“It’s an honor to be part of the NJEDA during a time of such tremendous growth and transformation,” New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Chief of Staff Emma Corrado recently told NJBIZ.

Corrado joined the agency in 2022 after serving in U.S. Sen. Cory Booker’s office. There, she oversaw all projects, legislation, outreach and stakeholder management related to veterans’ affairs, defense, homeland and national security, foreign policy, first responders and gun control.

At NJEDA, Corrado works closely with organization leadership to drive the strategic direction and execute priority initiatives. She also oversees core functions, such as:

• Communications
• Marketing
• Events
• Diversity, equity and inclusion
• Economics and data analytics
• Intergovernmental affairs

As NJBIZ recently spotlighted, the NJEDA marks its 50th anniversary this year. The agency has been instrumental in driving Gov. Phil Murphy’s economic development strategy. And, as reflected in our reporting, at the center of major recent announcements.

As chief of staff, Corrado plays a key role in the agency’s efforts on these different fronts.

“Throughout the past few years of my tenure, the NJEDA has dived deep and created groundbreaking programs in new industries as such as offshore wind, artificial intelligence, cannabis, and film and digital media, all of which are poised to revolutionize New Jersey’s economy,” said Corrado. “As Chief of Staff, I have the pleasure or working alongside our CEO Tim Sullivan and the NJEDA Board to carry out Gov. Murphy’s vision to build a stronger and fairer economy, ensuring equitable access to opportunity for all New Jerseyans.”

Corrado stressed that these accomplishments would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the Authority’s staff. She described the team as “steadfast public servants who are committed to supporting our main streets, businesses, communities, families.”

‘If she sleeps, I don’t know when’

Corrado’s impact was evident over the reporting on those recent Economic Development spotlight stories in the Oct. 7 issue of NJBIZ. Lauded by her colleagues, they described Corrado as a rising star at the NJEDA.

“Emma is great. She’s been our Chief of Staff for more than two years now,” Sullivan told NJBIZ. “Before joining our team, she worked for Sen. Booker. While there, she had worked under now U.S. Sen. George Helmy, where she gained great experience in the federal government. She’s a person who’s incredibly organized, works incredibly hard, cares about the right issues, understands New Jersey and understands the federal government.”

Sullivan described Corrado as an extraordinary team member. He noted how often people tell him how impressed they are with her for always bringing her A-game as well as always being prepared — especially given all of the action happening at the NJEDA.

“The high-class challenge of being pulled in lots of different directions and having lots of different opportunities at the same time – comes home to roost with keeping it all organized, keeping it all straight; making sure we are doing things the right way,” Sullivan explained. “And Emma is indispensable in that effort. She also oversees things like Communications and our Diversity Equity & Inclusion team, our international efforts. So, she’s got both – working directly with me trying to run the railroad as well as a bunch of different strategic priorities with her team as well.”

“If she sleeps, I don’t know when,” Sullivan added, lauding Corrado and her team.

“I look forward to continue supporting the NJEDA’s expansive operation throughout the Murphy administration as we work to develop nationally recognized programs and initiatives that provide a strong economic foundation and future for generations to come,” said Corrado.

NJEDA at 50

• Deploying dollars: How the state nurtures the ‘innovation economy’
• CEO Sullivan talks innovation, job creation, economic growth and NJ’s booming industries