New Board Leadership and Members at NRBP

On Jan 9, 2024

The Newark Regional Business Partnership (NRBP) has announced that the following members of its Board of Directors have assumed leadership roles on the organization’s Executive Committee: Jennifer Mazawey, partner, K&L Gates is now board chair; Mary Makfinsky, senior vice president regional manager, Popular Bank, is now vice-chair; Kevin Collins, chief financial officer, Invest Newark is now treasurer; and Sarah Jones, director of government affairs, Horizon BCBSNJ is now secretary.

“I was thrilled to serve as vice-chair of NRBP’s board and I am honored to continue my service to the organization as its chair,” said Mazawey. “NRBP has significant plans for the new-year, and I look forward to working with the Board and NRBP staff as they bring the organization’s goals to fruition.”

Additional Executive Committee members include past chairs Calvin Ledford, president, PSEG Foundation and director of corporate social responsibility, PSEG; Darrell K. Terry, Sr., president and CEO, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center/Children’s Hospital of NJ; Frank Ferruggia, partner, McCarter & English LLP; and Monica Slater Stokes, managing director – corporate & government affairs, United Airlines. The at-large members are Renard Barnes, general counsel and chief risk officer, PS&S and Mitch Cahn, owner, Unionwear.

NRBP honored outgoing board chair Slater Stokes at its end of year holiday celebration on December 5. Slater Stokes served a two-year term leading NRBP’s board in partnership with her vice-chair, Mazawey. Her time as board chair coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic and Stokes provided skilled and inspired leadership to the organization.

Slater Stokes had this to say regarding her time as board chair: “It was my pleasure and honor to serve as NRBP’s board chair. I am proud to have worked in collaboration with my fellow board members and NRBP’s staff to guide the organization through challenging pandemic and post-pandemic periods. As immediate past chair, I look forward to working with Mazawey and all NRBP stakeholders to build upon the good groundwork laid for continued strong progress and growth.”

The following NRBP members and Newark-area business leaders are new members of the board: Marlene Bauer, president, InGroup; Sam Caucci, founder & CEO, 1Huddle; Stephanie Park, rail operations manager, Bechtel Corporation; Silvia Pereira, business banking relationship manager, Citizens Bank; Naomi Stevens, operations coordinator, SOSV/HAX; and Dr. Suffiyah Webb, owner, Brilliant Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.

“NRBP’s board of directors provides valuable governance and leadership to our organization”, said Chip Hallock NRBP’s president and CEO. “Our board represents the diversity of our membership, the City of Newark, and the larger business community. We are excited to have 6 new board members join us this year and we are grateful for the continued support and engagement of our executive committee and existing board members.”

NRBP values the support and participation of its esteemed board of directors and looks forward to working with them in the new year on initiatives which will support the growth and vitality of NRBP, its membership, and the business community.

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