People of Color

21 Ken Frazier Executive chairman Merck Frazier retired as CEO on June 30 and it’s unclear how much impact he will have as executive chairman during a transition period, but his impact and influence in New Jersey figures...

Taneshia Nash Laird CEO Newark Symphony Hall She is using her position as head of the historic performing arts center to be a social change agent and community developer by expanding programming to respond to community needs...

We started the ROI Influencers: People of Color list three years ago in an effort to show just how many talented people of color there are in the state.  Last year, we made it our...

Shawn Abner-Purnell Vice president, diversity, inclusion & engagement South Jersey Industries Through career development programs, diversity & inclusion efforts and employee engagement, Abner-Purnell creates a culture of inclusion for all — one where every employee can feel...

John Harmon Founder, CEO and president African American Chamber of Commerce of N.J We don’t necessarily aim to give the No. 1 honor on our ROI Influencers lists to the same person in consecutive years. With so...

Armond Kinsey VP, chief diversity officer Atlantic Health System Takes the lead on diversity & inclusion strategy, the diversity council, supplier diversity, corporate social responsibility and other initiatives — with a special emphasis on diversity recruitment and...

11 Mo Butler Partner Mercury He’s a partner at one of the most influential public affairs firms in the state, represents and advises some of the state’s biggest politicians (Booker and Baraka), biggest companies and biggest developers while...

Michellene Davis Thought leader, speaker, board member Various organizations She left a top position at RWJBarnabas Health to become CEO at New York-based National Medical Fellowships, but she maintains a strong presence in the state, where she...

Rudy Garcia President MBI-GluckShaw Few in the state understand the intersection of business and politics as well as Garcia, a longtime go-to leader for many. At MBI, he manages issues covering roadway improvement, environment, commercial development and...

Ras Baraka, Cory Booker and Mo Butler appeared in our Top 25 rankings. View them here. Mahalaxmi Aburi Director, Atlantic Center for Research Atlantic Health System Aburi is the director of a research arm located at Morristown Medical...