The largest crowd in the event’s six-year history turned out to celebrate 42 of New
Jersey’s most accomplished businesswomen.
The Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey and COMMERCE Magazine
recognized this year’s Enterprising Women In Commerce honorees at a breakfast
reception Wednesday at Glen Ridge Country Club, drawing more than 230 attendees.
Jennifer Velez, executive vice president of health and network solutions at Horizon Blue
Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, delivered the keynote, sharing her own career journey
with the crowd.
CIANJ President Anthony Russo said the honorees set an example worth celebrating.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees for the inspiring example they set through
their hard work, bold leadership, and perseverance,” Russo said. “Their
accomplishments and dedication serve as an inspiration to us all. We are proud to host
this annual celebration and look forward to sharing the stories and successes of these
remarkable women.”
Joyce Hendricks of the Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation was named the 2026
Enterprising Woman of the Year, the event’s top individual honor.
The event also featured a panel of women professionals sharing career lessons and experiences, moderated by Jen Mannino, assistant vice president of marketing at LAN Associates. Panelists included Heather Darling, Morris County Surrogate; Ellen Marshall, EVP and head of corporate and middle market banking at Santander Bank; Sherri Holzer, founder of Simply Sherri; Kylie Cimmino, director of business operations and administration at Mikula Contracting; Andrea Diaz, a partner at SKC & Co. CPAs; Toni Modak, MBA, BSN, vice president of home health and population health at Valley Health System; and Lisa Chowansky, president of HC Constructors.
Industry Honorees:
Erin Kidney – Whitman
Brooke Simco – DPR Construction
Sherri Holzer – Simply Sherri
Gaby Wickizer – The Earle Companies
Kathy Ouellette – Salaera
Carlye Gilbert, MSN, RN, CIC – Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
Marion Troise Rusk – Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
Kalpana Ramakrishnan – Pharming Group
Dr. Mina Ahn – Bergen Community College
Sherrille Shabazz, EdD – Berkeley College
Dr. Marilú Marcillo – Felician University
Lisa Ambrose – Ramapo College of New Jersey
Michelle Delaney – CSG Law
Christina Sartorio Ku – Connell Foley LLP
Priyanka Singh – Litera
Tara Farley Maratea – Barnett Design
Valerie Haymes – Barnett Design
Cheryl Pfister – Terrie O’Connor Realtors
Cheldin Barlatt Rumer – This Is It Network
Kelly Castro – Carson’s Cookies/Just a Taste NJ
Lil Corcoran – Women’s Rights Information Center
One to Watch Honorees:
Brittany Manna – CSG Law
Aleksandra Popovik – CP Engineers
Tiffany Del Valle – Phoenix Accountants & Advisors
Katherine Kelliher-Wessel – PSE&G
Lauren Thomas – PSE&G
Theresa Mancusi – The Earle Companies
Aarti Shah – VirtualFit
Jenny Stokolyas – Zeus Electrical Solutions
Platinum Honorees:
Raquel Ortiz – Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
Karen Campi – Campi Dental
Marcia Frieze – Case Medical
Tenisha Malcolm-Wint, MPA – Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey
Martha Marchesi – JK Communications
Caryn Barnes – Langan
Audra Giese – MSI Plumbing & Remodeling
Jennifer D’Angelo – New Jersey Innovation Institute
Kim Hanemann – PSE&G
Sheila Rostiac – PSE&G
MaryEllen Keane – Sunnyside Manor
Sarah Drennan – Terrie O’Connor Realtors
