The Monmouth-Ocean Development Council said it recently appointed Jodi Grinwald as its new CEO. With an extensive business background and a proven track record of leadership, Grinwald brings nearly two decades of knowledge and experience to the role.
Grinwald will be replacing Ben Waldron, who was a past MODC president and held the executive director position for over 24 years. Under his guidance, the organization has achieved remarkable milestones, spearheaded numerous initiatives and strengthened its position as a prominent advocate for the business community.
As the CEO of MODC, Grinwald will lead the organization in its mission to grow and connect businesses that will foster economic growth, development and regional success in Monmouth and Ocean counties. With a keen understanding of the local business landscape and corporate relationships, she is poised to drive innovation, cultivate strategic partnerships and advocate for the interests of MODC’s business community members.
Grinwald’s experience includes serving as vice president of development and executive director for several national nonprofits. She co-founded her own 501(c)(3) organization, the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation, which fully funded performing arts instruction for hundreds of children and teens in need.
Through Grinwald’s transformational and career coaching business, Today is the Day, she provides consulting, training, coaching and ongoing mentorship for individual clients and dozens of boutique and Fortune 500 businesses. In 2020, she started the Today is the Day Changemakers podcast and YouTube channel to highlight the stories of changemakers, self-starters and those who disrupt the status quo across the globe — including CNN Heroes, CEOs, professors, authors and more.
In 2022, Grinwald established the virtual Changemakers International Forum to connect changemakers to each other and to foster new and deeper connections, business opportunities and friendships.
“In this ever-changing economic landscape, it is most important for the MODC to stay attuned to the needs of our business community. As an organization that is focused on economic and business development, advocacy, networking and collaboration, it is important to me that we structure membership benefits, events and opportunities in a way that will help our MODC membership family and business community thrive. We must key in to those who have institutional knowledge and create more opportunities for emerging leaders in our area. Overall, we must ensure that all who we advocate for have a seat at our combined tables,” Grinwald said.
