ENTERPRISING WOMEN IN COMMERCE
ENTERPRISING WOMEN IN COMMERCE
CIANJ and Commerce Celebrate Wome
By Jamie Grill-Goodman
“
If
I had to define what a great mentor is, I’ d say a great mentor listens, a great mentor encourages, and great mentors lead by example,” noted Natasha Hemmings, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey.“ They don’ t just talk the talk – they walk the walk.”
Hemmings kicked off last month’ s“ Mentoring the Next Generation” event with an inspiring keynote speech delivered to a packed purple-clad room of businesswomen, students, and Commerce and Industry Association of NJ( CIANJ) members. The CIANJ and COMMERCE hosted the event at the Glen Ridge Country Club in Glen Ridge, NJ, and featured mentorship in COMMERCE’ s March cover story in honor of Women’ s History Month.
Hemmings shared that Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey has been reimagining how mentorship actually happens with groundbreaking initiatives. For example, The Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Leadership Center in Newark is expected to open in April and become a 5,436-square-foot community hub. Also, the Girl Scouts on the Go! Mobile Classroom, powered by Kean University, allows the ability to drive Girl Scout programing to anywhere in the state.“ That’ s what it’ s called to break models,” said Hemmings.“ It’ s innovations like this ensure that mentorship isn’ t limited by location or circumstance.”
Hemmings went on to share lessons from her own mentors. One of the most influential mentors in her career, she noted, was Violet Apple, former CEO of Girl Scouts of Central Maryland.“ She taught me what it means to lead with strength in the face of adversity and with empathy. Her bold, purpose-driven leadership showed me that true leadership is built on integrity, on authenticity, is vulnerably shared. And she taught me the power of making every single voice count.”
She shared that Dr. Agenia Clark, President of Fisk University, who was also a CEO for the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee, taught her that“ leadership isn’ t about being the loudest voice in the room; it’ s about making sure that every voice in the room is heard.”
She noted that Laurel Richie, former President of the WNBA, reminded Hemmings that women – especially women of color – must walk into every room like they own it.“ With confidence, knowing that I belong in this space.”
These lessons have shaped how Hemmings mentors others, she said, ensuring young leaders recognize their worth, embrace their potential, and step boldly into their future.
“ And as business leaders, and community influencers, all of you should do the same,” she urged.“ Understand that your impact expands far beyond your professional successes. Your willingness to
Left to right: Mentorship panelists Debbie Barnett, Principal / Creative Director, Barnett Design; Heidi Minu Aiysha Johnson, CEO and Executive Director, NJCPA; Helen Archontou, CEO, YWCA Northern New Jersey;
Keynote speaker Natasha Hemmings, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey.
Michele Zolezi, General Manager, Pure Soil, A Division of Earle, moderated a panel on mentorship challenges and strategies at the event.
14 COMMERCE www. commercemagazinenj. com