Diversity

Wise Advice from 14 Female Executives

On Sep 9, 2024

Below, we present the profiles of 14 successful women business leaders. No matter what industry they work in, their biographical sketches and words of wisdom underscore the fact that they are role models for other working women who strive for successful careers in the Garden State.

Chantal Capodicasa

SVP – Regional VP, Burlington/Camden Region

TD Bank, N.A.

td.com

Chantal Capodicasa began her career in banking in 2004 and held various leadership roles in retail, small business, and commercial banking until she joined TD Bank in 2019. Today, she leads a team of dedicated relationship managers and sales associates who provide legendary experiences and trusted advice around all aspects of commercial financial needs. Capodicasa earned her BS in Finance from the University of Connecticut. She currently serves on the boards of the Burlington County Regional Chamber (Treasurer), the YMCA of the Pines (Trustee), and the Medford Business Association (President). She was a founding board member for the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber.

Tips/Advice: Women on the rise should have 1-3 mentors in their circle, preferably in their field or organization. Mentors help guide thoughts along the way with a development plan and honest advice. Having the support along the way helped me grow tremendously and gave me added confidence when I needed it.

Balpreet Grewal-Virk

SVP, Community Health

RWJBarnabas Health

rwjbh.org

Balpreet Grewal-Virk is responsible for designing and executing the strategy for the health system’s program in Newark to develop an academic health system and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) partnership aimed at providing highly coordinated care and social determinant of health support to Newark residents. She is also responsible for developing strategic partnerships with all of the FQHCs in the system’s service area to increase coordination and access to care in order to reduce healthcare disparities in vulnerable communities.

Tips/Advice: My best advice is to always be supportive of other women. It is critically important to provide enrichment and growth opportunities to help others to advance in their careers. I believe it is our responsibility to give back and nurture the next generation of women leaders.

Mary Guckert

VP Oncology Global Development Delivery Unit

Johnson & Johnson

jnj.com

Mary Guckert is the vice president of Oncology Delivery Unit in Global Development at Johnson & Johnson. She is responsible for driving the strategy and execution of the Oncology Therapeutic Area portfolio. Guckert has led teams through strategy development and execution to multiple milestones, including candidate selection and regulatory approvals. She started her career as a cardiac critical care and oncology research nurse and holds a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. Guckert is passionate about mentoring junior colleagues and is an executive sponsor for diverse women in STEM. She actively volunteers for various organizations and is dedicated to improving cancer care.

Tips/Advice: Trust in your abilities and seek out mentors who can guide you. Stay curious and adaptable, always learning and growing. Advocate for yourself and others, and don’t shy away from challenges. Balance your career with compassion and remember to give back by supporting and mentoring other women.

Melissa Isman

Senior Partnerships Development Manager

Plymouth Rock Assurance

plymouthrock.com

Melissa Isman brings more than 20 years of expertise in insurance and business development. With a proven track record in identifying market opportunities and forming strategic partnerships, she excels in creating tailored insurance solutions. Formerly specializing in personal lines insurance, Isman now drives growth at Plymouth Rock Assurance, using her skills in market analysis and strategic planning to boost business performance. Her background helps her forge partnerships with employer groups, professional associations, and financial institutions. Isman holds an MBA and CRPIA.

Tips/Advice: Recognize and be proud of the experience and skills you’ve developed. Surround yourself with a network that supports and inspires you. Balance your professional goals with a mindful approach and remain open to new ideas and opportunities. Trust your instincts and advocate for yourself. Your unique journey brings invaluable depth to your professional career path.

Noorus Khan, CPA

Member of the Firm

Smolin, Lupin & Co., LLC

smolin.com

Noorus Khan is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in New Jersey with more than 18 years of experience in public accounting. She provides accounting and auditing, tax, and ERISA audit services to clients in the pharmaceutical, transportation, manufacturing, wholesale and not-for-profit industries. Khan is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants. She also serves as the VP Finance/Treasurer for the North Essex Chamber of Commerce. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of William Paterson University of New Jersey with a B.S. in Accounting and a concentration in Finance.

Tips/Advice: As a CPA and business leader, my advice for women on the rise is to embrace continuous learning and leverage mentorship. Stay current with industry trends and advancements, and don’t hesitate to seek guidance from experienced professionals who can provide valuable insights and networking opportunities.

Tejal Mehta

Corporate Secretary and Assistant General Counsel

New Jersey Resources

njresources.com

Tejal Mehta joined NJR in 2022, serving as the Corporate Secretary of NJR and its subsidiaries. In this role, Mehta provides oversight, advice and support on corporate governance, statutory and regulatory requirements across board, director and corporate structure activities. She also supports NJR’s overall corporate legal function across business and support functions to address legal and risk issues.

Tips/Advice: In a famous commencement speech, Steve Jobs urged the graduating class to “stay hungry, stay foolish.” My advice is to never let go of the appetite to pursue new ideas, experiences and adventures. Be energetic, eager, confident and assertive to get the answers you need to navigate what is a complex professional world. Embrace your unique perspective, voice your views, and contribute meaningfully to discussions and decision-making processes. That hunger and confidence will establish you as a formidable presence in any setting.

Rebecca O’Connell

President & Head of Middle Market /NYC Metro, Long Island, NJ

Citizens
citizensbank.com

Rebecca O’Connell is the executive vice president, head of corporate banking for the NYC Metro Region at Citizens Bank. Additionally, she serves as regional president for NYC Metro, serving as the senior executive representing Citizens Bank holistically across local communities. She held previous roles at JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America, and currently sits on the board of Moxxie Mentoring Foundation in Long Island. She is a founding board member for the Saint Anthony’s High School Business and Entrepreneurial Center in Huntington, NY. She is also an NJBIA Board of Trustee member.

Tips/Advice: Be curious and lead with a growth mindset. Ask questions, be vulnerable and learn. It is respected, builds trust and it is a characteristic of genuine leadership. Continuing to challenge yourself outside of your comfort zone provides new experiences, skills, and advancement. You naturally grow and broaden your opportunities.

Judy Sailer, SHRM-CP, PHR

Director of Learning & Development

Primepoint HR & Payroll

primepoint.com

Judy Sailer is the Director of Learning and Development for Primepoint HR & Payroll. She holds a Master’s Degree in Management & Organizational Leadership from Springfield College, received her Human Resources Cert. from Rutgers University, and is a certified SHRM CP and PHR. She has presented for NJBIA, CCSNJ, NJACP, Tri-State SHRM and Garden State SHRM and has been featured in Forbes and “Jersey Matters.” She is well-versed in all aspects of management and leadership; her passion is staff development.

Tips/Advice: Embrace continuous learning, stay adaptable, and build a strong network. Seek mentorship, prioritize self-care, and maintain a balance between work and personal life. Communicate effectively, set clear goals, and stay resilient in the face of challenges. Your integrity and work ethic will set you apart and drive long-term success.

Michele N. Siekerka, Esq.

President and CEO

NJBIA

njbia.org

Michele N. Siekerka, Esq., President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, leads the nation’s 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. Known as a collaborative leader and policy influencer, Siekerka is well-versed in the “boots on the ground” business issues and often the “go to” resource to share her expertise with media and in public forums across the state.

Tips/Advice: I encourage women to always be proactive in their own development. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, to ask questions and to truly listen to those responses. Also, it’s important to be a sponge in observing behaviors and experiences from others that you respect in terms of leadership style – and then apply those lessons learned to your best instincts to raise your game.

Catherine Frugé Starghill, Esq.

VP, NJCCC & Exec. Dir., Consortium

njpathways.org

Catherine Frugé Starghill, Esq., is vice president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) and executive director of the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development. Previously, she was Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Named to NJBIZ’s Top 50 in Education (2022-2023) and one of New Jersey’s 25 Most Influential African Americans by South Jersey Journal (2017), Catherine developed and implemented the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities initiative. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Accounting from the University of Michigan, a Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University, and a Six Sigma Black Belt from NJIT.

Tips/Advice: My advice to everyone in the workforce is to use the same adjectives for strong women as we do for strong men. Pay more attention to word choices when describing competent female leaders and instead use adjectives like analytical, powerful, sharp, confident, and logical.

Frances Tomes

Attorney

Tomes Law Firm PC

tomeslaw.com

Always a believer in the American Dream and the rights of the underdog, Frances Tomes graduated from law school determined to defend defrauded and debt-ridden people battling the government, banks, insurance companies. Recognizing that a legal advisor is more than a transactionary role, she continues to be her clients’ trusted legal advisor, helping them create a legacy through estate planning and building and growing their businesses. As their outsourced legal counsel, she helps them achieve growth through systems and education in the LIFT Your Business SMART program.

Tips/Advice: Set goals, review them, and surround yourself with trusted advisors to grow your business. Doing it alone causes financial mistakes and mental drain.

Jennifer Velez

EVP, Health & Network Solutions

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ

horizonblue.com

A highly recognized health leader, Jennifer Velez directs Horizon’s strategy and execution for all clinical, pharmaceutical, behavioral, population health and provider network operations. She previously served as Horizon’s General Counsel. Her 35-year career is defined by a record of improving healthcare quality and affordability and impacting the health of under-served or vulnerable communities. She previously served as: chief impact officer of a national not-for-profit transforming addiction treatment; as executive vice president of RWJBarnabas Health for Community & Behavioral Health; and was New Jersey’s longest-serving human services commissioner. Velez is a lifelong New Jerseyan and holds a J.D. from Rutgers Law School.

Tips/Advice: Lean into opportunities that stretch your capabilities, even if uncomfortable at first. Imposter syndrome can be very real, but stay true to your authentic self, work very hard, focus on servant (not ego-driven) leadership, and ensure you bring others up with you. Find joy and purpose in your work.

Carol Voorhees

SVP & Chief Information Officer

NJM Insurance Group

njm.com

Carol Voorhees joined NJM in 1996 as a systems analyst. Over the ensuing years, she held positions of increasing responsibility, culminating in her election by the Board of Directors to Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer in 2018. Voorhees leads the company’s Personal Lines, Marketing, Information Technology, Information Security, Project Management and Customer Experience departments. She also serves as a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team. She represents NJM on the NJ PBS Board of Trustees and the Thomas Edison State University Foundation Board.

Tips/Advice: Build relationships with colleagues and grow a network of people within the company and outside of it. This will help create job opportunities and develop a group of trusted advisers to whom you can turn. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions and be curious. Continuous learning is the key to continuous success.

Jana Washington

Director Ramp Services

United Airlines

united.com

Jana Washington is a Director of Ramp Services for United Airlines at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). She leads a team of 2,000 employees, ensuring everyone does their jobs in accordance with the airline’s high safety standards. Among her responsibilities is overseeing the team that makes sure customers’ bags make it to their destinations. She has a Master’s Degree in Occupational Health and Safety from Columbia Southern University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry from Tennessee State University. Washington enjoys exercising, giving back to the community, traveling, spending time with family and trying new restaurants.

Tips/Advice: Embrace authenticity, seek mentorship, and build a strong network. Communicate confidently, advocate for yourself, and remain resilient in the face of challenges. Prioritize self-care and never hesitate to lift others as you rise. Always sit at the table, you deserve to be there. Believe in your vision.

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