Chrissy Buteas and Elisa Charters have been named to the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Innovation Institute, the organization announced.
NJII, a subsidiary of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, is uniquely positioned to be agile, entrepreneurial, and opportunistic. NJII focuses on accelerating technology and fostering innovation to have a positive economic impact in the state.
Buteas and Charters both have the background to help with that.
Buteas is the CEO of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, a trade association for leading research-based biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies in New Jersey.
Before joining HINJ, she served as the VP of government affairs at Optimum, a prominent broadband communications and video service provider operating across 21 states. She also served as the chief government affairs officer of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association
Charters is a seasoned executive strategist with over 30 years of public-sector finance and transactional experience, specializing in the negotiations of major economic development and regional infrastructure.
Her highlights include leading valuation of the Port Authority of NY & NJ’s 23 million sq. ft. of mixed-use portfolio, managing acquisitions in the redevelopment of One World Trade Center post 9/11 and assessing revenue programs as Assistant Comptroller of Port Commerce.
Charters, who is a double-graduate of NJIT and sits on its Board of Trustees, has had several entrepreneurial startups since.
NJII President Michael Johnson expressed enthusiasm about Buteas and Charters’ appointments.
“Their extensive backgrounds in health care and economic development will be invaluable as we continue to drive innovation and foster collaboration across New Jersey’s key sectors,” he said. “Together, we will enhance our mission to accelerate technology and support our state’s growth, ensuring New Jersey remains at the forefront of the innovation economy.”
Buteas, who serves on numerous other boards, said she is eager to get started.
“New Jersey’s innovation economy depends on strong collaboration among diverse partners — from academia and research institutions to private industry, state government, and economic development agencies,” she said. “As HINJ works to strengthen the research ecosystem through ongoing partnerships, I am honored to have the chance to serve on the board of the New Jersey Innovation Institute. Together, we will continue to advance our state’s technology and innovation initiatives.”
Charters agreed.
“The global AI race is progressing at extreme speed, and this is New Jersey’s AI moment,” she said. “NJII is our East Coast Gateway to transformative growth across key innovation sectors, uniquely supported by NJIT, our premiere R1 translational research institution. State-of-the-art technology and the most prepared technical workforce will forge economic advancement and quality of life in New Jersey for decades to come.”
Under Johnson’s leadership, NJII has made significant strides, including the recent launch of the NJII Venture Studio, the state’s seventh Strategic Innovation Center focused on high technology and IT.
NJII also has strengthened its role in workforce development by expanding training programs in cutting-edge fields such as AI, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology, creating hands-on opportunities for students and professionals alike.
