She is the ultimate example of working your way up the ladder as she has turned a let’s-see-what-this-is-about college internship into a 37-year (and counting) career. The only change has been a move to New Jersey, where she came to run N.J. American Water in 2019. She still works in Camden and is still connected to the state as she serves on the board of Cooper Health System and Choose New Jersey.
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She brings a seasoned journalist’s eye for the story and an industry hustle to get it to the public. Nussman is a key reason why HMH officials are so frequently connected to the news of the day. A former senior producer and Emmy Award winner, Nussman has transitioned nicely into her new role, elevating the sector in the process.
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She is a master at helping clients navigate the complex intersection of government, politics and business strategy. Equally adept at working with executives or elected officials, she devises and executes solutions for companies and organizations. Her public‑sector experience includes serving on U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez’s 2018 reelection campaign and previously interning in his Senate office, where she supported legislative and constituent‑services work.
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She is one of the state’s quiet powerhouses in executive compensation and employee‑benefits law, advising companies, investors and executives on some of their most complex and sensitive matters. Osvald‑Mruz is known for her pragmatic approach to equity‑compensation design, partnership and LLC structures, and the compensation aspects of major transactions, including mergers, IPOs and joint ventures.
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She plays a central role in shaping one of the region’s most ambitious real estate portfolios. As SVP of property management and construction at Onyx Equities, Pappas oversees operations for more than 13 million square feet and manages more than $250 million in active projects, including the new NJ Transit headquarters at Newark’s Gateway Center. She is known for bringing best‑in‑class execution and tenant‑focused leadership to every assignment
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She is a leading voice in the most dynamic housing landscape in the state, one that seemingly is adding hundreds of new units every week. Paul, who represents property owners in policy debates and advocates for sustainable, responsible housing solutions, has become a prominent figure in citywide discussions on affordability, tenant‑protection ordinances and development policy, frequently offering data‑driven alternatives through public forums.
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She brings one of the most substantial public‑service résumés in the state to her new role as managing director at Stevens & Lee Public Affairs. A great get, as they say, Quigley most recently served as chief of staff to the N.J. attorney general. Her decade‑plus experience in state government, including senior roles in the Division of Criminal Justice and the Appellate Bureau, gives her unparalleled insight into how policy, law and governance intersect.
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She is showing the significant impact art and leisure can have on development, providing a model for others to emulate by overseeing a multi-million-dollar budget aimed at major infrastructure improvements and placemaking projects designed to strengthen the waterfront business district in Jersey City. Reynolds, a veteran real estate executive, is blending economic growth, public‑space revitalization and community partnership to shape one of the state’s most important neighborhoods.
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She is a key voice in New Jersey’s Hispanic business community, an entrepreneur who transformed a small family idea into La Providencia, a leading importer, manufacturer and distributor of authentic Mexican products across 22 states. As co‑founder and co‑owner, Rios has built a brand that celebrates culture while driving economic opportunity. She is recognized for championing Hispanic manufacturers, women entrepreneurs and community‑centered growth.
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She is one of the state’s most influential (best-known, most-admired, highly regarded – pick your accolade; they all apply) government‑affairs attorneys. Blending legal acumen with decades of policy experience, Roberts leads her firm’s Trenton office and represents major industries — from banking and insurance to health care, tech and utilities — before the governor’s office, Legislature and state agencies.
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She is one of the most influential executives shaping New Jersey’s energy workforce and corporate culture. Rostiac oversees the company’s people strategy, corporate communications, health and safety and security operations — serving as an example that putting people first is the best way to guide a company. A 25‑year PSEG veteran, she previously led the PSEG Foundation and serves on major statewide boards, including Montclair State University.
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She is the driving force behind the Cranford Theatre’s resurgence, transforming the historic venue through a full renovation and re‑establishing it as a cultural anchor in downtown Cranford. As owner, Sayegh blends her lifelong roots in cinema with modern programming, community partnerships and expanded events. Her leadership has earned the theatre industry recognition and reinforced its role as a beloved gathering place for families and film lovers alike.
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She is an inspirational success story — beginning as an intern in 2007 and rising through every level of the firm to become partner and vice president. Schiavo now leads major media‑relations, digital‑strategy and integrated communications campaigns for top nonprofits, businesses and associations. Known for precision, creativity and relationship‑driven results, she also serves on the Greater Atlantic City Chamber’s board and executive committee.
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She is a fast‑rising executive within Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Prudential Center, Devils, 76ers and other properties. After joining the organization a decade ago as associate counsel, Seiden has served as chief of staff and VP of partnerships, using her deep sports‑industry experience as a key to operational leadership that has strengthened both team and arena business performance.
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She plays a key role in shaping PSEG’s public voice as part of the company’s corporate communications team. Shugrue uses her deep industry knowledge and experience to make difficult concepts easy to digest. Hers is a role that is as much about educating as informing – a talent and skillset that is so greatly needed in an era when confusion about energy generation, consumption and pricing is a top concern for so many.
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She is one of the most influential government‑affairs leaders for a company – and a sector – that impacts the N.J. business community like no other. Slater Stokes, the managing director for the Northeast, influences public policy, community investment and business‑development initiatives for one of the state’s biggest employers. She also serves on key boards, including the Regional Plan Association, Choose New Jersey and the Newark Regional Business Partnership.
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She is the type of person you create positions for, which is exactly what the NJHA did in 2022. Stearns, one of New Jersey’s most respected health‑policy and advocacy leaders, leads state and federal advocacy for nearly 400 hospitals, health systems and post‑acute providers, shaping policy on affordability, access and delivery‑system reform. A veteran of Gibbons P.C. and NJBIA, she is known for coalition‑building, strategic legislative work and translating complex health care regulations into actionable solutions.
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She is a key architect of the systemwide operations strategy of Inspira Health, a system that is redefining care and coverage in South Jersey. Stockman oversees all acute‑care services across Inspira’s hospitals and health centers, driving clinical integration, quality, patient‑experience improvements and workforce stabilization. She brings more than two decades of frontline, operational and executive experience to her role in shaping Inspira’s future.
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She is one of the most impactful women on this list, someone who is changing lives and altering futures. Sullivan launched Spectrum Works in 2011 to close the staggering autism‑employment gap. Through on‑the‑job training, job‑coaching and partnerships with major employers, she has created a nationally unique model that successfully integrates autistic individuals into competitive workplaces — and expanded that mission through Spectrum BRIDGES, a digital workforce‑development platform.
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She represents the fourth generation leading one of New Jersey’s most storied manufacturing companies. As president of Switlik Parachute Company, Switlik oversees operations, strategy and growth for the century‑old producer of aviation, marine and military safety gear. She advanced through roles including COO, VP of Sales and Marketing and marketing director before assuming the top leadership position, where she has guided expansion, product innovation and a renewed focus on operational excellence.
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She is one of New Jersey’s most respected multi-family developers – and that’s just one reason she is on this list. Tantleff championed affordable and veterans housing as chair of the N.J. Builders Association and helps cultivate the next generation of real estate professionals at the Rutgers Center for Real Estate. A member of the N.J.–Israel Commission, she is also a strong supporter of Israel and Jewish philanthropic causes.
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She is reshaping business education for a technology‑driven world as dean of the business school at NJIT, a role she has held since 2019. A longtime scholar of operations and supply‑chain management, Tukel previously spent nearly three decades at Cleveland State University before coming to Newark. At NJIT, she has expanded experiential learning, strengthened industry partnerships and championed programs that prepare the next generation of diverse, tech‑savvy business leaders.
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She left a three‑decade Wall Street career to launch WINGS for Growth, the nonprofit she founded in 2016 to provide high‑impact mentoring and leadership development for women. Guided by her father’s philosophy that “there is never a bad time to do good,” Waishampayan built a nationally recognized model that pairs aspiring leaders with senior executives across industries, empowering women to advance with confidence and purpose.
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She is one of the top external affairs officers in the state and plays a pivotal role in shaping Inspira Health’s regional impact, leading government relations, partnerships and community investment. Walton has secured major funding for behavioral health, youth anti‑violence and access‑expansion initiatives across South Jersey. Her reach extends beyond Inspira, too. In 2024, she was elected chair of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey.
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She is an example of someone willing to forge her own path. After two decades in senior agency roles serving major financial‑services clients, Watts launched her own boutique communications firm in 2023. An award‑winning PR strategist, she has quickly built a high‑performing firm specializing in media strategy, financial‑sector storytelling and executive visibility, earning national placements and rapid revenue growth.
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She spent more than a decade building and running Leading Women Entrepreneurs, the platform she founded to spotlight and support New Jersey’s top female leaders — ultimately honoring and elevating thousands of women across the state. Now, Wellbrock is most deservedly getting recognition for her role at Fiserv, where she drives regional engagement, partnerships and economic‑impact initiatives – and serves on the board of the Gateway Chamber of Commerce.
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She brings more than two decades of Power Five experience to her role at Rutgers, becoming the university’s first AD with a true big‑time athletics pedigree. Zinn arrived in 2025, coming from LSU, where she helped drive national championships, major revenue growth and an innovative NIL strategy. At Rutgers, she has moved quickly, reshaping NIL operations, modernizing revenue structures and making bold leadership decisions to position the school for long‑term success.
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Long recognized as one of New Jersey’s most respected government‑affairs strategists, she is now striking out on her own. Zuk recently launched CZ Strategies, a woman‑owned boutique consultancy providing strategic counsel, advocacy and policy navigation for clients across the state. A veteran of legislative leadership roles and statewide campaigns, she also serves as board president of 180 Turning Lives Around, continuing her deep commitment to public service.
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.
