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.

As Dean of Rutgers School of Business at Rutgers University – Camden, Monica Adya steers the direction of the school through strategic growth of undergraduate and graduate programs, a professional and executive education unit, as well as Centers of Excellence. She brings to this role a multi-disciplinary perspective of business education and a strong commitment to lifelong learning.

A scholar in information systems, Dr. Adya’s areas of expertise design and use of decision and forecasting systems as well as participation and experiences of women in technology careers. Driven by her professional and personal experiences, she has explored earlier influences in technical career choices and, on the other end, experiences of women at work in technical careers. Dr. Adya chairs Women Administrators in Management Education, an affinity group designed to support the professional growth and mentorship of over 800 women academics in business. She also mentors female faculty through The Tenure Project and serves on the boards of two non-profits – SheTek dedicated to developing women IT professionals, and the Greater Philadelphia YMCA.

Dr. Adya received a teaching innovation award from the Decision Science Institute and an honorable recognition from the American Council of Education. She is a member of national honor societies including Alpha Sigma Iota which recognizes faculty for their innovative pedagogical practices. Dr. Adya has consulted and delivered executive training to medium and large organizations in areas related to innovation and creativity and to academic leaders in strategic planning and risk management.

Prior to Rutgers-Camden, Dr. Adya was faculty at Marquette University, DePaul University, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She received her PhD in Management Information Systems from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, and an MS in Computer Systems Management from Creighton University.

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 directly 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’s professionalism has drawn several high-level accolades. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observance Committee of Bergen County awarded the organization the 2016 Lee Reid Award for the organization’s profoundly important work in promoting racial and social justice–a tribute to Helen’s leadership and diligence. That same year, the Bergen County Commission on the Status of Women honored Helen at their Women’s History Month Event Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government. In 2017, Helen was honored with a Women Empowering Women award by Key HR (Human Resources) Consulting. In 2019, Helen received the Crime Victims’ Rights Award from the NJ Office of the Attorney General and the Excellence Awards for Victims’ Justice. She has also been named among Insider’s NJ The Powerful Women of NJ Power List from 2019-2023. In 2020, Helen received the Top 50 Women in Business Award from NJ Biz and the Top 25 Women in New Jersey Award from Leading Women Entrepreneurs. In 2021, Helen was recognized by Commerce & Industry Association of NJ (CIANJ) as a Women Leader on the Rise. In 2022 she was a finalist for the ATHENA Award through the Monmouth County Regional Chamber of Commerce. In 2023 she was named one of NJ BIZ Empowering Women Honorees. She sits on the board of Women@NJPAC, Let’s Talk about Women’s Wellness, the Childcare Research Collaborative at Rutgers University, and the County of Bergen’s Age-Friendly Task Force.

Helen holds a Master of Social Work from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Montclair State University.

Helen’s love and passion for her life’s work in social justice is only topped by her love for her family. She is married to a professional musician in the blues genre and is the mother of eleven-year-old twins and a three-year-old double doodle.

Jacqueline Berry is a Senior Manager at 3Mgives, the philanthropic arm of 3M, where she leads the company’s education and community investment strategy. Before this role, she served as a Public Relations Manager at 3M, and her career with the company began as a Government Relations Manager in the Washington, D.C. office.

Before joining 3M, Jacqueline worked as a Legislative Assistant to a U.S. Senator and was a Presidential Management Fellow with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, both in Washington, D.C.

Jacqueline holds a B.A. in History from Millsaps College and a Master’s in Public Policy from Jackson State University, both located in Jackson, Mississippi.

Shell Bobev is the founder of Disrupt The Gap, a platform that empowers people’s lifelong financial independence through a multi-front disruption of pay gaps. After advocating for her own equal pay in the corporate world, she realized a calling to create bold solutions for systemic change. Disrupt The Gap guides organizations with implementing equitable and future-proof compensation practices, as well as empowers individuals with self-advocacy skills. Among other degrees, Shell holds a Masters of Adult Education, and Certifications in Human Resources & DEI. With a background in talent development, she has impacted thousands of people across corporate, community, and university settings.

www.WeDisruptTheGap.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shellbobev/

Zarida’s background includes several chapters of working in finance and banking.  She currently serves as a Major Gifts Officer for Covenant House New Jersey which provides a continuum of care to young people experiencing homeless and survivors of human trafficking. Zarida is passionate about empowering generosity by connecting donors to good work and legacy. She has two daughters, nieces and nephews. Zarida loves the Jersey Shore, biking and hiking.

Birdia is a social media strategist who is passionate about empowering small businesses, organizations, and individuals to strengthen their online presence and grow their business using social media. Her mission is to save clients time and make it easy for them to succeed by providing customized and tailored services that include strategy and content development, consulting, profile optimization, speaking engagements, and social media management.

With a focus that includes, but is not limited to, real estate agents, entrepreneurs, financial advisors, and non-profits, her services are designed bespoke to each industry, ensuring that clients receive the best possible service. Using this inclusive method, Birdia is not limited to any specific industry and welcomes clients from all audiences.

Birdia’s expertise in technology and social media spans over 20 years in corporate America, where she evolved social and digital media across a Fortune 50 company, counseled top C-Suite executives, and expanded small businesses. She has inspired executives, financial advisors, and entrepreneurs at conferences, workshops, and panel discussions, as well as via podcasts in the U.S. and internationally. Her expertise was featured in Think Advisor for enabling advisors to be successful on social media, and in an eBook from the GAMA Foundation, entitled Recruiting Through Social Media.

Birdia’s interest in real estate began in 2007 when she transformed houses as a hobby. Her nearly two decades as a real estate investor led her to obtain her real estate license so she can help others facilitate the real estate process. In 2022, she became licensed in New Jersey with eXp Realty and is a member of the New Jersey Association of Realtors, as well as CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) New Jersey Social Media committee. She provides personalized and expertly tailored advice to buyers, sellers, and investors in residential and commercial real estate throughout the state.

In addition to her work with small businesses and organizations, Birdia is also passionate about mentoring and helping women, whether they are in corporate or entrepreneurs, to empower and advance women. With Epic Transformation, she takes a broad, holistic approach to her clients, tailoring her expertise to the needs of each client.

She is also a volunteer for American Corporate partners, where she mentors veterans transitioning out of military life to discover and achieve new career goals. She is a member of the New Jersey Business Industry Association, and co-chair of the NJBIA Women’s Leadership team for the Women’s Business Council.

Birdia is a graduate of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) where she focused on computer science and mathematics. She is also a graduate of the Women Unlimited TEAM program, acquired a Masters Certificate in IT Project Management from Villanova University, and is a National Commercial Real Estate Advisor and Commercial Real Estate Investment Planning Specialist.”

Kate Conroy is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Hospitality Minnesota, the state’s trade association for restaurants, hotels, resorts, and campgrounds.  As a team leader with a long track record of excellence, she is responsible for the overall management of the Association’s sponsorship program, which includes leading the company-wide, cross-department movement to cultivate new sponsors and partners from both within and without the membership.  In addition to the Association, this work also supports the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation, which has awarded over $850,000 to graduating Minnesota high school students pursuing secondary education in hospitality since 2003.

Prior to joining Hospitality MN, Ms. Conroy was the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, the largest employer-based business association in the United States.  In the Fall of 2020 Ms. Conroy’s role was expanded to include overall event oversight, working across departments with her team to plan and execute events across the state virtually while working through the pandemic and then in-person.  These programs underlined and solidified NJBIA’s reputation for producing events that are extraordinary.

Prior to becoming Vice President, Ms. Conroy was the Director of Strategic Partnerships, a role she took on in Oct. 2016 and one that included new challenges and opportunities.  In this role she exceeded her goals year after year and worked with colleagues on initiatives like the podcast Other People’s Business, which promotes the organization and its members.

Before taking on partnerships, she came to NJBIA as the Director of Member Services & Programs in April 2015. As a team leader with overall responsibility for managing the development and implementation of NJBIA programs and events, she also is responsible for event budgets which account for almost one million dollars in revenue.  Tasked with developing and obtaining positive financial goals for each program or event, Ms. Conroy achieved a reduction in overall expenses of approximately 20% in her first six months.

She was responsible for the management and professional development of four team members, cross-department coordination of moving parts to ensure successful events, representation of the Association to C-Suite constituents, and the cultivation of collaboration among members to create profitable relationships.

Prior to taking the position at NJBIA, Ms. Conroy worked for 11 years as Vice President of the Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce, the largest and most active business organization in the northern New Jersey-New York metropolitan region.

Ms. Conroy was responsible for membership services and growth; website construction and content creation; local chamber meetings and event coordination; the maintenance of 17 Affinity Partner relationships, which led to increased diversification of revenue for the Chamber; and the acquisition of several new networking groups under the Chamber’s umbrella, which steadily increased the Chamber’s membership base. In becoming an integral and essential part of the Gateway staff, of particular note was Ms. Conroy’s sustained drive in bringing new members into the Chamber.

Throughout her career with the Chamber, Ms. Conroy was a key element in the implementation of the strategic plan to revitalize the organization and make it more politically effective by taking full advantage of the grassroots capabilities of its membership.

Ms. Conroy was the driving force behind the launch of the Gateway Association of Business Women, a successful monthly gathering for lunch, networking and speakers, which has become one of the most dynamic women’s groups in the state.

With an eye toward further expansion and untapped demographics, Ms. Conroy also organized the chamber’s quarterly event Networking Outside the Box, which met for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and informal networking, thereby balancing the predominantly morning schedules of the other Gateway groups.  Ms. Conroy also helped launch the Irish Business Association, which looked to draw and build on the common heritage of New Jersey’s Irish-American business community.  Finally, Ms. Conroy initiated the organization of the Gateway Chamber’s Small Business Council, to better serve the needs of the small business community within the chamber.

Ms. Conroy has been particularly active in professional development, participating as frequently as possible in the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, as well as the Institute for Organization Management, the U.S. Chamber’s premier executive training program for chamber of commerce professionals.  Institute is an intense four-year program from which Ms. Conroy graduated in the summer of 2008.  Ms. Conroy was consistently awarded scholarships from ACCE to help offset the cost of Institute.  Since graduation Ms. Conroy has served on the Board of Regents for Institute, and recently became a member of the faculty.

Ms. Conroy received a Master of Arts degree in history from the Armstrong campus of Georgia Southern University (Savannah, GA).  She specialized in medieval Iberian (Spanish) history and the relationships between Muslims, Christians and Jews during the High Middle Ages as the Black Death swept through Europe.  While doing her graduate work she was awarded an assistantship, which, in addition to a stipend, provided a tuition-free graduate school experience.

In the Spring of 2010 Ms. Conroy was named the NJ Irish Business Association’s first ever Woman of the Year, an honor of which she is very proud.

In the Summer of 2016 Ms. Conroy joined the board of trustees of Bridgeway Rehabilitation, a not-for-profit in Elizabeth, NJ with a focus on helping people with mental illness rehabilitate and live normal lives in their communities.  Bridgeway specializes in helping people recover from co-existing issues, such as mental illness and substance abuse.  Almost from the start of her time with Bridgeway, Ms. Conroy headed up the Membership Committee and worked strategically to bring new faces to the board which fit the core competencies identified as wanting.  In the Spring of 2021 Ms. Conroy was invited to become Secretary of the board and now serves on the executive committee.

Jennifer is Director, Public Policy, leading Amazon’s state and local public policy teams for the Northeast and Midwest U.S. Her team also manages Community Engagement in New Jersey and several other states. Jennifer joined Amazon in 2021 after nearly eight years at The Coca-Cola Company, most recently as Vice President of Region Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability. At Coca-Cola, Jennifer led state and local government relations, community affairs, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and internal and external communications across 35 states and territories. Previously, Jennifer was Director of State Relations for Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, where she managed the city’s state policy and advocacy agenda. Earlier in her career, Jennifer led media advocacy campaigns for the American Cancer Society across the Northeast. She also spent three years as an Associate at Winning Strategies Washington, a boutique public affairs firm in Washington, DC. Jennifer earned her MPP from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, and her BA from Bucknell University. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Business Council of New York State and Chairs the Policy Committee for Tech:NYC.

Monica is the founder of MDINC, an international content marketing agency focusing on science, technology, and engineering firms. While she works with mostly male counterparts, she mentors women and aspiring entrepreneurs.

With 7 years under her belt, she’s learned a bit about being assertive when it matters and approaches all problems with a human solutions-focused approach. She’s learned that saying “No” to peers, clients, and managers means she is saying “Yes” to the bigger picture and herself.

Rosanne DeTorres is the managing partner and co-founder of DeTorres & DeGeorge Family Law. Rosanne DeTorres is one of only 2% of lawyers in the State of NJ with a specialty certification in family law.  Her firm settles 99% of all cases without going to trial using an “iron hand in a velvet glove” approach to conflict resolution.

Ms. DeTorres received her undergraduate degree from The Johns Hopkins University and graduated with honor from The University of Maryland School of Law. Ms. DeTorres also holds a doctoral degree in Business Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Ms. DeTorres is an adjunct professor at Middlesex College in the Business and Computer Science Department teaching Business Law and Advanced Legal Research & Writing.

Ms. DeTorres has been recognized for her community engagement, volunteerism, and business growth including being named to the NJ Super Lawyers List, a Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneur, receiving the Delta Dental Small Business of the Year award by the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, and the M&T Bank Woman of Achievement Award.

She is also the author of two books: “Breakthrough Results” and “Divorce: The Answers You Need Before, During & After”. Her doctoral study is entitled, “The Relationship Between Office Aesthetics and the Decision to Engage a Professional Service Provider,” and can be found here.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/detorres-and-degeorge-llc/ 

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

Joanna Everitt is CGI’s Vice President of Consulting Services for the Life Sciences Sector and is a member of the leadership team. She has direct responsibility for P&L management, business development, service delivery, member management and operations for the life sciences sector in the New York/New Jersey Metro. Joanna joined CGI in 2023 and has over 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry spanning research, commercialization, manufacturing, quality and corporate strategy, most recently at Merck where she led enterprise-level transformation with business leaders to optimize end-to-end value chain to ensure patients globally have access to lifesaving and life-improving medical innovations. Joanna is a Chemist, specializing in laboratory automation and robotics. She co-founded an internal innovation organization, igniting employee engagement through design thinking, effective communication, and visual design to create financial, operational, & value across all business functions and was recognized in 2020 by Fast Company. Joanna is also the leader of CGI’s Women’s Mentorship Program where she oversees a group of 20 mentors/mentees, helping to create future women-leaders in STEM. Joanna holds a BS in Biology from Clearwater Christian College and a Master of Business Administration from Fox School of Business at Temple University.

Sandra Fava is the founder and managing attorney at Fava Law, a family law practice dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal counsel to individuals and families in transition. Sandra brings extensive experience, in-depth knowledge, and a commitment to finding tailored solutions to her clients’ unique needs.

With a career dedicated exclusively to the practice of family law, Sandra has successfully represented clients in a wide range of matters, including divorce (high net worth), child custody, spousal support (executive compensation),  property division, debt allocation, domestic violence, appellate matters, mediation and arbitration, and high conflict matters. She understands that these issues are deeply personal and often emotionally charged, and works closely with her clients to develop personalized strategies that prioritize their individual goals and well-being.

​Sandra is known for her ability to provide clear, practical advice while also offering unwavering support during challenging times. She is a skilled negotiator and litigator, but she also believes in exploring alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, whenever possible.

Sandra is a graduate of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and Seton Hall School of Law.  She resides with her husband Chris and three children and serves as a board member for CASA of Morris and Sussex counties. Sandra loves pickleball, reading and traveling

As Managing Director at OneTeam Financial, Gina’s role is multifaceted—managing client relationships, fostering employee development, and spearheading business expansion. She is passionately dedicated to enhancing the client experience, driving engagement, and achieving sustainable business growth.

With over two decades of experience as an investigator for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Gina honed my skills in protecting vulnerable individuals like seniors from unfair practices. Gina is fiercely dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the clients and professionals she serves, and it all starts with strategic partnerships that expand, reach and enhance OneTeam’s service offerings.

Gina’s journey in financial planning was fueled by a deep belief in OneTeam Financial’s vision: to bring together a group of specialists who simplify the complex and provide peace of mind. She continuously educates herself on industry trends and personal development by participating in local and national forums and panels. This dedication ensures that she remains at the forefront of our industry, ready to offer cutting-edge solutions.

At OneTeam Financial, they believe in the power of collaboration. Gina has been instrumental in developing turnkey and customizable educational programs that provide a comprehensive roadmap to financial success. Our programs, built on five core areas, give individuals and businesses access to a team of specialists who deliver simple solutions to sophisticated strategies. Her commitment to service excellence and personal solutions is unwavering, as she strives to exceed expectations and deliver the unexpected.

What sets Gina apart is her relentless drive to make a meaningful impact. She thrives on being a difference maker—improving lives and ensuring families are well-protected and prepared for their financial futures. As part of our six-person executive leadership team, she leverages her expertise to create strategic partnerships that empower clients and industry professionals.

Looking ahead, her goal is clear—to continue making a difference by connecting and matching industry professionals to enhance the lives of those OneTeam serves. She is committed to driving positive change, ensuring financial success, and creating a legacy of well-being for clients.

In her spare time, Gina enjoys giving back to the community by staying actively involved with organizations like Holiday Express, Princeton Medical Center Foundation, Eden Autism  and served for many years on the Board of the American Red Cross – New Jersey Region. She is dedicated to empowering women through my association with Impact 100 and the Philanthropic Education Organization.

Jacqueline Ferraro is an Advocate, Strategic Advisor, Founder, and connector in the cannabis industry. Ms. Ferraro entered the cannabis space in 2017, when it was wildly unpopular, as an advocate in policy and communications at the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association (NJCIA). Ms. Ferraro was instrumental in spearheading several initiatives, including helping draft both the NJ expanded medical bill and adult-use legislation, and hosting trips for legislators to visit cannabis-friendly states to bridge the gap in a way that yielded meaningful progress in New Jersey’s medical and adult-use programs. Ms. Ferraro’s cannabis work spans the nation, advocating for best practices in several states such as New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, Tennessee, and more. She has spent time on Capitol Hill advocating for SAFE Banking Act. Ms. Ferraro previously served in the capacity of strategic advisor and government relations for 4Front Ventures.

In 2018, Ms. Ferraro founded Cannability, LLC, a cannabis government relations firm. With a comprehensive understanding of political landscapes, Ms. Ferraro excels in navigating the complexities of local and state processes. Her firm frequently collaborates with governing bodies throughout all levels of government in support of her clients. She works with clients throughout the supply chain to define, develop, and execute strategic plans for applying and operating as cannabis license holders, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and advocating for their interests at every level of government.

In 2019, Ms. Ferraro was named by Insider NJ on its Insider 100 Power Player list. In 2021, she was recognized on the Cannabis Power List, named one of the top 21 people to watch in 2021 by Cannabis Insider, and included in Insider NJ’s 2021 top 100 Policymakers. In 2022, Ms. Ferraro was included on Jay Lassiter’s Insider 100: Cannabis Power list.

In 2020, Ms. Ferraro co-founded the Cannabis Advisory Group (C.A.G), a women-led 100% volunteer-based 501 (c)(3) policy group, made up of cannabis professionals with expertise in cannabis policy, regulatory compliance, business, social justice, economics, science, and medicine. C.A.G. is united in the desire to maximize the context for legal access to cannabis, both in medical and adult-use markets. With decades of experience across a robust cross-section of industries, the group not only sees the vast potential of this emerging industry but also recognizes the challenges associated with an expanding market. C.A.G. focuses on sourcing “best practices” guidance from established cannabis-friendly states, industry operators, advocates, and thought leaders to provide to public sector stakeholders involved in legislation, rulemaking, regulation, and municipal decision-making. C.A.G. educates and advocates for the “why” of medical and adult-use cannabis and provides actionable perspectives on the “how” of the development of legal access to cannabis at the state and local levels. C.A.G. supports and has donated to several worthwhile causes throughout the northeast region.

Prior to entering the cannabis industry, Ms. Ferraro built a 20-year career in corporate America, working her way up from Account Executive to Senior Vice President of Sales in the light industrial staffing industry. Through hard work and perseverance, Ms. Ferraro successfully negotiated hundreds of millions of dollars in partnership agreements with Fortune 500 manufacturing facilities and distribution centers. Ms. Ferraro is accustomed to precise needs assessment, innovative solution building, extensive domestic travel, and fostering long-term professional relationships with CEOs, SVPs, and VPs. She holds a proven track record of building high-performing teams to exceed client expectations, generating results quickly, and surpassing goals across the board.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Ms. Ferraro proudly participates in various political campaigns to help strategize and GET OUT THE VOTE. Additionally, her experience includes implementing and executing strategic volunteer efforts, fundraising, and candidate branding. Ms. Ferraro’s business acumen, political awareness, and ability to establish long-term trusted relationships provide her broad range to effectively navigate through the cannabis space.

Ms. Ferraro is a member of several organizations such as National Cannabis Industry Association, Cannabis Association of New York, New Jersey Business Industry Association, to name a few. She has served as a moderator for several cannabis-focused panels, including the New Jersey Business Industry Association and the New Jersey Planning Conference – Cannabis: There’s No Place Like Home(rule) in both 2021 and 2023. In 2022, Ms. Ferraro was invited to speak at the nation’s largest annual cannabis conference, MJBizCon. She is often invited to speak on panels for noteworthy organizations such as the New Jersey Reentry Program and the Urban Mayors Conference held in Atlantic City, in addition to collaborating with thought leaders, advocates, and legislative leaders at local, state, and federal levels.

Paula is a recognized influencer in the accounting profession — she is the Assistant Office Managing Partner for Forvis Mazars’ NY Metro Region and the NJ market leader. In addition to her leadership responsibilities, she delivers an Unmatched Client Experience® to privately held businesses spanning a range of industries, including tax advisory and estate and gift strategies to individuals, business owners, and family groups. Paula’s more than 20 years of experience encompass tax planning and business consulting services, augmented by her solid background in individual, corporate, partnership, and LLC tax issues. As a proactive leader, mentor and trusted advisor, Paula works collaboratively with local community leaders in growing businesses throughout the state. She is the chair of the NJCPA – PAC committee and is active in the NJCPA State and Federal Taxation interest groups. She has been named to the ROI Power in accounting list, NJ Biz’s leaders in finance, and has also received the NJCPA Ovation award for Women to Watch.

Dawn Fitch is an author, speaker and the founder and CEO of Pooka Pure and Simple, an artisan bath and body company.  After battling illness and feeling the need to adopt a healthier lifestyle, she began making and selling her own products.  The response was tremendous.  That’s when the realization hit that she had an incredible business idea and Pooka was born!

The company has grown from Dawn making products on her stove in her apartment to a showroom in Kearny, NJ.  The products are currently sold in various Whole Food markets, were featured on QVC and sold online and through various distributors.

Dawn has been a speaker and panelist for many events including the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference, Girl Scouts of America Gold Awards and National Black MBA Associations’ National Conference. She has been featured on The Today Show, CBS Evening News, Our World with Black Enterprise, PIX11 News, Arise TV and various TV outlets.  In 2012 she graced the cover of Black Enterprise Magazine and was featured in Essence Magazine in 2019 as one of their top 20 Black Beauty Brands.

Dawn has been the recipient of many awards including, The Influencer Award for Entrepreneurship given by the Urban League, the Black Executive Award given by the African American Chambers of Commerce, and an Agent of Change award from the National Council of Negro Women.

After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she became a health advocate and uses her platforms to support women and especially women suffering from auto-immune diseases, to explore natural healing and lifestyles.  She started a FB community called The Best Life Tribe, where women could share and learn about alternative health and healing.  The Group began in November 2017 with 20 women and has grown to over 5600 women.

Dr. Barbara Gaba was appointed the ninth president of Atlantic Cape Community College in January 2017, becoming the first female and first African American president in the college’s 50-year history. With extensive experience in higher education, she is deeply committed to the mission of the community college to provide affordable educational pathways for student success.

Prior to joining Atlantic Cape, Dr. Gaba served as Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Union County College (NJ). She also served as Dean of Academic and Student Support Services at Camden County College (NJ) and Associate Director, Office of Board Affairs and Government Relations at the New Jersey Department of Higher Education.

Since assuming office, her accomplishments include improved campus technology infrastructure and facilities upgrades, such as the Innovation Center at the Mays Landing Campus and Wind Training Center in Atlantic City; rebranding and enhanced marketing initiatives; revitalized community engagement projects; increased high school partnerships including articulations, dual enrollment and Early College programs; and partnerships with various entities to advance economic development in the region.

During her 35-year career she has served as a teacher, researcher and administrator and has been devoted to working with underserved, underrepresented students.

Dr. Gaba serves on various boards and committees including Atlantic County Economic Alliance (ACEA); Greater Atlantic City Chamber Board of Directors; National Aerospace Research and Technology Park (NARTP); and the Ocean Wind Pro-NJ Grantor Trust Advisory Committee, to name a few.

She also serves as Co-Chair of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) State & Federal Policy Committee, and she is a member of the NJ Presidents’ Council (NJPC). At the national level she serves on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC); the board of the Chair Academy for Leadership Development; and the Higher Education Research & Development Institute (HERDI) Advisory Board.

Dr. Gaba is the recipient of several awards including the 2024 Women’s History Month Woman of Distinction Award from the Winslow Township Middle School, 2023 Woman of Achievement Award from the Public Relations Council of Greater Atlantic City; and the John G. Fitzpatrick Community Leader of the Year Award from the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce. She has been named to the “2022 and 2023 Influencers: Women in Business” list by ROI-NJ.com and the list of “African American Women Leaders in NJ” by the South Jersey Journal. She is also an inductee of the Rutgers African American Alumni Alliance Hall of Fame (2021).

Robyn was born and raised in South Jersey and has been with TD Bank for 23 years. The first half of her banking career was in the lending department and she is currently the Regional Retail Manager for the North Jersey Coast Region, which includes Monmouth & Ocean Counties. Robyn is a proven and caring leader, she leads the strategic growth of 24 stores, where she champions TD’s vision with respect to Customer, Employee and Shareholder experiences – with the Employee experience being critical to the success of the Customer and Shareholder. She is involved in the South Jersey Jewish Community, including the Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Center, and Congregation Beth El. Robyn is married and has 4 children. In her spare time, she loves seeing Broadway shows, watching Philly sports, boating and spending time with her family!

Mary Guckert is the Vice-President of Oncology Delivery Unit in Global Development at Johnson & Johnson. She is responsible for driving the strategy and execution of the Oncology Therapeutic Area portfolio. Mary has led teams through strategy development and execution to multiple milestones, including candidate selection and regulatory approvals. She started her career as a cardiac critical care and oncology research nurse and holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration. Mary is passionate about mentoring junior colleagues and is an executive sponsor for diverse women in STEM. She actively volunteers for various organizations and is dedicated to improving cancer care.

Cathey Haigh is the Chief Financial Officer for Hussmann Corporation, promoted to this role in August of 2018. Cathey is an inspirational leader who fosters analytics-based strategic planning across Hussmann’s leadership team to drive corporate growth and instill Profit & Loss accountability.  She champions her Finance and Accounting organization to build cross-functional partnerships across operational business segments and corporate functions to drive process transformation and productivity improvements that optimize corporate health.

In her previous role as VP of Accounting, Reporting and Compliance for Hussmann, Cathey was responsible for accounting under U.S. GAAP, internal and external reporting processes as well as external audit oversight. Overall, she has held various roles across finance & accounting and has been with Hussmann/Ingersoll Rand for 20 years.

Prior to joining Ingersoll Rand in 2003, Cathey was a Senior Audit Mgr. with KPMG and Arthur Andersen spending 9 years in public accounting.

Cathey is also focused on Stewardship and supporting the community as she and her team are engaged with KidSmart, an organization focused on providing underprivileged children in the St Louis area with the tools needed to have a successful school experience, United Way, as well as the St Louis Foodbank. Cathey was also on the Board of Directors for IHelp, an organization focused on teaching English to immigrants in the St Louis area.

Cathey holds a BBA from the University of Oklahoma Price College of Business and is a CPA.

Brittany’s journey, shaped by her time as an undefeated trial attorney, public official, and risk management strategist, led her to establish BND Consulting in 2017. With a deep understanding of the challenges leaders face in today’s rapidly-changing world, Brittany is passionate about providing women leaders with the clarity they need to lead their teams with confidence.

Weaving together a unique blend of executive coaching and strategic advisory, she helps women develop their leadership styles, create stability and structure in their organizations, navigate team dynamics, and embrace a leadership style that is authentic to them, impactful for their organizations, and inspiring for their people. In her work, she’s increased a client organization’s budget by 16%, developed a fundraising strategy that led to the highest growth in contributions in 1 quarter, and reduced attrition from 26% to 0% in 14 months.

Along with founding BND, Brittany co-founded an enterprise peace intelligence startup designed to teach conflict de-escalation. She’s also served as fractional CEO and COO at entrepreneurial-focused nonprofits.

Brittany has been featured in Essence, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Fast Company and been invited to speak at Harvard University, Columbia University, SHRM Inclusion Conference, and the TechCrunch Disrupt Conference. Recently, she received the Top 40 Under 40 Award from NJBIZ. She is a 92NY Women inPower Fellow and a member of the Advisory Council for the Harvard Business Review.

Genevieve “Ginny” Hill is a dynamic executive leader whose career has focused on the empowerment and advancement of women and girls throughout the tri-state area and beyond. In 2022, Ginny was recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a Woman
of Distinction.

Since 2013, she has served as CEO of the Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey, which supports more than 18,000 girls and adult volunteers across nine counties (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, and Salem).

There are 59 million women in the United States who’ve been Girl Scouts, including Ginny, who feels a responsibility to help shape the next generation who will count themselves among that group.

Prior to her role with the Girl Scouts, Ginny served for 10 years as CEO at YWCA Delaware, Inc. She also held senior level positions in banking and IT.

Ginny has been recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners and was named a 2017 “Woman to Watch” by South Jersey Biz magazine. She serves as Treasurer of International Women’s Forum Delaware and Board Member of Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Social Justice Task Force, CEO Connection.

Official Website: https://www.gscsnj.org/
GSCSNJ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/1666571
GSCSNJ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/gscsnj

Melissa brings over 20 years of experience in insurance and business development, positioning herself as a leading authority in her field. She has a strong track record in identifying market opportunities, forming strategic partnerships, and creating tailored insurance solutions to protect assets and manage risks.

In her previous role as Insurance Professional, Melissa specialized in personal lines insurance, providing customized strategies that met her clients’ diverse needs. Her deep industry knowledge and commitment to exceptional service helped clients navigate complex insurance situations effectively. In her current role in business development with Plymouth Rock Assurance, Melissa uses her strategic skills to drive growth. She excels in market analysis, strategic planning, and relationship building, developing initiatives that boost business performance and expand market reach. Her background in insurance helps her find new opportunities and create synergies for various groups, including employer groups, professional and alumni associations, and financial institutions.

Melissa holds an MBA and CRPIA (Chartered Private Risk and Insurance Advisor), reflecting her dedication to ongoing learning and professional excellence. Her results-focused approach, collaborative nature, and passion for innovation enable her to deliver significant value and achieve impactful results for her clients and stakeholders.

Dorothy Kahlau is the Director of the Women in Business program at Valley Bank. This national program is designed to support women during all stages of their career and business — from aspiring women entrepreneurs to well-established executives and anyone in between. Dorothy fosters connections and encourages collaboration between women to help them take their business to the next level. The Women in Business program hosts social and educational events that provide opportunities for growth, learning, and networking.

Additionally, Dorothy is Director of Valley Bank’s Professionals Group, designed to cultivate and enhance the bank’s relationship with various professional firms including law firms and CPA firms.

Dorothy joined Valley Bank in 1983 and completed Valley’s Management Associate program in 1989. She has held various positions within the bank, including leading the NY/NJ commercial bank, the NY/NJ retail bank, and launching a new business banking division.

Dorothy is passionate about the welfare of women, children, and housing, has put her passion into action as a board member of the Passaic County Habitat for Humanity and as a member of the Advisory Council of Homeless Solutions, Inc. She is a founding member of the Corporate Socially Responsible Entrepreneurship & Innovation Council of the Cotsakos College of Business at William Paterson University and is a member of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Silberman College of Business Board of Advisors.

Dorothy received her B.A. in Finance from Pace University in New York City and her M.B.A. in International Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She resides in New Jersey with her husband and two children.

Angie Kalman is a Senior Director of Sales for Slalom, a company renowned for its dynamic and innovative approach to modern consulting.   In this role, she leads a talented team of sales professionals and is responsible for steering the market’s strategic sales initiatives while expanding its presence in New Jersey and across the tri-state area.

On her professional journey spanning more than two decades, Angie has successfully navigated multiple career transitions serving in senior-level roles across healthcare, education, and professional services industries. Finding the common thread amidst seemingly unconnected positions has afforded her the opportunity to succeed as a business owner, executive sponsor, mentor, and leader. A strong believer in continuous learning, she actively seeks opportunities that provide a balance of challenge and growth potential.

She is a graduate of the University of Florida with a B.S in Occupational Therapy.

Kim is the COO of Commercial Underwriting & Portfolio Management at Citizens.  She also leads lending teams who specialize in franchise finance, as well as a Center of Excellence devoted to streamlined account management.

She served as the Director of Strategic Planning and Business Design in Treasury Solutions at Citizens where she owned and directed several strategic initiatives influencing this critical fee and deposit generating segment of the Bank.  Her experience includes commercial real estate, where she led the Underwriting & Portfolio Management platform with responsibility for prudent underwriting and risk management of a diversified commercial real estate portfolio.  In addition, she has acted as Director of Commercial Real Estate Strategy and Credit, where she effectively worked internally and externally to align the evolving strategy of the business with credit policy and governance.

Prior to joining Citizens, Kim worked for Bank of America and PNC in various leadership capacities.  Kim is recognized as an adaptable and visionary leader with diverse experiences in the banking industry, which has resulted in her various roles at Citizens during her ten-year tenure.  She is a change agent who thrives on the uncomfortable and sees the potential within the challenge.  Kim is passionate about leading cross-functional teams to identify and improve inefficient processes and optimize business design, with a proven ability to activate data and analytics to drive business efficiencies and performance results.  She creates a culture of inclusiveness and accountability with a mindset of continuous improvement; motivating teams to achieve their goals.

Kim served as the Chair of the Citizens Women’s Impact Network (WIN), whose mission is to engage, inspire and empower women to thrive.  She participates in a mentoring program sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia and has held a board position with Girls Incorporated of Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.

Kim attended Saint Joseph’s University and has a degree in Finance and earned her Master’s Degree in General and Strategic Management from Temple University.  She is an avid tennis player and a volunteer high school tennis coach

Pamela A. Major, MA – founder of Melia Bloom LLC, is a dynamic speaker, coach, and motivator. As a coach, trainer, and speaker, she helps clients navigate the worthy work of self-discovery “When you know who you are and why you are, self-love becomes easy and advancement an exciting journey!” She takes her clients from transition to transformation to triumph. She holds master’s degrees in teaching and human services counseling/life coaching. Major is a licensed minister.

Major serves as the Interfaith Coalition Coordinator for Mercy Center’s domestic/sexual violence program that educates and empowers women. Major has always had a heart for encouraging women,  as a result, she is serves as a speaker and support coach for Lunch Break’s Womyn’s Worth program. She hosts the b.l.o.o.m. podcast and has a YouTube channel called Melia Bloom TV. Major is a twice published author and has also written one play.

Major also has a passion for youth working with high school (through Project Write Now) and college students at a number of schools helping them understand the importance of transition and how to maximize relationships with self and others to navigate and achieve personal success.

Major is also community-oriented serving on serval local committees including the Monmouth Housing Coalition, Board of The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide,  Asbury Park’s Mayor’s Wellness Committee, and serves as 1^st Vice President of the Central Jersey Club (National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs.). She also serves on a subcommittee of the Governor’s Mental Health Stigma Sub-Committee called the Learning Collaborative.

Joy Matak, Esq. is a Partner at Avelino Law, LLP in the firm’s Private Client Services practice group. With over two decades of diversified experience as a wealth transfer strategist, Joy has an extensive background in recommending and implementing advantageous tax strategies for multigenerational wealth families, owners of closely held businesses, and high net worth individuals.

Adept at navigating the intricate landscape of estate and business succession, Joy crafts customized wealth transfer strategy plans to accomplish even the most complicated estate and business succession goals. She also performs tax compliance work including gift tax, estate tax, and income tax returns for trusts and estates as well as consulting services related to transfer tax planning, asset protection, life insurance structuring, and post-mortem planning.

A sought-after resource in her field, Joy frequently shares her insights through speaking engagements for the ABA Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section; Wealth Management Magazine; the Estate Planning Council of Northern New Jersey; and the Society of Financial Service Professionals. Joy is a regular, monthly contributor to Trusts & Estates magazine and has authored and co-authored articles for the Tax Management Estates, Gifts and Trusts (BNA) Journal; Leimberg Information Services, Inc. (LISI); and Estate Planning Review The CCH Journal, among others, on a variety of topics including wealth transfer strategies, income taxation of trusts and estates, and business succession planning. Joy co-authored a book on the 2017 tax reforms entitled Estate Planning: Estate, Tax and Other Planning after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Casey Moes is a Senior Client Executive for CWT, a global corporate travel management company.  She spent over 20 years on active duty in the United States Army in a variety of leadership and support roles as a military police and force protection officer. Casey served in various law enforcement, protection, or emergency management capacities overseas in Italy, Korea, throughout Africa, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  Casey was privileged to lead Soldiers in combat and stateside a law enforcement capacity.  She was also fortunate to develop cadets at the United States Military Academy as the special assistant to the Commandant for Respect where she mentored cadets in areas of equal opportunity and prevention of sexual harassment.

She holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a master’s degree in Security Management from Webster University.

Casey lives and works in Andover, NJ, is married to Ms. Laurie Morano, and takes pride in her toughest assignment as the mom to twin boys, Levon and Judah.

Pamela Monaco’s career focuses on providing educational opportunities to non-traditional and underserved student populations.  While completing her doctoral studies at The Catholic University of America in English, Pamela taught as an adjunct for several community colleges in the greater Washington, DC, area. This experience proved transformational, as Pamela discovered the vibrancy of the multigenerational, multicultural community college classroom.

Pamela has served as faculty and administrator at a variety of colleges and universities, from two-year colleges to research-intensive universities, but the positions shared a dedication to  underserved student populations. The insights and knowledge to better serve these students– and support faculty and staff providing educational opportunities to these populations– were honed through Pamela’s work at Mississippi Valley State University, an Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the Mississippi Delta; through the experience teaching and working with military students and adult learners in the online environment at University of Maryland Global Campus (formerly UMUC;  as the vice president of academic and student affairs at Wright College, a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) that is part of the City Colleges of Chicago; and now as President of Ocean County College.

She is honored to have been a Fulbright Scholar to Estonia, a National Endowment of the Humanities Fellow, and a graduate of Harvard University’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education.

Pamela Monaco’s career focuses on providing educational opportunities to non-traditional and underserved student populations.  While completing her doctoral studies at The Catholic University of America in English, Pamela taught as an adjunct for several community colleges in the greater Washington, DC, area. This experience proved transformational, as Pamela discovered the vibrancy of the multigenerational, multicultural community college classroom.

Pamela has served as faculty and administrator at a variety of colleges and universities, from two-year colleges to research-intensive universities, but the positions shared a dedication to  underserved student populations. The insights and knowledge to better serve these students– and support faculty and staff providing educational opportunities to these populations– were honed through Pamela’s work at Mississippi Valley State University, an Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the Mississippi Delta; through the experience teaching and working with military students and adult learners in the online environment at University of Maryland Global Campus (formerly UMUC;  as the vice president of academic and student affairs at Wright College, a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) that is part of the City Colleges of Chicago; and now as President of Ocean County College.

She is honored to have been a Fulbright Scholar to Estonia, a National Endowment of the Humanities Fellow, and a graduate of Harvard University’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education.

With two decades of organizational leadership experience and a proven track record of driving business outcomes, Maryann Pagano serves as the CEO of BlackHawk Data responsible for establishing and nurturing the business’s vendor partner and distribution relationships and aligning those with the goals of BlackHawk Data’s customers, delivering an exceptional experience.

Maryann combines her years of customer service expertise with her enhanced leadership knowledge to make impactful decisions in hiring new employees, and developing current employees, to excel for their benefit and that of the company. She also serves as the lead for the organization’s Sales teams and oversees all its marketing activities, extending BlackHawk Data’s reach in the market and enhancing its capabilities to provide customers with the solutions they need to realize success.

Unveiling the Power Within: Empowerment through Purpose with Mayvis Payne

In the realm of beauty, Mayvis Payne is a name synonymous with exceptional skills and boundless creativity. With over nineteen years of experience as a makeup artist, she has graced the sets of film, television, and fashion, leaving an unforgettable impression wherever she goes.

Yet, there’s a deeper essence to Mayvis than meets the eye.

Beyond the artistry of brushes and palettes lies a profound calling, sparked during a transformative moment at a faith-based conference in South Africa. As a featured speaker, Mayvis unearthed a deeper purpose—to uplift, encourage, and inspire women on a global scale.

Today, Mayvis Payne transcends the role of a makeup artist; she’s a dynamic speaker on a mission to empower women to embrace their true potential and purpose. Her journey from behind the scenes to center stage reflects a powerful transformation—one that she shares with unwavering passion and conviction in her speaking engagements.

Are you ready to unlock your potential and embrace your purpose?

Join Mayvis Payne as she imparts wisdom and experiences, guiding you on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a woman of faith, or simply seeking inspiration, Mayvis offers tailored speaking engagements to cater to your needs.

Don’t miss the chance to be inspired and motivated by Mayvis’s story. Discover the power within you and step into your greatness.

Visit www.beautyspeaks.org today to learn more about Mayvis Payne’s speaking engagements and to explore resources for empowerment.

And for those enchanted by the world of makeup artistry, delve into Mayvis’s exceptional skills and products at www.mayvispayne.com.

Contact us now to book Mayvis Payne for your next event and embark on your journey towards empowerment and fulfillment.

www.beautyspeaks.org

Larisa Perlovsky is the SMB Regional Sales Manager for Central and Southern NJ for Optimum Business. Larisa oversees a team of Account Executives that are responsible for helping our small and medium size business customers with their telecommunication needs. Larisa has a varied background in the telecom business world and performed in business-to-business sales for 8 years prior to entering a managerial role. As a top performer, Larisa was promoted to a Senior status and has been on multiple President’s Club Trips. Based on said performance and experience, she brings a collaborative teamwork approach with her sales team to provide a superior customer sales experience. Larisa is truly passionate about her team, their success of helping others is what drives her every day. Larisa holds a BA from Rutgers College and is currently raising a family of 3 alongside her husband in East Brunswick NJ.

Marilyn Petite has over 30 years’ experience in the Aerospace and Defense industry. She joined Marotta Controls in 2002 where she held various positions in Contracts, Customer Service and Operations.

Marilyn has extensive experience with Operations management, having served in several leadership roles with oversight over all of Marotta’s production cells, driving supply chain, purchasing and planning as well as advanced development activities. She previously served as VP, Contracts & Customer Service where she worked closely with her team to create a culture of exceeding customers’ expectations at all levels of the company.

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.

For nearly thirty years, Dr. Deborah E. Preston has been a leader in the community college sector, serving in positions ranging from adjunct faculty member to college provost. In each role, she has put the success of students at the forefront of her efforts and used her considerable talent to bring about positive change for those she serves.

Dr. Preston is currently the President of Mercer County Community College, a responsibility she assumed on July 1, 2022. In this new role, she is focusing on reaccreditation, culture change, fiscal sustainability, community connections, and the revitalization of the James Kerney Campus in Trenton. Before coming to MCCC, Dr. Preston was Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, New Jersey. As provost, she has collaborative responsibility for all units of the College, including academic affairs, student affairs, finance, facilities, human resources, and workforce development. As vice president, her signature project was Access2Success, an initiative she developed to address the equity gap for students of color, first-generation students, and low-income students. In 2021, she was appointed to the American Association of Community College Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, a position she still holds.

Previously, Dr. Preston served for eleven years (2006-2017) as Dean for Visual, Performing, and Media Arts at Montgomery College (MD), leading a unit of over 75 faculty and staff and overseeing arts disciplines on all three campuses. During the 2015-2016 academic year, she completed a special assignment with the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs to develop Montgomery College’s first Academic Master Plan.

Dr. Preston’s career began at Georgia Perimeter College in Atlanta, where she worked for fourteen years (1992-2006) as a faculty member, department chair, and campus provost. At GPC, Dr. Preston was a recipient of the NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award and the Campus Leadership Award. In 2004, she was selected as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow and was one of only two community-college administrators in her class.

Dr. Preston earned her B.A. and M.A. from Florida State University in theatre and English, respectively, and she holds a Ph.D. in English from Tulane University. She frequently presents on topics in leadership and pedagogy at local, regional, and national conferences and has several entries in the recently published reference work, Twentieth Century and Contemporary American Literature in Context.

Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett became the sixth president of Camden County College on July 1, 2022. Dr. Pugh-Bassett previously served as the Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness, Advancement, and Strategic Initiatives at the College since 2021. This marked her return to higher education after 20 years with the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), having served in a number of capacities culminating in the role of Camden County Executive County Superintendent of Schools.

Dr. Pugh-Bassett’s professional introduction to education began in higher education where she served as an instructor and program coordinator for the Math/Science Upward Bound Program at Temple University. After years with Temple, she served as the program director for Upward Bound at the Community College of Philadelphia and transitioned to her work in K-12 at the NJDOE.

Her philosophy of leadership and education is the idea of merging education with advocacy. Her mission can be summed up appropriately as “I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.” Dr. Pugh-Bassett believes that her positioning at Camden County College reflects the essence of her core commitment to community and considers herself fortunate to yet again be given an opportunity to work and serve. She believes that it is, after all, the inherent mission of a community college in its service to its community.

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.

In her role, Rhem leads the customer advocacy department and oversees the Subaru customer experience across all channels ensuring the Subaru Love Promise is present at all interactions with customers. Her team also works to maintain customer and brand loyalty and fosters positive partnerships with more than 630 Subaru retailers to resolve customer issues.

Rhem brings more than 20 years of experience to the SOA executive team. Prior to joining SOA, Rhem was vice president, operational effectiveness at Prudential Financial where she led more than 200 customer service associates managing 480,000 customer insurance claims per year. She previously spent nearly 10 years at Independence Health Group as the vice president, sales support and vice president, customer service and 13 years in various leadership roles at Bank of America.

Rhem holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Spelman College in Atlanta and is on the board of directors at Las Americas ASPIRA Academy (Delaware Charter), and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College.

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.

Nancy Sadlon is an experienced professional with a unique career history, including over 35 years of experience in various industries and career positions. Her career experience began with landscape architecture and environmental planning, environmental consulting, ecological conservation program development and promotion, business ownership, non-profit executive director management, and government affairs work related to pesticides and the environment. Her later career experience focused on strategic communications and public and government affairs management.

Ms. Sadlon is the former Public Affairs Manager for Phillips 66 – Bayway Refinery, where she managed public and government affairs strategic communications, crisis communications, philanthropic giving, and community outreach. Nancy has successfully applied her diverse background to various positions, including strategic philanthropic program implementation. This resulted in award-winning projects that added value to surrounding communities and positive community engagement recognition for the company.

Ms. Sadlon has been a board member of Junior Achievement of New Jersey and Conserve Wildlife Foundation for many years, making a difference in state-wide educational programs and wildlife programs benefiting community youth. She continues volunteering for causes close to her heart and believes developing strong relationships is the foundation of professional and personal success.
An alumnus of Rutger University, Ms. Sadlon continues to work within the state on various issues as a public affairs consultant, helping companies and organizations address public and government affairs and communications challenges.

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.

Lydia Sarfati is the Founder and CEO of Repêchage®, the first company to bring seaweed-based skincare treatments and cosmetics to the U.S market. Lydia Sarfati is an international, award-winning industry leader, with over 46 years of experience as an esthetician, spa owner, manufacturer, author and consultant.

Sarfati serves as President of CIDESCO Section U.S.A, the world’s major international beauty therapy association, and holds a CIDESCO International Diploma. She has been featured in major media such as Vogue, NewBeauty, InStyle, Glamour, Elle, Allure, and the New York Times as well as on CNN, CBS, and FOX. She is the developer of the world-renowned Repêchage® Four-Layer Facial®, what Cosmopolitan UK has called “the best facial of the century,” and created over 30 body and facial treatments for professionals, spas and medi-spas as well as resorts and hotels. In 2023, Lydia was named Most Influential Spa Leader by American Spa magazine.

Repêchage is an ISO 9001:2015 certified, GMPA and FDA registered manufacturing, research, development and training facility in Secaucus, NJ. All Repêchage® professional products and treatments are manufactured in the United States, and are sold in over 50 countries worldwide. Repêchage was named the 2024 New Jersey International Trade Award (NJITA) Exporter of the Year by the New Jersey District Export Council (NJDEC).

Repêchage® was one of five New Jersey companies honored at the Association of Corporate Growth (ACG) NJ in 2018, and was presented with the Hero Award by Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli for service to the community in 2020 and 2021.

Lydia was born in Legnica, Poland. She began her career in beauty as a makeup artist and skin care specialist in 1971, custom-blending cosmetics in a Madison Avenue salon in New York. She received her license in cosmetology, and in 1975, became the skin care manager in a top NYC salon. In 1977, she opened Klisar, her first day spa in Manhattan on 53rd Street off of 5th Ave. In 1980, she launched Repêchage® treatments and products based on seaweed, opening the new Repêchage® Spa de Beauté on Third Ave in 1989, and later in the Galleria building on 57th Street.

Sarfati is one of the pioneers in the field of esthetics in the U.S. setting the professional and business standards for the industry. She has innovated spa services with the creation of her skincare methods, practiced by top estheticians around the world and taught in schools in the US and globally. The Lydia Sarfati Post-Graduate Skin Care Academy, located at corporate headquarters in Secaucus, NJ, offers courses throughout the year. Lydia teaches an online Master Class monthly, and provides advanced education at tradeshows through-out the world. A full roster of courses is also now available at her educational website, www.LydiaSarfati.com .

In 2019, Sarfati was honored with the prestigious CIDESCO Medaille du Merite, and was presented with the “Polish American Woman of the Year 2019” Award by the Polish & American Women Entrepreneurs (WE). In 2020, Sarfati received the ROI-NJ Champions of the C-Suite Award, honoring the top influential CEO’s in NJ. In 2021, Sarfati received the Beauty’s Heroes of the Pandemic Award at the IECSC in Chicago. Lydia was named Most Influential Spa Leader by American Spa magazine in 2023,

She appears nationally and internationally at esthetic trade shows, and conferences, presenting on a global stage from North America, South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Central America, and South Africa. Lydia Sarfati has lectured on subjects ranging from spa management to scientific lectures on wellness, antiaging and solutions for problem, acne skin. She has produced 18 step-by-step instructional videos available on www.LydiaSarfati.com.

She is a frequent contributor to Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa, Dermascope, Skin Inc. and ASCP Skin Deep magazines as well as leading European publication, and is a member of the New Beauty Brain Trust, a group of the leading innovators and most highly regarded experts in the beauty industry.

Sarfati is also author and contributor to several books. Written to provide ongoing esthetics education, The Book of Skincare Science & Protocols is a compendium of skin conditions, skincare and body treatments, and medical esthetics including pre and post-operative care protocols. Written to help salon and spa professionals achieve professional success, Sarfati is also author of Success at Your Fingertips: How to Succeed in the Skin Care Business, published in the US in 2005 and revised in 2020, in Poland in 2014, Romania in 2015 and Italy in 2018. She is also a contributing author to textbooks, including the Milady Standard Esthetics: Fundamentals, Twelfth Edition, (Cengage Learning, 2019) and Oncology Esthetics®, (Oncology Training International, 2020).

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, and founder of their President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. June also served as the Executive

Director for the American Red Cross 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 Institute and

Cultural Anthropologist Contributing Writer for Womenz Straight Talk Magazine. She is also a member of the Distinguished Alumni Committee for

Strayer University and named their 2024 Alumni of the Year. 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.

June spends her free time with her husband, Michael, furry kids Chanel & Louis and enjoying wedding planning with their daughter, Alyssa.

“I am passionate about my purpose, making a significant difference in everything I touch.” Whether in business, relationships, or the community, everything Monica does, as an individual and through her company, has a positive impact. For her, there is simply no other way to be.

Founded by Monica in 1999, Marketsmith, Inc. is one of the country’s largest LGBTQIA+ independent media and marketing agencies owned and operated by a woman. Marketsmith’s operating philosophy is grounded in the idea that technology and humanity are inextricably linked when creating successful consumer-centric marketing. Marketsmith’s ongoing mission is to deliver extraordinary client results by uniting the thoughtful application of data and artificial intelligence with human insight, experience, and creativity.

As CEO, Monica has recruited a winning team of extraordinary humans — smart people who bring passion, purpose, and performance to everything they do. Each team member is dedicated to understanding the client’s business and becoming an extension of that organization, ultimately aiding in growth, and attaining goals. Marketsmith actively recruits, hires, and promotes staff with diverse experiences, enriching our corporate culture and enhancing MSI’s ability to provide industry-best service to business partners. Monica focuses her company’s resources to empower each team member to grow and achieve their career goals. As individuals and an organization, Marketsmith works together to create a positive environment that offers affirmation, celebration, and appreciation of different skills, approaches, and perspectives.

Monica believes in the power of collaboration and is committed to building long-term partnerships with successful clients looking to better their personal bests. Over the past 25 years, Marketsmith has achieved extraordinary results for household names like Shark/Ninja (28% growth in revenue), Tumi ($1MM contribution to bottom line), Bluemercury (69% increase in email conversion rate), and Lovesac (70% YOY sales increase), taking each of them to a significant exit or public. She’s also been instrumental in driving creative and go-to-market design for some of the most extensive behavioral change campaigns in New Jersey history, like New Jersey’s ranking of the 5th highest in the nation for Affordable Care Act enrollments in 2023/2024, the 988 Crisis hotline campaign, and the opioid death rate in New Jersey being down 11% since 2022. With a keen appreciation for the value of close collaboration and creative innovation, Monica has consistently delivered exceptional service and added value for her business partners, whether in creating direct-to-consumer/retail go-to-market strategies or behavioral channel expertise and success.

As a corporate leader, Monica understands she has the power and responsibility to help local and global communities grow stronger, healthier, more resilient, and happier through her professional skills and personal talents. A devoted philanthropist, Monica, with her wife Amy, has established charitable organizations dedicated to wiping out hunger and helping needy animals. Monica enjoys spending time at her farmstead with her wife, Amy, their five children, and the many animals fortunate to have found their way into their care.

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.

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.

Stephanie Staub is the Director of Infrastructure and Energy Sectors Strategy and Workforce Partnerships for the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development. Focused on the NJ Pathways to Career Opportunities initiative, she leads the sector’s statewide inclusive Collaborative as well as two Centers of Workforce Innovation, for Renewable Energy and for Construction.
Stephanie has worked in the construction industry for nearly thirty years, primarily in a labor/management setting with the International Masonry Institute and Architectural Glass Institute. She was a member of Drexel University’s Construction Management Advisory Council and served as adjunct professor for their Glass as a Construction Material course.

Over the years Stephanie has actively participated in a variety of boards and industry organizations, many of which serving in leadership positions. She was Vice President of the Construction Specification Institute’s Philadelphia Chapter and in that role worked closely with the American Society of Professional Estimators. She served on the Board of Directors of the ACE Mentoring Program (Architecture/Construction/Engineering) in both New Jersey and Greater Philadelphia. Stephanie is in the final months of a 12-year stint on the Ewing Board of Education, having served as President and Vice President for nearly half of her years of service.

Kyle Sullender is the Executive Director of Focus NJ – the Center for Economic Research and Workforce Solutions and is also the Director of Economic Policy Research for the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA). Focus NJ is an independent research nonprofit conducting timely, innovative, nonpartisan economic and workforce research to support sound public policy in New Jersey. Sullender earned his Master of Public Policy in 2019 from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University – New Brunswick where he was also a Graduate Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics. Sullender began his career in local government supporting the Camden County Board of Commissioners as a part of the Office of Public Affairs

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.

Robin Berg Tabakin, Esq. is the founder and President of Technoforce LLC. She has extensive expertise in workforce and community development, supplier diversity, and stakeholder engagement. She serves as President-Elect of the New Jersey State Women’s Chamber of Commerce and is the Co-founder and President of the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship Corp., an SBA Women’s Business Center. She is also a founding member of the New Jersey Diverse Business Advisory Council (NJDBAC). Ms. Tabakin served as Chairwoman of the New Jersey Government Records Council from 2007 – 2024 and is a Past President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Supplier Diversity Development Council. Additionally, she served two terms as President of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO). Ms. Tabakin holds an MBA from Rutgers University, a Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Cincinnati. She is a member of the New Jersey Bar. Technoforce is a New Jersey Affiliate Partner of LocalContent.com

For over 25 years, Cal has been teaching, training and coaching professionals and business owners to improve both their business performance and their personal performance.; With C-level sales expertise spanning a broad range of industries and operational experience with Fortune 100 companies to sole proprietorship, he brings an exceptional breadth of understanding to help his clients excel in their sales and management roles.

Please visit https://www.tailwind.sandler.com, for more information.

Tara Thurber is the Founder | Director of Partnerships at DefinedTalent. She is a connector, committed to helping people realize their visions and take action to bring them to life. With over 15 years of experience in recruitment, talent acquisition, HR services and career development, she focuses on empowering businesses and individuals to uncover meaning, direction and purpose in both their professional and personal journeys. Her expertise enables her to focus on innovative, people-centric solutions covering multiple industries and a diverse community of talent. As a certified life and career coach, Tara helps people find their True Core, encouraging them to discover their potential while guiding them toward success and happiness.

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 has worked in the financial services industry for over 25 years. In addition to her current position with PNC, she has held various positions at First Union, Wachovia and Wells Fargo. She started with PNC in 2011 as a Relationship Manager in Business Banking and transitioned to Treasury Management Officer within the Commercial Bank in 2016. During her time at PNC she’s received various awards including Circle of Excellence in 2015, Market All Star in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2023 and Sales Excellence in 2018 and 2024. She was also honored in 2017 as a Top 25 Leading Women Intrapreneur. EWNJ named Jessica as an Honoree in 2022 in their Salute to Policy Makers and Odyssey IP recognized Jessica with their award of excellence for her contributions to empowering women and ensuring equality for all.

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 serving as PNC’s NJ liaison to the NJ Chapters of the WPO. She is presently the Supplier Diversity Chair for PNC’s NJ D&I Council, 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 most recently for 2 terms as VP then President. She is an active Board Member and Funds Development Committee Member of the Girl Scouts Heart of NJ since 2020.

Deborah Visconi is the President and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, the largest hospital in New Jersey and the fourth largest publicly owned hospital in the country. In her more than three decades in healthcare, she has excelled in providing strategic direction, vision, and leadership.

Recognized for her servant leadership style and unparalleled commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and strategic collaborations, Visconi has helmed the Medical Center’s transformation leading to a financial turnaround and 5% positive operating margin. She drove negotiations with major insurers, which led to the hospital now accepting 99% of commercial insurance plans. She has championed the Medical Center’s Foundation and has been instrumental in securing millions of dollars in grant funding to renovate and innovate both infrastructure and services at the Medical Center.

Visconi is known for her passionate commitment to healthcare access for traditionally underserved communities. This dedication has led the Medical Center to create satellite offices in nearby communities as well as establishing CareRite Now primary care centers at Bergen County supermarkets.

Visconi’s efforts have resulted in Bergen New Bridge being selected as a Veterans Community Care Provider, receiving the Joint Commission’s Advanced Health Equity certification, and maintaining leadership in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality in the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index. She is steadfast in the fight against the opioid epidemic, recently overseeing the establishment of the Comprehensive Center for Addiction Treatment which provides an innovative holistic model of care. Under her tenure, Bergen New Bridge received its first Leapfrog A Grade as well as being named a Top Hospital and a Top Teaching Hospital.

Visconi has been recognized as being a healthcare innovator, mentor, and thought leader by numerous organizations and publications. In 2024, she was #8 in the NJBIZ Power 100 List of the most influential people in New Jersey. In 2023, she was named one of the Top 25 People of Color, a Champion of the C-Suite, and a Top Woman in Business by ROI-NJ. NJBIZ honored her with an Icon Award and the Healthcare Professional of the Year Award. She was listed in the top ten of NJBIZ’s Power 100 and was selected for their Health Care Power 50. She was also named a 2023 Becker’s Women CEOs You Need to Know and a 2023 Crain’s Notable Leader in Healthcare.
Board Appointments and professional affiliations include New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA), Hospital Alliance of New Jersey, Care Plus Bergen, Commerce Industry Association of NJ (CIANJ), Eastwick College and Felician University as well as American College of Healthcare Executives, American Management Association (AMA), American Hospital Association (AHA), and America’s Essential Hospitals.

Visconi earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Health Services Administration as well as a Master of Science in Health Care Administration from The New School for Social Research In New York City.

Lukeshia Walker is a multifaceted professional, known as an author, coach, consultant, investor, realtor, philanthropist, and a cherished sister-friend to many. Hailing from South Jersey, this devoted mother of three adult children has a rich background in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. After dedicating eighteen years to the medical claims industry, Lukeshia took a bold leap of faith in 2019. She now leads LW Coaching Institute and Jurnee Consulting LLC as CEO, where she passionately offers life and business coaching, as well as consulting services nationwide. Lukeshia is dedicated to helping women discover their unique paths, creating sacred spaces for them to grow through their visions and a touch of her insightful guidance. Whether addressing personal or professional goals, Lukeshia empowers individuals to achieve the success they aspire to.

Since 2015, Lukeshia has excelled as a determined realtor with Keller Williams Realty, consistently striving for win-win solutions that uphold professionalism and integrity. She also founded The Hason Children Foundation in 2009, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports children who have lost a parent.

Lukeshia’s passion for community service extends to supporting both the youth and the elderly. As the author of three published books, she continually inspires others to pursue their dreams and achieve self-fulfillment. She takes great joy in honoring women who have overcome significant challenges and paved the way for others. Lukeshia’s impressive list of accomplishments includes memberships with the International Coaching Federation, National Association of Realtors, Gloucester-Salem County Board of Realtors, NAACP, and National Association of Real Estate Brokers. She also serves as an Ambassador of Women in Real Estate, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to empowering and uplifting her community.

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.

Michele Zolezi is the General Manager for Pure Soil, New Jersey’s leading recycling and full-service materials management group. In this capacity, Ms. Zolezi is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the business, operations, and management. Pure Soil is the environmental division of the Earle Companies, where she also functions as the corporate Environmental Affairs Executive for Earle which includes divisions in environmental, heavy highway construction, residential and commercial site work, asphalt manufacturing, paving and transportation.
Ms. Zolezi is a distinguished professional with over 30 years of experience in environmental consulting, site remediation, construction and development, material and waste management, and regulatory compliance. Her expertise is further highlighted by her involvement in numerous environmental, regulatory, and legislative committees for industry, trade groups, and business organizations at the state and national level.
Recognized for her significant contributions to the industry, Ms. Zolezi has been honored as a distinguished woman in business and a leader in the environmental and construction fields. A life-long resident of Ocean County, New Jersey, she is deeply committed to her community, engaging in philanthropic activities, and serving as a volunteer and elected official.

Karen Kessler is the founding President and CEO of Kessler PR Group. With more than 30 years of experience in the public relations industry, Karen regularly counsels clients and attorneys on sensitive issues including regulatory inquiries, personnel matters, business practices, and criminal and civil litigation. She represents high-profile celebrities and entities in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East.

Karen is an appointed member of the New Jersey Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct – and in 2023 was appointed as Commissioner of the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission. Karen has served for 10 years as a Director of Northfield Bank where she chairs the compliance and information technology committee. She also serves and has served on Boards of Directors of public companies and leading not-for-profits in finance, health care, and education.

Karen is a regular invited speaker and panelist at meetings of the New Jersey Bar Association and the Institute for Continuing Legal Education. She has served as Board Chair of Atlantic Health and Rutgers University Business School Institute for Ethical Leadership and as a visiting Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics.

A reliably provocative commenter on reputation issues for print and broadcast, Karen has served as an on-air reputation consultant to the “NBC TODAY SHOW” and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Forbes, and others. Her work has been the basis of Oscar-nominated blockbusters and documentary films. She and her work have received dozens of awards from local, regional, and national organizations.

Earlier in her career, Karen served as the Vice President of Corporate Communications for the American Stock Exchange. She was the Director of Transition for New Jersey Governor-Elect Jim Florio and the first female commissioner of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. She earned an AB in economics from Vassar College.

Mary Gay Abbott-Young is the President of the Rescue Mission of Trenton, where she leads key aspects of the organization’s strategic plan and oversees grants, funding, and public advocacy.

She has a passion for helping those who are marginalized and unseen, for speaking up for those whose voices are often not heard, for feeding those who are hungry, for housing those who are experiencing homelessness, and for providing opportunities for those who are seeking recovery.

An active advocate for those in need, Mary Gay serves on several boards, including: Continuum of Care Executive Council Trenton/Mercer County; Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness; Mercer County Homeless Trust Fund; Mercer Count Workforce Investment Board; New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies; New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness; and Trenton Health Team.

Her awards are many, including: Citizen of the Year from the Trenton Council of Civic Associations; The Women of Achievement Award from the YWCA of Trenton; and Community Honoree from The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.

She holds a master’s degree in education from Temple University, and is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

Articles about her have appeared in The New York Times, and she has presented at Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Policy and Research Institute, “TANF at Ten: A Retrospective on Welfare Reform”; Rutgers University, School of Social Work; and Rutgers University, School of Public Affairs and Administration, “Treatment Alternatives for Drug Addiction for the Incarcerated”.

Kiran Handa Gaudioso became CEO of United Way of Northern New Jersey and President of United For ALICE — the organization’s research arm — in 2020. Kiran took the helm after nearly a decade at the organization, leading a national movement that harnesses non-partisan data to fuel lasting change for ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) individuals and families — those who earn above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what it takes to get by in today’s economy.

Kiran grew up in an ALICE family, giving her a deep understanding of the impossible choices ALICE families face daily. Under her leadership, this United Way has deployed the ALICE insights to incubate replicable solutions that are unlocking opportunities for ALICE workers to achieve financial stability in New Jersey and across the country.

A hallmark of Kiran’s career is her dedication to mission-driven organizations working on the ground to address racial and economic inequities with students, adults, and families in diverse communities. Prior to joining United Way, Kiran served as interim CEO and vice president of Program Operations at New Jersey After 3, the public-private partnership that worked to provide safe, quality after-school and expanded learning time programs for 15,000 public school students in New Jersey.
Previously, she developed a teen mentoring and enrichment program at Sponsors For Educational Opportunity, paving the way for New York City teens to reach their academic, personal, and career potential. Early in her career, she was instrumental in establishing AmeriCorps in New Jersey as a policy adviser under former Governor James Florio.

In her CEO role today, she also serves on the United Ways of New Jersey Executive Board. In addition, her commitment to equity extends to volunteer efforts as a trustee for several like-minded organizations, including the Edwin Gould Foundation and Rising Tide Capital. In 2024, she was appointed to the New Jersey-India Commission by Governor Phil Murphy. She served as co-chair of the Third Sector Advisory Council in 2020 to work with public sector leaders across the state to develop relief, recovery, and re-imagination strategies to support ALICE during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kiran has an M.A. in political science from The Eagleton Institute of Public Policy at Rutgers University and a B.A. in political science and policy studies from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.

Paige Comerford of Ocean Township (Monmouth County), New Jersey, just graduated with honors from Clemson University (Red Bank Catholic Class of ’20), with a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in Chemistry in the pre-med track. The 21-year-old applying to medical school, is making the most of her gap year, making a difference with health, wellness, and medical research.

Paige branded and founded Pilates Social Clemson, Clemson, South Carolina’s first and only reformer Pilates studio, in honor of her childhood friend, Mya Lin Terry (Oakhurst, NJ) who lost her brave fight to cancer when the girls were in fifth grade. “Mya inspires me and all of us at Pilates Social to make purpose a part of our passion. In her honor, we will donate a portion of our profits to charities that support our mission.”

Pilates Social now employs 25 people year-round, including students and local residents and has a successful athletic wear clothing line. When Paige discovered a lack of certified instructors in the area, she also formed the PS Apprentice Program to help workers become certified, and she designated $10-thousand dollars for workforce development in tuition reimbursement for employees.

The aspiring pediatric oncologist recently traveled to Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, where she was a medical intern with Volunteers Around the World. She helped set up and operate mobile medical clinics in underserved communities lacking access to healthcare. Paige has worked in multiple medical internships in various disciplines, including physician assisted weight loss and orthopedics. She is a Child Life Volunteer at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina, a life-long Girl Scout, and contributed to valuable COVID-19 research at the REDDI Lab at Clemson which helped to quickly identify the rampant spread of Omicron variants in Upstate, SC, during the height of the pandemic.

Youcy Dayanna Fuentes was born in Cali, Colombia, and emigrated to the United States at the age of five. She is employed as a Surgical Processing Technician at Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center. Youcy recently completed her Associate’s degree as a Surgical Processing Technician with a 3.98 GPA, and has been accepted to Berkeley College’s Health Services Management program to pursue a Bachelor’s degree this fall. She holds the CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) certification. Youcy was inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society, honoring adult and nontraditional students who maintain a high level of academic success. Youcy recently shared her experiences as a healthcare professional with Newark youth to enhance students’ awareness of career pathways. Youcy is fascinated by forensics, and hopes to expand her knowledge in the area of forensic nursing, working at the intersection of healthcare and criminal justice. She is the mother of two boys with autism and advocating for inclusivity among special needs individuals is a big part of her life.

Isabella Gaudio is an intern at MARGIN and an assistant to the manager at Kumon Math and Reading Center in Cliffside Park, NJ. Isabella is proficient in Microsoft Office and various social media platforms. She has experience working with large datasets, operating a business, and creating marketing plans. Currently in her last year at Montclair State University as a Presidential (Merit) Scholar, Isabella hopes to have a rewarding career that will leave a positive impact on the world, making it a better place for future generations. In May of 2024, Isabella was awarded a certificate of achievement from the New Jersey Collegiate Business Administration Association for being in the top 1% of students studying business in the state – a symbol of Isabella’s dedication to her studies.

Cynthia Santos is pursuing a degree in Business Administration – Management at Berkeley College and is employed as Director of Operations for Infra Tech Engineering, LLC, in the traffic and transportation engineering space. After raising her family, she opened a small business in event planning, Cynscreations4u, LLC, and is passionate about how a degree in Business Management can bring her talents to the next level. “When I first became a mother, I felt a strong drive to create things and develop new ideas,” Cynthia said. “This drive led me to expand my talents to help others, which motivated me to establish my LLC and start turning my talent into profitable income.” Upon completing her Associate’s degree in December, she plans to continue her education through a Bachelor’s degree program and MBA. Cynthia is excited to implement everything she has learned into her future business plan for long-term success.

Jessica Schneider and I am the proud mother of a remarkable 8-year-old boy. We enjoy riding bikes and spending times with friends on the weekends. After serving in United States Army, I ultimately found my way to Hussmann Corporation. I have been supported in my growth and been provided the opportunities needed to progress to where I am now as a Project Manager of our Refresh department. This coming semester I will be continuing my education at Lindenwood University to earn my BA in Business Administration. I thoroughly enjoy the life that I have built for my son and I and look forward to what the future holds.