PRESIDENT ’ S VIEW
CIANJ Salutes Women Leaders of Roundtables
Volunteers are the difference
By Anthony Russo President , CIANJ
Savvy businesswomen with uncanny entrepreneurial spirits are the focus of this month ’ s issue . They are the outstanding executives , business partners , owners , associates and consultants who inspire us . We can learn from their determination and persistence .
The women showcased here were nominated by our members and other business leaders . And we invite you to thumb through our special feature on these extraordinary women and read the backgrounds on each award recipient , especially those who were honored with our platinum winners and ones-to-watch .
At Commerce and Industry Association of NJ we would be remiss , however , if we did not turn the spotlight on the women within our organization whose volunteer efforts are key to our success . These women work hard on our roundtables to make certain the latest issues and trends are discussed and the best speakers are selected for the presentations . These women leaders include :
Helen Archontou , a valued member of our Non-profit Roundtable . Helen is CEO of the YWCA of Northern New Jersey , serving Bergen , Hudson , Essex , Morris and Passaic counties . She brought 25 years of management experience to her position . Under Helen ’ s leadership , the organization broadened its programs , offering a continuum of service to support women .
Teri Duda , an active member of the Higher Education Roundtable . Teri is senior vice president of government relations at Berkeley College , a career-focused brand of higher education with campuses in New York and New Jersey . She is well respected in Trenton and Washington , D . C . as a hard-working advocate for education .
Sally Glick , an integral member of the Marketing Roundtable . Sally guides the branding and marketing communications strategies at SobelCo , a Livingston-based accounting firm , where she is now serving as an “ Ambassador .” A consummate marketing professional , Sally developed a vast network of leading women executives throughout her career .
Brett Harris , a hard-working member of the Technology Roundtable . She is an attorney and
Geri Kelly , Columbia Bank
shareholder at Wilentz , Goldman & Spitzer , P . A ., where her practice centers on business , technology and non-profits . A graduate of New York University School of Law , Brett is the director of the business law section of the New Jersey State Bar Association .
Geri Kelly , an integral part of the Human Resources Roundtable . Geri is executive vice president and human resources officer at Columbia Bank . She joined the bank in 1979 and held various post until her promotion to executive vice president in 2012 . Geri has a master ’ s degree in business from Rutgers University . She plans to retire in September and will be greatly missed !
Cristina ( Tina ) Lado , a key member of the Transportation Roundtable . She is director of government and community relations at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey . Tina joined the PA during the administration of Gov . Jon Corzine in 2007 . She has been instrumental in providing expert speakers on all modes of transportation at the port .
Heidi Minuskin , is co-chair of the Real Property Roundtable which brings together all the players in the commercial real estate industry . She is a partner and co-chair of the Environmental Practice Group at Schenck Price Smith & King LLP . Heidi concentrates her practice on environmental law , commercial and real estate transactions . She received her law degree at New York Law School .
Audrey Murphy has a vital role in the workings of the Healthcare Roundtable . She is an
Sally Glick , SobelCo
executive vice president and chief legal officer for Hackensack Meridian Health , one of the state ’ s largest health providers , owning and operating 18 hospitals from Bergen to Ocean counties . Audrey began her career as a nurse and later earned her law degree at Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University . In October she will become the second woman in CIANJ ’ s history to serve as chair of the organization .
Cynthia ( Cindy ) Myer , an influential member of the Family-owned Business Roundtable . She is the owner and operator of Ridgewood Moving Services . Cindy started her career in the fashion industry . But she took the helm of the family business after her husband ’ s sudden death . She has also been a leader in the New Jersey Warehousemen and Movers Association .
Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich is an important member of the Manufacturing Roundtable . She is the CEO and co-founder of ZAGO Manufacturing Co , based in Newark . Gail also serves on the board of trustees of the NJMEP ( NJ Manufacturing Extension Program ) which works to help all manufacturers perform better . A council member in her hometown of Fair Lawn , Gail also holds a law degree from the National Law Center at George Washington University .
Tracy Straka is the chair and founder of the Environmental Business Council , one of the largest and most active roundtables within CIANJ . She is an executive vice president at Creamer Environmental Inc ., one of the nation ’ s top 200 environmental firms . She was also the first woman to serve as president of the CIANJ .
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