The Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) recently honored two NJBIA board members, Deanna Sperling and Celestina Quintana, at its annual Women of Vision Awards Breakfast, an event that recognizes professionals who are inspiring the next generation of female leaders.
More than 260 entrepreneurs and corporate professionals attended the event on May 1 at Nanina’s in the Park, in Belleville, for the awards celebrating leaders who exemplify courage, leadership and empowerment and who passionately champion the advancement of girls in their communities.
The 2024 Women of Vision winners are:
- NJBIA Trustee Deanna Sperling, the president and CEO of RWJBarnabas Behavioral Health Center, was honored with the GSHNJ’s Inspiration Award.
- NJBIA Trustee Celestina Quintana, the owner and operator of multiple McDonald’s franchises, was honored with GSHNJ’s Trailblazer Award.
- Attorney Calvin Souder, the founding partner of the Souder, Shabazz & Woolridge Law Group in Newark, was honored with the Man Enough to Be a Girl Scout Award.
“The Women of Vision Awards Breakfast is more than just an event; it’s a gathering committed to uplifting our future leaders and strengthening the Girl Scout movement,” said Natasha Hemmings, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey.
“Congratulations to our honorees Deanna, Celestina, and Calvin, and thank you to our sponsors and attendees, who infuse boundless energy and hope,” Hemmings said. “Together, we are sculpting a world where every girl’s dreams are within reach, lighting a path of empowerment and guiding them to lead with grace and strength.”
The funds raised at the breakfast directly bolster GSHNJ’s initiatives aimed at empowering girls to embrace sisterhood, justice, and equity, thereby enabling them to thrive in their respective communities.
The event was made possible through the generous support of Presenting Sponsor Verizon and Gold Sponsors RWJBarnabas Health and Souder, Shabazz & Woolridge Law Group, alongside the contributions of Citizens, Giddings Consulting Group, Insperity, McCarter & English, McDonald’s, Montclair State University, New Jersey Innovation Institute, New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), NJM Insurance Group, Optimum, Peapack Private, PNC, and Rey Financial Group.
Photo: (L-R) Chrissy Buteas, GSHNJ Board Chair; Deanna Sperling, President & CEO of RWJBarnabas Health Behavior Health Center; Calvin Souder, Founding Partner SSW Law Group; Celestina Quintana, Owner/Operator McDonald’s Corp.; and Natasha Hemmings, CEO, GSHNJ. – Photo credit George Kopp Photography.
