NJBIA will honor five standout college students with “Rising Star Awards” when hundreds of business leaders, entrepreneurs and students gather for the 10th Annual New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum Sept. 25-26 in Atlantic City.
The honorees include Paige Comerford, of Ocean Township; Youcy Fuentes, of West New York; Isabella N. Gaudio, of Ridgefield; Cynthia Santos, of Staten Island, New York; and Jessica Schneider, of St. Charles, Missouri. All five have distinguished themselves by their academic work and continued service to their communities.
The 2024 New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum, powered by NJBIA, is the state’s largest professional women’s conference. The event will bring together hundreds of women and men for engaging workshops, dynamic TED-style talks and one-on-one coaching opportunities. The Rising Star winners will be recognized during an awards ceremony on the first day of the two-day event.
“We are thrilled for the paths that are being forged by this year’s outstanding Rising Star honorees,” NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka said. “They have very inspiring stories to tell and demonstrate a passion for their career paths, academic success, and a commitment to their communities during their undergraduate careers.
“We are proud to recognize the accomplishments of five young ladies who are destined for great success,” she said.
The five Rising Star winners are:
Paige Comerford, Clemson University
After witnessing her childhood friend Mya Lin Terry battle with cancer in the 5th grade, Paige Comerford, of Ocean Township, decided at an early age she was destined to become a physician.
“[Mya’s] face lit up as she told me about her doctors at St. Jude’s. She said they were funny, caring, great listeners, brilliant, took the time to play games with her, and worked hard to help her feel better,” she wrote in her medical school application essay. “I wanted to be everything she described, and it was that moment that I began my journey to be a physician.”
The aspiring pediatric oncologist recently traveled to Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, where she was a medical intern with Volunteers Around the World helping to set up and operate mobile medical clinics in underserved communities lacking access to healthcare. Comerford has also worked in multiple medical internships in various disciplines, including physician assisted weight loss and orthopedics.
While attending Clemson University, where she graduated with honors as a pre-med student, Comerford developed a neurological condition that hindered her ability to work out in the way she was accustomed. In response, she founded Pilates Social Clemson for low-impact, but high-intensity workouts.
“Mya inspires me and all of us at Pilates Social to make purpose a part of our passion,” she said. “In her honor, we will donate a portion of our profits to charities that support our mission.”
Youcy Fuentes, Berkeley College
Fuentes, of West New York, is a mother of two completing her Associate degree as a surgical processing technician and has been accepted to Berkeley College’s Health Services Management program to pursue a Bachelor’s degree this fall. She aspires to go into forensic nursing to use her knowledge of healthcare to help care for victims of crime.
“It has been so hard to balance being the mother I want to be, going to school, and working to help support my family,” Fuentes said. “There have been times I have wanted to give up, but I know my children need me to succeed. My goal is to give them the life they deserve.”
Fuentes, who currently works as a surgical/sterile processing technician at Palisades Hackensack Meridian, was inspired by her mother, a nurse, and her sister, a surgical processing technician, to choose a career in healthcare.
“At first, I was afraid to go back to school, as I doubted my abilities, [but] with hard work and determination I found I could succeed,” she said.
Fuentes recently shared her experience and insights as a healthcare student during the Newark Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), hosted by Berkeley College. The SYEP seeks to enhance students’ awareness of career pathways and expand work-related social skills through knowledge and mentorship.
“It was an honor to teach a class and make a positive influence on the high school students,” she said. “I absolutely love my job, and I hope I was able to make an impact on someone’s life.”
Isabella N. Gaudio, Montclair State University
Gaudio, of Ridgefield, is an intern at MARGIN working toward a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing as a Presidential Scholar at Montclair State University. She hopes to positively impact the world by working at companies that benefit society.
In May of 2024, Gaudio 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.
“Isabella Gaudio is a natural leader who uses empathy and respect to inspire and encourage others to give their best,” said Claira Zambon Versland, a Marketing Instructional Specialist at Montclair State University. “She is a true rising star with a brilliant future, and I can’t wait to watch her professional achievements.”
In addition to her work at MARGIN in Montclair, where she organizes large data sets and prepares social media posts, Gaudio is also a tutor and assistant to the manager at the Kumon Math and Reading Center in Cliffside Park.
“At her job at Kumon, she is in a leadership role; when the manager is unable to go to work, Isabella is in charge of running the center. She ensures everything goes smoothly,” Versland said. “I had the chance to witness Isabella’s leadership skills in a semester-long group project. She naturally took the role of the group’s leader, ensuring everyone was headed in the right direction and fostering an environment where communication was encouraged.”
Cynthia Santos, Berkeley College
Santos, of Staten Island, New York, is pursuing a degree in Business Administration – Management at Berkeley College and opened a small business in event planning, Cynscreations4u, LLC.
“When I first became a mother, I felt a strong drive to create things and develop new ideas,” she 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.”
Santos said that her short-term goal is to absorb the skills and resources Berkeley has to offer, while her long-term goal is to purchase an event space for Cynscreations4u, where she can apply her business knowledge.
“Adding college to my busy schedule was thrilling, but I was also very fearful,” she said. “Still, I decided to make a change to better my future not just only for myself but also for my children.”
Santos volunteers alongside other Berkeley College students, faculty, staff, and alumni at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside. During one recent shift, she was part of a team of volunteers that packed 900 containers of food for those in need.
However, between 2021 and 2023, Santos was the victim of multiple car accidents that left her in pain and tested her determination.
“Every day I wake up and go to sleep in pain,” she said. “But I never want my kids to feel they can’t do anything they put their minds to.
“I always tell them If they want something they have to strive for it and reach high because no one else will do it for them. [My] motto is: ‘Never give up, strive for what you want, and never let anyone take away your goals. Always remember it’s mind over matter!’”
Jessica Schneider, Lindenwood University
Schneider, of St. Charles, Missouri, a mother and veteran of the U.S. Army, is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lindenwood University.
Parallel to her studies, Schneider works at Hussmann Performance Parts as a project specialist where she’s seen great success.
“I was just promoted to Project Manager at Hussmann Performance Parts. This is my third promotion in only a few years,” she said. “My current main focus is to continue to strengthen my skills as a project manager while also continuously seeking out new education opportunities to prepare me for future career growth.
“I see myself in a leadership role with a talented and driven team. I have had exceptional role models cheering me on and helping me develop, from whom I will continue to seek advice; I am confident and driven to be that kind of leader some day!”
In addition to very actively participating in volunteer opportunities at United Way and the American Cancer Society, Schneider also routinely volunteers at CARESTL Animal Shelter, caring for and fostering stray cats, and with the Boy Scouts of America.
