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Home2024A to DROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — A to D
Home2024A to DROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — A to D

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — A to D

It’s time to get with the times.

We’ve grown tired of hearing from people who say they can’t find women to run their company, be in a top leadership role, sit on a board — or even be on a panel.

So, we’re leaving them behind.

If you haven’t caught on yet, then please stop reading. And know that history will not be kind to your outdated thinking.

The release of the 2024 ROI Influencers: Women in Business once again shows the state is overflowing with amazingly impressive female leaders who are ready, willing, able and eager to take on any role.

Just scroll through our list of honorees, take in their accomplishments and ask yourself:

Wouldn’t they be good candidates for any and all roles at a company where smarts, work ethic and leadership are required?

It’s 2024. The future is here. And it’s decidedly female.

ROI Influencers

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Adi Adair

Adi Adair Chief financial officer American Dream/Triple Five She’s helping to ensure American Dream stays on track to its ultimate dream — 100% occupancy — while making more public appearances representing the brand.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Sarah Adelman

Sarah Adelman Commissioner, Department of Human Services State of New Jersey She’s taking the lead on the oversight and organization of the $95 million the state will use in (first phase of) opioid settlement monies.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Dr. Karine Airapetian

Dr. Karine Airapetian Chair of psychiatry Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Innovator of care delivery in behavioral health, she is expanding ECT and transcranial magnetic stimulation treatments while helping one of the largest psychiatric divisions in the state.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Stephanie Albanese

Stephanie Albanese Policy and legislative affairs River Crossing Strategy Group She is recognized as an expert on health care issues and policy, including expansion of state’s medical marijuana program. Former adviser to both U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone and state Sen. Joe Vitale.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Melissa Albright

Melissa Albright Vice president of marketing, public relations and enrollment management County College of Morris As a change leader in higher education, Albright was named the 2023 National Rising Star by the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations. She has helped CCM be...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Candice Alfonso

Candice Alfonso Chief diversity officer State of New Jersey The position — always seemingly under fire from those for (and against) diversity, equity & inclusion-type initiatives — takes on an even greater role since the release of the state’s disparity study and its shockingly...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Jane Allerman-Rey

Jane Allerman-Rey President & chief operating officer Spencer Savings Bank Spencer prides itself on being one of N.J.’s strongest community banks — one that has been in business for more than 100 years.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Christine Amalfe

Christine Amalfe Chair, Employment & Labor Law Group Gibbons She oversees lawyers across four Gibbons offices as chair of the firm’s Employment & Labor Law Group. The first vice president of the N.J. State Bar Association, she is co-founder of the internationally recognized Gibbons...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Leslie Amendola

Leslie Amendola Vice president, U.S. marketing and sales Genmab Oversees Genmab’s U.S. sales and marketing organization and is responsible for driving innovative, customer-focused, go-to-market strategies to support the company’s growing oncology portfolio.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Denise Anderson

Denise Anderson Public health consultant Denise Anderson & Associates Social scientist is an expert in public health research and project management. She is helping entities launch new and reimagined health care programs and services.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Marlene Asselta

Marlene Asselta President Southern N.J. Development Council Having served more than three decades in role, Asselta champions the economic vitality of the South Jersey region, facilitating partnerships among business and government leaders and providing advocacy, information and services to SNJDC members to promote economic...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Gigi Atalla

Gigi Atalla Vice president & head of global drug safety and pharmacovigilance Genmab Known for her ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, establish and lead global drug safety teams and develop innovative safety strategies. She is a trailblazer in the pharmaceutical industry.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Yael Averbuch

Yael Averbuch General manager & head of soccer operations NJ/NY Gotham FC Montclair native, a former collegiate star and U.S. Women’s National Team player, helped lead team to championship last year — and has worked to put together an even more formidable team for...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Mishael Azam

Mishael Azam Vice president, external affairs UnitedHealth Group An expert on all things involving health plans, she is a recognized thought leader and the chair of the N.J. Association of Health Plans.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Kathleen Baldwin

Kathleen Baldwin Sales support manager N.J. Manufacturing Extension Program A leader in manufacturing workforce development for more than a decade, she has helped companies gain access to hundreds of training programs — and to numerous Department of Labor training grant opportunities.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Paulina Banasiak O’Connor

Paulina Banasiak O’Connor Executive director N.J. Offshore Wind Alliance A former director of legislative affairs for the governor, she is an expert in infrastructure and clean energy. Serves on boards in Jersey City (Liberty State Park Design) and Atlantic City (Casino Reinvestment Development Authority).

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Jacqueline Baptiste

Jacqueline Baptiste Executive assistant to founder, CEO & president African American Chamber of Commerce of N.J. The behind-the-scenes star that ensures fast-growing organization remains focused on the (many) tasks on hand. She is the heart and soul of the organization.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Dr. Kaitlan Baston

Dr. Kaitlan Baston Commissioner of health State of N.J. The former division head of addiction medicine and medical director of the Center for Healing at Cooper University Health Care, she will be key player in how state uses the hundreds of millions it is...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Jenifer Becker

Jenifer Becker Managing director, wind institute development N.J. Economic Development Authority She’s a public policy strategist and urban planner with 25 years of experience developing programs to advance sustainable development, particularly around issues of green jobs, clean energy and manufacturing.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Maj. Gen. Kris Belanger

Maj. Gen. Kris Belanger Commanding general, 99th Readiness Division Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst A native of Wantage, she is now responsible for providing logistic and administrative support for nearly 45,000 Army Reserve soldiers living and serving throughout the Northeastern United States.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Cathleen Bennett

Cathleen Bennett CEO N.J. Hospital Association The importance of health care — and the hospitals that help deliver it — has never been more impactful. And the challenges hospitals face have never been greater.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Lynda Bennett

Lynda Bennett Partner & executive board member Lowenstein Sandler She’s one of the top insurance litigators in the state, a pioneer in podcasting — and a force for helping other women in the profession.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Staci Berger

Staci Berger CEO Housing & Community Development Network of N.J. Directs statewide association of over 270 community-based organizations aimed at creating more affordable housing. The state is better off because of the work that she and her agency takes on.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Meghan Bianco

Meghan Bianco Director, media relations Taft Communications An expert in both internal and external communication, Bianco is able to serve all of the needs of her clients.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Marcy Bliss

Marcy Bliss CEO Wedgewood Pharmacy She heads the leading compounding pharmacy for animals in the U.S. In addition to overseeing all business operations, she leads the company’s public affairs and issues-management programs and is frequently seen on Capitol Hill. Michelle Bodden Chief diversity &...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Michelle Bodden

Michelle Bodden Chief diversity & inclusion officer N.J. Economic Development Authority Leads the development and implementation of proactive diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives in support of EDA’s efforts to create more inclusive working environments.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Pam Boyd

Pam Boyd Co-founder & president Thomas/Boyd Communications A force inside and outside the office — and within her community. Boyd has unique ability to juggle clients, nonprofit advocacy work and the business side of the firm. Catherine Brennan Chief financial officer New Jersey Institute...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Catherine Brennan

Catherine Brennan Chief financial officer New Jersey Institute of Technology She remodeled NJIT’s annual budgeting process to be data-driven, decentralized and identify new revenue streams.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Laurel Brennan

Laurel Brennan Secretary-treasurer New Jersey State AFL-CIO The first woman to serve in this office in state (one of only seven nationally), she is responsible for the organizational budget and other financial obligations.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Lisa Breza

Lisa Breza Chief administrative officer Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital-Hamilton As CAO, she has administrative oversight of the acute care and ambulatory settings, providing key strategic leadership and direction, enhancing operational processes to achieve key hospital goals.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Vanessa Broadhurst

Vanessa Broadhurst Executive vice president, global corporate affairs Johnson & Johnson A member of the executive committee, she is responsible for advancing strategy across corporate marketing, global communications, health equity and philanthropic giving.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Kelly Brozyna

Kelly Brozyna CEO & state director New Jersey Small Business Development Centers She was able to change the way the SBDC made an impact on the small business thru the state, her leadership and her experience make a difference for small business across the...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Catherine Bryan

Catherine Bryan Co-chair, Complex Casualty Litigation Group Connell Foley A partner in the firm’s Product Liability and Tort Law, Transportation and Insurance Defense practice groups, she regularly represents corporations and individuals at the trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts throughout the...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Merissa Buczny

Merissa Buczny Vice president New Brunswick Development Corp. One of the do-everything players at Devco, where she is overseeing efforts with Helix while leading the operation of New Brunswick Performing Arts Center — among a multitude of other duties.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Coleen Burrus

Coleen Burrus Executive director, corporate engagement and foundation relations Princeton University She has been successful in broadening discussion and creating dynamic new models for interaction by convening nontraditional research partners in the state, the country and around the globe.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Ruthi Byrne

Ruthi Byrne Founder & president Zinn Graves & Field One of the great connectors in the state, she is the sole proprietor of a public relations/public affairs firm that brings endless energy to any campaign.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Elizabeth Cain

Elizabeth Cain Executive director Exchange Place Alliance A key figure in Jersey City development, she spearheaded the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza, Jersey City’s huge Fourth of July Festival, restaurant row and Groove on Grove.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Liz Camp; Lori Rabinowitz

Liz Camp; Lori Rabinowitz Senior vice presidents & financial advisers Green Jade Group, Morgan Stanley Investments It’s not how much you make; it’s how much you keep. Pair has been recognized nationally among top wealth advisers in the state.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Patricia Campos-Medina

Patricia Campos-Medina President Latina Civic Action Her grassroots campaign for U.S. Senate — one that can only raise a fraction of the funds that the frontrunners can — has much greater following that those frontrunners probably thought it would.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Kim Case

Kim Case President; Executive director CN Communications; Research & Development Council of N.J. Oversees entirety of CN operations while also serving as lead of one of its top clients, the R&D Council of N.J., which advocates for STEM initiatives in the state.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Monica Casiello

Monica Casiello Director of business development & marketing U.S. Title Solutions Serves on the board of numerous groups, including Rutgers Center for Real Estate, N.J. Chamber of Commerce, NAIOP N.J. and more.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Dr. Tara Chalakani

Dr. Tara Chalakani CEO Preferred Behavioral Healthcare Group Chalakani is an award-winning clinician and CEO of Preferred Behavioral Healthcare Group, With 30 years of experience in diverse health care fields of nursing, psychology and mental health, she’s recognized as a thought leader and speaker...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Ivy Charmatz

Ivy Charmatz Senior vice president Mercury Public Affairs The highly respected (and highly decorated) TV producer and storyteller is proving to be a valuable, sought-after public relations and media expert.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Hilary Chebra

Hilary Chebra Manager, government relations Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey Few chambers pack as much of a punch at the CCSNJ. She is a key leader in the government relations team that has so much impact.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Lisa Chowansky

Lisa Chowansky President HC Constructors An impactful board member of numerous key organizations, she’s a highly regarded business leader who has made it her mission to give back and encourage more women (and women of color) to join sector.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Joetta Clark Diggs

Joetta Clark Diggs Founder Joetta Sports & Beyond When she’s not cheering on her college-age daughter who is following in her footsteps as a track star, she is serving as a motivational speaker and the head of a foundation that bears her name —...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Sarah Clarke

Sarah Clarke Executive vice president New Brunswick Development Corp. One of the do-everything players at Devco, where she is overseeing efforts with the new Rutgers Cancer Center and expansion of Stockton campus in Atlantic City — among a multitude of other duties.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Mary Ellen Clyne

Mary Ellen Clyne CEO Clara Maass Medical Center Longtime head of one of Essex County’s most important hospitals. She has a proven track record of clinical growth and innovation and more than 30 years of experience as a health care executive, professor, researcher and...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Dr. Hillary Cohen

Dr. Hillary Cohen Chief medical officer Englewood Health One of the top thought leaders in the state, she clinically leads Englewood Health in population health management and preventive health initiatives with a focus on health equity, food insecurity and more.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — DanaLynn Colao

DanaLynn Colao Member Saiber LLC A member of Saiber Labor & Employment Law Practice Group, she has become a go-to employment law attorney for institutions of higher education. She serves as the co-chair of the N.J. State Bar Association’s Higher Education Committee.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Linda Coles

Linda Coles Media relations manager NJM Insurance Group One of best in the biz. She not only develops and manages company’s media plan, but she also is an active member of the company’s crisis communications team, with a focus on anticipating emerging public relations...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Alixon Collazos-Gill

Alixon Collazos-Gill Assemblywoman (D-Montclair) State of New Jersey Long a supporter of encouraging more women (and more Latinas) to run for office, she is now in her first term in the Assembly.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Alexandra Colman

Alexandra Colman Partner EisnerAmper A key player in the corporate tax group, she serves clients in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, retail and distribution, technology, life sciences and pharma, as well as startup tech and internet-based companies.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Tara Colton

Tara Colton Executive vice president for economic security N.J. Economic Development Authority A lot of people talk about solving difficult issues; Colton actually does. Her work on food insecurity through various EDA programs should be a model for all.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Kathleen Connelly

Kathleen Connelly Co-chair, Labor & Employment Practice Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper Co-chair of Labor & Employment Practice and founding member of firm’s Women’s Business Initiative program, which provides mentorship and professional development.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Francine Conway

Francine Conway Chancellor Rutgers University – New Brunswick Oversees more than 300 programs and more than $700 million in research while helping school aim for equity among students, staff and faculty.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Tai Cooper

Tai Cooper Chief community development officer N.J. Economic Development Authority Aims to advance strategies, research and data that will help drive equitable and inclusive economic development policies and programs, with a specific focus on social impact.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Jackie Cornell

Jackie Cornell Executive director Planned Parenthood Action Fund of N.J. At a time when women’s health rights are under fire in so many areas, her already important role takes on added significance.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Emma Corrado

Emma Corrado Chief of staff N.J. Economic Development Authority She’s at the center of one of the most important organizations in the state. She brings experience at U.N., Congress and a federal agency to vitally important role at the EDA.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Donnalee Corrieri

Donnalee Corrieri Chief communications & marketing officer Bergen New Bridge Medical Center The head of communications at the state’s largest hospital is quick to get the word out. She also is an influential and impactful LGBTQ+ and diversity, equity & inclusion influencer.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Claribel Cortes

Claribel Cortes Surrogate; Board of directors Middlesex County; Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of N.J. In a professional career marked by serving others, she also is on the board of trustees at PRAB, which aims to build thriving communities for diverse individuals in Central...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Amy Cradic

Amy Cradic Chief operating officer N.J. Resources An expert in corporate strategy, crisis management, environmental sustainability, policy analysis and land use, she is a model executive in the energy industry and regulated government entities.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Kelly Crawford

Kelly Crawford Co-chair Riker Danzig In addition to leadership role at firm, she heads its Products Liability and Mass Tort Practice Group, concentrating her practice in complex litigation involving mass torts, products liability defense and complex commercial matters.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Sandy Crisafulli

Sandy Crisafulli Owner & president Caryl Communications Highly respected public relations/marketing expert achieved the ultimate dream. Thirty years after starting at the firm in 1992, she worked her way to the absolute top — buying out its founder in 2022.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Megan Cryan

Megan Cryan Senior vice president Avōq Works with clients representing a wide range of industries, including health care, labor, higher education, nonprofit, energy and environment space.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Komal Dangi

Komal Dangi Vice president of strategy & growth Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce She not only has used a successful information technology career of more than a decade to launch six startups on a global scale (she is founder of Synkriom and VeriKlick), but...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Marilyn Davis

Marilyn Davis State director, government affairs Altice USA One of the tops in her field, the former congressional staffer and state government official is an expert in government affairs — and campaigns.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Samantha DeAlmeida Roman

Samantha DeAlmeida Roman President Associated Builders and Contractors of N.J. ABC-NJ is the largest ABC chapter, with over 1,300 members, and DeAlmeida Roman is the youngest ABC chapter president in the country.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Donna DeCaprio

Donna DeCaprio President Unite Here! Local 54 She became the first female leader of this powerful union of casino workers earlier this year, but her impact has been great for years.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Tanuja Dehne

Tanuja Dehne CEO Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Former C-suite executive is now helping to transform Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation into a new model of philanthropy that democratizes power, redistributes wealth and shifts economic control to communities in ways that are just and regenerative for...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Sonia Delgado

Sonia Delgado Strategic adviser Princeton Public Affairs Group She has more than 20 years of experience in the analysis and management of legislative and regulatory issues in public sector, corporate and health care settings.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Beth Dohm

Beth Dohm Executive vice president The Zita Group Brings years of experience in a broad range of policy issues, including telecommunications, health care and general business. A leader in association management.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Nicole Dory

Nicole Dory Partner Connell Foley With a degree in geology and experience as an environmental consultant, she brings expertise to her practice on environmental and land use transactions and litigation and other complex business litigation matters.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Tara Dowdell

Tara Dowdell Founder & president Tara Dowdell Group It’s always been about purpose for the award-winning public relations and marketing agency that is driven by a passion for helping socially conscious organizations, institutions and businesses grow.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Janellen Duffy

Janellen Duffy Policy & legislative affairs River Crossing Strategy Group Veteran adviser to policymakers on state and federal level, she will lead the firm’s education practice and will co-lead the firm’s nonprofit practice.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Liz Dwyer

Liz Dwyer Director of sales & sponsorships ROI-NJ We salute one of our own: When it comes to sales, there’s no one better in the biz.

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