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The recipients of the 2025 NJBIZ Leading Women in Business awards are professionals who have made a significant impact on business in New Jersey.
Formerly known as the NJBIZ Best Fifty Women in Business, this program was expanded in 2024 to allow us to honor even more of the state’s top leaders.
This year’s more than 60 honorees span all industries, including finance, health care, law, education, technology and more. For a second year, we’re also honoring Rising Stars – up-and-coming leaders with high potential to one day fill senior-level roles and shape the future.
After an open nomination process, a panel of independent judges selected this year’s honorees using a points system to evaluate submissions.
The community is invited to celebrate these women in person Aug. 19 from 6–9 p.m. at The Palace at Somerset Park. Tickets for the event are available on the event page. Early-bird pricing ends July 22.
The celebration, once again brought to you by Provident Bank, will feature a cocktail reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres followed by the award presentation. After the ceremony, attendees are invited to stay for a dessert and networking reception.
Congratulations to the 2025 Leading Women in Business!
Rakhi Agarwal, vice president, global head of procurement risk, supplier diversity and government contract compliance
Sanofi
Toni-Lynn Alfano, senior vice president of people
CentralReach
Alethea Batts, senior vice president, director of organizational development
Provident Bank
Dana Lynn Bernstein, principal
Dare to Live Brave LLC
Janice Campbell Fuller, lobbyist/government & public affairs professional
Princeton Public Affairs Group (PPAG)
Brenda Cioce, president
RHO Residential
Elene Costan, chief human resources officer
Berje Inc
Dr. Maria Costantini-Ferrando, physician partner, East Coast regional medical director, reproductive endocrinologist
IVI RMA North America
Kelly Strange Crawford, co-chair and head of products liability and mass tort practice group
Riker Danzig LLP
Tria Deibert, senior vice president, Culture and Team Member Wellbeing
Hackensack Meridian Health
Jennifer DeJesus, campus operating officer, Woodbridge campus
Berkeley College
Jennine DiSomma, co-managing member
Saiber LLC
Laura DiTommaso, member of the firm
Smolin, Lupin & Co. LLC
Lisa Dutterer, chief operating officer
Samaritan
Zeynep Ekemen, CEO
Silver Defender Corp.
Lisa Marie Falbo, co-founder and managing partner
Media First Group
Colleen Fay, practice leader, Financial Services
Withum
Miri Forster, partner and national leader of the tax controversy & dispute resolution practice group
EisnerAmper
Aamira Garba, CEO and founder
LoveLee Wine
Kayla George, chief marketing officer
JAG Physical Therapy
Mindy Gewirtz, president
Collaborative Networks
AnnaMaria Goldinak, president and CEO
First Atlantic Federal Credit Union
Nicole Grzeskowiak, partner
Hoagland Longo
Kristen Holton, director of economic development
Borough of Ringwood
Carlina Jessen, market executive, Merrill Wealth Management
Bank of America
Brigitte Johnson, president and CEO
Care Plus NJ
Rippi Karda, associate general counsel
Verizon
Lucille Karp, general counsel and partner
McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP
Sandra Kenoff, president and CEO
Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey
Barbara Koonz, managing partner, energy and renewable resources practice leader
Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP
Lauren Mazzella Landolfi, shareholder
WilkinGuttenplan PC
Nyesha Little, CEO
Little Hands and Creations
Carlee Ludwig, vice president of estimating
Mid Atlantic Mechanical
Dr. Haviva Malina, medical director and co-founder
Keta Medical Center
Lisajoy Marinello, senior director, Cloud Strategy & Customer Success
Microsoft Corp.
Marie Mathews, managing member
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC (CSG Law)
Laura Matos, partner
MAD Global Strategy Group
Annel Montero Mitchell, director of development and communications
Bridges Outreach
Brynn Mosello, sustainability & communications director
Mazza Recycling Services Ltd.
Bernadette Mueller, executive vice president and chief corporate social responsibility-CRA officer
Valley Bank
Surekha Reddy Pailla, president and CEO
Arohak Inc.
Arleen Paladino, chief financial officer
Crum & Forster
Caroline Patterson, vice chair, Healthcare Law; member
Brach Eichler LLC
Kerri Price, chief operating officer
McCloskey Mechanical Contractors
Judi Pulig, chief operating and financial officer
Yorktel
Barbara Quintana, director of property management
SJP Properties
Natalie Richer, partner
Lerner David LLP
Beth Rose, member of the firm; chair, Product Liability Practice
Sills Cummis & Gross PC
Shalvi Singh, senior product manager and founder
HealthEngine
Amanda Stone, vice president of public affairs
New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association
Sarah Switlik, president
Switlik Survival Products
Derya Taskin, CEO
Taskin Bakery
Linda Thomas, president
Ambulance Billing Co. LLC
Vanessa Thomas, associate general counsel
Johnson & Johnson
Amy Towers, chair, Rutgers University Board of Governors
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Oya Tukel, dean, Martin Tuchman School of Management
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
Jyoti Vazirani, president
Futran Solutions
Dreena Whitfield-Brown, CEO and founder
WhitPR
Kerri Wright, principal, co-chair of education and employment
Porzio, Bromberg & Newman PC
Sue Yannaccone, president and CEO
Anywhere Brands and Anywhere Advisors
Nelly Youssef, vice president of design
Russo Development LLC
2025 Rising Stars
Julianna Abramson, supervisor
Citrin Cooperman
Lysa Cangialosi, tax supervisor
Grassi
Holly McCarthy, marketing coordinator
French & Parrello Associates (FPA)
Kristin Potocki, solutions architect
CompoSecure
Lindsay Taylor, vice president
Madison Resorts
