Baye Adolfo-Wilson
CEO
BAW Development
It’s easy to laud him for his development skills. After all, he did rebuild Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson into an economic destination — a stadium he now owns and uses to fuel his passion for sports. He is the owner of the New Jersey Jackals and the Cosmos.
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Denise Anderson
Executive director
Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing
She is a public health executive, but that only begins to describe her impact. A dynamic public speaker on diversity, equity & inclusion and president of the New Jersey Public Health Association, Anderson is a strategist and equity-centered leader — someone working to strengthen public health infrastructure and translate evidence into action across the state.
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Matthew Baker
Partner
Genova Burns
He is highly regarded as an attorney for commercial litigation, criminal defense and investigations and compliance, but he increasingly is becoming known as a leader in name, image & likeness issues (he is a former Division I athlete). Baker also is a leader in developing the next generation; he serves on the board of Lead New Jersey.
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Jacqueline Baptiste
Executive advisor to CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
She is the behind-the-scenes leader who holds together one of the most influential diversity chambers in the state and in the nation and deserves a moment in the spotlight. Baptiste oversees the group’s efforts in fundraising, outreach, events, public relations and marketing.
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Leon Baptiste
Founder, president
LB Electric Co.
A true icon in the industry, the New Jersey Institute of Technology grad formed LB Electric Co. through its VentureLink program. LBE provides electrical systems, testing, solar (photovoltaic) design and installation for major commercial, industrial, hospital and government agencies — all while training those often overlooked (inner-city youth, disabled veterans and re-entry individuals).
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Adenah Bayoh
Founder
Adenah Bayoh & Companies
It’s hard to overstate her status as an already-legendary figure in the state. Bayoh is an accomplished restaurant entrepreneur (pivoting from franchise owner to creator of her own Cornbread brand) and developer of affordable housing, where she brings dignity and access to working families in the type of neighborhoods that shaped her.
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Omar Bareentto
Partner
McCarter & English
He is a highly regarded attorney whose litigation range and government‑affairs insight make him a go‑to problem‑solver for complex corporate disputes. He’s even more impactful in his community: Bareentto is the founder of The Collective — a network of African American male attorneys — and a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters and NJ LEEP.
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Michelle Bodden
Chief Equity & Inclusive Culture Officer
N.J. Economic Development Authority
She has long helped shape how the state supports entrepreneurs who too often were overlooked: small, diverse and women‑owned business owners. Bodden, drawing on past roles leading supplier diversity and advancing women entrepreneurs, plus her own experience as a founder, brings both strategy and lived insight to building a more accessible economy.
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Toray Brown
Managing director
B-Side Entertainment
She leads an award‑winning entertainment group anchored by the state’s standout house band. Enjoy the music, but remember that B‑Side Entertainment is a full‑service production company — lights, audio, video and, of course, Brown’s signature strength: capturing every moment through her highly sought‑after photography.
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Mo Butler
Partner; Chair
Mercury Public Affairs; Casino Reinvestment Development Authority
Whether advising clients as a public affairs heavyweight at Mercury or steering investment and redevelopment in Atlantic City as chairman of the CRDA, he brings a rare mix of political savvy and operational acumen. Put another way: Butler is one of the state’s most trusted problem-solvers.
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Dale Caldwell
Lt. Governor
State of New Jersey
There’s a reason why he has been so embraced by the business community — he is a lifetime member. The accidental politician, Caldwell brings an incredible résumé rooted in the private sector (Deloitte and Tempus Management) and academia (Centenary and Fairleigh Dickinson universities) with public service (Newark Alliance and the Department of Community Affairs) and spiritual leadership (he’s a pastor).
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Sandy Castor
Head of economic development
Middlesex County
Castor is one of the reasons why Middlesex County outpaces all others. As a leader in economic development, she implements a strategy that spans workforce, business engagement, education, arts and placemaking, has strengthened public-private partnerships and positioned the county as a model for how equity and economic growth can coexist.
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Joel Clymer
Partner
Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis
He primarily focuses his practice on employment litigation and counseling, with an emphasis on civil rights issues around age, race, disabilities and more. A former deputy attorney general for the state, Clymer is the president of the Garden State Bar Association, the top organization for African American attorneys, judges and legal professionals.
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Tai Cooper
Chief Community Development Officer
N.J. Economic Development Authority
Highly regarded thought leader and policy adviser, her role at EDA is as important as any. Cooper’s task is to make New Jersey a national model for sustainable and equitable economic growth by investing in communities, fostering innovation and supporting industries with high-quality jobs in the state.
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Lisa Cottman
Senior talent attraction program specialist
South Jersey Industries
She is a strategic and results-driven workforce planning and program development leader with more than a dozen years working in early career talent, performance management and workforce analytics. Cottman recently was elected president of the South Jersey Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy.
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Gary Crosby
President
Saint Elizabeth University
A transformational hire in 2021 (he was the formerly all-female institution’s first male president), Crosby has proven to be a visionary leader — someone who has become a fixture in the local community while showing a commitment and passion to advancing the mission of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth.
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Natasha Davis
Founder
The BLOC Foundation
She leads a redevelopment-focused nonprofit organization that is dedicated not only to fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth in urban communities, but training community members (especially women) in a 12-week construction training program that will give them the practical skills and certifications they need to secure full-time employment in the industry.
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Marcus Dyer
Principal & Co-leader, tax controversy
Withum
A CPA for nearly two decades, he handles all aspects of federal and state tax controversies, including civil tax examinations, appeals and collections matters — handling numerous matters in state, federal and U.S. Tax Court. Dyer frequently writes commentary and presents at professional education programs on various tax topics.
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Donald Ferrell
SVP, Facilities, construction and Real Estate
Hackensack Meridian Health
He is responsible for oversight of 15 million square feet at 17 hospital campuses and 350 off-site locations throughout the Hackensack Meridian Health Network. Among many big projects, Ferrell led the design and construction team on the construction of the Helena Theurer Pavilion, a 530,000-square-foot state-of-the-art expansion of the medical center.
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Ferlanda Fox Nixon
CEO
Newark Regional Business Partnership
In the role for 18 months, Fox Nixon is putting her stamp on the organization, helping to refresh what has long been one of the top chambers in the state. The recent addition of a real estate council is just one example of the value she is adding for members.
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Tanya Freeman
Founding partner
Tanya L. Freeman Law
She is well known for her expert leadership at University Hospital (she just ended her term as chair), but Freeman also is one of the top family law attorneys in the state. Her recently created firm handles all aspects of what are often emotional issues in a compassionate way that enables clients to meet tomorrow’s challenges on their own terms.
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Damien Ghee
Market manager
Citizens Bank
A longtime leader in South Jersey/Philadelphia banking, he heads the commercial banking strategy for the region with a team dedicated to supporting lower middle-market companies with capital, treasury and risk solutions. Ghee’s go-to-market strategy helps transform regional sales models to capture market share in a competitive landscape.
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Aisha Glover
Global head of urban innovation
Audible
She is a nationally recognized advocate and thought leader for community development around social responsibility, equity and local empowerment. While so much of her work has involved Newark (she is former head of Newark Alliance and the city’s Economic Development Corporation), her reach goes much further as a key member of the board of the NJEDA.
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David Gould
Chief corporate affairs officer
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
He oversees many of the company’s legendary efforts in community relations and impact, from Newark to Camden to Philadelphia and everywhere in between. The organization’s Enrich program is an industry model for how large corporations can support small businesses with both vendor contracts and professional training and development.
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Mary Griffin
VP, membership retention and programs
African American Chamber of Commerce of N.J.
She oversees the day-to-day operations of membership relations and programs structured to meet the goals, objectives and service delivery commensurate with the mission of the chamber. For Griffin, it’s a second career after spending nearly four decades in the telecommunications industry, starting at Bell Labs in 1981.
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Bernel Hall
CEO
NJ Community Capital
He is well known for his roles at NJCC and Invest Newark, but his career in real estate development and placemaking goes back much further and to a much greater area. In the past 25 years, Hall has executed over $5 billion in real estate investment for multifamily, retail, office and hotel properties in 36 states.
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John Harmon
Founder, CEO
African American Chamber of Commerce of N.J.
He has helped the AACCNJ become one of the most impactful chambers in the state, successfully advocating for opportunities for his communities while calling out those whose actions do not match their words. Harmon, a powerful public speaker, is a highly desired board member — in New Jersey and the region.
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Shané Harris
President
The Prudential Foundation
In addition to her role at the foundation, Harris is the Vice President of social responsibility and partnerships at Prudential. Her responsibilities include leading the company’s philanthropic strategy, overseeing the distribution of over $62 million in grants and charitable contributions, as well as managing Prudential’s skills-based volunteering and multicultural partnership programs.
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Nicole Harris-Hollingsworth
SVP, Social impact and population health
Hackensack Meridian Health
She is a public health executive with proven experience in all phases of the cycles of project leadership, development and program planning. She is an experienced administrator in staff leadership, budget management, grant and proposal writing. And she is a community engagement leader with extensive experience collaborating with elected stakeholders at the local and statewide level.
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Ryan Haygood
CEO
NJ Institute for Civil Justice
The nation’s push toward social justice following the death of George Floyd brought new attention to the inspiring work his group is doing in New Jersey. The current push away from such initiatives (and away from basic acknowledgment of inequity) makes the mission-driven efforts he is overseeing more important than ever.
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Jason Holt
Member
CSG
He is a seasoned attorney with more than two decades of experience in local government, municipal corporations, turnaround strategy, litigation and fiscal management. Holt draws upon his background (he is a former corporation counsel and business administrator, as well as a municipal judge) to provide unique insights and life experiences to his clients.
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James Horne
CEO
Junior Achievement of N.J.
He has dedicated much of his professional life to helping young people discover their own passions and begin their own journeys. Skilled in developing partnerships with local leaders, Horne has led JA’s initiatives for nearly four years. He came to the role after spending nearly two decades as head of the United Way of Greater Union County.
