SheTek Women’s Tech Conference 2025
SheTek Women’s Tech Conference 2025
AI Evolution: Empowering Women In AI
Jan 29, 2025 –In person
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET
Jan 30, 2025 – Virtual
8:30 AM – 2:30 PM ET
Explore the transformative world of Artificial Intelligence at a conference designed to inspire and empower women in tech. Discover cutting-edge industry trends, from AI-driven innovation to ethical AI development, and learn how to thrive in this dynamic field. Hear from influential leaders shaping the future of AI and gain actionable insights to advance your career. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, this event will equip you with the skills and confidence to excel in AI. Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn, and be part of a movement driving diversity in technology!
Join us for this two-day conference of inspiring talks, practical workshops, and networking opportunities. Learn from industry experts about the latest AI trends, ethical considerations, and real-world applications. Discover how AI is transforming industries like healthcare, marketing, finance, and more.
This conference is designed for women and allies at all stages of their tech careers, including:
- Students and Early Career Professionals: Gain foundational knowledge and practical skills to kickstart your AI journey.
- Experienced Professionals: Learn how to leverage AI to advance your career and drive innovation in your organization.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Discover the latest trends and applications of AI and network with like-minded individuals.
- AI Practitioners: Share your expertise, learn from others, and discuss the future of AI.
We kick off with the always exciting ….
Sponsored by
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Muller’s Pub, Rider University
2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
This is a great way to get connected with others in the SheTek Community as well as women and allies in tech and corporate leaders. Kick off the New Year with new connections, ideas, and some fun!
Day two of the SheTek Women’s Tech Conference 2025 takes us back to the Virtual world. From 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM ET, we will cover AI from top to bottom.
Key Highlights:
- Real-World Insights: Hear from women leaders who are using AI to solve real-world problems.
- Skill-Building Workshops: Learn practical skills like prompt engineering and AI-powered job search strategies.
- Ethical AI Discussions: Explore the ethical implications of AI and how to build responsible AI solutions.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded women in tech and build your professional network.
This conference will help you discover all that AI can be. Don’t miss this chance to empower yourself and shape the future of technology.
Register now and join us for a transformative experience!
Group pricing available for groups of 4 or more people!
Sponsorship Opportunities are still available! Click Here to find out more!
Limited College students discounts available. Email us at contact@shetek.net to find out more.
AGENDA
Check in
Welcome & Sponsor Introductions from Chaya Pamula, SheTek Founder
The Power of Networking
Networking and enjoying some great food
Welcome
AI in Action: Real-World Applications Across Industries
- Panelists from industries such as Healthcare, Marketing, Art, Manufacturing, Finance, and Services will discuss their current use of AI Tools, and what they see for the future.
Navigating the AI Landscape: Security, Ethics, and Legalities
- A focused discussion with professionals reflecting Data Security and Responsive AI, Ethical AI, Legal Implications and the impact on Social Responsibility
Activity: Craft Your Queries: A Prompt Engineering Mini – Workshop
- A short activity to provide some inspiration and an opportunity to craft meaningful AI queries to get better results.
Break
Leveraging AI for Positive Impact: Inspiring Stories and Innovations
- Hear from those using AI right now. Find out about the apps they’re creating, what tools they are using, and how it can be used for social good.
Building a Successful Career in the Age of AI
- What does the AI revolution mean for your job? How can you use AI to your advantage and help grow your career? Our experts will discuss this and more.
Activity: Level Up Your Job Search: Build Your AI-Powered Pitch
- A short activity to guide you through the steps to create a great elevator pitch with the help of AI
Closing
Dr. Beth Simone Noveck
Beth Simone Noveck serves as the State of New Jersey’s first Chief Innovation Officer – a position she was appointed to by Governor Philip D. Murphy in August 2018. In this capacity, Dr. Noveck, a native of New Jersey, focuses on enhancing innovation in government and in the Garden State’s economy. Using better data, more collective intelligence and agile technology, her team leads projects, designs policies, and advises agencies on innovative strategies to improve the lives of New Jerseyans. Dr. Noveck serves as the Chair of the Governor’s Future of Work Task Force and sits on the Governor’s Jobs and Economic Opportunity Council.
In addition to her role as New Jersey’s Chief Innovation Officer, Dr. Noveck is a professor at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, a Fellow at NYU’s Institute for Public Knowledge, and is a Visiting Senior Faculty Fellow at the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University. She also directs NYU’s Governance Lab, an action research center studying the impact of technology on governing. Previously, Dr. Noveck served in the White House as the first United States Deputy Chief Technology Officer, and as director of the White House Open Government Initiative under President Obama. UK Prime Minister David Cameron later appointed her senior advisor for Open Government, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel named her a member of her ten-person digital council.
She is a graduate of Harvard University and Yale Law School, and was named one of the “World’s 100 Most Influential People in Digital Government 2018” by Apolitical. Previously, she was selected as one of the “Foreign Policy 100” by Foreign Policy as well as one of the “100 Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company and “Top Women in Technology” by Huffington Post. Dr. Noveck has written multiple books, and has been published extensively, on how technology can improve governing.
Michele Siekerka, Esq.
Michele N. Siekerka, Esq., President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, leads the nation’s largest, most influential employers’ organization, advocating on behalf of New Jersey’s large and small businesses for policies that will make New Jersey more affordable and regionally competitive.
Under Siekerka’s leadership, NJBIA’s award-winning research on outmigration documented the loss of $20.7 billion in wealth from New Jersey over 11 years and set the agenda in Trenton for the enactment of a series of important pro-business reforms, including the recent repeal of the estate tax, and the adjustment of the state income tax threshold for taxing retirement income.
Siekerka has also been at the forefront of efforts to build more effective workforce development alliances in New Jersey between academia, business and government. The NJBIA Postsecondary Education Task Force’s yearlong study of New Jersey’s highest-in-the-nation millennial outmigration produced a 13-point action plan in 2018 that is driving policymakers’ discussions on how to retain our future workforce by enticing more young adults to pursue education and careers in New Jersey.
Siekerka came to NJBIA in 2014 from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, where she served in the critical position of Deputy Commissioner, following her service as Assistant Commissioner for Water Resources Management. During her time at DEP, Siekerka was a principal player in the state’s charge to restore New Jersey after Superstorm Sandy with the responsibility of coordinating funding, outreach and resources for rebuilding environmental infrastructure.
An attorney by trade, Siekerka’s background includes serving as the president and CEO of the Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, senior legal counsel and vice president of human resources with the Automobile Association of America, and as a partner in a Mercer County law firm.
Siekerka is the co-founder and co-chair of Opportunity New Jersey. She also serves on the board of directors of Investors Bancorp; Choose New Jersey; the New Jersey Innovation Institute; Junior Achievement of New Jersey; Young Audiences of NJ; and Better Choices Better Care.
Siekerka’s leadership has been recognized through her inclusion in Power and Policymaker list rankings by Insider NJ, Politicker NJ and NJ BIZ, as well as being cited as one of the 17 People to Watch in 2017 by the Bergen Record. She was also among NJ Biz’s 2015 Best 50 Women in Business.
A Robbinsville resident, Siekerka earned a B.A. in Political Science and German from Rutgers University and a J.D. from Temple University School of Law.
Michele N. Siekerka
Michele N. Siekerka, Esq., President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, leads the nation’s largest, most influential employers’ organization, advocating on behalf of New Jersey’s business community for policies that will make New Jersey more affordable and regionally competitive.
Being known as a collaborative leader and policy influencer, Siekerka is well versed on the ‘boots on the ground” business issues and oftentimes the “go to” resource to share her expertise with media and in public forums across the state.
Jodi Grinwald
Jodi has over 16 years of experience as a for-impact (non-profit) organization expert. She has served as Vice President of Development and Executive Director for two national non-profit organizations. Jodi has led development teams across multiple states, trained development staff nationwide, worked with national teams to create cause related fundraising campaigns, and was also responsible for working with multiple Boards of Directors. After working for multiple non-profit organizations, Jodi co-founded the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) for-impact organization, where she also serves as the CEO.
Now, Jodi is consulting and sharing her expertise with other for-impact organizations. With a focus on reinventing the conversation, transforming the no’s, knowledge bartering, and better communication that yields ongoing sustainability, Jodi has created programming that will support a necessary evolution during these difficult times and beyond. From keynote and motivational speaking, to moderating and serving on panels at multiple events, to working with development teams to grow funding, helping organizations to share their stories effectively, to being a Certified Professional Coach that focuses on Transformational and Career Coaching. Her focus is on helping organizations become sustainable and individuals to thrive.
Jodi started the Today is the Day Changemakers podcast and YouTube Channel that highlights changemakers, self-starters, and those who are disrupting the status quo. She has had the honor of interviewing CNN Heroes, CEO’s, professors, celebrity band members, entrepreneurs, Coaches, and those who are truly making a difference in the world.
MICHELLE A. SCHAAP
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
West Orange, NJ
Phone (973) 530-2026
mschaap@csglaw.com
Michelle A. Schaap, founder of Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC’s Privacy & Data Security Group, regularly advises on cybersecurity preparedness, counsels when data security incidents arise and trains companies on best practices for security procedures addressing both their business operations and their customers’ concerns. Michelle assesses risk management practices and security incident preparedness in developing proactive security incident response and recovery plans.
Michelle further advises clients on their legal mandates under applicable privacy legislation and best practices; assists clients in the vetting of vendors that process confidential and personal data on behalf of clients; and guides clients in understanding guidelines for privacy and cybersecurity imposed by their customers.
Additionally, she works with clients in contract drafting, negotiation and review, including online undertakings, in critical areas of privacy and security.
Michelle counsels clients on incident and breach response – often serving as quarterback to the incident response team, working closely with her client’s senior executives, forensics, law enforcement, insurance advisors and other critical members of the team.
She is a Certified Information Privacy Professional, awarded from the International Association of Privacy Professionals, with a concentration on U.S. private-sector law (CIPP/US), and earned her certification on Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age from Harvard in association with HarvardX and Cybersecurity and Privacy from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
Michelle is a subject matter resource on cybersecurity and privacy for the New Jersey Small Business Development Corporation. She is a sought after speaker and has authored numerous articles to educate business owners on privacy and cybersecurity risks and obligations.
Matters
- Counsel clients on incident and breach response
- Counsel clients on cybersecurity policies and procedures
- Training clients on cyber-mindfulness
- Non-technical risk assessments
- Represents clients to develop incident response plans and conducts tabletop exercises
- Contract audits for clients regarding cybersecurity and related undertakings
- Website terms and conditions and privacy policies
- Negotiation of the sale of an independent website to a major publishing house ($3 million)
- Sale of a software developer to a major technology rollup entity ($60 million)
- Licensing agreements
- Draft and negotiate website development and hosting agreements
- Negotiation of non-disclosure and non-circumvention agreements
Prior to joining the firm, Michelle served as in-house counsel to Toys “R” Us, Inc. from 1991 to 1996. She also worked in Japan for several years as a foreign associate with the Tokyo-based firm of Hamada & Matsumoto (now Mori, Hamada & Matsumoto).
Insights
- IAPP: Negotiating Key Provisions in Vendor Technology Contracts: Mitigating and Managing Vendor Risks
- LORMAN: Data Security Breach Response
- Seton Hall University School of Law Data Privacy and Security Compliance Certificate Program
- What Lawyers Need to Know About Vendor Risk Management, and Ethical Obligations to Clients
- Companies Urged To Stay Vigilant With Cybersecurity Practices Due To Concerns About Russia-Based Cyber Attacks
- Fund Managers and Investment Advisors May Soon, by Federal Regulation, be Required to Have Documented Cyber Risk Management Programs
- United States Cybersecurity Magazine: Patchwork State Privacy Legislation vs Federal Law: Small and Midsize Businesses Would Benefit from One Clear Path
- NJBIZ: A perfect storm for hackers; Remote work conditions mean more opportunity for cybercrime say experts
- Kaseya Ransomware and Impacted Customers: Updates from Kaseya
- CIANJ Guest Blog: Biden’s Executive Order Presents New Cybersecurity Standards for Government Agencies and Their Software and Cloud Providers
- NJBIZ: How Biden’s executive order on cybersecurity will affect New Jersey businesses
- QuBit Conference: Cyber extortion and ransomware: How to confront this challenge?
- Seton Hall University School of Law: The Duty of Technological Competence and Other Ethical Issues Relating to Technology and Law Practice
- CIANJ: Cyber-Security: Be Prepared! A Non-Technical Guide to What Every Manager/Owner Should Know
- ROI-NJ: Increasing number of biometric data protection laws and their impact on N.J. businesses
- NJBIZ: Panel – 90% of cyber attacks are occasioned by human error, and they’re on the rise
- Biometric Data Protection Laws – Coming to a Jurisdiction Near You
- NJBIZ: Cybersecurity Panel Discussion
- Strafford: Construction Contracts and Augmented Reality – Ownership, Breaches, Allocation of Liability, Cyber Insurance
- Women’s Leadership Committee of NJWLA: Lawyering Skills for Associate Success
- Celesq: What is Authorized Access and How Do Employers Deal with Misuse of Access Credentials Post-Van Buren vs United States
- Legal Resource Network: Cyber Security for Law and Accounting Firms
- First, There Was The New York Shield Act, and Now…The New York Biometric Privacy Act?
- Managing a Remote Workforce – Focusing on Technology Issues
- CIANJ Guest Blog: The SolarWinds Breach – What We Know Now and What Businesses Can Do to Protect Themselves
- COMMERCE MAGAZINE: Liability Issues Associated with Automation, Robots and AI
- APICS Greater North Jersey Chapter: Cybersecurity – An Update to Keep You and Your Company Safe & Compliant
- New Jersey Law Journal: Exceeding Authorized Access Under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
- CISA, FBI and HHS Warn of Imminent Ransomware Threat to Hospitals and Healthcare Providers
- California Legislature Votes to Extend Key CCPA Exemptions Until 2022
- Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal: Cybersecurity and data protection should not be an afterthought for design professionals
- LIFRS/CSG – Giving Diligence its Due: Timeless Strategies for Surviving Change
- No More Safe Harbor…Take Two: Immediate Invalidation of Privacy Shield
- ISEA 2020 Summit Series – Connected Workers: The Legal and Regulatory Landscape
- America’s SBDC New Jersey: Cybersecurity for Small Businesses
- New Jersey Women Lawyers Association: When the Dust Settles, Where Will Your Data Reside?
- Marcum LLP: Third Party Vendor Risk During the Pandemic
- SobelCo: Cyber Security and Fraud Vulnerability During a Pandemic
- OneTrust: CCPA & GDPR Online Event
- The Life of a Data Breach: The “Gift” That Keeps on Giving
- ConstructionDive: The Dotted Line: 4 ways to interpret construction contracts amid coronavirus
- COVID-19 Scams, Frauds and Misinformation: Do Not Let Fear and Isolation Allow You to be Phished
- Privacy Laws, Duty to Warn and Communication Considerations Concerning COVID-19
- Practical considerations for employers as their workforce goes remote amid COVID-19 outbreak
- American Bar Association’s Fidelity & Surety Law Committee’s 2020 Midwinter Conference
- ConstructionDIVE: Skanska selects third-party cybersecurity firm
- NJCPA Technology and Cybersecurity Update
- She Leads Tech Event
- Not in California? Here’s Why the CCPA Should Still Be on Your Radar
- The Long Reach of New York’s Shield Act
- The Pros and Cons of Online Meeting Platforms
- COMMERCE Magazine: Cyberspace: Protecting Data is Serious Business
- ConstructionDIVE: How can and should data from construction wearables be collected?
- Changes to AIA Contract Documents – What Construction Lawyers Need to Know
- Cybersecurity Panel – What Should Keep You Up at Night?
- NJSBA Real Property Trust and Estate Law Section Newsletter: Cybersecurity Considerations in Real Estate Transactions
- States Across U.S. Rush to Implement Data Privacy Regulations
- Amendment to Breach Statute
- NJBIZ: An evolving threat – even small businesses have to worry about cybersecurity
- Wipro Breach: What to do now Changes to AIA Contract Documents – What Construction Lawyers Need to Know
- Responding to, and managing the risk of, the inevitable data breach
- Popular Science: How to keep your ‘vintage’ tech alive
- Cybersecurity and Career Paths for Women in the Profession
- Cyber Security and Opportunity Zone Investing
- Biometrics: A Data Analytics Treasure Trove or a Lawsuit in the Making?
- Law360: What Construction Attorneys Must Know About Virtual Reality
- Understanding New Tech for Corporate and Business Lawyers
- ConstructionDIVE: The Dotted Line: Mitigating the risks of technology
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court Ruling Opens Floodgates on Cybersecurity Lawsuits
- Wise Women@Work Podcast: Michelle Schaap from CSG Talks About Her Career in Law and Cyber Security
- Whether offering Cyber Monday discounts, soliciting year-end charitable donations or marketing your business online, your website policies and terms matter!
- Law360: What Construction Attorneys Must Know On Information Modeling
- Ten tips for cyber mindfulness and data security (even on a limited budget)
- Protecting Your Trade Secrets from Cyber Threats
- Law360: A Construction Attorney’s Road Map For Automated Vehicles
- ConstructionDIVE: The Dotted Line: What contractors need to know about arbitration
- ConstructionDIVE: Former MTA Construction Manager Fined, Sentenced to Prison on Bribery Charges
- ConstructionDIVE: Survey: Small Construction Companies Lukewarm on Tech Investment
- Proposed New York Legislation: Cybersecurity Is Not Just an Issue for Financial Services and Insurance Companies
- Changes to AIA Contract Documents – What Construction Lawyers Need to Know
- Equipment Leasing Newsletter: Cybersecurity in Commercial Equipment Leases
- Journal of Equipment Lease Financing: Cybersecurity – The Increasing Obligations and Exposure in the Age of State Regulation
- ConstructionDIVE: The Dotted Line – How Force Majeure Contract Clauses Can Plan for the Unexpected
- Construction DIVE: The Dotted Line – What Contractors Need to Know About the AIA’s 2017 Contracts Revamp
- WannaCry Explained
- NJBIZ: Badge of Honor – Cybersecurity Company Comodo is Proud to Have Frustrated the CIA into a Rude Remark
- NJBIZ: Computer Viruses Can Cost Organizations. But Ransomware Can Cost Them in More Than One Way. Running a Successful Solo or Small Firm
- Connected Medical Devices loT – Impact to Patient Safety
- Cybersecurity Concerns for Businesses
- New York State Cybersecurity Regulations Regarding Cyber and Data Privacy Obligations Applicable to Banking, Insurance and Financial Services
- ConstructionDIVE: Digging up Delays: How to Handle Unexpected Archaeological Finds on the Job Site
- NJBIZ: Triple Play Cybersecurity Tips
- Real Estate Forum: Big Data is a Big Deal for Real Estate
- GlobeSt.com: How Should the Industry Approach Cybersecurity?
- GlobeSt.com: Cybersecurity’s Role in Commercial Real Estate
Honors
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Privacy and Data Security Law (2020-2023)
- Morris/Essex Health & Life Magazine, Top Lawyers, Technology Virtual (2022)
- NJBIZ Leaders in Law, Privacy (2021)
- CIANJ, Best Practices Award (2019)
- New Jersey Law Journal, Top Women in the Law (2018)
- Leading Women Entrepreneurs & Corporate Leaders of New Jersey Honoree (2017)
- Corporate Insider, Excellence in Technology Law Award – New Jersey (2017)
- Professional Lawyer of the Year Award – New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law (2017)
- Best 50 Women in Business, NJBIZ (2011)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Rating
Involvement
- American Bar Association
- Essex County Bar Association
- The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation
- International Association of Privacy Professionals, KnowledgeNet Chapter Chair
- New Jersey Business and Industry Association, Information Technology Committee (2016-2017)
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- New Jersey Women Lawyers Association (Nominations Co-Director, 2020-2021; President, 2018-2019; President Elect, 2017-2018; Vice President, 2016-2017; Chief Financial Officer, 2015-2016; Former Co-Chief Operating Officer, 2013-2015)
- Women Presidents Organization
- NJ LEEP, Mentor
Education
- International Association of Privacy Professionals (Certified Information Privacy Professional, 2019)
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law (Cybersecurity and Privacy Law Certificate, 2016)
- New Jersey Institute of Technology (Certificate in Construction Management, 2009)
- Rutgers University School of Law – Newark (J.D., 1987)
- Cornell University (B.A., cum laude, 1984)
Bar & Court Admissions
- New Jersey
Thereasa Barker-Figueroa
Thereasa Barker-Figueroa is a cyber threat intelligence analyst with the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC). She is a USAF veteran with over 20 years of service and is currently serving as a cyber intelligence analyst in the NJANG. She has been with the NJCCIC for 3+ years. She holds a bachelor’s in criminal justice with a minor in homeland security.
Jackie Grunwald
Jackie Grunwald is Vice President and CIO of AdvanSix, a leading chemical company that plays a critical role in global supply chains, innovating and delivering products for a wide variety of end markets. Jackie joined AdvanSix in 2016 and established a modernization strategy for the IT landscape. 95% of applications have been migrated or transformed to run on the public cloud, including technical transformation of SAP to run as Suite on HANA on Microsoft Azure. Jackie and her team continue to drive technology enablement of the business through the leverage of contemporary solutions and innovation, leading new initiatives such as Data & Analytics and SAP S/4 HANA implementation, designed to advance capabilities across the organization.
Prior to AdvanSix, Jackie spent 17 years with Honeywell, where she held positions of increasing responsibility in the Transportation Systems business and Corporate, including IT strategy and transformation, business partnership roles with Legal and Government Relations, Finance, Sales & Marketing, and Business Intelligence modernization. Before joining Honeywell, Jackie held several roles at Electronic Data Systems (EDS), including system design and development, configuration management, and data base administration.
Jackie lives in NJ with her husband, Tom, and their two children. She has a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan, specializing in Supply Chain and Business Information Systems, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree (Psychology) also from Michigan State University.
Monica C. Smith
Pronouns: She/her
Monica is known in the state for two things: having the largest independent agency in New Jersey and for her work with and impact on many of New Jersey’s non-profits. In 1999, Monica founded Marketsmith Inc., a strategic advertising agency that uses AI to grow national brands such as SharkNinja, Bluemercury, Brother, Lovesac, and TUMI from infancy to giants with the idea that technology and humanity are inextricably linked when it comes to creating successful consumer-centric marketing. Her original mission remains the same: provide clients and employees with the most advanced tools and training to build powerful marketing models that drive predicable high growth in media campaigns. Marketsmith is known for mitigating risk and maximizing ROI for marketing campaigns at local and national levels.
Monica has driven Marketsmith to be one of the largest woman-owned and-operated independent media and marketing agencies in the country. She has acquired, invested in, and founded numerous companies with her wife and partner, Amy, including the first woman-owned business publication in the state, ROI-NJ. Monica has raised millions from investors, created five technology patents, and developed a software platform that drives many national brands’ success today. She is a recognized public speaker, speaking on women in business, technology, and entrepreneurism.
Monica is active in strategy at Marketsmith. Her successes, especially in omnichannel media strategy that have significantly driven retail outcomes over the past three decades, are impressive, including billions in retail sales.
She has made a difference in the lives of those less fortunate in New Jersey: running and operating a 501(c)(3), One More Smith Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, and adopting an elementary school in Newark, where for the last ten years she has been raising awareness and funds for the supplementation of food, technology, and supplies for struggling families.
Monica has served as a board member for New Jersey Tech Council and currently serves on the technology and innovation board for New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities. She is an active investor with Tech Council Ventures Networked Capital.
Marketsmith holds numerous certifications, including NGLCC, WBENC, NJWBE, NJSBE, and NY State WBE.
Don Philmlee
Entrepreneur, consultant, strategist and technology advocate, Don has a broad range of deep experience finding and making useful technology work successfully. He is the founder and manager of a hands-on technology consultancy focused on providing result-oriented solutions to professional organizations.
Don provides strategic technology services and his work includes Cybersecurity and technology-related maturity assessments and audits, project management, business analysis, implementation management, cost management and analysis, contract negotiation, vendor management, contract management and IT staff reviews. Over the past 30+ years his clients have included over 600 law firms, associations, government and other organizations in the United States and Europe.
Don is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) since 2006 and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) since 2003. He is an active member of various professional groups including: Project Management Institute (PMI), International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), and the Society of Industrial Security Professionals (NCMS).
Don is also an author, teacher, lecturer, mentor and advocate on security and technology trends and management and is an editorial board member for Thomson Reuters.
Marjorie Perry
Marjorie Perry, a lifelong resident of New Jersey, is the President and CEO of MZM Construction & Management Company, Inc. As importantly, she is widely recognized as an innovator, public speaker, writer and role model for women and minorities in business. Using her extraordinary path to success and 26 years of experience as fodder for inspiration, Perry finds her mission to be one who motivates nascent entrepreneurs to develop and pursue their dreams by sharing the lessons she has learned from her own success, which often meant taking life’s lemons and making lemonade. Trained as an educator with a B.A. from Kean College, Perry’s path in teaching was diverted after she was caught in a series of layoffs in the Newark Public School system. In a fortuitous career move, she decided to try her luck in sales and marketing—which turned out to be an unexpected perfect fit. She went on to work for corporate giants 3M, Johnson & Johnson and United Airlines, ultimately cultivating a burgeoning vision for life as a passionate, self-made entrepreneur.
Perry launched a consulting company focused on helping start-ups and serial entrepreneurs succeed in the marketplace. Resourceful and open to all possibilities, it wasn’t long before she and two partners founded MZM Construction & Management. Soon after, she became sole principal of the company, which has sustained a multi-million-dollar bottom line for the last 24 years.
Perry is now a coveted inspirational speaker and writer, motivating people with the message that, “You, too, can do it!” She has spoken throughout the United States to women in business and at small business conferences on how to successfully navigate while playing in shark-filled waters.
Local speaking engagements include the NJ Governor’s Conference for Women, the heralded Sobel & Co., Executive Women Breakfast Series, The Liberty Science Women’s Program, The National Association of Women Business Owners, and The NJ chapter of Financial Executive Institute (FEI).
Perry has appeared on MSNBC, CBS, ABC, UPN 9, News 12 and NJN’s New Jersey Caucus with Steve Adubato where she also is a proud member of the Adubato Advisory Board.
She has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being inducted into New Jersey’s premier business publication’s NJBIZ 2011 Business of the Year, New Jersey Business of Hall of Fame, 2012 SBA Business of the Year, 2012 Best 50 Women in Business, and one of the Top 25 Entrepreneurs in New Jersey. More recently, Perry was selected by Goldman Sachs and Bloomberg in 2015 as one of the top 15 businesses in the country to watch for in the future with major growth within the next five years. To top it off, she has been selected to receive the prestigious 2018 NJBIZ Lifetime Achievement Award, which has only been presented to three other New Jersey business women over the years. She is also a graduate of Goldman Sachs 10,000 small business initiative.
Perry sits on the following boards: The Board of Overseers at NJIT as Chair which includes being a part of the Joint Investment Board, Real Estate and Acquisition Committee, assisting in the selection of new ventures which support the University in acquiring new land for expansion to further advance the on going strategic plan; is a Board member of the Newark Regional Business Partnership and newly elected to the Executive Board of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. In her spare time she lends her voice to the Advisory Board for the Montclair State University Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship, and the Finance Chair for the East Orange School Board, and a recent past member of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Kean University Foundation Board. In academia, she is an adjunct professor at NJIT and Stevens Institute of Technology, teaching MBA students the means and methods of being a successful entrepreneur. In her spare time Perry mentors inner city college-bound youth because it matters that they make it too.
Perry excelled in receiving her MBA in finance from NJIT with additional coursework at Rutgers, Stevens, NYU and NJIT and completed Leadership for the 21st Century at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. In addition, she completed a finance certification program in 2016 just completed Harvard Business School (HBS) OPM Executive Program and was voted class speaker November, 2020.
Radha Ratnaparkhi
Radha Ratnaparkhi is currently the Vice President and CTO for RCP (Research Consulting Partnership) at IBM Research where she is leading the efforts for infusing Research technologies into IBM Consulting offerings with the aim of driving significant business impact. Her prior roles in IBM Research, include VP, Research Technical Community, VP Research Operations, VP Software Defined Environments, VP IT and Wireless Convergence, Director of Commercial Systems, and WebFountain. Radha’s experience at IBM also includes her development leadership for DB2 z/OS. Prior to IBM, Radha was leading the Java products development team at Informix Software and her earlier responsibilities included leadership of the Connectivity libraries, IDS 7.x, Informix NewEra & 4GL. She started her career in Mumbai, India with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Currently, Radha is an Executive-In-Residence at the Grove School of Engineering at CCNY.
Daley Epstein
Dr. Chitra Dorai
Dr. Dorai was an IBM Fellow (first woman of Indian origin to receive this recognition in the globe). She received IBM’s highest honor – the Gerstner Award for Client Excellence; was recognized as an IBM Distinguished Engineer and was appointed by the IBM CEO as an IBM Fellow. Her ground-breaking work on customer focused analytics and AI solutions in mortgage servicing saved thousands of struggling homeowners. She was profiled as a “Societal Innovator” in the IBM HQ and she received “The Visionary” award from the National Association of Women in Real Estate Business.
She is the co-inventor of 48 patents and has been recognized as a Master Inventor thrice at IBM. She has presented keynote addresses and technical talks at academic research conferences, industry symposia and panels. She is frequently interviewed or cited in press, news and blogs, and YouTube video on a wide variety of topics from AI, Machine Learning, Blockchain, Big Data and Analytics to human technology balance.
Following a highly decorated career at IBM, Dr. Dorai is currently focused on her entrepreneurial ventures and her continued passion to make AI accessible to everyone.
Meridith Maskara
Meridith Maskara is Chief Executive Officer of the Girl Scouts of Greater New York. In this role, she leads an enthusiastic and committed 60-person team as they work to realize a clear vision: a New York City in which every girl feels empowered to lead in her community, the workplace, and the world.
Prior to serving in her current position, Meridith has been a part of the Girl Scout movement in many ways: as a girl member in Maine, a troop leader in Queens, and a staff member of the Girl Scouts of Greater New York, serving as VP, Product Programs and COO from 2015-2017, and now CEO.
As a third-generation Girl Scout, a mom raising five incredible girls, and a Girl Scout troop leader for more than ten years, Meridith has seen firsthand that no other organization or institution in a girl’s life can offer the same opportunities, or the same community, as Girl Scouts.
In her time at the Girl Scouts of Greater New York, Meridith oversaw the launch of Troop 6000, a Girl Scout troop specially designed to serve girls living in the New York City shelter system. She also founded the Cookie Executive Committee: a program that provides special professional development opportunities and seeks input from top cookie sellers.
Since assuming her post as Chief Executive Officer, Meridith has received a New York City Council Citation for the Queens Impact Award and a New York City Council St. Pats for All Community Leadership Award Citation for her work with youth in her community. She was honored by Congressman Crowley with the 2018 Community Impact Award; was included on Brown Brothers Harriman’s ‘18 Women to Watch in 2018’ list; was named a 2018 SPOKEies Award winner, honoring leaders who communicate honestly and effectively on behalf of their organization; and was recognized in 2018 by City & State as one of the Responsible 100 in the category of philanthropy and non-profits.
Prior to turning her passion for Girl Scouting into a career, Meridith graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Her love for theatre combined with her operational and business sense led her to a highly successful corporate career in theatrical/entertainment and event merchandising and branding, where she spent 17 years as a Vice President at one of the industry’s leading companies, Max Merchandising.
Meridith, her husband Dan, and their five daughters, Dorothy, Vivien, Veronica, Natalie, and Marlene are happiest traveling the country in their camper and are known in their community for their elaborate Halloween display. Other family interests include musical theater, ballet, dinosaurs, horror movies, and community activism.
Kristin Malek
SheTek Advisor
Kristin brings more than 16 years of senior leadership experience making her a SME on diversity growth and development. As the Director of Field Projects for a Fortune 200 company, she was responsible for establishing and executing the organization’s diversity objectives, initiatives, and strategies, as well as focusing on the company’s optimization & localization initiatives.
Most recently Kristin served as the Chief Operating Officer for a National Non for Profit organization, where she created and led the vision and strategy for the organization in partnership with the National Board of Directors and other senior leaders. In her role as COO, Kristin placed a large focus on identifying, on boarding and managing strategic partnerships of all kinds. Kristin is a graduate of Western Illinois University for her undergrad and holds her MBA from WIU.
Melanie Franco
Atlantic Health System
Grace Hahn
Jaya Jaya Myra
Myra’s style is one that empowers listeners and leaders, motivating and inspiring them to try new things and make meaningful changes in life and in business. Myra is a best-selling mind body wellness author, regular TV and media contributor and the CEO of Jaya Jaya Myra Productions, a communications company helping shape the brands and message of people and companies being a force for good in the world.
Mikey Piro
Prior to joining Club CPG and founding 2Cents, Mikey spent five years at Meta (previously Facebook) in various capacities. Most notably, he led a global team of workers across product development, operations and infrastructure to manage and deploy disaggregated hardware and software solutions. He was also the co-lead of the Facebook Global Employee Resource Group for Veterans and Allies, as well as was a contributing member of the Product Diversity Council.
Before his tenure at Meta, Mikey held various roles across an array of software companies from 2012 to 2016.
Mikey is a graduate of West Point and combat Veteran who served active duty within Infantry and Cavalry units as Company Commander, Executive Officer, and Platoon Leader. Mikey was deployed to Korea from 2002 – 2003 and twice to Iraq between 2003 and 2006.
Shaomei Wu
Shaomei is a person who stutters and is still exploring this part of her identity. She frequently volunteers her time mentoring students and junior researchers from underrepresented groups, organizing academic conferences, and sharing her technical expertise with other nonprofit organizations.
Cara M. Murray
Management & Professional Solutions
Alliant Insurance Services Inc.
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Cell phone: 646 300 0305
Email: cmurray@alliant.com
Cara’s insurance career over the last decade has had a particular focus on Cyber and Privacy Liability and Technology Errors and Omissions products and exposures, and these lines remain a specialization at present. Cara maintains comprehensive analytic comparisons of policy language currently in the market; advises on ever-evolving cyber and privacy threats, exposures, and regulation; and specializes in policy wording and enhancements.
Cara is a graduate of Boston College with a BA in International Studies, with concentrated study of cyber law and cyber security, and holds a NY State Brokers License.
Gale Tenen Spak, Ph.D.
Recent recognition and awards include: Appointment to Yale University Graduate School Alumni Board (2022); “NJ Icon Award,” conferred by NJBIZ, 2019; “Made in NJ Honor Role” conferred by the NJ Manufacturing Extension Program on National Manufacturing Day, 2018; Leading Women Intrapreneur, conferred by NJ Leading Women Entrepreneurs, 2018; and Best 50 Women in Business, conferred by NJ Biz, 2016. In 2018, she was the Principal Investigator of three NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) grants: (1) Construction & Utilities Talent Development Center, (2) Construction & Utilities Talent Network, and (3) Technology Advisory Network (TAN) and earlier led several other federal and state Department of Labor grant programs. Among her numerous publications, her co-authored paper, M-0utreach for Engineering Continuing Education: A Model for University-Company Collaboration,” was awarded one of five Best Paper awards out of 1700 submissions presented at the American Society for Engineering Education’s 118th Annual Conference.
Before joining NJIT in 1992, Dr. Spak was Dean of the School of Professional and Continuing Education at New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, and, during America’s first energy crisis, served as the Director of the Center for Energy Policy and Research and authored “how to” reports which were sent to every American Governor.
She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Political Psychology and Master of Arts from Yale University, and her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in Political Science from Brooklyn College of City University of New York.
Stacey Stewart
Stacey brings 30 years of diverse strategic and operational experience in IT Management, Data Engineering & Analytics, and Supply Chain. Stacey has worked in many functions in technology enabling digital innovations, mergers and acquisitions, large scale ERP deployments and infrastructure modernization. She has held transformational roles at Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb, American Standard and PWC. Stacey is a passionate advocate for women in technology and a frequent speaker in various forums to promote interest in STEM related careers. Stacey received a Bachelor of Science cum laude from the University of Delaware with a degree in Economics and Management Information Systems.
Usha Jagannathan
Pamela Autorino
Prior to this role, Pamela was a Client Executive at Cisco for 12 years supporting a Fortune 50 Insurance firm globally. Pamela grew the business relevance for Cisco and expanded the portfolio presence of solutions to solve business issues for the Insurer, making the case to displace incumbents and expand the Cisco footprint.
Prior to Cisco Pamela successfully led Sales and Marketing teams for Avaya, Lucent Technologies and AT&T.
Pamela graduated from Pace University with a Marketing degree, and has since augmented her education with certificates from Warton School of Business, NYU and the School of Practical Philosophy. Pamela lives in Larchmont NY with her husband Tom, 2 daughters Sophia and Grace and Vito, a Golden Retrievers.
Maria Coler
Ms. Coler is a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) with the State of New Jersey and an alumna of the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses program and the NYC Economic Development Corporation’s Offshore Wind Pathways Program. As chair of the Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast Scholarship Committee, she founded the Brownfields, Books, and Brew club, dedicated to exploring the lessons of the iconic environment sagas. As technical advisor to the Waterfront Alliance, she advocates for the elevation of brownfields in the Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines. She is currently designing a Brownfields Certificate Program with the New Jersey Institute of Technology and will teach a course on brownfields there in Spring 2024.
Ms. Coler has overseen the remediation of hundreds of sites, including work on the largest redevelopment in U.S. history–Hudson Yards in Manhattan.
Ms. Coler seeks to nudge the industry into the 21st century. She has developed a comprehensive suite of proprietary software to manage her firm’s operations and data, retain institutional knowledge, and generate cost-risk models. Her blue-sky goal is to facilitate the crowdsourcing of the remediation of the planet by harnessing the power of big data, streamlining work-flow processes, and designing standardized methodologies. Ms. Coler unveiled her proprietary tools Brownfields 2019, the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields Training Conference in 2019 and 2023.
Finally, Ms. Coler enjoys paying it forward by routinely hosting science and engineering student interns with the aim of advancing women in STEM
Dr. Amit Elazari
Kye Mitchell
Kye is a highly sought-after Consultant and Advisor, providing guidance to startups, established companies, and federal governments, utilizing her experience across:
• Revenue Growth
• Digital Transformation
• Big Data and AI Solutions
• Talent Management
• M&A and Integrations
Kye co-founded and launched VistaRMS, a private IT consulting firm, where she rapidly grew the business to 700+ employees and was identified by Inc Magazine as the #2 Fastest Growing Private Firm. In 2004, Kye played a leading role in the strategic acquisition by Kforce, including leading the company valuation and negotiations, before transitioning to Kforce as VP and working into the Chief Operations Officer role of $1.6B organization.
Nicole Calandra
Nicole was a Strategy & Operations Business Analyst at Deloitte Consulting and Finance Teacher at iXperience, an experiential education startup based in Cape Town, South Africa.
For the past two years, Nicole served as a volunteer Executive Director of Brighter Children, a global venture philanthropy that raised over $1 million to fund the education of over 2,500 children across three continents. She remains actively involved with Brighter Children through her role on the Board Nominations Committee. Nicole also recently joined How Women Invests’ Disruption Committee to focus on making venture investing and funding more accessible to women.
Nicole holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce, where she graduated with distinction.
Marina Piller
Mahima Kakani
Ram Nagappan
Ram is a distinguished technologist as well as an accomplished innovator instrumental in buildingindustry-first solutions. He developed the first-ever market-making system outside of an exchangefloor for the US capital market system. Expert in building trading systems and ticker plants that aredesigned to handle massive market data streams, and electronic stock exchange systems (NY,Boston, Philadelphia) in the US. He is also part of the team that built the first online trading platform(PC Financial Network) – a significant market disruptor. Under Ram’s leadership, Pershing launchedaward-winning, open architecture-based wealth management products (NetX360®, NetXInvestor®and NetXServices) in the US.
Prior to assuming his current role, Ram served as managing director and chief technology officer atDLJdirect and CSFB direct, pioneers in online internet brokerage. During the late 90’s to 2000, he led the efforts to establish BNY Mellon India Technology (iNautix). Prior to that worked as a consultantfor IBM in building their OS/360, CICS, and MQ.
As a spokesperson on technology trends and issues, Ram has been featured in a number oftechnology and financial publications including InvestmentNews, ThinkAdvisor, and BloombergRadio. He is a regular keynote speaker and panelist at industry events and conferences. Additionally,Ram was recognized by ComputerWorld as a Premier 100 IT Leader and by the New JerseyTechnology Council as “CIO of the Year.” Most recently, Ram was the first technology leader toreceive the Bank Insurance & Securities Association’s (BISA) Circle of Excellence Award, their mostprestigious recognition.
TR Kannan
In his role, Kannan leads efforts to transform the Procurement organization and the enterprise Source-to-Pay process.
He and his team provide change management, knowledge management, people development, risk management, sustainability and lead implementation of digital and analytics solutions.
Kannan also in actively engagement in the community. He serves as the President of the local school board and coaches’ soccer.
Alexandra C. Scheibe
Alexandra regularly advises cryptocurrency and blockchain companies on emerging federal and state regulatory issues. Alexandra also advises companies in the emerging field of AI and its applications in Fintech. Alexandra’s practice also involves regulatory strategy and structuring and negotiating transactions involving blockchain and cryptocurrency companies and has focused on the use and implementation of blockchain technology in platforms for derivatives, structured finance and securitization. Alexandra advises a wide range of market participants across multiple industries, including early-stage and established companies developing blockchain solutions, investors, foundations, exchanges, broker-dealers, private equity firms, family offices, mining companies consulting firms, on securities laws, commodities laws, state and federal money transmitter licensing and registration, payments, custody, SEC and CFTC regulatory inquiries, as well as on state and international regulation.
Sally J. Nadler, MA, SPHR
From 2017-2019, Sally led the nationally recognized Douglass Project for Women in STEM, now known as Douglass WISE, as they implemented and expanded multiple gender equity initiatives at the undergraduate level in the Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, Public Health, Pre-Med, and Scientific Research areas.
Prior to her retirement from PSEG in 2016, she had over 35 years’ experience in a diverse range of operational, technical, and managerial positions for the company. As the Manager of Workforce Development, Sally was responsible for overseeing a cross section of talent acquisition pipeline initiatives for PSEG including the college relations and diversity outreach functions, which included the company’s recruitment initiatives for women, people of color, veterans and individuals with disabilities. During her tenure, she led the design and implementation of many award winning, best practice and industry recognized outreach and recruiting programs, as well as multiple internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion trainings and initiatives.
In 2013, Sally was appointed by the governor to serve on the NJ State Employment and Training Commission (SETC), on which she still serves today, and was named the chair of the NJ State Energy Sector Partnership Council, SESP, where she oversaw the allocation of grant funding for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Training Programs. Sally was also appointed to serve on the NJ Council on Gender Parity in Labor and Education, of which she served as chair through 2019.
Patrice Tanaka
She has been honored by PRWeek (Hall of Fame), PRSA Foundation (Paladin Award), PRSA (Paul M. Lund Award for Public Service), New York Women in Communications (Matrix Award), Girl Scouts of Greater New York (“GOLD Achievement” and “Women of Distinction” Awards), Asian Women in Business (Entrepreneurial Leadership Award), University of Hawaii (“Distinguished Alumni Award), among others.
Patrice has served as a trustee and volunteer for many organizations committed to youth development, girl- and women’s leadership development, economic empowerment, and gender equity. She is also a vocal advocate for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community and for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
She has lived in New York City for most of her adult life but calls Hawaii “home” and is committed to living her life with the “Aloha Spirit.”
Nexaida Soto
Nexaida holds a B.A. from Regina Apostolurum Institute (Madrid, Spain) and a M.A. from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. She holds additional IT certifications in Computer repair, Website design, CompTIA A+, iTil v4, among others.
Nexaida is a technically minded professional with a passion for helping others with their technical needs. Coming for an educational background, she fully transitioned to the IT field in 2014 where she escalated to a management position in a short period of time. The motto she lives by is “Always try the best you can to help others with a sense of urgency and keep smiling no matter what!”.
Hyea Won Lee
Prior to joining the World Bank, Hyea Won was working at Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) where she participated in the global Internet governance and cybersecurity policy dialogues in multilateral organizations. While at KISA, she was seconded to Ministry of Science and ICT to support Korea’s engagement in Internet governance discussion.
Hyea Won holds Master’s in International Economics and Bachelor’s in Economics and International Affairs. She is a photography enthusiast.
Dixiana M. Berrios
Dixiana holds a B.A. from The University of Alabama and an M.A. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. She holds additional executive certifications in Banking, Finance, Project Management and Payments. In her roles,
Dixiana has a proven track record of implementing new technology solutions that drive operational efficiency, reduce risk and support growth. She is currently in the midst of a major digital transformation project. When not driving change, Dixi as she is better known, is the proud mother of two very opinionated teenagers, enjoys reading science fiction with leading heroines, and travel with her family.
Julie Tracy
Julie also has experience providing cyber advisory services including cybersecurity assessments, risk mitigation strategies, breach response, and threat actor reports. Previously, Julie was a Chief Information Security Officer for a $640M community bank, developing a strong information security program working within the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) framework. Her most notable success is in directing operations of safeguarding information system assets by identifying and solving both potential and actual security problems.
She is certified in Cybersecurity (CC), is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), a Certified Ethical Hacker and Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator v8.
Julie volunteers with Habitat for Humanity (currently in two locations) and Family Service Association as a board member. She is also a member of the advisory board of the Center for Cyber Defense Education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington where she also serves as a student mentor in cybersecurity courses.
Cortney Wall
You’ll find her paintings in the collections of museums, corporations, executives,professional athletes and philanthropists. Her artwork has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities across the country.
Cortney has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs. She is most proud of her partnership with Fanatics and a proud philanthropic partner with the Women’s Sports Museum of which she is also on the Board of Directors. Her work has helped raise money for The Joe Namath Charitable Foundation, The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, The Players Alliance, The Baltimore Orioles Foundation, Building Homes for Heroes, Bernie Williams and the All Star Band raising awareness for IPF, The Perfect 33 Foundation, The David Cone Foundation, The Git-R-Done Foundation, The Ferguson Jenkins Foundation, The Chris Canty Foundation, Morristown Memorial Hospital, and Hackensack University Medical Center where five of her murals are hanging to uplift the patients and all who pass through the halls.
Sameer Somal
John Mendes
John is Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), Certified Data Privacy Practitioner (CDPP), and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He is an active member of various professional groups including: Project Management Institute (PMI) and ISACA.
Sejal Lakhani
In 2021, her entrepreneurial spirit motivated Sejal to launch a second company called CloudWerxe designed to offer small to mid-sized MSPs a top-of-the-line, secure cloud environment. Sejal’s innovation earned her a Gold Stevie Award, 2023 NJBIZ Leaders in Digital Technology award, and recognition as an ROI Power List Influencer and NJBIZ Best 50 Women in Business.
Prior to her entrepreneurial career, Sejal spent 12 years traveling the country working for leading financial firms and is currently on the Board of Entrepreneurs’ Organization and Connect 4 Business Exchange. Sejal is also part of several Mastermind groups, is an avid supporter of St. Jude’s and works with organizations that support victims of Human Trafficking.
Today, Sejal finds her calling on the stage helping organizations cost-effectively improve their security.
Isabel RibeiroAtwan
Niki Singh
SheTek Advisor
Previously, Niki worked at Synchronoss Technologies as a Technical Business Analyst where she was first exposed to the inner workings of Product Management. At Synchronoss, she not only helped define the business case for product features and development but influenced higher-level product strategy and vision. Additionally, she developed multiple models and metrics to help her team make data-driven decisions and measure the success of existing accounts.
In her spare time, Niki sits on the Life After NYU Committee at NYU where she helps plan and execute events to help transition graduating seniors to post-graduate alumni life. She’s helped create “Life After NYU” week where students and recent graduates can attend sessions that cover important graduation and early adult career information. Through this committee, she is able to keep the alums from the most recent graduating years involved in the NYU Community.
Niki is a graduate from NYU, with a degree in Computer Science and the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology.
Anusha Kakani
SheTek Advisor
She represents change makers including entrepreneurs, companies, investors, and nonprofits in the social impact and sustainability space. Her passion is to bring their vision to reality. Her experience covers diverse industries and transactions valued at over $50 billion in the aggregate. Anusha’s practice covers a broad range of general corporate and transactional matters, including venture capital financing, strategic transactions, public offerings, corporate and non-profit governance matters, and regulatory compliance. For her trailblazing pro bono efforts, Anusha was awarded the Pro Bono Publico Award from the Casa Cornelia Law Center, which provides legal services to victims of human and civil rights violations worldwide.
Anusha is also a Member of the Board of Trustees, for Support Organization for Kids in Need (SOFKIN), a nonprofit in New Jersey and Hyderabad, India that cares for destitute children and women, and has assisted in operations and fundraising for over a decade. Prior to co-founding Radicle Law, Anusha was a corporate associate at Cooley LLP and Shearman & Sterling LLP.
Anusha enjoys dancing, exploring the outdoors, traveling, reading and cooking.
Bar Admissions: California and New York
Chaya Pamula
SheTek is a PamTen program spearheaded by Chaya to create opportunities for women to develop, expand, and grow their careers in IT. From education in the classroom, to decisions made within the boardroom, the mission of SheTek is to have women equally represented in the technology industry.
Chaya is President and CEO of PamTen. She is a technologist, philanthropist, visionary, mentor, entrepreneur and, above all, a passionate human being. She holds a MBA and an Executive Education Certificate from Harvard University.
PamTen Inc., founded in 2007 provides technology information services to a diverse set of clients, from small businesses to large corporations and has been ranked as an Inc. 5000 company, placing them among the fastest growing private companies in the U.S. PamTen is a certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE).
Chaya is currently serving as a board member on many professional and women empowerment associations. Her expertise has led her to be an honored speaker at programs across the world. Some of her engagements include: Commission on Status of Women – CSW, United Nations, USA; Inspiring Young Girls-Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, NJ; Access to Justice-India’s Unique Challenges – Harvard Business School, USA; Cultivating Leadership Skill in For-Profit & Not-For-Profit Sectors – Harvard Law School, USA; Risk Management in the Global Era of Uncertainty -Humber Chapter, Canada; Money Vs Mysticism-Inter-spiritual Global Conference-Italy; and and many others. Recently she was a panelist at the NJBIA Women Business Leaders Forum. And she is the moderator of SheTek’s Outlet Webinar Series.
Dr. William Keepin
Dr. Cynthia Brix
Sally Nadler, SPHR
Sally is a well-respected energy industry and workforce development professional within the state of NJ with a broad range of both Corporate and Higher Education Talent Management and Workforce Development experience. She is a recognized leader and passionate advocate for gender equity and women in STEM.
From 2017-2019, Sally led the nationally recognized Douglass Project for Women in STEM as they implemented and expanded multiple gender equity initiatives at the undergraduate level in the Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, Public Health, Pre-Med, and Scientific Research areas.
Prior to her retirement from PSEG in 2016, she had over 35 years’ experience in a diverse range of operational, technical, and managerial positions for the company. As the Manager of Workforce Development, Sally was responsible for overseeing a cross section of talent acquisition pipeline initiatives for PSEG including the college relations and diversity outreach functions, which included the company’s recruitment initiatives for women, people of color, veterans and individuals with disabilities. During her tenure, she led the design and implementation of many award winning, best practice and industry recognized outreach and recruiting programs, as well as multiple internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion trainings and initiatives.
In 2013, Sally was appointed by the governor to serve on the NJ State Employment and Training Commission (SETC), on which she still serves today, and was named the chair of the NJ State Energy Sector Partnership Council, SESP, where she oversaw the allocation of grant funding for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Training Programs. Sally was also appointed to serve on the NJ Council on Gender Parity in Labor and Education, of which she served as chair through 2019.
She holds an AAS degree in Business Management from Middlesex County College, a BS in Management from Rutgers Business School, a Master of Arts in Leadership from Bellevue University, as well as her SPHR Certification.
James Barrood
James is among the primary leaders of the East Coast’s innovation ecosystem. Over the past 20+ years, he has helped nurture the region’s entrepreneurial, innovation, and technology communities. He has been recognized as a Power 100 List leader and a Top 100 Influencer for the past few years. James also hosts the A Few Things podcast.
Before launching Innovation+ he was the CEO of the NJ Tech Council (TechUnited:NJ) for over 5 years and grew the organization to over 1,000 member companies.
Prior to this, James led the top-ranked entrepreneurship and innovation center at Fairleigh Dickinson University for over 10 years. He currently leads Innovation+, a curated global community of entrepreneurs and innovators. He also serves as an advisor to startups, growth companies, higher ed institutions and investors, including Tech Council Ventures and Jumpstart Angels.
James is the editor of the book, Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Global Insights from 24 Leaders and co-author of Lessons from the Great Recession. He has written thought leadership articles for Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Grit Daily, Star-Ledger, ROI, NJBiz and other publications and has been widely quoted regionally/nationally and interviewed on TV (ABC, MSNBC, NJTV and My9).
James frequently speaks at regional and global conferences and serves on several boards. He holds an MBA from Texas A&M University and a BA in Economics from Rutgers University.
Elaine Tanimura
Krishna Cheriath
Currently, Krishna is the Head of Digital, Data and Analytics at Zoetis. Krishna leads digital and analytic transformations that reshape the organization with a focused strategy, recruiting top talent, creating a clear vision, and building lasting partnerships with business unit leaders.
Before joining Zoetis in 2020, Krishna served as chief data officer and head of enterprise digital strategy at Bristol Myers Squibb for 5+ years. He established and built a world-class data and analytic organization from the ground up and advanced digital capabilities while expanding data leadership. Additionally, he served as an executive leader for global IT service provider relationships.
In prior roles, Krishna contributed by overseeing commercial data, leading business architecture and business intelligence, consulting on strategy, and serving in other progressive leadership roles. Krishna has served on the board of directors at Gartner Research, is a founding member of the IEEE Fair Trade Data Standards Group, and is a featured leader in the recently published book TRUST: The winning formula for digital leaders.
In addition to his digital and technology, Krishna serves as a digital and data strategy adjunct faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University’s Executive Education Program. He mentors 15+ chief data officers and chief data analytics officers, is a sought-after industry forum speaker, and has produced several digital and analytic transformation publications.
Krishna’s education accomplishments include securing a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Krishna completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Kerala.
Maria Ramirez
Maria is also the owner of MFR Securities, Inc., the Broker Dealer subsidiary of MFR. MFR Securities is a certified Woman-Owned Minority Broker Dealer. It participates in underwritings of equity and debt securities and executes fixed income product transactions for its many institutional clients.
In the not-for-profit sector, Maria has been Director or Trustee for 25 entities currently including the Board of Brooklyn Hospital, Morris Museum and for several years was on the boards of The Brooklyn Community Foundation, Notre Dame Highs School, Lupus Research Foundation & More Project Brazil. Maria graduated from Pace University and was honored as a distinguished alumna of the Pace University Lubin School of Business.
Kristin Malek
Kristin brings more than 16 years of senior leadership experience making her a SME on diversity growth and development. As the Director of Field Projects for a Fortune 200 company, she was responsible for establishing and executing the organization’s diversity objectives, initiatives, and strategies, as well as focusing on the company’s optimization & localization initiatives.
Most recently Kristin served as the Chief Operating Officer for a National Non for Profit organization, where she created and led the vision and strategy for the organization in partnership with the National Board of Directors and other senior leaders. In her role as COO, Kristin placed a large focus on identifying, on boarding and managing strategic partnerships of all kinds. Kristin is a graduate of Western Illinois University for her undergrad and holds her MBA from WIU.
Lesley Hirsch
- Put customers at the center of our design of all research products and services;
- Use cutting-edge digital technology to improve data accessibility and broaden the customer base;
- Extract maximum meaning from performance and other administrative data for continuous program improvement and strategic decision making.
Her 25-year career has been dedicated to using research to inform policies and programs, with an emphasis on improving the lives of low-income people. Prior to coming to LWD, she was the founding director of the NYC Labor Market Information Service (NYCLMIS) at the CUNY Graduate Center. The NYCLMIS provides research and consulting to policy makers and providers in the region’s workforce development system. Before NYCLMIS, Lesley was the research director of the Education Law Center in Newark, New Jersey, a public interest law and advocacy firm that successfully sued the State of New Jersey for equitable school finance on behalf of 300,000 of New Jersey State’s poorest schoolchildren. She is a graduate of Barnard College at Columbia University and has completed all but the dissertation in political science/public policy at the CUNY Graduate Center. Ms. Hirsch also has taught political science and public policy courses at the City College of New York.
Jackie Burke
Jackie lives in Moorestown with her husband and two sons.
Pat Doran
Mr. Doran is an accomplished development, hosting and managed services executive with deep experience in the telecommunications industry building products at scale for over 20 years. He possesses extensive architecture, software development, hosting and international management experience in large scale telecommunications and internet/intranet products. His responsibilities include leading our architecture, development, testing, hosting, IT and services organizations that successfully leverage talent around the globe.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Doran served in various roles at Synchronoss, including VP of Development, Chief Architect and Senior Software Engineer. Before joining Synchronoss, Mr. Doran was a Senior Development Engineer at Agility Communications from 2000 to 2002 and a Member of Technical staff at AT&T/Lucent from 1996 to 2000.
Mr. Doran received a bachelor’s degree in Computer and Systems Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.
Denise Brouder
SWAYworkplace: Online Community Coming Soon!
Denise sees the Future of Work as an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine work in a way that allows us to live balanced, purposeful, and meaningful lives; and has a burning desire to develop a Future of Work mindset in the everyday person.
As an undergraduate from the University of Limerick in Ireland, Denise came to New York on a one-way ticket to embark on a ten-year Wall St. career in financial oversight and operational controls at Merrill Lynch & Goldman Sachs.
As an eternal optimist and a keen innovator with a desire for flexibility, Denise transitioned to the startup world as a founding team member of a successful high growth technology startup company.
Denise holds an MBA from Fordham University and a BBS in Finance & Economics from the University of Limerick, Ireland. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and three children.
Chrissy Buteas
Buteas also serves as the Executive Director of the NEW JOBS PAC, the State’s largest and most influential ideological business political action committee.
Prior to joining NJBIA, Buteas served as the president and CEO of the Home Care & Hospice Association of New Jersey, representing New Jersey home health agencies, hospices and health care service firms servicing the state’s Medicare, Medicaid and private pay patients. She serves on the board of trustees of Middlesex College, Girl Scouts of Heart of NJ and is a member of the Northern Board of Junior Achievement whose mission is to inspire and prepare young people in grades K-12 to succeed in a global economy through real world relationships with business, government, and education partners that can help them develop the employability and financial literacy skills needed to succeed in the 21st century.
Buteas is also the former president and current board member of the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in government.
Buteas serves as a member of the New Jersey Medical Assistance Advisory Council, New Jersey Small Employer Health Benefits Program and the New Jersey Mandated Health Benefits Advisory Commission, which responds to requests from the State Legislature to provide independent analysis of the medical, financial and social impacts of proposed health insurance benefit mandates.
Buteas served on the Murphy-Oliver Transition 2018 Healthcare team. She also serves on the board of Focus NJ, an independent research non-profit conducting timely, innovative, nonpartisan economic and workforce research.
Previously, Buteas served as vice president of the Capital Impact Group, a public affairs and business development firm that advocates on behalf of nonprofit organizations and Fortune 500 companies. She was also a policy specialist at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
In 2021, Buteas was named a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, NJBIZ’s 2021 Next Generation of Leaders, a Barrier Breaker as part of Jersey’s Best magazine’s Spring issue honoring trailblazing women in the state and recognized on ROI-NJ’s Influencers: Power List for Government Affairs. In 2018, Buteas was named to NJBIZ’s Best 50 Women in Business list. She was named to NJBIZ’s “40 Under 40” and “Power 50 Health Care” lists in 2017, as well as the 2017 “Insider 100 Policymakers” list by Insider NJ.
Buteas holds an MPA from the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University-Newark and a BA from Rowan University. She is also a graduate of Leadership NJ, a leadership development program, and served as a Raimondo Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics. She is a member of the Rowan University Alumni Association and Eagleton Institute of Politics Alumni Association.
Dr. Ronke Dosunmu
She is experienced in all aspects of business from start up to scale up. Dr Dosunmu is passionate about helping the professional woman thrive in leadership and entrepreneurship, without sacrificing her personal health or family commitments.
Dr. Ronke Dosunmu, is a board certified pediatrician and the founder and Medical Director of Foundation Pediatrics, a 26 year old private practice providing quality care to an underserved urban population in Essex County, New Jersey.
She has worked in management as well as in consulting in the field of drug safety, for many major multinational pharmaceutical companies. She also works to increase minority representation in clinical trial research.
She is a serial entrepreneur who has built many thriving business ventures in the retail, beauty and healthcare spaces, and is experienced in all aspects of business from start up to scale up.
She is passionate about helping women build their brand and business so they can harness their training, experiences, passion and purpose to generate wealth, leave a legacy and make a social impact in their communities.
She has followed her own advice and turned this passion into her newest business venture called Maven CEO, where she provides coaching for leaders and entrepreneurs.
Dr. Dosunmu has been married for over 30 years and is the mother of 3 adult children.
Shail Jain
Mr. Jain holds a master’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology and was part of the Fellows Program at The Wharton School of Business.
Prior to joining Accenture, Shail was CEO of Knowledgent – a leading data and analytics company that Accenture acquired in December of 2018. Shail Jain is a serial entrepreneur and has helped build three technology services firms successfully over the last twenty-five years. The companies he co-founded and co-led were aimed at transforming businesses through technology and data in the Life Sciences, Healthcare, Financial Services and Communications industries. Shail has also held senior leadership positions at Fijustu and EMC Corporation.
Ariana Blossom
Jorge Rico
Julie Dabrowski
Prior to joining Microsoft, Julie held various Sales and Sales Leadership roles at EMC as well as VMware. Julie has her degree in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing and statistics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has also continued her education through Wharton and INSEAD Executive education certifications focused on Executive selling and Business Strategy & Financial Acumen.
Myra Kinds
Myra Kinds is the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Lead and Trainer with GERI. She is a licensed American Baptist Minister to Youth, and a recognized leader in underserved communities, specializing in addiction and recovery, mental health, and domestic violence. Myra collaborates with The Black Ministerial Alliance and The Institute for Global Youth Programs and is a certified instructor in Mental Health First Aid and Recovery Coaching. Prior to entering the non-profit sector, Myra held executive-level positions responsible for hundreds of employees, as well as working in local government, where she led several initiatives for the City of Boston.
Patricia (Pat) Hedley
Author, Meet 100 People
TedX Speaker
Pat is an investor, advisor and the author of Meet 100 People. Inspired by meeting thousands of people in an over thirty-year career, Pat wrote Meet 100 People to encourage us all to proactively, and consistently meet people in person or by video. Her goal is not only to inspire, but to provide practical steps to expanding your network. Pat speaks regularly at colleges, to alumni groups and to corporations. She gave a TedX Talk at Dartmouth College in 2018.
As the founder and CEO of The Path Ahead, Pat identifies high growth companies in which she invests and takes on either formal or informal advisory roles. Since 2016, Pat has invested in over a dozen innovative private companies, more than half led by women. She currently advises the CEOs of several growth companies. Pat is a former judge for EY’s Winning Women Program.
Prior to her current role, Pat spent 30 years with global growth investor, General Atlantic, most recently as managing director. She began her career as a consultant with Bain & Company. Pat is a graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in computer science and holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School.