NJBIZ on Monday published a retrospective of Michele Siekerka’s 10 years as president & CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, highlighting the key successes during her tenure and her unwavering ongoing efforts to improve the state’s business climate.
The wide-ranging interview delved into NJBIA’s leadership as the go-to information resource for businesses during the pandemic shutdowns and their advocate for safe reopenings; the fight against business tax increases; and the key workforce development partnerships NJBIA has forged with manufacturers and higher education.
“Throughout her stint in this position, Siekerka has helped NJBIA … through a number of different initiatives collaborations partnerships and more,” NJBIZ said. “In the process, she and the organization have become an even bigger and bolder voice for New Jersey business community on topics ranging from the budget and recent corporate business tax fight to day-to-day issues to the pandemic recovery and everything in between.”
NJBIA’s success in mentoring the next generation of business leaders through the NJ Women Business Leaders Forum, which over 10 years has grown to become the largest most impactful conference of its kind in New Jersey, was also highlighted in the article.
“This issue is critically important,” Siekerka said. “And it’s not just about ‘the right thing to do.’ You can read any study that’s out there. When you have diversity in the C-Suite and the boardroom, your return on investment is twice – if not tenfold.”
Siekerka told NJBIZ the most fulfilling part of her job leading the state’s most influential business advocacy organization is the opportunity to work directly with job-creators.
“It’s incredibly empowering to see how businesses engage their workforce for the good of the workforce, the good of the economy and the good of the state,” Siekerka said. “Great leaders make great businesses that make great communities. And we have some amazing, amazing business leaders and business owners here in the State of New Jersey.”
Go here to read the entire NJBIZ article.
