More than 1,250 people are expected to spend Dec. 8 talking about one thing: what’s next for Newark.
The 4th Annual Newark Summit for Economic Development, Placemaking & Innovation returns that day with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka back for a keynote fireside chat. Investors, developers, anchor institutions, owners, occupiers, nonprofits and advisors from across the city, county, state and region will spend the day on the projects, partnerships and money shaping the city’s next chapter.
In addition to Baraka, one of the day’s most anticipated sessions is a special fireside chat with NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber on Artside, Lionsgate and Cooperman.
The summit will be held on the 16th and 17th floors of 550 Broad St., courtesy of Venue Partner The Fidelco Group. Newark Alliance and Prudential Financial co-chair the event and Invest Newark is the Presenting Partner.
Registration is available here. https://thenewarksummit.com/2026/
Solomon Steplight, CEO of Newark Alliance, said the summit is a chance to take stock of the city.
“It’s an opportunity to assess Newark’s economic progress, identify emerging investment opportunities, and help shape the next chapter of our city’s development,” he said.
Marcus Randolph, CEO of Invest Newark, said the city has momentum, and the job now is to use it well.
“Newark is experiencing significant momentum, and our responsibility is to ensure that we are deliberate about how we build upon it,” he said. “This Summit creates an important forum for substantive dialogue, new partnerships, and investment opportunities that can strengthen Newark’s economy and expand opportunity for the people and businesses that call this city home.”
Kerri Levine, Managing Principal of The Fidelco Group, said 550 Broad is a fitting home for the event, because the building reflects one of the summit’s central ideas.
“Newark’s continued progress is driven by the intersection of the private, public, and philanthropic sectors,” she said.
Amy Herbold, CEO of Choose New Jersey, will moderate one of the day’s conversations. She said Newark’s business community, anchor institutions and workforce give the city a strong pitch.
“As companies think about where to invest, expand, and attract talent, Newark has a compelling story to tell,” she said.
Here’s the full lineup of sessions:
• Fireside chat with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka
• Special fireside chat with NJPAC CEO John Schreiber
• Arts: Institutions, Economic Catalysts and Partnerships
• Mixed-Use, Innovative Retail and Placemaking
• Office and Innovation: Growth, Capital, Talent and Placemaking
• Affordable Housing
• Multifamily
• Emerging Markets and the Region
• Capital Markets, Finance, Tax and Incentives
• Leadership Innovations in Nonprofit, Philanthropy and P3
Confirmed speakers include:
• Ras Baraka, Mayor, City of Newark
• Kerri Levine, Managing Principal, The Fidelco Group
• Solomon Steplight, CEO, Newark Alliance
• Brian Anderson, Executive Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield
• Adenah Bayoh, Founder & Principal, Adenah Bayoh & Companies
• Ron Beit, CEO, RBH Group
• Wasseem Boraie, Managing Principal, Boraie Development
• Marc Brummer, Owner, Hobby’s Delicatessen
• Shaun Callaghan, New Jersey Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company
• Andrew Camelotto, Partner, FBT Gibbons
• Jennifer Carrillo-Perez, Partner, Connell Foley
• Petra Conte, Executive Vice President, Arch Street Capital
• Lauren LeBeaux Craig, Executive Director, Newark Arts
• Jose Cruz, Senior Managing Director, JLL
• Marcy DePina, Executive Director, Newark City Parks Foundation
• Drew Fletcher, President, Greystone
• Lisa Funderburke, Director & CEO, Newark Museum of Art
• Frank Giantomasi, Founding Partner & Executive Member, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi
• Pedro Gomes, CEO, Gomes Group
• Samra Haider, CEO, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
• Bernel Hall, CEO, New Jersey Community Capital
• Samer Hanini, Founder & Managing Partner, Hanini Group
• Amy Herbold, CEO, Choose New Jersey
• Carole Johnson, CEO, University Hospital
• Sarah Keh, Vice President, Inclusive Solutions, Prudential Financial
• Carlos Lejnieks, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties
• Tim Lizura, Executive Vice President, Real Estate & Capital Projects, NJPAC
• Richard Martoglio, Chief Operating Officer, RPM Development Group
• Ashley Mays, Chief Marketing Officer, Newark Alliance, and President, Newark Happening
• Brian Murray, Founder & CEO, Shift Capital
• Ferlanda Nixon, CEO, Newark Regional Business Partnership
• Marcus Randolph, CEO, Invest Newark
• Jorge Santos, Chief Real Estate and Investment Officer, Newark Alliance
• Susan Schofer, Partner & Chief Science Officer, SOSV / HAX
• John Schreiber, CEO, NJPAC
• Jonathan Schultz, Managing Principal, Onyx Equities
• Fayemi Shakur, Arts and Cultural Affairs Director, City of Newark
• Scott Shnay, Principal, SK Development
• Calvin Souder, Founding Partner, Souder Law Group
• Leonard Spicer, Executive Director, Newark Housing Authority
• Melanie Walter, Executive Director, NJHMFA
• Elnardo Webster II, Partner, Connell Foley
• Evan Weiss, CEO, N.J. Economic Development Authority
• Melba Wilson, Founder & Chef, Melba’s Restaurant
• David Wolfe, Managing Partner, Skoloff & Wolfe
• Talia Young, CEO, Newark Symphony Hall
More speakers are expected to be announced.
