The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) is set to honor five outstanding college students with “Rising Star Awards” at the 2025 New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum, powered by Citizens. The two-day event, taking place on Sept. 17-18 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Somerset Hotel and Conference Center, will gather hundreds of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and students to celebrate these future leaders.
The 2025 honorees, all of whom have distinguished themselves through academic work and community service, are Alicia Brownstein of Paramus, Melissa De Cunto of Hopatcong, Laasya Kandakurti of Belle Mead, Zeynep Nalan Kus of Clifton, and Alusha Olivier of Irvington.
“NJBIA’s Rising Star Awards honor students who have demonstrated a passion for their career path, academic success, and a commitment to their communities during their undergraduate careers,” NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka said. “This year, we are proud to recognize the accomplishments of five inspiring students who are destined for great professional success.”
The awards ceremony will take place on the first day of the 11th annual forum, the state’s largest professional women’s conference. The event is designed to help advance women’s careers and promote diversity in leadership roles through networking, workshops, and dynamic discussions.
Meet the 2025 NJBIA Rising Star Award Winners:
- Alicia Brownstein, Bergen Community College: An honors student in Business Administration, Brownstein works part-time at a marketing firm and volunteers with Phi Theta Kappa and Bergen Community College’s Thrive program. She recently earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, an achievement met by only 5% of scouts.
- Melissa De Cunto, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT): A senior at NJIT, De Cunto is pursuing two Bachelor of Science degrees in Business and Cyberpsychology. Drawing inspiration from her Argentine heritage, she is the founder of the NJIT Book Club, a self-published author, and an advocate for neurodivergent-friendly reading spaces.
- Laasya Kandakurti, Rutgers University: A junior double-majoring in Psychology and Cognitive Science, Kandakurti is a research participant in the Hamilton Lab, studying factors related to adolescent mental health. She is also a singer in the South-Asian fusion band RU Dhol Effect and volunteers with organizations like the Breast Cancer Resource Center at YWCA Princeton.
- Zeynep Nalan Kus, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT): A Financial Technology major originally from Turkey, Kus has demonstrated remarkable resilience in her studies. She founded the “Over the Horizon” initiative to provide scholarships for high school students and serves as president of the Dean’s Executive Leadership Student Council at NJIT.
- Alusha Olivier, Berkeley College & Rutgers University: Olivier, who recently graduated from Berkeley College with an associate degree in Justice Studies, is now a junior at Rutgers studying criminal justice. A Dean’s List student, she has worked to foster a welcoming campus environment and has advocated for mental health resources with the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
The New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum has been a cornerstone event since its launch in 2015, helping to advance women’s careers and promote diversity in leadership.
