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.

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/

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.

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/ 

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Margie is currently a Director-Consulting Services in CGI’s East Business Unit. She is responsible for the unit’s business development and industry partnerships and manages marketing and branding activities.

Prior to joining CGI, Margie was the Chief Economic Development Officer for Choose New Jersey, a privately-funded non-profit economic development organization whose mission is to work together with the State of NJ to retain and attract businesses in NJ, where she led all business development efforts including Governor-led international trade missions and international/domestic outreach. Prior to that, Margie had over 30 years of public sector experience in economic development, including 26 years with the NJ Economic Development Authority where she led various divisions including Business & Community Development, which was responsible for outreach to public and private entities, setting policy and developing regulations and the application processes for all loan, incentives and EDA-managed state agency programs; and Lending Services, which was responsible for all loan management and closing services.

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.

Vice President, Customer Advocacy Renee Rhem is Vice President, Customer Advocacy for Subaru of  America, Inc. (SOA). 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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.