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.

Matthew is Co-Chair of the firm’s White-Collar Criminal Defense & Regulatory Compliance Practice Group and an experienced criminal and civil trial attorney. He has a diverse national practice focusing on criminal defense, regulatory compliance and complex commercial litigation.

Known for his courtroom advocacy skills and meticulous attention to detail, he is an indispensable ally to clients ranging from individuals and small businesses to multinational corporations, who turn to him for practical, thorough guidance through treacherous legal minefields. Whether they have been indicted, named targets of a grand jury investigation or are embroiled in a “bet the company” commercial dispute, clients count on Matthew as a “go to” lawyer when it matters the most.

Recently, Matthew has become well versed in the U.S. Department of Justice’s crackdown on fraud and abuse involving government funding distributed under the Paycheck Protection Program and other CARES Act initiatives aimed at supporting businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. He provides compliance advice to companies that have received emergency funding and represents companies whose loans or grants have come under scrutiny or been referred for prosecution.

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.

Mona Babury is the Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Johnson & Johnson for the MedTech sector. In this role, Mona provides DEI subject matter expertise across the MedTech business, bringing insights on leading DEI trends and the external environment and collaborating with all levels of leadership to advance talent strategies and build on their culture of belonging and drive innovation and growth globally. She leads global DEI strategies, programs, and partnerships that help MedTech better understand and serve the needs of patients, communities, and employees to drive equitable access and opportunity for all.

Mona joins J&J from Pfizer, where she spent the past 15 years of her career in roles spanning Supply Chain, Technology, Data Analytics, Project Management, Capital Portfolio Management, and DEI. At Pfizer, Mona was responsible for delivering ‘fit for purpose’ DEI strategies that aligned with the strategic business goals of each organization. She developed approaches to advance strategy around talent acquisition, talent management, retention, growth, and engagements so that every colleague had an opportunity to develop, grow and succeed. Mona implemented Pfizer’s first enterprise HBCU strategy, Refugee Leadership Initiative and Women Back to Work Program, as well as local initiatives like Business Technology 4 Girls and Intern enrichment. Mona is also passionate about leveraging refugee hiring and mentoring programs to connect talent to opportunities in business.

Mona has a BSBA in HR Management and a Master of Science in Management from Stevens Institute of Technology. She is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) with a PMP certification. In her spare time, she loves traveling, reading, culinary adventures, and spending time with her husband, son, and two Goldendoodles.

Michele has been developing extraordinary leaders for over a decade as an executive coach and talent management consultant. As a coach, she works side-by-side with private, for profit and non-profit organizations to support the changes required in strategy, organization, and performance to make transformation a reality.

With a unique assessment expertise, Michele specializes in leadership development and executive coaching. Her high impact development efforts center on developing leaders by gaining an in-depth understanding of the skills needed to execute the role, the current skills of the leader and the gaps that need to be addressed. She is known for delivering frank and
revealing feedback with compassion and a focus on results.

Michele brings extensive coaching experience from her corporate career to guide her clients to peak performance. This expertise, combined with her training at the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC), enables her to leverage strategies for excelling in leadership and practical application of essential tools and techniques to help her clients achieve their desired success.

She is also a skilled facilitator, both as a leader of training programs as well as in participatory programs for strategic development, goal setting and team building. Michele is a certified behavioral and values analyst and TriMetrix™ specialist, which she uses in her executive coaching, leadership development and team building initiatives.

Prior to coaching, Michele spent 25 years as a marketing and licensing executive, most notably with the National Basketball Association and M&M/Mars, Inc. She was in a variety of senior leadership positions delivering critical business results through diverse team structures.

Michele is also founder and president of WomEnpower Corporation, a 501(c)3 non-profit women’s empowerment organization in New Jersey.

Outside of work, Michele loves to cook and entertain. She also enjoys experiences such as traveling, visiting museums, and attending concerts.

Before co-founding Peace in Action, Dr. Budd’s experience and scholarship include race and gender as they pertain to management and organization. Dr. Budd served as the first Diversity Officer at Seton Hall University, and worked with the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education to ensure institutional compliance with state, federal and national accreditation standards. In addition, she created and implemented institutional partnerships for credit articulation.

Dr. Budd has over 20 years’ experience in institutional assessment and the creation and development of organizational materials. At Berkeley College and at Seton Hall University, she developed the curriculum guidebook used by all faculty mentors, educational materials for the College Study Skills course, managed institutional research, and standardized departmental procedures. Dr. Budd has experience in the delivery of health care education including as Campus Director and Director of Education at two proprietary sector institutions which offered degrees and certificates in Licensed Practical Nursing and Medical Assisting. Dr. Budd led both schools through accreditation attainment and renewal, managed state and federal compliance standards, and liaised with the New Jersey Board of Nursing.

Dr. Budd has written and presented scholarship at the Women & Gender Studies Colloquium Lecture Series; the Mid-Atlantic Women’s Studies Association annual conference; the Lehigh University Feminism in Practice conference and at the Seton Hall University Celebration of Women conference. Dr. Budd’s treatise on the connection between private higher education and state government was being utilized by the Association of Private Higher Education of Ukraine for policy development and was under consideration for translation into Ukrainian by the Association.

Leaders call on Alwyn for his ability to quickly understand the challenges they face. A seasoned and trusted coach and mentor, his creative solutions help organizational performance through authentic employee engagement.

Alwyn advises all levels within an organization: C-Suite executives, senior leadership and middle management. His broad portfolio of clients includes larger publicly traded and small privately owned companies, covering a myriad of industries from finance and healthcare to manufacturing and non-profit sectors.

A collaborator with leaders who are driven to enhance their impact through authenticity, Alwyn builds high-performing teams with healthy morale. He is known for providing clients with a safe and confidential space throughout the coaching process. He takes a highly personalized approach in his work in order to support clients in finding their own authentic leadership style.

Alwyn’s international background has provided clients with the benefit of exploring the diversity that is inherent in any work environment. Born in Liberia and having lived in England, Saudi Arabia, and Spain, there is a unique global perspective that is intertwined in his work. Alwyn’s personal narrative includes having Neurofibramitosis (NF), a rare medical condition.

Having NF his entire life has given him the drive to live life with purpose and focus. He has a clear strategy of setting and committing to goals that are critical to one’s life purpose. His approach to accepting and leveraging life circumstances has paid and continues to pay in dividends. Alwyn is committed to partnering with his clients to explore the process of professional development through being inclusive of one’s purpose.

Alwyn works to enhance diversity and inclusion, employee satisfaction, succession planning, talent management and career development. He is also a professor at Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Health Administration, and a member of the Board of Trustees for Mercy Housing, a non-profit focusing on affordable housing.

The core principle of Alwyn’s coaching philosophy is to meet the leader where they are. His focus is to support individuals in realizing their true authentic leadership ability versus what is prescribed. He takes a highly personalized approach in order to support clients in finding their own authentic leadership style.

A product of Fordham University, Alwyn holds a Masters in Social Services and a Bachelors in Psychology. He is also a professor at Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Health Administration.

There are many things Alwyn enjoys outside of work. However, his true passion is spending time with his family, specifically his son and daughter.

Maria Diaz is the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) at New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), a Fortune 1000 company that provides safe and reliable natural gas and clean energy services. She is responsible for developing, implementing and managing NJR’s diversity strategies and programs that value people and support an inclusive workplace. She leads both the company’s DEI&B Council and DEI&B-Executive Council along with oversees our seven Business Resource Groups that empower employees.

Ms. Diaz is a leading voice on diversity-related issues. She an active volunteer and a tireless advocate for building strong communities and celebrating the beauty of our differences. She is a member of the board of directors of CASA of Monmouth County, Vice President of the Board of Dress for Success and a Board member of 180 Turning Lives Around.

With nearly three decades of service, prior to being named Director of DEIB, she was Manager of Damage Prevention and Safety at New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), the principal subsidiary NJR. In this role she built strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to create greater public awareness of natural gas safety. Respected for her professionalism, candor and expertise, she represented NJNG and served in leadership roles at the New Jersey Common Ground Alliance and the Northeast Gas Association Damage Prevention Committee.

A firm believer in the power to change the world, one person at a time, Ms. Diaz is dedicated leading with purpose and using her skills, knowledge, and passion to advocate for all people – at NJR and beyond – to be respected and valued for who they are

Amy Flynn is a Manager of DE&I at Insperity where she leads a national consulting team and works with client leaders on strategic diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Prior to joining the DEI team, Amy worked with Insperity clients in the Northeast as a Human Resource Specialist where she supported clients with challenging and complex HR employee and team issues. With an academic and twenty-five-year professional background in consulting, coaching, counseling, and higher education, Amy has worked with thousands of individuals and countless companies to help them to reach their organizational and professional goals. Her experience in DEI spans her career and includes expertise in strategic planning, training, development of impactful diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives, and content creation.

An educator and trusted client partner and adviser, Amy believes that inclusion is the foundation to all that we do and that how we understand and treat others is fundamental to personal and professional success. She finds great joy in helping clients to reflect on where they are on the journey as an organization and design a unique path forward based on growth opportunities.

A graduate of Merrimack College with a BA in Psychology, Amy earned a MS in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University and is certified in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace.

Amy resides outside of Boston, MA with her family. She enjoys all four seasons but loves a summer day on Cape Cod or at the beaches in Rhode Island the best.

Jason Holt is a seasoned attorney with more than two decades of experience in local government, municipal corporations, turnaround strategy, litigation and fiscal management. He draws upon his background navigating the political and economic challenges that arise throughout the redevelopment process to assist municipalities and developers in drafting and negotiating redevelopment plans and agreements, as well as Payment in Lieu of Taxes (“PILOT”) agreements, tax appeals and tax exemptions. Further, Jason is a member of the firm’s Cannabis Law team.

Jason was previously with Atlantic City’s Department of Administration, where he originally served as City Solicitor charged with overseeing the municipality’s legal affairs. In 2016, he was selected by the DCA as the city’s Business Administrator to assist in the implementation of the Municipal Stabilization & Recovery Act. In this capacity, he managed the city’s more than $240 million budget and directed it on its course toward revitalization through the negotiation of several hundred million dollars of tax appeals and the effective management of casino closures, fiscal volatility, major bankruptcy matters and an unprecedented drop in its tax base.

In addition, Jason previously served as Corporation Counsel to the City of East Orange, where he oversaw the broad spectrum of the city’s legal affairs – including the introduction of major redevelopment projects, litigation of high-profile lawsuits encompassing employment practices, challenges to municipal legislation, in rem foreclosures and bankruptcy matters. Notably, while serving East Orange, he played a pivotal role as advisor to the city’s Police Department and assisted in the enhancement of policing techniques, which reduced the city’s crime rate to State and national record-breaking levels at the time.

He has held additional high-profile roles within Essex County – including Municipal Court Judge for the City of Orange Township, Deputy Freeholder Counsel to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Director of Affirmative Action for the County of Essex – as well as in Trenton, as Deputy Legislative Counsel to the New Jersey Senate & General Assembly through the Office of Legislative Services.

Jason joined the firm from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (“DCA”), where he reviewed and investigated potential ethics violations associated with local jurisdictions. He also leveraged this deep understanding as an adjunct professor with Thomas Edison State College’s John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy, administering a graduate-level course entitled, “Law, Ethics and Decision Making in the Public Sector.” Of note, Jason served as the lead attorney in a seminal case – Patterson v. Cooper, 294 N.J. Super (N.J. Super. 1994) – which helped define notice and quorum parameters of the Open Public Meetings Act.

*Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

HONORS
• Included in New Jersey Law Journal, Diverse Attorneys of the Year (2023)
• Included in ROI-NJ, Influencers: People of Color (2020-2021; 2023)
• Included in ROI-NJ, Influencers: Diversity & Inclusion (2022)
• Recognized by the Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, Volunteer of the Month (2022)
• Included in The National Black Lawyers, Top 100 (2021)
• Certificate of Special United States Congressional Recognition for Civil Rights
• Rutgers University, Institute of Continuing Legal Education & New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys, Diplomate in Municipal Law

INVOLVEMENT
• CSG Law Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee, Co-Chair
• Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, Board of Trustees
• NAACP Oranges and Maplewood Chapter, Chair, Legal Redress Committee
• New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys, Board of Trustees; Chair, Diversity Committee
• New Jersey State League of Municipalities, Associate Legal Counsel
• New Jersey Business & Industry Association, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, Leadership Team
• Newark YMCA, Diversity & Inclusion Task Force
• Cornell Real Estate Council
• New Jersey State Bar Association
• Garden State Bar Association
• National Bar Association

EDUCATION
• Rutgers Law School (J.D.)
• Cornell University (B.S.)

ADMISSIONS
• New Jersey
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
• U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
• New Jersey State Supreme Court

NEWSROOM
• CBS Sunday Morning Show Interviews Jason Holt (February 28, 2024)
• Law360: NJ Atty Changes History for Wrongly Executed Black Soldiers (December 15, 2023)
• Jason Holt Named to New Jersey Law Journal’s Diverse Attorneys of the Year List (November 3, 2023)
• New Jersey Law Journal: Q&A: ‘Find a Legal Passion and Pursue It Wholeheartedly,’ Says Jason Holt (November 3, 2023)
• New Jersey Business & Industry Association: Implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Without Creating Legal Liability (September 21, 2023)
• Garden State Bar Association & National Bar Association: Cannabis Summit (May 16, 2023)
• NJ Chamber of Commerce: DEI Professionals Roundtable (August 17, 2022)
• CSG Law Alert: New Economic Legislation Helps Businesses Expand and Prosper in New Jersey (July 19, 2021)
• We’re Not In Kansas Anymore: Understanding the Yellow Brick Road to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion From Those That Helped Pave the Way (June 23, 2021)
• The New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 Explained (December 2020)
• Real Estate NJ: Spotlight on CSG’s Property Taxation & Valuation Group (November 16, 2020)
• ROI-NJ: Land bank law can help relieve stress on economy hurt by COVID-19 (June 8, 2020)
• NJ Municipalities Magazine: A Special Report – Tightening Our Belt (June 2020)
• New Jersey Law Journal: Forging an Innovative Public Safety Program in a Fiscally Challenging Environment (April 20, 2009)
• NJ Municipalities Magazine: The Secrets of a Successful Government Transition (November 3, 2008)
• NJ Municipalities Magazine: Civility at Council Meetings – Seven Rules for the Gatekeepers (June 2, 2008)

E. Denise Peoples is a Paterson, NJ native matriculating from North Carolina Central University with a Tri Major in Math, Accounting and Music. Her financial and administrative background led her to careers within the New Jersey General Assembly as a Legislative Chief of Staff to name a few. In 2000 E. Denise was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. After receiving a double lung transplant on October 2, 2006 she became a volunteer in 2007 for NJ Sharing Network. After an offer for employment in 2015 she joined the Network.

As Community Service Senior Manager, E. Denise educates, is tasked with the Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging component of the organization. She also creates programs, events and leads initiatives for students, medical professionals, corporate partners, diverse communities and faith base organizations on the importance of organ and tissue donation. Presently she is leading a campaign geared toward multicultural communities. Donation Needs Diversity is an initiative specifically designed to bring education through grassroots efforts, partnerships and team work. E. Denise is not only a staunch advocate for organ and tissue donation but for the affects the process can have on families and communities.

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.

Jackie Lue Raia is the president of ALEXENA Consulting, a firm focused on Workforce Development and Employee Engagement. As a certified Minority/Women Business Enterprise, the firm serves as an essential and important partner to businesses and stakeholders across all industry sectors. Their goal is to ensure the creation of the strongest, most engaged and satisfied workforce possible. This is accomplished by creating a professional atmosphere and environment that is empathetic, nurturing, engaging and safe. Based on formalized evaluations and feedback from their clients, the firm’s planning and execution of unique, highly customized, interactive, real-life workshops and roundtable discussions have been well received and impactful.

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; Leadership Council for the New Jersey Statewide Network for Cultural Competence; Board of Directors for Global Business Travel Association – NJ; 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 was awarded a certificate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace by the University of South Florida.

ALEXENA Consulting was awarded the 2022 New Jersey Business & Industry Association and New Jersey Business Magazine’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award for Excellence in DEI Initiatives.

In 2023, Jackie received the YWCA Northern New Jersey Tribute to Women of INfluence (TWIN) award.

Elizabeth Williams-Riley is an esteemed figure in the realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a career spanning over two decades. Since 1995, she has been at the forefront of promoting diversity and fostering inclusive environments, from the playgrounds of community outreach to the boardrooms of corporate giants, and now to the vibrant lights of Broadway. As the President & CEO of D.A.S.H. Consulting, LLC, Elizabeth leads an organization dedicated to developing assets for successful habits. Through her visionary leadership, D.A.S.H. Consulting is emerging as a beacon of excellence in the field, cultivating empowerment and ownership to embrace diversity and practice inclusion.

Elizabeth’s expertise has garnered widespread recognition, earning her a place in prestigious publications such as Diversity Journal and Diversity Best Practices magazines. In 2014, Diversity Journal honored her as a “Woman Worth Watching,” acknowledging her exceptional contributions to the field. Her commitment to community service has been acknowledged with awards such as the NAACP Corporate Community Service Award and the South Asian Business Association Network (SABAN) Chairman’s Award.

As a sought-after speaker and thought leader, Elizabeth Williams-Riley’s work also focuses on the vital topic of generational diversity in the workforce, offering insights and strategies to navigate the complexities of today’s multi-generational workplace. She has provided equity training for administrators and educators in early childhood development in school districts nationwide and retired seniors through AARP. Her expertise extends across various sectors, from Fortune 500 companies to nonprofits, where she has led organizational development and strategic planning for some of New Jersey’s leading entities.

Having established herself as a respected voice in the field, Elizabeth has been invited to share her insights on numerous prestigious platforms. She was a special guest at the LinkedIn Trailblazers in Diversity forum and a presenter at the L’Oréal USA Executive Women’s Leadership Conference in New York City. Additionally, she has been a featured presenter at The Forum on Workplace Inclusion® annual conference, the nation’s most extensive workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conference designed for a national and global audience. Elizabeth’s impact extends beyond the boardroom, as she leverages various media platforms to amplify her message of challenging implicit bias and fostering positive change. Her appearances on television, podcasts, radio, and other media outlets including NBC, PBS, 1450 WCTC, New Jersey 101.5 Dennis & Judi Show, Hot 97 Street Soldiers with Lisa Evers, Caucus New Jersey, Women Taking the Lead, Think Tank with Steve Adubato, NJ Thirteen, Princeton TV, New York Sun, and Comcast News Makers, have showcased her exceptional work with both youth and adults.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Elizabeth is deeply committed to serving her community and advancing social causes. She serves on the boards of the Capital Region Minority Chamber of Commerce and Urban Bush Women Dance Company. A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and the National Association of Professional Women, Elizabeth’s leadership extends to her former role as President of the NAACP Perth Amboy Area Branch. She is a 2014 Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Policy Lead New Jersey Fellow.

Elizabeth Williams-Riley’s multifaceted contributions exemplify her unwavering dedication to fostering inclusivity, equity, and positive change in organizations and communities alike.

Mary A. Rizzuti is a Partner with EisnerAmper Advisory Group and the Practice Leader for Compensation Resources and EisnerAmper’s HR Advisory and Outsourcing practice. Mary has over 25 years of compensation experience, with extensive experience within the not-for-profit and private company sectors, providing clients with comprehensive consulting in the areas of Executive Compensation, Salary Administration, Sales Compensation, and Performance Management, and advises Senior Management and Boards of Directors on applying best practices and market data within their organizations. Mary coordinates and executes business development initiatives while building strong working relationships with clients and strategic partners. 

She is also responsible for executing the firm’s vision and strategic plan, while continuing to develop relationships with a wide range of privately-held, publicly-traded, and not-for-profit clients. Mary delivers customized compensation strategy sessions to Senior Leadership, as well as human resources assessments for our clients. 

Prior to launching her consulting career in 1997, Mary was employed by Sidley Austin, LLP (formerly Brown & Wood) in New York as a training coordinator and paralegal. Mary graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Management with a concentration in Human Resource Management from Dominican College. Mary holds the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) certifications and is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). She is also a member of WorldatWork and holds the Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) certification. She also sat on the Board of a local not-for-profit organization from March 2014 through June 2015.  Mary was recently named to ROI-NJ’s prestigious list of 2024 Influencers: Women in Business. 

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.

Before her positions at the NJCCC and the Consortium, Catherine held several executive positions at the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the NJ Department of Community Affairs. Prior to joining the public sector, Catherine worked in the private sector in the Tax and Legal Services practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Corporate Finance Staff of Ford Motor Company.

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.