Salute to the Policy Makers showcases powerful women leaders who are pushing boundaries and propelling female leadership forward. Our gala gives us the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and inspire other women to excel.
Salute to the
Policy Makers
The 2026 Salute to the Policy Makers Gala on October 21 promises to be a memorable celebration of leadership and achievement. We are excited to bring together distinguished guests from across sectors to honor the contributions of high-achieving New Jersey women leaders in the public and private sectors while supporting the next generation of women leaders. The evening will feature acclaimed writer and Essence Magazine Editor-at-Large Mikki Taylor as this year’s keynote speaker.
Date
Wednesday
October 21, 2026
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
October 21, 2026
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location
The Legacy Castle
141 Route 23
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
The Legacy Castle
141 Route 23
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
2024 Honorees
Onome N. Adejemilua, Esq.
McCarter & English, LLP
Carolyn Andress, REBC
HUB International Northeast
Helen Archontou, MSW, LSW
YWCA Northern New Jersey
Mia Batista, Esq.
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Adenah Bayoh
Adenah Bayoh & Companies
Valerie Blau
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Megan Brozowski
Mariner Wealth Advisors
Chrissy Buteas
HealthCare Institute of New Jersey
Linda Czipo
New Jersey Center for NonProfits
Ann Edattel
Deloitte
Rosa V. Estrella, Esq.
Astellas Pharma Inc.
Princess Shinnique Fils-Aime
KIPP NJ & KIPP Miami
Sue Garcia, Esq.
WebMD
Eva Gardow
Electrical Power Research Institute
Aisha Glover
Audible
Dr. Nicole Harris-Hollingsworth, EdD, MCHES
Hackensack Meridian Health
Carin P. Hep
Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut
Kimya S. Jackson
West Orange School District
Rippi K. Karda, Esq.
Verizon
Celia M. King
Leadership Newark, Inc.
Francelina M. Perdomo Klukosky, Esq.
Saul Ewing LLP
Suzanne M. Kunis
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Cristal Reyes Lambert, Esq.
ETS
Jill Lebowitz, Esq.
Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP
Eboneé Lewis, Esq.
BD
Julia A. López, Esq.
Reed Smith LLP
Andrea G. McElroy
Veolia
Daysi María Mejía, Esq.
Citibank
Maggie Moran
Moxie Strategies
Deborah S. Morris
Verisk
Jodi Moskowitz, Esq.
PSEG
Cheryl Norton
American Water
Jacqueline S. Peña, Esq.
Bowman and Brooke LLP
Beth A. Perrone
Merck
Marjorie A. Perry
MZM Construction & Management
Lillian A. Plata, Esq.
Conifer Realty LLC
Nuris E. Portuondo, Esq.
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Lori S. Rabinowitz
The Green Jade Group at Morgan Stanley
Mary A. Rizzuti
EisnerAmper LLP
Suzette T. Rodriguez, Esq.
Demant
Veronica Rodriguez, Esq.
TelevisaUnivision
Lisa G. Roettger
Manasquan Bank
Debra S. Rosen, Esq.
Archer & Greiner, P.C.
Rana Shanawani
Women's Center for Entrepreneurship
Jacqueline K. Shea
New Jersey Resources
Maisha E. Simmons
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Christine Ann Soto, Esq.
Essex County College
Suzanne Spernal
RWJBarnabas Health
Rose Suriano, Esq.
Brach Eichler LLC
Sheea Sybblis, Esq.
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Debra J. Tantleff
TANTUM Real Estate
Nelida Valentin
Princeton Area Community Foundation
Eileen Vega-Lamboy
Beacon Hill
Charlene J. Vickers
Johnson & Johnson
Mariekarl Vilceus-Talty, MA, BSN
Partnership for Maternal & Child Health of Northern New Jersey
Lori I. Wolf
Cole Schotz
Talia L. Young
Newark Symphony Hall
Corporate Champion Award
Exceptional industry leaders
Fireside Chat Speakers Ruthi Zinn Byrne and Jeannine LaRue
New generations of women leaders
The Salute to the Policy Makers Gala raises funds for all of EWNJ’s networking programs, advocacy work, and leadership and mentoring initiatives, including its signature Graduate Merit Award Program, which is powering the pipeline of new women leaders.