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The 13th Annual Women in Banking Conference included a focus on women small business owners.

New Jersey Bankers Association hosted the June 5 event at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset. Additionally, NJBankers partnered with the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC) to host several women small business owners who joined representatives from state banks at the conference.

More than 400 attendees turned out for the event, which featured speeches and discussions focused on topics such as:

• The economic outlook;
• Mentoring and building a professional network;
• How to elevate your career and reach your goals.

It also offered networking opportunities for the attendees.

“Although called Women in Banking, the topics discussed at our conference really pertain to any women in the business world, and we wanted to share this knowledge with local small business owners,” said Jenn Zorn, executive vice president, Education and Business Development, NJBankers.

Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes, regional director of the NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College, described the event as “extremely motivating for women.” She said she left with valuable insights and actionable items to impart in the workplace.

“I enjoyed the message of bringing others up with us – we rise by lifting others,” said Mejias-Fuertes. “We want to make sure we have a pipeline behind us. Lifting women up is part of the fabric of who I am.”

“We want to lift women up and create a community where we celebrate each other’s successes and empower the next generation of women in leadership,” said Zorn.

Hear from the experts:

As part of an NJBIZ virtual discussion, women executives from New Jersey-based companies spoke to their experiences in the workplace, as well as offered guidance to females entering the business world. Here’s what they had to say.