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Home2024Top 50ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Top 50
Home2024Top 50ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Top 50

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Top 50

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 And know that history will not be kind to your outdated thinking.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: Top 50 — No. 1 Gretchen Wilcox

Gretchen Wilcox President G.S. Wilcox & Co. Here is the most incredible statistic of all the incredible statistics around Gretchen Wilcox and her firm. When she founded G.S. Wilcox & Co. in 1994, Wilcox became the first woman in the country to open a commercial...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 2 Audrey Meyers

Audrey Meyers CEO Valley Health System Longtime leader will cap incredible career April 14 with the opening of the new Valley Hospital, which will feature 370 private rooms, an expanded emergency department and much more on a 40-acre health care campus in Paramus that...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 3 Patrizia Zita

Patrizia Zita Founder & CEO The Zita Group She not only is the sole proprietor of the powerhouse Trenton public affairs firm, she is the only woman of such distinction in a sector that has been a boys' club for too long. Zita, who...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 4 Adenah Bayoh

Adenah Bayoh CEO Adenah Bayoh & Cos. She builds restaurants and multifamily housing — but, mostly, she serves as an entrepreneurial role model for all. Bayoh not only is an immigrant living the American dream, but she also is working hard to give other...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 5 Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti

Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti Chief of staff Governor’s Office Her position generally is regarded as the second-most powerful in Trenton. Her background in all things transportation (she is the former commissioner, too) only helps elevate the role. Will be a key player in final year of...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 6 Thai Lee

Thai Lee Co-founder & CEO SHI International She heads the billion-dollar brand (as in, more than $12 billion) that many know for its support of Rutgers Athletics, specifically the football stadium. That recognition will continue for a while, as SHI and Rutgers recently extended...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 7 Kim Hanemann

Kim Hanemann President Public Service Electric & Gas Company has long been a model for service and customer satisfaction. Under Hanemann’s leadership, it is expanding its already-strong reputation as a place where women and minorities can thrive in top leadership roles and throughout the...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 8 Amy Mansue

Amy Mansue CEO Inspira Health She is the highly regarded and respected executive — in all things health care and leadership. She is leading the drive to increase access and quality of care in South Jersey. No. 1 on this list last year, she...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 9 Kristin Peck

Kristin Peck CEO Zoetis After assuming top spot in 2020, she quickly established herself as one of the sharpest — and most caring — CEOs in the country. And one of the most competent: Zoetis stock is up approximately 10% in the past year...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 10 Tahesha Way

Tahesha Way Lieutenant governor State of New Jersey Her role as secretary of state (which she still maintains) is worthy enough of this high placement as, among other things, she has worked to ensure fair elections. Her elevation to LG solidifies it.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 11 Deborah Visconi

Deborah Visconi CEO Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Has worked to ensure the state’s largest hospital provides a large number of services — and provides them with a small-town, personalized feel. Among so many other areas, Bergen New Bridge is a leader in behavioral...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 12 Alma DeMetropolis

Alma DeMetropolis Managing director & manager of N.J market JPMorgan Chase There’s a reason she is asked to serve on so many important boards and committees; the well-known and widely respected banker not only brings decades of financial experience to advise families, endowments and...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 13 Lata Reddy

Lata Reddy Chair; Senior vice president, inclusive solutions Prudential Foundation; Prudential Financial She has long been a key member of Prudential’s long-running commitment to being a good corporate steward in Newark and across the state. It’s one of the many reasons she was asked...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 14 Ranjini Poddar

Ranjini Poddar Co-founder & CEO Artech Longtime honoree of lists such as this, she is the head of the largest woman-owned information technology staffing company in the U.S., serving nearly 100 Fortune 500 companies.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 15 Lori Roth

Lori Roth Global managing partner Prager Metis One of the top accounting execs in the world is based in Basking Ridge. Roth oversees all of the day-to-day operations for the entire firm and provides guidance and oversight to each of the firm’s office managing...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 16 Karen Kessler

Karen Kessler CEO Kessler PR Group She has clients big and small, locally and globally, a true force in the PR world — and the reason she is asked to be on so many boards in so many sectors. The latest: She was just...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 17 Valerie Montecalvo

Valerie Montecalvo Co-founder & CEO Bayshore Recycling Hall of famer oversees family of nine diversified firms that specialize in solutions for environmentally sensitive recycling and solid waste management, making Bayshore one of the top environmental companies in the state.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 18 Susan Hardwick

Susan Hardwick CEO American Water She heads the largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility in the country — one that is helping to modernize a vital infrastructure that desperately needs to be upgraded. And she does it the right way. Hardwick is frequently...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 19 Chaya Pamula

Chaya Pamula Co-founder & CEO PamTen, SheTek and SOFKIN Her company conceptualizes innovative software products — but she makes her mark as a philanthropist. SheTek supports girls in women in technology and all aspects of STEM.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 20 Fran Ehret

Fran Ehret N.J state director Communications Workers of America, District 1 In a state that is decidedly pro-labor, she heads one of the most important — and influential — unions, one that is concerned about key issues that impact everyone,

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 21 Jayne Millard

Jayne Millard Executive chairman & co-CEO Turtle She is the fourth-generation leader of a 100-year-old industrial supply company that works with end users in the industrial, commercial and energy sector. These are the types of companies — and she is the type of leader...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 22 Maria Black

Maria Black CEO ADP In a recent survey aimed at ranking the Top 100 CEOs of companies with more than 500 employees, Black came in at No. 3 overall, with employees praising her style and the fact she worked her way up through the...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 23 Suuchi Ramesh

Suuchi Ramesh CEO Suuchi Inc. A longtime favorite on lists such as these, she is a self-made software specialist who continues to reinvent her brand while maintaining role model status for so many.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 24 Patricia Costello

Patricia Costello Managing partner Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi Firms don’t earn a spot among the best in the state by accident. Costello’s solid and steady leadership makes her one of the best managing partners in the state.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 25 Diane Wasser

Diane Wasser Partner-in-charge, N.J., & managing partner, regions EisnerAmper In the ever-changing world of accounting, she continues to be the steady leader at one of the biggest and most important accounting offices in the state.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 26 Aisha Glover

Aisha Glover Head of Urban Innovation Audible A longtime force in Newark (she led the Community Economic Development Corp. and Newark Alliance before joining Audible), she also is a key player around the state (she’s on board of N.J. Economic Development Authority). The highly...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 27 Melissa Orsen

Melissa Orsen President South Jersey Industries A top executive who formerly led the N.J. Economic Development Authority, Orsen is the first woman to serve as president of South Jersey Industries, and now oversees both South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 28 Laura Matos

Laura Matos Partner MAD Global Strategy She’s one of the top government affairs leaders in the state (and country) — so, it’s no wonder she’s called upon to serve on so many boards and commissions, while being a key leader at this fast-growing national...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 29 Liz Thomas

Liz Thomas Co-founder Thomas/Boyd Communications Her decades-long leadership in the region ensures that her span of influence exceeds even that of her powerfully influential firm. And, like the firm she co-runs, her influence extends well beyond the seven-county South Jersey area.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 30 Alfa Demmellash

Alfa Demmellash Co-founder & CEO Rising Tide Capital She defines what it means to be impactful and influential. A true game-changer, she is now recognized — and lauded nationally — for her nonprofit, which has a proven formula for transforming lives in underserved communities...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 31 Debra Tantleff

Debra Tantleff Founding principal Tantum Real Estate Always a powerful voice for those trying to break into the commercial real estate space, she’s now vice president of the N.J. Builders Association — one of many groups she gives her time and influence. A true...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 32 Balpreet Grewal-Virk

Balpreet Grewal-Virk N.J. commissioner; Senior vice president of community health Gateway Development Commission; RWJBarnabas Health In addition to her work on the all-important Gateway Tunnel project, Grewal-Virk also serves as a senior vice president for community health at RWJBarnabas Health, leading an initiative tasked...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 33 Nicole Meyer

Nicole Meyer President Kushner Cos. From the Gold Coast to the Shore — to a lot of other places (in New Jersey and around the country), Kushner Cos. remains very active. She is a next-generation leader of a firm that is developing next-generation projects.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 34 Becky Button

Becky Button Co-managing director & co-principal, Morristown office Gensler Architecture, design and planning firm has big presence globally — and around New Jersey. From the Gateway Center in Newark to new offices for Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi and Valley Bank, to M Station in...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 35 Dina Opici

Dina Opici President Opici Family Distributing Family-owned business, which started in 1934, is annually ranked on the Wines and Vines Top 10 list of wine distributors in the county. She also serves as vice chairman of the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 36 Leslie Anderson

Leslie Anderson CEO N.J. Redevelopment Authority It’s OK to call her one of the hidden figures of New Jersey development. Few in state history have done more to bring housing to areas that so desperately need it — and are challenged to get it....

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 37 Kathleen Coviello

Kathleen Coviello Chief economic transformation officer N.J. Economic Development Authority As a behind-the-scenes expert who has helped so many companies in so many ways, she has more than earned a rightful place in the spotlight. The EDA, which seemingly adds a new program a...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 38 Christine Guhl-Sadovy

Christine Guhl-Sadovy President N.J. Board of Public Utilities So much of the state’s innovation and clean/green energy programs go through the BPU. Guhl-Sadovy and her board will work to grow the state the right way — which means always keeping the ratepayer top of...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 39 Beth Noveck

Beth Noveck Chief AI strategist State of New Jersey The state’s first chief innovation officer is now the state’s first chief artificial intelligence strategist. In other words, all of the governor’s efforts to create an innovative economy in the state start by putting her...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 40 Michele Siekerka

Michele Siekerka CEO N.J. Business & Industry Association She is the outspoken leader of one of the largest business groups in the state, facilitating partnerships among business, government and academia while championing a competitive business climate, both locally and globally.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 41 Christina Renna

Christina Renna CEO Chamber of Commerce Southern N.J. No one is debating that South Jersey exists — or that she is the key leader and connector for business in the region. Her group’s recent report, “A Busy Policymaker’s Guide to Understanding a Misunderstood Region”...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 42 Debbie Hart

Debbie Hart CEO BioNJ Whether it’s advancing research & development initiatives, championing novel drug approvals or providing insights on all of the variables surrounding prescription drug prices, Hart has her finger on the pulse of the life sciences and pharma industries — still an...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 43 A.J. Johnson

A.J. Johnson CEO N.J. Society of CPAs It’s hard to succeed a longtime powerful voice of an organization; Johnson is showing how it is done. By being everywhere and meeting everyone, she is working to ensure that the growing importance and influence of CPAs...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 44 Linda Doherty

Linda Doherty President N.J. Food Council From food costs to staffing to bags, grocery stores in the state are faced with a variety of issues and remain one of least appreciated sectors in the economy — we just take for granted there always will...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 45 Monica Martinez Milan

Monica Martinez Milan Entrepreneur Various entities She’s now the chair of the Somerset County Business Partnership, but that’s only one of her roles. She is the franchisee and head of corporate events for Stumpy’s Hatchet House, the managing partner of the Tyrol Group and...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 46 Elisa Charters

Elisa Charters Co-founder & president Latina Surge Her role around the state in various nonprofits and higher education (N.J. Institute of Technology board), as well as her efforts in the Hispanic business community, are immeasurable. Her efforts with Latina Surge have national impact. And...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 47 Linda Czipo

Linda Czipo CEO Center for Nonprofits There are more than 40,000 organizations, which account for 10% of the state workforce and $50 billion in spend. Czipo helps them speak with one voice — and helps fight for what they need (a state-level charitable deduction,...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 48 Varsha Waishampayan

Varsha Waishampayan Founder & CEO Wings for Growth Former top-level Wall Street executive now heads nonprofit that teaches mentorship and leadership to midcareer women, helping them overcome the hurdles to taking the next step of their careers.

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 49 Briana Vannozzi

Briana Vannozzi Anchor N.J. Spotlight News She is one of numerous influential and impactful journalists in the state — and likely has the biggest platform, serving as the lead anchor for N.J. Spotlight News. Highly respected across the state — and in the State...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 50 Lauren Nathan LaRusso

Lauren Nathan LaRusso Co-host, city manager & general counsel N.Y./N.J. 2026 World Cup Host Committee She was one of the key people behind the scenes who worked for years to put MetLife Stadium in position to be awarded one of the most coveted prizes...

More ROI Influencers

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — A to D

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ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 1 Gretchen Wilcox

Gretchen Wilcox President G.S. Wilcox & Co. Here is the most incredible...

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More ROI Influencers

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — A to D

It’s time to get with the times. We’ve grown tired...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — E to K

It’s time to get with the times. We’ve grown tired...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — L to P

It’s time to get with the times. We’ve grown tired...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Q to Z

It’s time to get with the times. We’ve grown tired...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 1 Gretchen Wilcox

Gretchen Wilcox President G.S. Wilcox & Co. Here is the most incredible...

More ROI Influencers

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...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — E to K

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...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — L to P

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...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024 — Q to Z

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...

ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2024: Top 50 — No. 1 Gretchen Wilcox

Gretchen Wilcox President G.S. Wilcox & Co. Here is the most incredible statistic of all the incredible statistics around Gretchen Wilcox and her firm. When she founded G.S....

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