She is the firmwide deputy managing partner, a role in which she has taken a leading role in the firm’s recruiting and professional development efforts. Gabriel also is a great attorney, serving as a trusted advisor and outside general counsel to clients ranging from individuals to Fortune 500 companies in the life sciences, financial services and insurance industries.
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She is a veteran broadcast journalist who recently was elevated to host of Reporters Roundtable, the long‑running NJ PBS public‑affairs program. The role encapsulates her expertise across many fields. Since joining the PBS newsroom in 2018, Gagis has served as a senior correspondent covering some of the state’s most consequential issues — including education, health care, the environment, politics and major policy debates.
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She guides NJIT’s government relations, civic partnerships and community‑impact initiatives, advancing the university’s role as an anchor institution in Newark and Essex County as the school’s primary liaison to elected officials, public agencies, school districts and regional organizations. The role is a perfect fit. Garretson has more than two decades of political and civic experience, including service as a mayor and school board member in Hillside and as a Union County Commissioner.
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She plays a key role at ELEC 825 advancing economic development and championing infrastructure investment to expand opportunities for members of the International Union of Operating Engineers. Known for shaping policy and building coalitions, she uses her extensive background in politics and public affairs (including service as Burlington County’s Freeholder Director) to support union contractors and promote responsible growth in the state.
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She oversees Cooper’s people strategy, shaping recruitment, development and engagement efforts that support organizational performance and patient‑centered care. A Cooper veteran who began her career there in 1988, Green previously led talent management and also ran her own coaching and consulting firm. She serves on the Camden County Workforce Development Board and on the board of Cathedral Kitchen, reflecting her broader community commitments.
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She leads Holy Name’s marketing and communications strategy, bringing more than a decade of experience in media, public relations and brand development. But what truly distinguishes Griffin is this: She brings a journalist’s eye and discipline to storytelling. Whether it’s a story about complex clinical care, the pandemic or the system’s hospital in Haiti, she ensures the narrative fits Holy Name’s mission and community impact.
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She leads one of the region’s most influential nonprofits, advancing research‑driven strategies to support ALICE — best described as households above poverty but still struggling to afford basics. A longtime advocate for equity and economic mobility, Gaudioso previously oversaw United Way’s community‑impact work and helped expand the national United for ALICE initiative. Her career includes stops at nonprofits focused on education, youth opportunity and statewide service programs.
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She’s had two of the biggest, toughest, far-reaching and impactful roles in the state: Serving first as press secretary for Gov. Murphy (the youngest to serve in that position in history) and now as director of communications for what will be the most-watched event in human history: The 2026 FIFA World Cup. The future is bright for Hamilton, who clearly isn’t afraid of the big stage.
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She was into online education before online education was … well, you get the point. A highly regarded thought-leader in remote education, Hancock has had Thomas Edison State University ahead of the curve for years, building on decades of experience at SUNY Empire State College and global campuses of Central Michigan and the University of Maryland. Her career has centered on expanding access, success and completion for nontraditional learners.
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She is a widely respected corporate attorney with more than 30 years of experience guiding companies through complex transactions, financings, mergers and acquisitions and governance matters. A longtime leader at Archer & Greiner, Hays chairs the firm’s board and its business counseling work, advising clients from startups to global corporations. She also is active regionally, having served as chair of the South Jersey Chamber.
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She is recognized and respected in the State House for her knowledge on all aspects of health care, taxation, economic development and education. – and the manner in which she advocates for some of the state’s top companies. Wise beyond her years, she also is noted for her efforts to develop the next generation of leaders, heading up the Chamber’s Young Professionals group.
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She came to Ramapo after a distinguished 39‑year military career in which she became the first woman to serve as dean of the academic board at West Point. Her impact has been palpable since Day One. Since arriving in 2021, Jebb has overseen major campus investments, strategic planning and record‑setting enrollment while championing an ethos of bold, empathetic and ethical leadership across the institution.
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She is one of New Jersey’s most recognizable and respected political journalists, someone who brings a sense of perspective and history that too often is missed in political coverage. Her decades of experience as a reporter, host and producer gave ON New Jersey, a newly created statewide streaming platform, instant credibility. An Emmy Award winner, she has covered gubernatorial races, Congress and major statehouse developments.
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She helps shape Horizon’s policy and community‑impact strategy, representing the state’s largest health insurer before legislators, regulators and local stakeholders. Jones is known for her strong statewide relationships and her work advancing health‑access and equity issues. It comes from a long history of being in the arena. She previously served in senior roles for Cablevision and in the congressional offices of Donald Payne Jr. and Bill Pascrell Jr.
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She helps shape communications strategy for a diverse portfolio of clients, bringing more than two decades of experience in media relations, brand positioning and sponsorship development to the role. But here’s what you really need to know: Kaplan is a pro’s pro in the role. Always a step ahead in the game. And always delivering what is needed in a timely manner and pleasant way.
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She pivoted from an incredible career in investment banking to become an academic leader who works to remove barriers and expand opportunities for women in the workplace. That’s no surprise to those who knew her when … A longtime advocate for gender equity, Kaplowitz’s activism began as a Brown University scholar‑athlete and plaintiff in the landmark Title IX case that restored women’s varsity teams and reshaped collegiate athletics nationwide.
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She plays a central leadership role at Kean University, serving as chief of staff to the president while also overseeing operations for the Board of Trustees. Kelly is recognized as a trusted adviser who helps drive Kean’s governance, communications and institutional priorities – and serves as another example of how journalism is a great career enhancer: She worked for papers in the state for more than a decade.
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She leads one of New Jersey’s most storied law firms as its newly elected managing partner — only the fourth in Greenbaum’s 100‑plus‑year history. She not only is the first woman to serve in the role, she is the first geologist, too. Koonz is a nationally recognized environmental and energy attorney, advising clients on permitting, regulatory compliance, renewable‑energy projects and major infrastructure matters.
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Her influence and impact go far beyond the powerful titles listed above. In 2021, Kovach served as the president of the NJ League of Municipalities. And while she was the director of the New Jersey Division on Women from 2006-10, she continues to advocate for programs she funded because she knows women will be under-represented in business and government without consistent advocacy.
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She may have the most impactful role of anyone on the list. The New Jersey AI Hub, a first‑of‑its‑kind public‑private partnership between Princeton, the EDA, Microsoft and CoreWeave is aimed at making the state a global AI leader. Krawczyk has the chops to do the job, having previously served as a senior adviser in the U.S. Commerce Department’s CHIPS Program Office and a former innovation executive at NYCEDC.
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She leads what some call a center‑right economic think tank; she prefers to think of it as a nonpartisian group whose only agenda is common-sense, data-supported fiscal reforms. Lane, who became president in 2024 after serving as its policy director, brings a background in public policy, strategic communications and local government, including service as a Mountain Lakes councilmember and executive director of Jersey 1st.
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She does not have any tickets for you. Let’s start there. But you can be assured that LaRusso has just about everything else covered when it comes to the World Cup. For nearly eight years, she has been one of the key architects behind the region’s planning, working with FIFA, state and local governments, transportation agencies and business leaders to deliver the largest sporting event on the planet.
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She launched WML Public Affairs in 2021 and immediately received the following feedback: What took you so long? A government relations and public affairs executive for more than three decades, Lazarus is regarded for her ability to impact policy related to state tax and health care, her ability to build coalitions and her deep bipartisan relationships in Trenton. She now brings that to all of her clients.
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She has long been one of Choose New Jersey’s most respected behind‑the‑scenes leaders, the person who kept the engine running as chief administrative officer, overseeing finance, operations and HR with quiet consistency and deep competence. Now, in her second stint as interim CEO, Lenhardt is again getting the chance to shine publicly — and this well-earned ‘Tip of the Hat.’
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She transformed a kitchen‑table idea into one of the fastest‑growing better‑for‑you snack brands in the country. The founder and CEO of Undercover Snacks, Levy created her crispy quinoa‑and‑chocolate treats after two of her daughters were diagnosed with celiac disease. Now running a woman‑owned, solar‑powered, SQF‑certified factory in New Jersey, she was recently honored as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 New Jersey winner.
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She is a behind‑the‑scenes strategist whose bipartisan reach has guided clients for nearly three decades and through five gubernatorial administrations, launching her own firm in 2008. Through it all, LiCausi has remained a determined advocate for expanding representation and has worked tirelessly to ensure the placement of women in key governmental positions and on boards and commissions.
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She is a longtime force behind the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey’s success, rising through nearly every facet of the organization over 25 years before becoming EVP and chief operating officer. Not enough? Lorrilliere also leads the South Jersey Chamber Foundation and is deeply active in the region’s nonprofit community, serving the Salvation Army Camden Kroc Center, Hopeworks and the South Jersey Young Professionals Association.
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A dynamic entrepreneur, she co‑owns several businesses, including Stumpy’s Green Brook and multiple real estate development ventures. But that’s just the start. Martinez Milan is active in numerous organizations, including serving on the boards of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and Latina Surge, where she chairs CSR initiatives. She recently concluded her term as chair of the Somerset County Business Partnership.
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She is a marketing maven, but so much more. Mays is a transformative voice in Newark’s renaissance. In addition to her efforts at Newark Alliance, she is president of Newark Happening, where she leads the effort to position the city as a premier destination for business, culture and tourism. Mays brings nearly two decades of placemaking, brand‑building and equitable‑growth expertise to Newark’s future.
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She is a highly respected leader in the state’s energy sector, overseeing major infrastructure programs and renewable‑energy advancements. But that’s just the start of who she is and what she does. McMullen is deeply engaged in industry leadership, chairing the Northeast Gas Association’s board of directors. And her commitment to community impact and workforce development led her to being honored as Woman of the Year by the Union County College Foundation.
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She is a key force behind R&J Strategic Communications’ client success, bringing two decades of experience in messaging, brand positioning and campaign execution. And one of the great people in the profession. Miller leads teams across health care, nonprofit, real estate and financial‑services sectors. A longtime member of the agency, she’ll celebrate 20 years at R&J in December.
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She is relatively new to Grassi (she joined the firm in 2024), but not to the profession (she has more than 20 years of professional‑services marketing experience). And she’s certainly not new to being a force in the role. More has had immediate impact at Grassi, elevating its national profile through integrated, data‑driven campaigns that strengthen client engagement and support growth.
Click here to read The BINJE’s Best: Top Women in Business issue.
Click here to read: BINJE’s Best Top Women in Business 2026: Dynamic Dozen
Click here to read: BINJE’s Best Top Women in Business 2026: Rising Stars
Click here to read: BINJE’s Best Top Women in Business 2026: A to F
Click here to read: BINJE’s Best Top Women in Business 2026: G to M
Click here to read: BINJE’s Best Top Women in Business 2026: N to Z
Click here to read: BINJE’s Best Top Women in Business 2026: Final Four
A special thank you goes to the gold‑level sponsors of the event celebrating the BINJE’s Best: Top Women in Business: RWJBarnabas Health, PSEG, DEVCO‑Helix, United Airlines, ELEC 825, Prudential Financial, Prager Metis and Spectrum Works.
