Monica Slater Stokes, United’s lead government relations executive in the Northeast, will be honored by NJBIA with the prestigious Caren Franzini Leadership Award at the 11th Annual New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum Sept. 17-18 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Somerset.
New Jersey’s largest professional women’s conference will also honor South Jersey Industries President & CEO Mike Renna for his inclusive leadership style and community commitment and Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-35) for her legislative work on behalf of small businesses, women, and civil rights.
Over the past 11 years, the Annual New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum, powered by NJBIA, has brought together thousands of corporate and nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, students, and women just embarking on their professional path to learn, be inspired and become empowered. The networking, TED-style talks, and breakout sessions led by experts are designed to help women forge successful careers, build businesses, and increase diversity in corporate leadership and boardrooms.
Caren Franzini Leadership Award: Monica Slater Stokes
"A quiet force behind the scenes, Monica is the kind of leader who doesn’t seek the spotlight but whose impact is undeniable,” said NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka. “Monica is a master facilitator who overcomes obstacles without complaint to make things happen without fuss or fanfare. In that way, she is very much like the namesake of this award, Caren Franzini.”
Franzini, who died in 2017, was the longtime chief executive of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority who worked with seven governors from 1994 to 2012 to promote entrepreneurship and economic growth, particularly in New Jersey’s largest cities. She later served on NJBIA’s Board of Trustees until her passing at age 57.
Stokes, a Newark native, is United’s managing director of Corporate and Government Affairs for the Northeast Region, where she develops and drives United’s external affairs programs in support of the airline’s in-market public policy, social impact investment and business development objectives.
Prior to joining United, Stokes held high-level positions in the public sector, including director of Constituent Services & Community Development for the late U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). Stokes currently serves on several nonprofit boards including the Regional Plan Association, Choose NJ, and the Newark Regional Business Partnership.
NJBIA Good Guy Award: Mike Renna
As the president and chief executive officer of South Jersey Industries (SJI), Renna leads one of New Jersey’s most prominent energy infrastructure companies. Under his leadership, SJI has strengthened its focus on supporting a cleaner energy future while continuing to uphold the company’s longstanding commitment to delivering safe, reliable, affordable energy to more than 725,000 natural gas customers via SJI Utilities (SJIU).
Siekerka said NJBIA is proud to honor Renna with the inaugural Good Guy Award for his strong support of diversity of thought on his leadership team and board, as well as his demonstrated commitment to nurturing the growth of next-generation leaders, especially women.
“The NJBIA Good Guy Award recognizes a gentleman who acts with intent to foster inclusivity and ensure that his team represents the whole of the workforce and the constituents that they serve,” Siekerka said. “A Good Guy also knows the importance of community leaders and role models, just as he is. Mike’s commitment to community is evident in all he does.”
Renna serves on various boards of directors including Junior Achievement of New Jersey, NJBIA, and The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Economic and Community Advisory Council. Additionally, Mr. Renna serves on the University of Delaware President’s Advisory Council and serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Hun School of Princeton.
NJBIA Public Service Award: Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter
Sumter’s legislative work transcends the 35th Legislative District in Bergen and Passaic counties, which she has represented since 2012. A tireless advocate for the needs of small businesses, women, and civil rights, she epitomizes the words “public service,” Siekerka said.
During Sumter's legislative career, her leadership has stood out in past roles as Majority Conference Leader, Deputy Speaker, and currently in her positions as Legislative Black Caucus Chair and Chair of the Assembly Community Development & Women’s Affairs Committee.
“Assemblywoman Sumter’s leadership of the Legislative Black Caucus brought to life the state's Disparity Study, an analysis that showed state contracting agencies have under-utilized minority and woman-owned business enterprises,” Siekerka said.
“Thanks to Assemblywoman Sumter’s efforts, solutions to address inequality in business opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses are finally being prioritized,” Siekerka said. “NJBIA is pleased to recognize her with this public service award.”
About the New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum
Now celebrating its 11th year, the 2025 New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum, powered by NJBIA, is a two-day event on Sept. 17-18 that includes executive TED-style talks, multiple breakout sessions led by expert panelists and numerous networking opportunities. Thousands of women and men have attended this annual event since it was launched in 2015 to help advance women build successful careers and diversity the C-suite and boardroom.
Sponsors help make this event possible and to date include:
- ALEXENA Consulting LLC
- Amazon
- Association Member Trust
- Atlantic City Electric
- AT&T
- August eTech
- BCG Securities
- BND Consulting Group
- C3 Workplace
- Capital Health System
- Carpenter Contractor Trust
- CGI
- Citizens Bank
- Delta Dental
- Disrupt The Gap
- Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ
- FemGevity
- Fidelity
- Focus NJ
- Forvis Mazars
- HealthCare Institute of New Jersey
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
- HR 4 Your Small Biz
- Integris
- JP Morgan
- Junior Achievement
- Larc Norcross School
- Manufacturing Counts
- Marotta Controls
- McDonald’s (Dorno)
- Minding Your Business
- New Jersey Business Action Center
- New Jersey Business Magazine
- NJM Insurance Group
- New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association
- New Jersey Society of CPAs
- Optimum
- OU LA Restaurant & Bar
- Parker McCay
- Planet NJ
- Plymouth Rock
- PNC Bank
- pocstock
- Primepoint HRMS & Payroll
- Saiber LLC
- Web-Cote Industries
- ZAGO Manufacturing Company
