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Ira Robbins

Chairman and CEO
Valley National Bank

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Leading Valley Bank’s transformation from a $29 billion regional institution into a diversified $63 billion franchise serving businesses and communities across the country. What makes me most proud is not the growth itself, but building a stronger, more resilient organization while creating opportunities for our employees, supporting entrepreneurs, and helping clients achieve their goals.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

AI will fundamentally reshape how banks serve customers, make decisions, manage risk, and operate. Institutions that successfully combine technology with trust, human judgment, and strong governance will gain a significant competitive advantage.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

Early in my career, I was told to never let my current role define my potential. Continue learning, stay curious, and be willing to take on challenges that stretch you beyond your comfort zone. For the next generation, I would say: invest in your growth every day. [S]uccessful careers are built not by avoiding mistakes, but by learning from them and [moving] forward.

Lori Roth

CEO
Prager Metis

Former global managing partner, Roth was appointed CEO of Top 50 accounting and advisory firm Prager Metis, a member of Prager Metis International Group, in January.

As CEO, Roth leads strategic planning for the extensive Prager Metis team – with more than 600 total members – overseeing firm growth strategy and initiatives. She also plays a key role in developing goals and policies and monitoring performance.

On her elevation, Roth said she was honored to step into the role and continue building. “Our success has always come from our team and our commitment to delivering exceptional value to clients. I’m excited to lead Prager Metis into our next phase of growth,” she said at the time.

A 40-year veteran of the accounting industry, Roth, who is based in the firm’s Basking Ridge office, has been included on several NJBIZ Accounting Power 50 lists, including No. 5 in 2023 and No. 7 in 2020.

Over the course of her career, Roth has focused on audit and assurance services, litigation support and business valuations and worked with clients across a variety of industries, including closely held businesses, real estate, and the U.S. subsidiaries of foreign banks and corporations.

Patrick Ryan

President and CEO
First Bank

What is your proudest professional achievement?

As one of the original founders of First Bank, I’m proud of what we’ve been able to create – a publicly-traded traded bank with $4 billion in assets, over $440 million in equity capital, 26 locations, and over 300 employees. But the story of First Bank goes beyond just size and scale: we’ve created a true, relationship-based community bank where clients get great service, and team members feel great about the work they do supporting their communities.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

AI will be a force for good, but it will also create challenges. In the community banking sector, we need to make sure that as we improve efficiency, we don’t let technology get in the way of building quality relationships.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

Treat customers as individuals rather than numbers. Prioritize long-term relationships over quick transactions. And remember that in this industry, your word and your handshake still matter. If you protect your core foundation, stay disciplined and keep your relationships at the center, long-term success takes care of itself.

Victor Salama

Executive director
Greater Newark Enterprises Corp.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Over the past six years, GNEC has grown its lending activities throughout the state of N.J. As a microlender that doesn’t rely on U.S. Small Business Administration programs, GNEC is highly flexible in its loan underwriting criteria and offers affordable loan terms that allows microbusinesses from N.J.’s underserved and underbanked communities to build long-term equity.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

While AI is certainly going to be disruptive for larger companies, the microbusinesses we work with continue to suffer from macroeconomic trends such as tariffs, inflation and supply chain challenges that affect them on a daily basis. Federal immigration policies have hampered our business clients and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

Do everything that you can to build momentum and get your team excited about that momentum. While leaders should certainly focus on strategy and other “big picture” goals, it’s also extremely important to do what you do really well so that momentum is created.

Renata Serban

Founder and CEO
Highly Elevated CPA LLC

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Founding my own practice and being professionally recognized for the work that I do

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

Ability to truly understand benefits and drawbacks of the AI and properly use it as tool

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

“Never sell yourself short” was one of the best pieces of business advice I’ve ever received. The person who told me that was always seeing my potential unlike others and was the one who introduced me to the cannabis industry. This person’s name is Harry Carpenter, partner and co-practice leader of Cannabis Advisory Services at Citrin Cooperman.

Alan Sobel

Principal
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)

What is your proudest professional achievement?

My proudest professional achievement was leading the initiative to pass legislation in N.J. for the Business Alternative Income Tax. The BAIT is a modernization of how pass-through entities are taxed, allowing a federal tax deduction that would have otherwise been lost because of federal limits on deducting state income taxes. Since enactment, N.J. has collected $22.36 billion in BAIT, resulting in approximately $5.6 billion in federal tax savings for New Jersey business owners.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

It sounds cliche, but AI continues to be the disruptive change in the finance industry. Professionals will need to learn how to adopt AI in a way that increases ROI, reduces risk and re-skills them for next generation of work.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

The best career advice I received was “be an inquisitive reader.”… Experience is critical, but you are constrained by experience timely lining up with what you are looking to learn. Reading allows you to constantly learn, at your pace and on the things you feel are best needed in your career.

Frank Sorrentino III

Chairman and CEO
ConnectOne Bank

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Founding ConnectOne Bank and growing it to a team of over 700 across N.J., N.Y., and Florida. is my proudest achievement. We’ve supported thousands of clients through every stage of their financial lives — from launching ventures to navigating tough economic cycles. Even more importantly, we’ve built a culture where our team members can launch their careers, continually evolve, and achieve their professional aspirations while making a tangible impact on the communities we serve.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

The rise of non-bank competition … is fundamentally fragmenting traditional financial services. Coupled with the rapid integration of AI and blockchain technology, the industry’s landscape is being completely rewritten.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

My advice is the “50 Cups of Coffee” rule. I encourage everyone to have 50 coffees with mentors, peers, and leaders they admire. Be intentional — the goal isn’t just networking, but learning from their successes and failures.

Sean Stein Smith

Associate professor
City University of New York – Lehman College

What is your proudest professional achievement?

One of my proudest professional achievements has been my ability to translate highly technical and rapidly evolving topics such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, digital assets, tokenization, and financial technology into practical, actionable guidance for CPAs, regulators, educators, and business leaders across the New Jersey and New York City markets.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

The convergence of artificial intelligence and tokenized financial infrastructure [will be] the most disruptive change in finance over the next year. AI is reshaping analysis, reporting, and decision-making, while tokenization and stablecoins are modernizing payments, settlement, and asset ownership. Together, these technologies will force firms to rethink compliance, work-force strategy, cybersecurity, and the role of traditional financial intermediaries

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

“You should always focus on job, but always look for opportunities outside of what your direct responsibilities/duties are.”

Sandy Suchoff

Principal
The Canna CPAs

Suchoff is founder and principal of Lefstein-Suchoff CPA & Associates LLC, which does business as The Canna CPAs.

As you maybe guessed, the Fair Law firm – which dates to 1997 – specializes in cannabis and hemp accounting and tax for cultivators, processors and retailers. The team advises owners, managers and investors nationwide in states where cannabis is legal.

Suchoff was inspired to start The Canna CPAs after seeing how cannabis was able to help improve a family member’s medical condition.

Suchoff herself is also a noted industry resource. She has participated in numerous expert discussions nationwide (including a previous NJBIZ panel discussion), penned articles for publications such as The National Marijuana News and was even interviewed for Snoop Dog’s Merry Jane website.

Additionally, Suchoff is co-author of “Write-offs to the Rescue,” penning a chapter devoted to cannabis tax strategy. Her latest book, “How to Run a Profitable Cannabis Business” published in 2023.

The Canna CPAs maintains an active blog presence on its website, offering insights and information ranging from How Cannabis CFOs Help Navigate Complex Tax Challenges to industry best accounting practices, mistakes to avoid and more.

Chris Sugden

Managing partner
Edison Partners

What is your proudest professional achievement?

My proudest achievements are being a small part of founders and their teams making their dreams reality. … These risk takers, innovators, leaders and visionaries build behind the scenes for many years before anyone notices. I add value in strategy, talent and culture, and take pride in the human impact and multiplier effects of these successes.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

We are living it right now with AI. Our firm and the companies we invest in have an ongoing debate whether … this tech innovation cycle is different. The closest comparison I see is the internet era. … The investing pace and exuberance are similar. However, today’s AI and AI-enabled companies have stronger foundations.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

I have two. First, was from my grandfather, which he shared long before I started my career. He said, “Plan your work and work your plan.” The second is from … Marcus Aurelius. In Meditations he wrote, “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength.”

Christopher Tascione

Senior vice president finance and chief financial officer
Valley Health System

What is your proudest professional achievement?

[H]elping lead a health system through the COVID-19 pandemic. During a period of unprecedented uncertainty, I helped establish and scale COVID testing sites to expand community access, while supporting efforts to maintain care delivery, protect our workforce, and manage significant financial pressures. Most importantly, we continued serving our communities when they needed us most.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

[T]he growing disconnect between what patients can afford and what healthcare organizations need to stay financially healthy. … The organizations that succeed will be those that re-build trust, improve transparency, and find ways to deliver care more efficiently without sacrificing quality.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

[P]ractice “humble ambition,” or what I like to call humbition. … [L]eadership is not about having all the answers or seeking recognition. It is about having the ambition to pursue excellence and drive meaningful results, while maintaining the humility to listen, learn, and give credit to others.

Gina Tedesco

Managing member
Amala Ventures

Active investor and serial entrepreneur Tedesco serves as managing member of Amala Ventures. That firm invests in early-stage companies here in the U.S. as well as in Brazil.
She’s also managing director and New Jersey chapter lead for Golden Seeds. The national network of angel investors is dedicated to supporting early-stage companies founded and led by women.

Throughout its 20-plus years, Golden Seeds has invested almost $195 million in 274 women-led companies. Celebrating its two-decade anniversary locally in 2025, the group said nearly $10 million has been invested into female-led companies since Golden Seeds arrived on the scene.

Established in partnership with the NJEDA and launched along with First Lady Tammy Murphy in 2020, Golden Seeds in N.J. offers angel investments ranging from $250,000 to $2 million; mentorship opportunities funded by the organization; and that singular focus on women-led ventures. Support also comes via office hours, during which entrepreneurs can register to receive one-on-one guidance.

“Although I’ve traveled and lived around the world …I am a ‘Jersey Girl’ born and bred.”

Robert Traphagen

Managing partner
Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors

What is your proudest professional achievement?

[B]eing recognized by the NJCPA Society as a Lifetime Leader, assisting others in achieving their financial goals. As we embrace our 56th year, it has been rewarding working with my brother, Peter Sr., his son, second generation Peter Traphagen Jr., managing director of our Wealth Management Team, and recently, third generation William Traphagen. Together, we remain committed to excellence, trust and integrity.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

Technology is redefining the finance industry at a lightning pace. Agentic AI, automation and unified data architectures will provide a treasure chest of data-driven analytics; these tools will allow us to streamline client deliverables and provide high-value strategic insights and planning opportunities for our stakeholders.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

[F]ocus on technology, communication, and continuous learning – our core value is “Education Beyond the Credential.” My mentor instilled upon me the importance of two things: always do the “Right Thing” and always be committed to “Giving Back.”

Jeffrey Tucker

New Jersey market leader
Wells Fargo Advisors

Closing out 2024, Tucker left Morgan Stanley after seven years to join Wells Fargo Advisors. Based in Short Hills, he now serves as New Jersey market leader for that institution.

As a financial advisor, Tucker offers and oversees a team providing a range of services — from individual investments to retirement planning and more. He holds 55 state licenses and three Financial Industry Regulatory Authority registrations, according to BrokerCheck by FINRA. With more than 20 years of experience in the field, Tucker specializes in financial planning, portfolio management for individuals or small businesses, and pension consulting services.

Active on LinkedIn, the leader celebrates team wins in the market he manages, including repeat recognitions from Forbes for monthly Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams from New Jersey, as well as achievements from Linwood Wealth Management Group, named a 2025 Barron’s Top 250 Private Wealth Management Team.

Prior to leaving Morgan Stanley, Tucker spent nine months as managing director, market executive-Northern New Jersey. For more than five years before that, he served as managing director, head of financial advisory trainee sourcing & development.

Matthew Vamvakis

Global head of worldwide wealth management in New Jersey
JPMorganChase

What is your proudest professional achievement?

I’m proudest of the team and culture we’ve built — grounded in preparation, responsiveness, and doing the right thing for clients. I’ve helped set a standard of collaboration, accountability, empathy, and high-quality execution. The impact has been tangible for both clients and talent. Clients rely on our team through complex, high-stakes decisions, and I’ve helped develop future leaders through hands-on coaching and mentorship.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

AI will likely be the most disruptive force in the coming year, accelerating the speed, scale, and efficiency of turning data into relevant, actionable insights. That said, the highest standard of wealth management will remain deeply personal and relationship-driven — grounded in judgment, empathy, and trust. Well-governed AI will help advisors deliver better decision support and a stronger client experience, but it won’t replace the human element

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

[B]e an advisor, not a salesperson. Tell clients what they need to hear, not what they want to hear, and be willing to have the hard conversations.

Bruce Van Saun

Chairman and CEO
Citizens Financial Group Inc.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

I’m most proud of leading Citizens’ transformation from an orphaned subsidiary into a leading super-regional bank. Following our 2014 IPO, we paired organic investments with bold expansion, including entering the N.Y. market and launching Citizens Private Bank. Our strategy today centers on a growing consumer bank, a best-positioned commercial bank, and a premier private bank and wealth franchise.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

New technologies are reshaping business models and customer expectations in real time. Customers want seamless, digital-first experiences; competitors are moving faster, and technology cycles are shorter than ever. Banks that embrace AI and agentic tools to remove friction and deliver a personalized customer experience are best positioned to win.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

[S]eek growth opportunities that challenge you to reach your potential. Believe in yourself! My advice to the next generation is to stay grounded in the fundamentals but be ready to adapt.

Patrick Walsh

Managing partner and CEO
Withum

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Being selected as Withum’s managing partner and CEO is my proudest professional achievement. It reflects the trust our partners have placed in me and is both a privilege and a responsibility I carry with deep commitment. I’m honored to lead a partner-owned firm defined by strong values, exceptional talent and real momentum as we continue to grow, innovate and create lasting value for our clients.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

The pace of AI advancement will be the most disruptive force. It’s rapidly reshaping how we work and deliver value to our clients. Success will come from balancing new technology with deep professional expertise, ensuring its use is responsible, thoughtful and grounded in sound judgment. It’s not just adoption — it’s integration with integrity.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

For the next generation: lean into new technologies. Stay curious, adapt quickly and use AI to enhance – not replace – critical thinking, relationships and judgment. Technology won’t replace you but ignoring it will hold you back. For more experienced professionals: stay agile and keep learning.

Diane Wasser

Partner-in-charge of New Jersey, managing partner of regions
EisnerAmper

What is your proudest professional achievement?

The first year I was voted onto our Executive Committee. I have learned so much and have been able to contribute to the firm in ways I never could have dreamed of. We make thoughtful decisions knowing we have colleagues who depend on us. We give back to the profession and our communities.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

Responding with AI seems cliché at this point however that is the most impactful change. We are all navigating how AI will impact our organizations and colleagues. My hope is that we benefit with more balanced schedules, and my greatest hope is that we use AI and avoid it using us. The human element is priceless and our judgment, empathy, risk calibration and above all for the accounting profession trust.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

Someone dear to me told me that the best decisions are made when we are not emotionally attached to the outcome. That stuck with me and in leadership I stay grounded in knowing matters are always larger than any one of us and the best decisions made are when we put the firm first.

Sandi Weiss

Chief financial officer, vice president of finance
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center

What is your proudest professional achievement?

I served as an administrator for a surgery center, and just prior to the onset of COVID-19, we were in the process of obtaining our licensure. Despite the widespread disruptions caused by the pandemic, I successfully navigated the regulatory requirements and secured our final license.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

HR 1 [One Big Beautiful Bill Act] is expected to negatively impact hospitals by limiting state-directed payments, reducing a key source of supplemental Medicaid funding. Combined with biannual Medicaid redeterminations, hospitals may see increased coverage gaps, leading to higher uncompensated care and bad debt. These changes will strain margins, particularly for hospitals serving a high volume of Medicaid patients.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

I was given two pieces of advice that have always stuck with me. It was given to me by a wonderful woman I met and knew years ago. First, be careful who you step on on the way up, because they will be the same ones you see on the way back down. Never let your ego take over the person you are. Second, it’s never what you say but how you say it.

Douglas Zehner

Executive vice president and system chief financial officer
Hudson Regional Health

What is your proudest professional achievement?

My proudest professional achievements have centered around building the financial foundation that allows healthcare organizations to grow, innovate, and serve their communities. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to help lead transformational investments in hospitals, ambulatory services, physician partnerships, and new facilities.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

The most disruptive change in finance over the next year will be the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into financial planning, decision-making, and day-to-day operations. AI has the potential to transform everything from forecasting and budgeting to revenue cycle management and strategic investment analysis. .

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

The most memorable – and possibly the best – career advice I received came from a health system CFO who was asked to address a room full of hospital finance leaders. His answer was simple: “Make your budget.” While it drew a laugh, it also captured an important truth. Leadership requires vision and strategy, but it ultimately comes down to execution.

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