She is the go-everywhere, do-everything head of the state’s top accounting professional organization — but her vision and mission extend well past professional services. Johnson, whose leadership is rooted in building high-trust cultures and expanding revenue and programs, creates partnerships and transformative strategies that deliver measurable long-term impact through ethical and inclusive leadership.
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A highly regarded corporate lawyer, Johnson represents public and private companies, commercial banks and governmental agencies in connection with mergers & acquisitions, stock and asset purchase transactions, securities regulation and corporate governance matters. He also serves as a board member of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.
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A legendary figure, she has successfully threaded the needle of policy, advocacy and politics in higher education, health care and government. She has worked for many governors, served on numerous boards and commissions — and as an elected official — doing it all with a style that lets everyone know she is a force.
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It’s easy to say he heads a data engineering and AI company — and that he was well ahead of the curve on this technology and innovation. Mann, the chair of the African American Chamber, also should be recognized for his many initiatives that help support and grow the next generation of leaders in his community.
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Hat tip to Valley Bank for recognizing that inclusion and belonging are key drivers for cultivating an engaged and productive workforce, making it both an employer of choice and an excellent community partner. Mata helps make that one of the secret sauces of its impressive growth around the state.
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This list is not for elected officials, so we’ll skip over the great work she does as an assemblywoman representing parts of Mercer and Middlesex counties. Her work in creating, leading (and now expanding) the New Jersey Black Women’s Collective, a four-month leadership training program, is equally impressive and impactful.
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He is a legendary attorney, executive and public servant. McKoy has served as an assistant U.S. attorney and an assistant attorney general for the state, held leadership roles at major companies (Public Service Enterprise Group) and served as a business administrator for a major city (Paterson), where he reduced debt and increased economic development, including the Hinchliffe Stadium restoration.
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He heads a Piscataway-based firm that specializes in infrastructure, project and construction finance, utility transmission and distribution, real estate, energy and public-sector projects. Odeyemi has more than two decades of experience in multibillion-dollar capital design and construction programs in the region, in addition to serving as an adviser on capital programs planning, project and construction finance.
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Longtime government affairs expert in the state recently moved to Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, a bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of the international law firm. Plummer, who brings extensive experience on local, state and federal levels, will support the firm’s growing New Jersey practice from its Cherry Hill office.
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A nationally known executive, you can say Pullin wrote the book on leadership — because he did. His effort, “Suited for Leadership,” not only is about leading with authenticity and purpose to ensure you have a lasting impact, but addressing and overcoming the understandable fears and vulnerabilities that come with top roles.
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He heads an organization whose mission is to advance economic prosperity for all residents of Newark through economic development, educational access and real estate attainment. Randolph, the former executive director for community development at Chase, is passionate about helping communities of color close achievement gaps in wealth creation, educational outcomes and business success.
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A lifelong leader in Camden, she currently heads the private nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve as the catalyst for the preservation and growth of neighborhood initiatives, public infrastructure and business development. A former mayor of Camden and state senator, she recently served as the CEO of the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors.
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Known throughout the state as a natural connector, he brings people, projects and opportunities together with ease. While many of his projects span the country, Remy is part of a team responsible for roughly $3 billion in transactions in N.J. in 2025.
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He heads CUEED, a research- and practitioner-oriented center at Rutgers Business School in Newark, where he oversees the implementation of programs and manages partnerships, staff, affiliated faculty and fellows. Richardson also teaches an MBA course in urban entrepreneurship and economic development and consults with students and small business owners on strategic projects.
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He founded QPSI in 1992, growing it into the largest privately owned contract packaging company in the country through his sharp eye for innovation. Even more, Ricketts has channeled his passion for leadership beyond his companies, by mentoring young athletes and aspiring businesspeople toward achieving their personal and professional goals.
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She runs a boutique strategy consulting firm designed to transform companies by transforming decision-makers. Ross-Dulan leverages more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry to help CEOs and executives across the country solve their toughest business challenges.
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She is an industrial and systems engineer with extensive academic leadership experience. Smith-Jackson, formerly provost at North Carolina A&T, has also served at the National Science Foundation. A fellow of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, she champions academic excellence, equity, diversity and inclusion across higher education and industry.
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He is one of the most influential and impactful real estate attorneys in Newark, but his reach extends far beyond the city limits — and far beyond real estate. Souder’s firm does work nationally and he has been steadily raising his profile in political circles. He is a next-generation leader whose time has come.
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So much to say here: An all-star leader in community relations, Taliaferro is a former three-term member of the General Assembly and Gloucester County freeholder. Taliaferro also runs his own foundation, which helps student-athletes with head or spinal injuries, and is a motivational speaker, doing corporate appearances and speaking at schools.
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The new president of Rutgers is bringing new ideas to the state — including many that show how higher education can play an even greater role in workforce development. Tate recently pitched a proposal in which businesses (and the state) would provide subsidies (for student debt, housing costs) to allow more recent grads to stay in state.
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With a decade of experience in the top job and more than 35 years in the sector, his status as a leader in the industry is unquestioned. At Newark Beth, Terry led a $100 million renovation of the hospital and is actively involved in community initiatives aimed at reducing racial disparities in health care.
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He is highly visible in the halls of Trenton as well as at key events around the state, continually supporting areas of the business that are impacted by public policy through advocacy, including federal, state and local government affairs, sustainability, charitable activities and corporate social responsibility. He also serves as chair of the PSEG Foundation.
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He is a former aide to key leaders at both the local and state level, as well as an SVP of government affairs at the New Jersey Business & Industry Association. All that experience is invaluable as he leads efforts in one of the most contentious sectors in the state: energy. Wallace also serves as chair of the energy committee for the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey.
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He is an industry-recognized investment management executive with over 30 years of experience in investment banking, consulting, traditional and alternative asset management. More than that, Walthour is willing to fight the good fight, asking for a fair distribution of government contracts involving money management of government-led funds.
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She is well-known around the state (and especially in South Jersey) as a pro’s pro when it comes to government affairs, with a long history of advocacy in both health care and higher education. In addition to her work at Inspira, Walton serves as chair of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey.
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A strategist for clients, a connector of people and catalyst for change, Webster exemplifies the modern model of a lawyer-leader. He not only is highly regarded for his decades of experience in real estate, regulated industries and government affairs, but for his commitment to the community, serving on boards of numerous key companies and nonprofits.
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One of the most widely respected health care policy executives in the state, he oversees Cooper’s advocacy efforts in connection with legislative, policy and regulatory initiatives at all levels of government. Welch previously served in the state Department of Health and as an adviser to former Gov. Chris Christie.
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He heads a safety-focused management and consulting firm that aims to deliver superior client experiences across energy infrastructure (electric, gas, renewables) and technology industries from its Newark office. Young feels the firm’s ability to be agile allows it to meet client needs while fostering a positive community impact through sustainable and responsible practices.
