Twelve exceptional women who have used talent and hard work to create economic opportunities and help make New Jersey a better place to live and work will be honored by the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce as Women of Inspiration.
The women, who will be honored at an awards reception, Sept. 18, at The National Conference Center in East Windsor, are being recognized for their various connections to the state.
Click here for more information about tickets and sponsorship.
A look at the honorees, presented in alphabetical order:
Alice H. Parker Outstanding Woman of Inspiration Award
Marlene Asselta, president, Southern New Jersey Development Council: A proud South Jersey native, Marlene has spent decades championing the region’s growth and prosperity. Since 1985, she has led the Southern New Jersey Development Council, transforming it into one of the state’s most respected business advocacy and lobbying organizations.
Small Business Advocate Award
Kelly Brozyna, CEO & state director, N.J. Small Business Development Centers: Since taking the helm of the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers in 2020, Kelly has created and implemented initiatives that assist the needs of small business entrepreneurs. She has championed programs for veterans, women entrepreneurs, and leaders in emerging industries.
Industry Advocate Award
Chrissy Buteas, CEO, HealthCare Institute of New Jersey: She leads trade association representing New Jersey’s research-based biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies. A seasoned public affairs leader, she previously worked for Optimum, NJBIA, the Home Care & Hospice Association of NJ, and Capital Impact Group. She has advised policymakers at the state and federal levels, including serving on the Murphy-Oliver Transition Healthcare team.
Association Advocate Award
Linda Doherty, CEO, New Jersey Food Council: She is the longest-serving president & CEO in the New Jersey Food Council’s history, leading the organization since 2003 and advocating for the state’s $136 billion food distribution sector. She championed New Jersey’s reusable bag law, helping to keep parks and waterways free of plastic waste, and she created a solution – now rolled out statewide – that allows shoppers to donate reusable bags to local food banks. Doherty has spearheaded the effort for a new law to combat organized retail theft and has worked to address food inflation.
Outstanding Corporate Leader Award
Kim Hanemann, president & COO, Public Service Electric & Gas: Under Hanemann’s leadership, PSE&G provides service to 2.4 million electric and 1.9 million gas customers, covering nearly three-quarters of New Jersey’s population. Prior to being named COO in January 2020, she held numerous leadership positions in both electric and gas field operations and in utility support operations.
Employer Advocate Award
Kristi Howell, CEO, Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce: In her 20 years leading the chamber, Howell has significantly expanded its membership, budget, staff, and programming – growing from 20 annual events to more than 60. Under her leadership, the Chamber forged a strong support relationship with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Burlington County’s largest employer and New Jersey’s second largest.
Issues Advocate Award
Blenda Pinto, director, Corporate and Government Affairs, United Airlines: With more than 20 years of federal, state, and local public policy experience, she manages political and business relationships to advance United Airlines’ policy goals across the northeast region, with recently expanded territory to Virginia, including United’s Dulles hub.
Monica Slater Stokes, managing director, Corporate and Government Affairs, United Airlines: She oversees state and local government affairs for United in the Northeast region where she develops and drives external affairs programs in support of the airline’s in-market public policy, community affairs, and business development objectives. A proud Newark native, Slater Stokes began her career in local and federal public sectors. She notably served as director of Constituent Services and Community Development for the late U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, where she advised on in-state education, small business, and economic development issues.
Business Communications Award
Briana Vannozzi, anchor, NJ Spotlight News: The trusted face of NJTV News with Briana Vannozzi, she delivers in-depth coverage of state and community issues. A multiple Emmy-nominated journalist, she joined the network in 2012 as a general assignment correspondent – shooting, writing, and editing stories from the field.
Woman of Inspiration Award
Deborah Visconi, CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center: A N.J. Chamber board member, she is a highly accomplished executive with more than 30 years of success in providing strategic direction, vision, leadership, and oversight of operations in hospitals and healthcare systems. With Visconi’s organizational and strategic planning expertise, Bergen New Bridge has expanded programs and services, and enhanced provider relations yielding improvement in quality, safety, and the patient/resident experience.
Outstanding NJ Chamber Service Award
Diane Wasser, partner-in-Charge, New Jersey, EisnerAmper and managing partner of Regions at Eisner Advisory Group: She leads New Jersey operations while overseeing partners-in-charge across the country. A dedicated advocate for the state’s business community, she serves as treasurer and officer on the N.J. Chamber Board’s executive committee and actively supports the Chamber’s events and initiatives.
Private Sector Advocate Award
Trish Zita, CEO & founder, The Zita Group: Heads one of the state’s Top 5 public affairs firms and the largest public affairs firm founded and owned by a woman. She ensures the placement of women in state government positions through her work with the N.J. Bipartisan Coalition for Women.
N.J. Chamber CEO Tom Bracken was thrilled to make the announcement – and to hold the award for the second consecutive year.
“We are proud to honor these extraordinary women who have made significant contributions to New Jersey’s employer community,” he said. “Their dedication and leadership are truly inspiring, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements at this year’s reception.”
