■ Enterprising Women Awards
Continued From Page 28 crisis . Earlier this year , for the first time in almost two decades , Gibbons underwent a change in leadership . Inderwies was a critical member of the Transition Committee tasked with vetting candidates for the Managing Director position . She now works closely with both the firm ’ s Managing Director and Executive Chairperson to ensure the firm ’ s continued success . In recognition of her achievements , she has been featured on Profiles in Diversity Journal and NJBiz .
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Deborah Visconi President and CEO
Deborah Visconi continues to transform BNBMC leading it to higher levels of healthcare equity , quality , and financial stability including a tremendous financial turnaround . Visconi increased services by 53 percent , opened three satellite locations , increased the medical staff by 32 percent and enhanced provider relations yielding improvement in quality , safety , and the patient and resident experience . Under her leadership , New Bridge was recognized as a ‘ Top Hospital ’ and earned the highest ‘ Grade A ’ safety rating from the Leapfrog Group , an industry assessment group . As a Latinx hospital CEO , Visconi understands the needs of traditionally underserved communities and prioritizes them in ongoing outreach efforts . She pioneered the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Program providing greater access to preventive care for LGBTQ +, The Lenape Ramapough Nation , Black and Brown communities , veterans , the elderly , those with autism and the differently-abled . She is a mentor , a proponent of diversity , equity and inclusion and true servant leader .
ZAGO Manufacturing Co . Jackie Luciano Vice President
Newark native and mother of two , Jackie Luciano has been with ZAGO Manufacturing Co . since 2007 . Luciano ’ s journey with ZAGO began as a part-time bookkeeper , balancing a new job and being new mom . Within the time of starting as a part-time employee to a full-time senior executive role as a Vice President , Luciano developed a passion for business and manufacturing . Luciano earned an Executive MBA in Finance from Rutgers University so that she could help the company and develop her skillset . Luciano was asked to perform multiple tasks improving the company . Luciano impressively negotiated the sale of an adjacent business , helped ZAGO avert layoffs , oversaw floor automation , and ensured timely and safe production of ZAGO sealing screws used in medical ventilators during the peak of the pandemic . Luciano also mentors ZAGO employees , company interns and Newark students ,
who regard her as a role model they can emulate for success .
AeroDefense Linda Ziemba Founder and CEO
Linda Ziemba is an experienced technology Founder / CEO . She built and lead the team at Aero- Defense that developed the first and only drone detection system to receive a Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation . The AeroDefense AirWarden™ system protects MetLife Stadium and other U . S . facilities and events . Ziemba secured a U . S . Air Force Research Laboratories Small Business Innovation Research grant to collaborate with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on a ruggedized , mobile version of AirWarden which the N . J . Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness included in its drone defense program . N . J . State Police use AirWarden mobile sensors in a collaborative drone detection network utilizing a revolutionary approach to airspace security . Ziemba previously served as a key executive for LiveLOOK , an innovative real-time visual collaboration software company which was acquired by Oracle in 2014 in a multi-million dollar transaction . In 2022 she was recognized by Security Industry Association as a Power 100 honoree .
GZA GeoEnvironmental , Inc . Mindy Sayres , PG , LSRP , Principal and Senior Vice President
Mindy Sayres was recently promoted to Senior Vice President / Principal of GZA Geo- Environmental , Inc . In a firm of nearly 700 environmental scientists and geotechnical engineers , only 8 percent have risen to the level of Principal or Senior Principal . Sayres ’
Woman mentoring women achievement in this historically male-dominated profession is noteworthy , but it is equaled by her technical acumen , professional integrity , leadership , and warm nature . These attributes have contributed to her success within the firm and with clients . She was integral to the establishment of GZA ’ s New Jersey office , currently leads environmental projects for two of the firm ’ s top 20 clients , directs complex environmental investigations and remediations , and is involved in several key corporate GZA initiatives including its Compensation Committee and its Diversity , Equity and Inclusion Committee . Sayres embodies the high standards and qualities demanded by her profession .
Lakeland Bank Karen Garrera Executive Vice President , Chief Retail Officer
Karen Garrera joined Lakeland Bank in 1988 and her career has advanced commensurate with the bank ’ s growth . She received the Sales Culture Award in 2018 and joined the Executive Team in 2020 . Recognized for her open communication style , she encourages feedback and cultivates a constructive , collaborative environment-a valued approach in an increasingly digital world . Garrera believes mentorship is critical , especially for women , and has mentored several female bankers throughout her career . In addition to her personal accomplishments , she is active within the community and spearheads several philanthropic initiatives . She is a long-time member of the Lakeland Bank Scholarship Committee and has played a vital role in the Bank ’ s Annual Scholarship Golf Outing , which has awarded over $ 2.7 million in scholarships to deserving students across New Jersey and New York . Garrera has also supported the Morristown St . Patrick ’ s Day Parade and the Girl Scout Council of Northern New Jersey .
August 2022 COMMERCE 29
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / fizkes