A program of the Garden State
Immigration Policy Institute
A joint project of the NJBIA &
the NJ Business Immigration Coalition
One of the key questions confronting Washington policymakers is the impact of immigration on U.S.-born workers. Under what circumstances does immigration strengthen the overall economy, including the job prospects and earnings levels of American workers? And when might immigration harm the interests of U.S.-born workers? This program will not only attempt to answer these questions but will also provide important insight into labor conditions in New Jersey and the extent to which our state must rely on immigrant labor in the future.
This program features a presentation by award-winning Professor Zeke Hernandez of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, author of the recently published book, “The Truth About Immigration.” Dr. Hernandez’s presentation will be followed by a panel discussion, featuring representatives from New Jersey companies and unions, who will discuss the extent of their reliance on immigrant workers.
Professor Zeke Hernandez
Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Exequiel (Zeke) Hernandez is the Max and Bernice Garchik Family Presidential Associate Professor. He publishes pioneering research in two broad areas. In the first, he explores how immigration affects the investment choices, growth, and performance of firms. In the second, he studies how firms design corporate strategies through alliances, acquisitions, and divestitures to enhance their innovation and performance. Zeke’s papers have been published in leading academic journals such as Management Science, Administrative Science Quarterly, Organization Science, Strategic Management Journal, and Academy of Management Journal.
A renowned expert on the topic of immigration, Zeke is the author of The Truth About Immigration: Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers. Providing clarity on one of the most important but misunderstood topics of our time, the book has received glowing coverage in outlets such as The Economist, Freakonomics Radio, CBS, MSNBC, NPR, Kirkus Reviews, Forbes, Barron’s, Bloomberg, and more.
Zeke has won emerging scholar awards from the three major academic associations in his field: the Strategic Management Society, the Strategic Management Division of the Academy of Management and the International Management Division of the Academy of Management. In addition to these career recognitions, he’s received multiple awards for individual research papers.
Zeke is a sought after speaker and one of the highest rated teachers at Wharton. He consistently wins teaching excellence awards and has been recognized by Poets & Quants as a Best 40 Under 40 professor in the world. He trains MBA students and corporate executives on issues related to global strategy, corporate strategy, and global talent management. He also speaks to audiences from all walks of life on immigration, demographic change, and economic growth.
Megan Chambers
President, SEIU New Jersey State Council
Ramya Devan, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics, Stockton University
Ph.D. (The American University) – Professor of Economics and Program Chair: Feminist political economy, labor and international trade, econometrics.
Marilou Halvorsen
Senior Vice-President, American Hotel & Lodging Association
Lori Jenssen
Executive Director, NJ Nursery and Landscape Association
Jessica Kim, Esq.,
Associate, Genova Burns
Ms. Kim has experience at a national insurance company defending high exposure cases. She is familiar with defending product liability, construction defect, premise liability and auto liability claims. Ms. Kim started her legal career in Business Immigration before she homed in on complex commercial litigation and employment litigation. Ms. Kim holds notable internship experience from The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, The United States Congress, and The Peace Corps.
Ms. Kim graduated from Temple University Beasley School of Law with her Juris Doctorate degree in 2015 and from The George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Affairs in 2010.
Katherine Kish
Executive Director, Einstein’s Alley
Ryan Stark Lilienthal, Esq.
Of Counsel, King English, LLC
Ryan Stark Lilienthal is a lawyer with the Freehold-based immigration firm, King English, LLC. During Ryan’s twenty-five year membership with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, he has led AILA’s New Jersey legislative and advocacy endeavors. Working with Einstein’s Alley’s Immigration and Employment Task Force and the New Jersey Business Immigration Coalition, Ryan supports efforts to expand the partnership of stakeholders engaged in immigration policy. In his home community, Ryan served as councilman of Princeton Borough; a member of the Princeton Borough Zoning Board; and a member of the Princeton Joint Consolidation Study Commission
Michele N. Siekerka, Esq.
President & CEO, NJBIA
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.