The New Jersey Bankers Association (NJBankers) officially celebrated the graduation of its sixth annual “Leading on the Cutting Edge” leadership development program. The commencement ceremony, held at the Delta Hotel in Iselin earlier this month, honored 17 banking professionals from 10 different New Jersey institutions.
The intensive six-month program is specifically designed to prepare the next generation of financial leaders to navigate the complexities and uncertainties of the modern banking landscape.
Developing future leaders
Throughout the course, which ran from January through June, participants engaged in 11 sessions focused on high-level professional growth, including executive presence, performance accountability, and the integration of artificial intelligence into banking operations.
“Leading on the Cutting Edge is built for just this—to teach the skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing industry,” Mike Affuso, president and CEO of NJBankers said. “The program challenges you to raise standards, think critically, support colleagues, earn respect, collaborate, and transform into a leader who executes with clarity and trust.”
The Capstone Innovation Challenge
The program concluded with the Capstone Innovation Challenge, where cross-bank teams presented strategic recommendations to a panel of senior banking executives. The graduates were tasked with applying the skills honed during the program to address real-world industry challenges.
George Wright, Founder and President of WrightOne Consulting, who facilitated the program, praised the cohort’s dedication. “They came in carrying full workloads and left with sharper judgment, stronger leadership habits, and a clearer sense of what it takes to lead when the ground keeps shifting,” Wright said. “The banking industry is in the middle of genuine change, and this cohort did not treat that as background noise.”
The 2026 Graduating Class
The 17 graduates recognized for their commitment to the program are:
- Justin Aughey, Valley Bank
- Jose Manuel Borbon, Northfield Bank
- Mark Donato, Spencer Savings Bank
- Jeff Dunn, Kearny Bank
- John Freda, First Commerce Bank
- Aiyat Hasan, Columbia Bank
- Talia Jackson, Manasquan Bank
- Tracy McDermott, First Commerce Bank
- Miranda Moreau, Unity Bank
- Giselle Olmo, First Commerce Bank
- Sarah Pearson, First Bank
- Dominick Pellegrini, Manasquan Bank
- Aneta Pietruszynska, Spencer Savings Bank
- Joseph Slattery, Columbia Bank
- Richard Stevens, Magyar Bank
- Leonardo Tavares, Spencer Savings Bank
- Brittany Vaughn, First Commerce Bank
