Acebo is the transformative leader of NJCU — one rightfully credited with bringing the institution back from the brink of bankruptcy to an entity that has seen its credit rating improve as it prepares to merge with Kean University. Citing Acebo only for his bottom-line accomplishments is missing the point: Saving NJCU was a personal mission, a success that always will be near and dear to his heart.
Avaltroni is the type of leader any organization would be glad to have — and one the higher education sector desperately needs more of. From classes offered to certificates available, from access to education to affordability of it, he is not afraid to say the sector needs new thinking — and needs it as soon as possible. Count on Alvatroni to be someone leading higher education in the state into a new era.
Banks, a former top executive at Bank of America, has never been one who would willingly go to the sidelines — or even slow down. And the state is better because of it. In addition to a new venture in financial services, Banks is pushing one of the nation’s premier health care entities to do more. From new centers that improve wellness to new ventures that spur innovation, Banks is helping HMH maintain its spot as a leader in the sector.
Bayoh has long been honored for her stunning success as a restaurateur, both as a franchisee and a founder (her Cornbread brand is fantastic). But it is her efforts as a real estate developer — and her determination to be a leader in affordable housing (people over profit) — that makes her inspirational figure. The state would be better off with more socially conscious people such as her.
Boccassini is the now-longtime head of one of the great firms in the state, the region and the country. And, while McCarter is known for having great attorneys, its reputation for having great people is more important. Under Boccassini, the firm not only encourages all lawyers to give back, its best-in-class pro bono efforts also ensure its commitment to expanding access to justice is greater than ever.
Bodman, who co-founded PSI as part of a merger in 1980s, brings four decades of experience and knowledge in politics and government to help the business community. Enterprises both in New Jersey and nationwide have entrusted PSI with the task of advocating for their interests, helping it become one of New Jersey’s preeminent organizations specializing in legislative advocacy.
Boraie is a key next-generation leader in one of the top family-owned development companies in the state. The firm, which makes its headquarters and got its start in New Brunswick under family patriarch Omar Boraie, is now an established leader in Newark, where its 2023 opening, The Iconiq, has reset the standard for luxury multifamily living in the city. This summer, PARQ930 launches 333 units on the Newark Waterfront.
Boraie is a key next-generation leader of a family-owned firm that has been ahead of the game for nearly four decades. While the firm is getting well-deserved accolades for its work in Newark and Atlantic City, New Brunswick remains its home. Its latest project there, 11 Spring St., will feature 342 luxury units in an area of city that will see an explosion of office workers in next few years.
Borrelli was appointed co-chair of the Morristown-based firm at the start of 2025; it’s a role he shares with Kelly Strange Crawford. He also serves as chair of Riker Danzig’s Securities Litigation, Arbitration, Regulation and Investigations Practice, one of the firm’s most significant practice areas.
Boyd is the co-leader of the top communications/marketing firm in South Jersey — a firm she started with Liz Thomas a generation ago. Boyd, while active with clients and on a number of boards, is best recognized as being a steady force behind the scenes, handling all aspects of the firm’s business while working to ensure it has next-generation leadership in place.
Bracken is the well-known leader of the chamber that represents the state’s biggest companies. Along with Michael Egenton and the rest of the team, Bracken educates elected officials and other leaders on key issues impacting the business community, offering sensible ideas and solutions that will help bring more companies to the state — and help those already here.
Brockmeier, the co-leader of the global firm’s top office in the state, is a trusted adviser to clients that include Fortune 500 companies in the sciences, consumer products, financial services and hospitality sectors. His portfolio ranges from small workplaces to large-scale headquarters. With more than 30 years of experience, he is a go-to resource for the New Jersey real estate community.
Brown is a third-generation owner of one of the country’s top third-party logistics and supply chain solutions providers. Under his leadership, NFI has acquired various companies, including California Cartage Co., G&P Transportation, MCO Transport, SDR Distribution and Dominion Warehousing, to diversify geographically and enhance services to provide customers with extensive end-to-end solutions.
Burton has one of the more distinctive real estate roles in the state, if not the country. As a director at LeFrak, he is part of the team that oversees Newport in Jersey City, one of the nation’s most successful planned communities, guiding its development, operations and strategic growth. To be sure, the community (which began four decades ago) still is growing. Burton is helping to lead the way.
Buteas heads a trade association created in 1997 to serve the needs of leading research-based biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies in New Jersey. A seasoned leader, she has held significant positions in her career both inside and outside of health care. She also gives back in the community, serving on numerous boards, including Middlesex College, New Jersey Innovation Institute and Junior Achievement of New Jersey.
Butkus heads Control Point Associates — a leader in the land surveying, geospatial and consulting industry. Driven by the passion to provide the best quality, time-efficient and cost-effective deliverables possible, through the utilization of traditional methods and modern technology, Control Point is able to provide the industry’s most innovative solutions to its diverse clients around the world.
Butler is a highly respected public affairs expert with extensive experience in government relations, political campaigns and strategic communications. Better said: He gets things done. Whether in his role at Mercury, CRDA, Montclair State University (he’s on the board) or as a longtime confidant of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Butler has had great impact on the state, especially in the cities of Newark and Atlantic City.
Button, the co-leader at the global firm’s top New Jersey office, initiates workplace projects of all sizes and complexities with a common foundation: client engagement and service. Her collaborative approach leads not only to successful projects, but to longstanding relationships. And as a firmwide client relationships leader, she develops and leads programs that support the firm’s relationships and the next generation of talent.
Carnevale is all business at Grassi, where he focuses on strengthening New Jersey businesses through strategic advisory services, financing structures, health care consulting and estate planning. His client experience ranges from closely held, family-owned companies to large, multinational publicly held enterprises. He works well with business owners because he was one: The firm he founded in 1983 merged with Grassi in 2021.
Caruso is well known for his advocacy of the cannabis industry (he was one of the first), his on-air appearances (he’ll go on shows that seemingly favor both sides of the aisle) and his efforts in the water (ask him about his kayaking exploits). Know this, too: Caruso is a top-in-class lawyer-lobbyist with an incredible résumé (he served as executive director of the Assembly Majority Office) and as chief of staff to a congressman.
Cherenson recently received the PR Professional of the Year Award from the New Jersey chapter of the Public Relations Society of America — but he’ll be the first one to say the team at SCG deserves equal recognition. The firm, a leader in the state, recently unveiled its Stormcaster platform, which not only analyzes who voted or why, but how candidates’ messages behaved once in motion.
Chowansky has been leading HC Constructors, a general contractor specializing in sitework, underground utilities and concrete, for more than two decades. But that only begins to describe her leadership. Chowansky is a director emeritus for the New Jersey chapter of the Professional Women in Construction, serves as a board member on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Supplier Diversity Development Council and is first vice chair at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.
Connolly is a key player in a key organization in a key sector in the state: manufacturing. Despite being an incredibly important part of the state — now and in the future — manufacturing is often overlooked at the state and federal level. Connolly and his crew work tirelessly to help industry survive and thrive here. The Manufacturing Day event is a can’t-miss program that draws more than a thousand attendees.
Corrigan is an experienced president and training director with a long history in the construction industry, which makes him the perfect leader for IBEW Local 102. Corrigan, however, will be the first to tell you that the local — which celebrated its 125th anniversary in January 2025 — has thrived because of its commitment to provide a skilled workforce of electricians who ensure every job is on time and on budget, all while training the next generation.
Corriston is more than just the managing partner of one of the top firms in the state, he is a business-first attorney, a trusted adviser to businesses ranging from startups to mature companies. He provides experienced counsel to companies on issues related to transactions and capital-raising. Acting as an outside general counsel, he also advises companies on day-to-day legal matters that can affect their bottom lines.
Cozic, an executive vice president, is one of the key leaders at Genmab, a global leader in innovative antibody medicines used to transform treatments for cancer and other serious diseases. Genmab, a Danish company that came to the state in 2020, recently cut the ribbon on a new 125-acre innovation campus in Plainsboro to better assist its growing workforce, which has jumped from 150 in 2020 to more than 1,000 today.
Crane, the longtime leader at the firm, also regularly counsels private and public companies and their executives on corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, securities and crisis management — with expertise in the banking, energy, gaming, insurance and retail industries. He has been involved in equity and debt financings and energy projects aggregating in excess of $1 billion.
Crawford is the head of the firm’s Products Liability and Mass Tort Practice Group in addition to being co-chair of the firm. Her clients include large and small pharmaceutical and industrial companies, as well as individuals. In addition to her litigation practice, she heads the firm’s pro bono committee, where she has handled matters ranging from municipal court representation in New Jersey to representation of a death row client in Alabama.
Cross, an industry veteran with 45 years in the global logistics industry, has been at the helm of Maher Terminals for more than a decade, the culmination of a career at the company that started in 1978. A committed steward of the environment, Cross and Maher mapped a plan to be net-zero on emissions by 2040, a full decade ahead of the Paris Agreement and the target set by Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.
Cruz, without question a top broker in the state, heads JLL Capital Markets’ Americas team out of Morristown office, where his expertise spans all property types within the realm of investment sales. With more than $63 billion in volume in the commercial real estate industry in the past 25 years, his experience stands as a testament to his proven track record and deep industry insight.
