members.

David Pearlmutter serves as Vice President and Chief Product Officer of the Direct Group at Plymouth Rock Assurance.  Since 2018, he has led product development and telematics, actuarial, underwriting strategy, and state product management for the Direct operation. 

Prior to joining Plymouth Rock, David spent a decade as an executive at other insurance carriers in numerous general management and product executive roles.  Before entering insurance, he was a Naval Surface Warfare Officer, serving two tours as a ship’s Navigator, Command and Control Officer and Intelligence Officer.  He graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy and holds a Master’s degree in Statistical Science from Cambridge University in England.

He is married to Carrie Pearlmutter, also a Naval Academy graduate, who also works at Plymouth Rock as a Director, Senior Counsel.  They have an 18-year-old son, Jaden, and three loving dogs.  They live in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.

Sara Peña is a respected leader with decades of experience initiating and delivering sustained impact across diverse sectors including private industry, government and healthcare. She currently serves as the Director of External Affairs at Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), where she leads strategic outreach initiatives in support of the organization’s most critical priorities. In this role, she directs a team of Senior and Regional Public Affairs managers, ensuring alignment with PSEG’s corporate strategic goals.

Her commitment to service and leadership has garnered widespread recognition. For the past three years (23,24,25), ROI-NJ named Sara one of the most influential People of Color for her transformative work at PSEG and her nonprofit, the Boys to Leaders Foundation.

Before joining PSEG, Sara served as Director of the New Jersey Department of State’s Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development under Governor Phil Murphy’s administration. Her tenure was marked by a significant expansion of the Center’s statewide influence and national visibility, earning her recognition on NJ Insider’s “100 Policymakers Power List.” Her advocacy elevated the voices and needs of Hispanic and Latinx communities across New Jersey.

A lifelong resident of Newark, New Jersey, Sara Peña is the proud daughter of Ecuadorian and Dominican parents. She earned her bachelor’s degree in management science from Kean University and a master’s in public administration from Rutgers University–Newark.

In 2013, inspired by her son Anthony, Sara founded the Boys to Leaders Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to empowering young men by providing mentorship, education, and leadership development. Her mission: to guide the next generation with purpose and to give back to the community that raised her.

Her inspiring journey has been chronicled in publications such as Uncolonized Latinas – Transforming Our Mindset and Rising Together by Valeria Aloe, and Hispanic Stars Rising: Volume III, which celebrates the achievements and resilience of the Hispanic community in the United States. Sara has also been featured in numerous media platforms including Tiempo with Joe Torres, Univision, Que Pasa NJ, Senator Ron Rice’s Community Cablevision Program and the SOS Network.

Sara’s dedication to public service extends to her longtime involvement with LUPE Fund, Inc. (Latinas United for Political Empowerment), where she served on the Executive Board from 2008 to 2023. Her leadership included roles as President, Treasurer, and Chair of key initiatives such as the Young Latina Leadership Conference and Scholarship & Mentorship Programs. Under her guidance, LUPE Fund flourished into a platform for Latina empowerment and civic engagement statewide.

Her early career included volunteer work in the Immigration Department at La Casa de Don Pedro, providing support to the legal team advocating for victims of serious crimes—on their rights and immigration options.

A 2009 graduate of the prestigious Leadership Newark Fellowship Program, Sara remains deeply connected to issues affecting the city and is a passionate advocate for equity, youth development, and inclusive public policy.

Sara Peña’s life and career reflect a steadfast commitment to community, leadership, and legacy.

Larisa Perlovsky is a seasoned sales and marketing leader with nearly 20 years of experience in the B2B SMB sector. As the Area Marketing Director for the Tri-State Region at Optimum Market Structure (OMS), Larisa leads strategic initiatives that drive customer growth, strengthen community engagement, and foster a culture of cross-functional collaboration.

Prior to this role, she served as the SMB Regional Sales Manager for Southern New Jersey, where she led a top-performing team focused on delivering tailored telecommunications solutions to small and medium-sized businesses. A multi-time President’s Club honoree, Larisa is known for her customer-centric approach, collaborative leadership style, and passion for aligning sales and marketing efforts to deliver exceptional business results.

Larisa holds a BA from Rutgers College and is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Phoenix. She is actively involved in her hometown’s Economic and Development Committee and resides in East Brunswick, NJ with her husband and three children.

Fondly referred to as “The Multi-Gen Leader”, Krishna Powell is Founder & CEO of HR 4 Your Small Biz, LLC, a boutique style human resources consulting and talent development firm. As a nationally renowned subject-matter expert on the Millennial and i-Gen/Homeland generation, Krishna has facilitated talent development programs and coaching clients throughout the United States, France, China, United Kingdom and Singapore. With over 25 years of experience, Mrs. Powell possesses an uncanny ability to connect with the next generation of leaders; providing them with practical applications for success in life and the workplace.

Melissa Prashad is a Community Manager in the Essex and Hudson Count markets at Chase. She is dedicated to delivering financial health education and nurturing relationships with key community leaders, nonprofit partners, and small businesses. Melissa organizes complimentary workshops, hosts community events, and delivers tailored programming to all communities.

Melissa Prashad is a dedicated and accomplished professional with extensive experience spanning fifteen years in nonprofit leadership, organizational strategy, and community development. Renowned for her commitment to positive change and excellence, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and a collaborative approach to every endeavor. Throughout her career, Melissa has held a variety of influential professional roles in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors. Her expertise includes strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and operational management. She has previously contributed her talents to organizations focused on social impact, workforce development, and community outreach, consistently delivering measurable results and championing equity.

Melissa currently serves in a board leadership capacity for the United Way of Greater Newark, where she plays a pivotal role in guiding the organization’s mission to empower local communities and improve lives through education, financial stability, and health initiatives. Her vision and stewardship have helped foster impactful partnerships and drive innovative programs benefiting underserved populations.

As a respected board leader and seasoned professional, Melissa Prashad continues to inspire those around her with her integrity, commitment, and passion for building stronger communities. Her legacy is marked by transformative leadership and a steadfast dedication to service.

Jackie Lue Raia is the president of ALEXENA Consulting, a firm focused on Workforce Development and Stakeholder Engagement. As a certified Minority/Women Business Enterprise, the firm serves as an important partner to businesses and organizations across all sectors. By creating a professional atmosphere where meaningful dialogue occurs and all voices can be heard, the result should be a more successful and sustainable business entity. Utilizing the diversity of experience, background and thought of all stakeholders should foster innovation, which is critical to doing business today.

In addition to her Cultural Awareness, Inclusion and Belonging consulting practice, as a 4^th Degree Master Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, Jackie also hosts “Common Sense Self Defense” workshops for various audiences. She offers these in collaboration with law enforcement officers and other martial artists.

Jackie currently sits on the Leadership Committee of NJ Business and Industry Association’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council; Board of Directors of the Bergen and Essex County Workforce Development Boards; Board of Directors of the Global Business Travel Association – New Jersey Chapter; Advisory Board Member of NJ Association for School Resource Officers (NJASRO); and is the Goodwill Ambassador of the Blue Knights NJ Chapter VIII law enforcement motorcycle club. She formerly served on the Leadership Council for the New Jersey Statewide Network for Cultural Competence; and Board of Directors of the American Red Cross – Northern NJ Chapter. She was awarded a certificate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace by the University of South Florida. ALEXENA Consulting was awarded the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and New Jersey Business Magazine’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award for Excellence in DEI Initiatives in 2022.

Jackie currently lives in New Jersey, where she and her husband of 35 years raised their two sons.

Matthew Rickert is Market Executive for Citizens Bank, N.A. In his role, Mr. Rickert is responsible for the Bank’s Corporate Banking activities in New Jersey.

Mr. Rickert has over 25 years of commercial banking experience, including senior leadership roles for JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Columbia Bank (NJ), and most recently at the National Bank of Kuwait as Head of Corporate Banking & Commercial Real Estate.

Mr. Rickert holds a Master of Business Administration from Baruch College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and History from The Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Rickert currently resides in Ridgewood, New Jersey with his wife and two children.

Stefanie Riehl is Executive Director of The Larc Norcross School in Bellmawr, New Jersey. The Larc Norcross School is a non-profit special needs school in Bellmawr, NJ, created with the sole purpose of providing for the specialized needs of children with
disabilities. Stefanie was drawn to the position because of a strong passion to serve individuals with special needs and their families. Over the past seven years, under the leadership of Stefanie, Larc School has implemented several new programs and revived old ones. These initiatives include a dentistry program, a facility dog program, a work experience program, participation in the Special Olympics, a partnership with the Jim Henson Foundation, and an inclusivity program.

Before joining The Larc Norcross School, Stefanie served in a variety of leadership roles, most recently with the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA). While working for the NJBIA, Stefanie established the Association’s Member Action Center – a one-stop shop providing extensive government contacts, legal and business assistance, and data analytics to 19,o0o companies. Prior to establishing the Center, she served as the Association’s head lobbyist on labor, human resource, campaign finance, and election law matters. She also served as Executive Director of New Jersey’s largest business ideological political action committee, NEW JOBS. Under her leadership, the group raised over $300,000 in 2015.

On a personal note, Stefanie was born in Trenton, New Jersey. She graduated summa cum laude from The College of New Jersey where she received several awards for her commitment to scholastic achievement, leadership, and community service. After
completing her undergraduate education, Stefanie relocated to New York State to attend Syracuse University and receive a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School. An avid runner, Stefanie recently completed her second marathon
pushing a rider with special needs in an adaptive racing chair. She currently resides in Mercer County, New Jersey, with her husband and two sons. Her favorite activities include watching her sons play sports and spending time with the Larc School Family Dog, Jimmy.

Laurie Rebholz is the Head of Talent at Citizens, where she leads enterprise-wide strategies in Performance Enablement, Talent Reviews, and Succession Planning. She is passionate about building future-ready organizations and is leading efforts to evolve Citizens’ talent practices toward a skills-based approach.

Prior to joining Citizens in June 2025, Laurie spent 23 years at Citi, most recently as Managing Director of Global Leadership Development. Her work supported over 200,000 employees globally, shaping leadership development across executive, professional, and management levels.

Laurie serves as Chair of the Executive Advisory Council for the LaPenta School of Business at Iona University and has held advisory roles with Harvard ManageMentor and the American Bankers Association School of Bankcard Management.

She holds an MBA in Human Resource Management and a B.A. in Political Science, and lives in New York with her husband, two sons, and their dog.

Petal Robertson, a 20-year high school English teacher working in the Montclair School District since 2004, is vice president of the New Jersey Education Association. Robertson was elected in April 2025, taking office on Sept. 1, 2025.

During her four-year term as NJEA secretary-treasurer, Robertson’s focus has been building a more inclusive, member-driven organization. In her role, she was intentional about seeking member voice to consistently create spaces that are a direct representation of the membership.

Committed to social justice, Robertson works to ensure equity for all marginalized communities. She advocates for immigrant families, expands union access for members of color through NJEA’s Members of Color Network, and stands for LGBTQ rights, affirming the freedom to love and to live one’s truth. Robertson fights to secure gender justice in pensions and health benefits. In 2021, she established an annual NJEA Celebration of Women to uplift women working in public education. In 2017, Robertson co-founded Restorative Justice Montclair, an initiative designed to replace outdated, unexamined traditional school disciplinary policies.

Robertson has earned numerous awards. She received the Lawrence High School Trailblazer Award, the Bugg Foundation Medgar Evers Leadership Award for Unwavering Service to Guide and Support the Special Needs Community at the Amistad Gala, the National Association of University Women presented her with the Wilma Ruth Bell Glass Ceiling Award, and the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Delta Pi Chapter presented her with the Citation Award for Outstanding Leadership and Achievement in Education.

A graduate of Seton Hall University, Robertson holds a bachelor’s degree in English and communications and a master’s degree in secondary education.

Bertha Garcia Robinson, founder of Star One Professional Services, specializes in executive coaching, business strategy, and leadership development. With over 25 years of experience in business analysis and organizational growth, she empowers leaders and teams on a journey—Where Goal Setting Ends and Goal Achieving Begins. Certified in TriMetrix HD, DISC, 12 Driving Forces, and assessing Emotional Intelligence, Bertha tailors strategies that align leadership strengths with business objectives.

A long-time community leader, she serves on boards, including the New Jersey State Women’s Chamber of Commerce, was the immediate past president of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, and is a member of the Women United Leadership Council of the United Way of Northern NJ. Based in Somerset, New Jersey, she shares her insights as a Life Strategist on the “Change Your Attitude, Change Your Life” platform.

Michelle Roers, LSW, leads the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of United For ALICE@Work and United In Care. She oversees project development, evaluating progress toward programmatic and funding goals, and strategizing for project sustainability. As a recognized leader in systems change initiatives for education and workforce development, Michelle promotes better opportunities for ALICE. Before joining United Way, Michelle championed victim rights through the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and Jersey Battered Women’s Service. Michelle holds an MSW from Fordham University and a BSW in Social Work from St. Catherine University (MN).

Brenda Ross-Dulan is a board director, business strategist, and impact investor with more than 25 years of experience driving transformational growth across sectors. As Founder of The Ross Dulan Group, she advises CEOs and boards through high-stakes business challenges, helping them unlock clarity, strategy, and sustainable success. She also leads RD Capital Partners, investing in ventures that align with her mission to generate both social impact and financial return.

A former Region President at Wells Fargo, Brenda led one of the largest banking mergers in U.S. history and oversaw a $12 billion business unit. Today, she brings that same strategic rigor and leadership to the boardrooms of NJM Insurance Group and the National Community Investment Fund, where she applies deep expertise in finance, governance, and risk. She became the first African American female to chair the Board of the Princeton Chamber of Commerce.  As a highly sought-after thought leader, she serves on numerous non-profit boards, including the National Association of Corporate Directors in New Jersey.  She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Named to Black Enterprise’s 50 Most Powerful Women and inducted into the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame, Brenda is known for her clarity, care, and unwavering commitment to making a difference—always guided by a personal mission to leave every person and organization better than she found them.

She holds a BBA from Howard University and an MBA in Finance from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.

Lori A. Roth is the Global Managing Partner of Prager Metis, a member of Prager Metis International Group.

In her position as Global Managing Partner, Lori oversees all of the day-to-day operations for the entire firm and provides guidance and oversight to each of our Office Managing Partners and Service Line Leaders.  As a member of the firm’s leadership team, Ms. Roth holds a key role in developing firm strategic goals and policies, monitoring performance, and driving business growth. She leads each office to achieve organizational goals while maintaining an environment that is flexible, transparent, and diverse, in keeping with the firm’s credo.

Lori has been in the accounting industry since 1984, specializing in audit and assurance services, litigation support, and business valuations. She has worked with clients in a variety of industries including closely-held businesses, real estate, and the U.S. subsidiaries of foreign banks and corporations. She has international expertise, particularly with companies headquartered in Israel. She strongly believes in working closely with business owners in a team approach. She often provides the much-needed depth at the top level to these business owners.

Ms. Roth’s expertise includes working as a neutral accountant (either court-appointed or hired as a joint expert by either parties or their attorneys). She has served as a business valuator and impartial financial consultant in issues pertaining to support and equitable distribution. She has been involved in matrimonial cases, as a certified divorce mediator, as well as shareholder disputes, corporate dissolutions, estate situations, and business acquisitions

Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich is co-founder and CEO of ZAGO Manufacturing Co., a woman-owned business and global producer of sustainable sealing fasteners and components. A former corporate attorney, Gail started ZAGO with her husband, Harvey Rottenstrich, nearly 30 years ago at the NJIT Enterprise Development Center small business incubator. Today, ZAGO operates and manufactures from a solar-powered facility in Newark, NJ, and employs over 30 people.

Most recently, in its 2021 NJBIZ Manufacturing Power 50, NJBIZ ranked Gail as the fifth most powerful person in manufacturing in the Garden State for ZAGO’s outstanding work as an Essential Manufacturer throughout the Pandemic when the company pivoted to manufacture sealing screws for pneumatic medical ventilators. In 2022, ROI-NJ named Gail to its ROI Influencers: Manufacturing list and its ROI Influencers: Top 40 Women in Business.

Gail proudly serves on the Board of Trustees, New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP), the New Jersey Manufacturing Policy Academy Home Team and on the Board of Trustees of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey. Gail is a council member (second term) in her hometown of Fair Lawn Borough, and is liaison to the Fair Lawn Green Team and Planning Board.

Gail is a graduate of the State University of New York – Albany and the George Washington National Law Center.

Judy Sailer is the Director of Learning and Development for Primepoint HR & Payroll. She holds a Masters Degree in Management & Organizational Leadership from Springfield College, received her Human Resources Cert from Rutgers University, and is a certified SHRM CP and PHR. She has presented for NJBIA, CCSNJ, NJACP, Tri-State SHRM and Garden State SHRM and has been featured in Forbes and Jersey Matters. She is well-versed in all aspects of management and leadership; her passion is staff development.

Randi Schillinger’s practice emphasizes both complex real estate and financial transactions and all aspects of transactional and regulatory environmental compliance issues.

She has broad experience in construction, purchase money and leasehold financings and acquisitions, sales and leasing of all types of real property. She routinely represents lending institutions in connection with commercial, construction, acquisition and refinancing transactions, including those related to shopping centers, retail establishments, industrial complexes and apartment buildings.

Randi provides counsel to the business community with respect to environmental due diligence, permitting and compliance matters. She also handles environmental matters relating to the sale, transfer, closure and financing of New Jersey businesses and advises clients on an ongoing basis on permitting and compliance obligations under Federal and State environmental laws.

Monica Slater Stokes is United’s lead government relations executive in the Northeast region.  In this role, Monica develops and drives external affairs programs in support of the airline’s in-market public policy, social impact investment and business development objectives.

Prior to joining United, Monica worked in local and federal public sectors, including as director of Constituent Services and Community Development for the late U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, during which she advised on state and local education, small business, and economic development issues.

Monica, a Newark, NJ native, holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Vermont. She sits on several boards, including the Regional Plan Association and Choose New Jersey, and serves as chair of the board of the Newark Regional Business Partnership.

Equal parts creative and strategic, Lauren Genest is a corporate communications and public relations expert who helps executives shape their public personas. Led by 20 years of trusted client and media relationships, Lauren has developed and implemented internal and external strategies to increase client visibility and promote long-term brand growth.

With a keen understanding of the ever-evolving multimedia landscape, Lauren unites insider perspective and expert leadership to create real-time results for clients. From print to digital to podcasts and broadcasting, Lauren shines a spotlight on the dynamic people and stories that fuel brands and businesses.

Her work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, The New York Times, and the New York Post and she has worked with a wide range of clients like Mancini Duffy, FullStack Modular, Indigo River, Hermes, and Burberry among others.

Lauren received her bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Delaware. When she’s not traveling to the best beaches worldwide, she resides with her six children and dog in Rumson, NJ.

Caitlin Smith is a Partner at SKC & Co. CPAs and works closely with small business owners to help them gain clarity, control, and confidence in their financial decision-making. She supports clients in areas ranging from tax planning and operational structure to long-term growth and profitability. With a hands-on approach and a deep understanding of what entrepreneurs face daily, Caitlin empowers business owners to stay focused, organized, and forward-moving, even in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. She genuinely cares about her clients—not just as business owners, but as individuals—and remains deeply engaged in supporting both their professional goals and personal milestones.

SKC is more than just an accounting firm, we’re a team of strategic partners dedicated to the entrepreneurial journey. Women-led and business-owner-built, our firm thrives at the intersection of vision and execution. Grounded in Synergy, Knowledge, and Commitment, we specialize in working with growth-minded CEOs who are ready to scale with purpose. When our clients grow, we grow right alongside them.

Caitlin has developed a strong industry specialization in healthcare, dental, and veterinary practices, where she advises physicians, dentists, and veterinarians on building solid financial foundations and scaling their businesses sustainably. She is known for her practical insights, consistent communication, and dedication to delivering results that support both business success and personal peace of mind.

In 2022, Caitlin was honored as a “Woman to Watch” by the New Jersey Society of CPAs—a reflection of her strong leadership, commitment to mentorship, and passion for helping others succeed. She has a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Accounting and Math from Centenary University, where she also graduated as valedictorian of her class.

Catherine Frugé Starghill, Esq. is the Vice President of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) and Executive Director of the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development (Consortium). She is also the former Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Catherine was named to NJBIZ’s Top 50 in Education list in both 2022 and 2023, and was named one of New Jersey’s 25 Most Influential African Americans by the South Jersey Journal in 2017 as one of the “State’s leaders who stands head and shoulders above others and boldly reflects the rich diversity and excellence of the African American community throughout the Garden State.”

As Vice President of the NJCCC and Executive Director of the Consortium, Catherine is the executive who developed and implemented the statewide New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities initiative with over 1,800 industry and education partners aligning education to the needs of the workforce to build a stronger economy. She hosts the annual NJ Pathways to Career Opportunities Summit in Atlantic City, NJ for over 500 industry and education partners gathered to learn from national though-leaders focused on education and workforce training pathways to build stronger state economies, innovative workforces, and economic mobility for the state’s residents.

Catherine simultaneously earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Accounting from the University of Michigan. She later earned a Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University Law School and a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Catherine was married to the late Rev. Dr. Britt A. Starghill and is the mother of two children, Britt Andrew and Brie Alexandra.

Richard T. Thigpen was named senior vice president for Corporate Citizenship in July 2018. Mr. Thigpen also is chair of the PSEG Foundation. He is responsible for supporting areas of the business that are impacted by public policy through advocacy, including federal, state and local government affairs, sustainability, charitable activities, and corporate social responsibility. Mr. Thigpen is a member of PSEG’s Senior Executive Team.

Mr. Thigpen joined PSEG in March 2007 as vice president for State Governmental Affairs, PSEG Services Corp. He has been a public affairs consultant since 1999 and was a co-founding partner of 1868 Public Affairs, which provides lobbying, strategic planning, public relations and government relations services to clients in New Jersey, New York and Washington, D.C.

Previously, Mr. Thigpen was an associate at the New York law firm of Thacher Proffitt and Wood in the mortgage-backed securities practice group (1988 to 1990), district director for U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (NJ-10) (1990 to 1996) and executive director of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee (1996 to 1999). He has served as a political analyst for New Jersey Network and as an academic associate for PublicMind, Fairleigh Dickinson University Polling and Survey Research Institute. Mr. Thigpen was a former assistant to the president of the NAACP State Conference for Public Affairs. Currently, he is incoming chair of Alliance to Save Energy, as well as a member of the boards of the Regional Plan Association, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, Public Media NJ Inc. (NJ PBS), New Jersey Business & Industry Association, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark Public Radio, Inc. (WBGO), and the Donald M. Payne Global Foundation. He is also chair emeritus of the American Association of Blacks in Energy national board and serves as a visiting associate at the Rutgers University Eagleton Institute of Politics.

Mr. Thigpen holds a Doctor of Law degree from Columbia University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Brown University.

Melissa Toll joined Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut in 2005 as an HR Coordinator. She steadily rose through the ranks, becoming the Director of Compensation and Benefits Administration before assuming her current executive position.

Melissa established Delta Dental’s Employee Wellness Program, a holistic initiative that offers yoga classes, daily stretch breaks, health screenings, an associate volunteer program, and other offerings that enhance professional and personal well-being.

She holds multiple professional certifications, including CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist), CHIE (Certified Healthcare Insurance Executive), PHR (Professional in Human Resources), and SHRM-CP (SHRM-Certified Professional). Additionally, she is an active member of professional organizations such as the Morris County Society for Human Resources Management, the Northeast Business Group on Health, Northern NJ CEBS, and WorldatWork.

She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ramapo College of New Jersey.

As Vice President of Human Resources Melissa is responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of HR, including talent acquisition, employee development and engagement, benefits, and employee relations. She has played a pivotal role in shaping HR programs and initiatives to foster an engaged and thriving workforce and overseen compensation and benefits programs, including payroll operations, vendor management, and compliance, among other aspects.

Brianna Turano is a Client Advisor with Acrisure, where she has spent the past four years helping clients navigate the complexities of commercial insurance. A graduate of Manhattan College, she earned her degree in Management and Marketing while competing as a Division I tennis player. Driven by an entrepreneurial mindset, Brianna pursued a variety of ventures after college—earning her real estate license, coaching tennis and golf, and even launching her own clothing line before discovering her passion for building relationships and advising clients in the insurance industry.

Her entrepreneurial spirit continues today through My Dad’s Sauce, a tomato sauce brand she co-founded with her siblings in honor of their father’s recipe. The sauce is now sold in numerous grocery stores and markets throughout New Jersey, as well as on Amazon. In addition, Brianna serves on the board of Jersey 1st, an organization dedicated to educating and serving the hard-working people of New Jersey by advocating for responsible policies that will make the state stronger and more competitive.

Outside of her career, Brianna remains active on the tennis court and golf course, both recreationally and as a way to connect with clients. She brings the same competitive spirit, discipline, and enthusiasm that fueled her athletic and entrepreneurial pursuits to her role at Acrisure and to every client relationship she builds.

Michelle Villatoro brings over two decades of experience driving growth, transformation, and culture across the hospitality industry. As a certified executive coach and the Founder & CEO of Just Think Hospitality, Inc., she has empowered thousands of leaders to step into their power, align their teams, and lead with purpose.

She has trained over 20,000 hospitality professionals, coached more than 5,000 leaders, and executed 42 successful property openings as a trusted pinch hitter — proving that operational excellence and people-first leadership go hand in hand.

Michelle has served as a client advisor for Danny Meyer’s Hospitality Quotient, led multi-unit operations as Director of Operations for E-Squared Hospitality (BLT Restaurants), and held senior roles at Rosewood Hotels and the iconic Waldorf Astoria.

She is the creator of The 10X Leadership Program and The Hospitality Accelerator — bold, values-driven frameworks that elevate how organizations lead, grow, and serve.

Michelle reminds us that true leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about showing up, empowering others, and leading with intention.

Jessica Viotto is a Senior Vice President with PNC Bank, and a PNC Certified Women’s Business Advocate. She specializes in Commercial Treasury Management, serving the Central New Jersey region. As a senior Treasury Management Officer, she takes a diagnostic approach with each client to better understand their business and their specialized needs. The process review discussion drives a firm’s performance by delivering insights gleamed from the client’s own data and extensive industry knowledge. As the industry’s digital transformation continues, and PNC’s platform evolves, Jessica looks forward to educating her clients and providing an exceptional service experience.

Jessica takes great pride in the work she does at PNC to promote Diversity & Inclusion, particularly Women In Business. She founded the NJ Market’s Women Connect Employee Business Resource Group in 2014 and served as President until 2019. She remains active in the WIB Community.  She is presently the Regional Chair for NNJ for PNC, where she’s been an active member since 2014. In 2022, she presented as a Panelist at the first LGBTQ+ Summit, during the NJ League of Municipalities.

Outside of PNC, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 adult daughters. She actively serves as a member of the NHV High School Board of Education, where she served for 2 terms as VP then President. She is an active Board Member and Funds Development Committee Chair of the Girl Scouts Heart of NJ since 2020.

Veronica brings 7 years’ experience leading at scale in the fast-paced world of operations for Amazon worldwide. She currently is the General Manager for one of the largest Fulfillment Centers in New Jersey, with over 1,200 employees. In her role, she leads nation-wide preparations for the company’s big events: Prime Week, Black Friday, and Holiday season, coordinating over 80 fulfillment centers for operational excellence in these high-volume events.

In the last 15 years, Veronica has led multi-cultural teams around the world around operational excellence and go-to-market strategies, in Latin America, Europe, and the US. She is passionate about empowering her teams, to embrace innovation and collaboration while delivering results in fast-paced environments.

Veronica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, and holds an MBA from HEC Paris, ranked 2^nd in Europe, and 9^th worldwide by the Financial Times.

Deb Wijnberg is a Crothers Consulting lead Human Resources Consultant, Executive Coach and Trainer specializing in working with leaders to accelerate results, drive organizational alignment, and increase effectiveness to meet emerging business challenges. She possesses expertise in strategic planning, design, implementation and facilitation of worldwide talent, and organizational and cultural initiatives.

This work has focused on business performance, succession/talent review, leadership and team development, learning, performance management, talent acquisition, engagement, inclusion, culture, and organizational effectiveness. Through a variety of culture and organizational effectiveness levers, Deb has consulted with leaders to heighten strategic business success, prioritize, drive organizational alignment, and enable change.

Deb’s expertise is in coaching and onboarding senior leaders, enabling their overall effectiveness and successful transition into executive-level roles. Deb has worked with leaders in the medical technology, consumer packaged goods, accounting and financial services industries.

Additionally, Deb has led the design, development and deployment of global talent management processes, practices, training programs and tools for multiple Fortune 150 companies, US subsidiaries of Asian firms, along with family-owned and run businesses. This work has focused on business performance, leadership & management development, succession/talent review, team development, performance management, engagement, inclusion, culture and organizational effectiveness. Using deep insights into human behavior, organizational dynamics and leadership effectiveness, Deb successfully consults with and coaches leaders at all levels to heighten strategic business success, drive organizational alignment and enable change.

Deb has a Masters in Industrial Social Work (University of Pittsburgh) and Bachelors in Psychology (AlleghenyCollege).

Aarin Michele Williams, Esq. helps leaders and organizations do what too often feels out of reach: turn values into measurable outcomes that drive lasting impact. As an attorney, strategist, and founder of A.M.W. Impact, she operates at the intersection of leadership, law, and equity—helping clients build inclusive cultures, strengthen leadership capacity, and navigate transformational change with clarity and confidence.

Her results speak for themselves: she has driven 30% increases in staff retention, guided leadership transformations that delivered 50% gains in team performance, and led groundbreaking legal efforts—including a $20 million anti-discrimination settlement, the largest of its kind to date. Along the way, Aarin has provided strategy, training, and thought leadership to clients ranging from global nonprofits to healthcare systems. Her commentary has also reached national audiences via CNN’s United Shades of America, with the Emmy Award–winning episode “Body Politics” featuring her work on reproductive justice, leading to 40% growth in fundraising for the named organization.

She has provided training and thought partnership to organizations such as Planned Parenthood Federation, Partnership for Maternal & Child Health of Northern New Jersey, NYU School of Law, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, and many others while also appearing in courts around the country. Aarin prides herself on helping leaders and organizations move from intention to impact—developing leadership capacity, cultivating talent, and driving outcomes where leadership, justice, and strategy fuel lasting impact together.

Cyndie Williams accepted the role as Executive Director of the Carpenter Contractor Trust (CCT) in December 2021. She actively oversees CCT’s partnerships with the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EASRCC) and signatory contractor organizations to promote and support their shared values, competencies, and ambitions. Cyndie extends this vision across the EASRCC domain, encompassing New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.

As the Executive Director, Cyndie is committed to overseeing all CCT’s initiatives, ranging from collaborating with industry partners to developing a unifi ed workforce. She believes that expanding market share and work hours are vital indicators for the union’s sustained growth and well-being.

Under Cyndie’s guidance, CCT aims to broaden its reach and impact within the construction industry. She considers rich talent pools as essential components of her mission. This emphasis is vital in attracting new talent to foster a robust and prosperous environment for union carpenters and signatory contractors.

Cyndie’s leadership is instrumental in steering CCT toward achieving these core objectives, with a focus on the broader vision of building a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for the construction industry and the communities it serves

Janique is an experienced energy professional with over five years of expertise in policy development and strategic planning aimed at accelerating the deployment of distributed energy resources (DERs). She currently serves as the Manager of Regulatory Strategy and Compliance, where she leads the development and execution of regulatory strategies that align with business goals while ensuring compliance with renewable energy standards, state energy policies, and environmental laws.

Previously, Janique served as a Policy and Real Estate Development Professional at Exelon. In that role, she was instrumental in driving DER initiatives by collaborating with regulatory agencies, local governments, and stakeholders to address adoption barriers and ensure alignment with both corporate and clean energy objectives. She developed policy frameworks and implementation strategies that supported DER integration across Exelon’s service areas. Her work included evaluating real estate opportunities, negotiating land use agreements, and streamlining processes for integrating solar, storage, and other technologies into the grid.

Janique is completing her graduate degree in Energy Policy and Climate from Johns Hopkins University. She is also a licensed attorney in New York and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), combining legal acumen, regulatory insight, and strategic leadership to advance the clean energy transition.

Michele is the co-founder and president of Fem-Gevity. As a co-founder of a pioneering women’s telemedicine start-up, she brings 18 years of experience in implementing women’s health initiatives.

Rutgers President William F. Tate IV appointed Keli Zinn, a collegiate athletics leader with 20 years of power conference experience and a proven track record of transforming championship-level programs, as director of Intercollegiate Athletics for Rutgers-New Brunswick on July 30, 2025.

The Rutgers Board of Governors approved the appointment of Zinn, the executive deputy athletic director and chief operating officer at Louisiana State University. Zinn begins her tenure at Rutgers on August 6, 2025.

At LSU, Zinn helped lead the Tigers to unprecedented success: four national championships (gymnastics, women’s basketball, and baseball twice), multiple SEC titles including in women’s track & field and women’s gymnastics, and a top-10 finish in the Director’s Cup—a measurement of the overall competitiveness of an athletic department—for the first time since 2009. During her tenure, LSU football posted a dominant 10-win season and won a Western Division title during one of the fastest turnarounds in college football history. She has celebrated 15 national championships and 34 conference championships over the course of her remarkable career.

Zinn’s leadership in two power conferences – the Big 12 at West Virginia University and the SEC at LSU – has uniquely prepared her to lead within the Big Ten. At West Virginia, she served as interim athletic director in 2015, becoming the first woman to helm the department, and guided the university through the transition into the Big 12.

Zinn began her career as a compliance assistant in the Big East before gaining progressive experience in compliance, governance, and sport administration at University of Maryland and later serving in multiple senior executive roles at West Virginia University.

Elissa Zylbershlag, M.Ed., is the founder of Work Wise Labs, a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations build positive work cultures through team building and leadership development. A natural educator and relationship builder, Elissa has spent over 20 years providing professional development and leadership support across industries. In particular, she held leadership roles within the Anti-Defamation League, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, and the NJ Division on Civil Rights.

Elissa is often called upon to provide professional coaching for managers when they  lack confidence, and as a consultant to organizations when they need a fresh perspective, when teams face challenges, or when new departments are being built from the ground up. She has a proven track record of developing successful programs and fostering strong, cohesive teams—but not without lessons learned along the way. Through trial and error, she’s gained invaluable insights that now shape her work, helping clients navigate workplace dynamics with confidence and clarity.

In 2021, Elissa earned a certification in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, deepening her expertise in fostering resilience, motivation, and meaningful workplace relationships. Through Work Wise Labs, she brings these insights to her clients, helping them navigate challenges and grow into stronger, more confident, self-aware leaders.