Please join NJBIZ and our panel of experts as they discuss:

•  Who Gets the Seat at the Table — and Why?
•  From Mentor to Sponsor: Building Real Influence
•  Breaking the Middle-Management Ceiling
•  Pay Transparency & Leadership Equity
•  Retention, Burnout & Strategic Growth
•  Turning AI & Digital Tools into Opportunity

Panelist – Lorraine R. Salvo, CFP®, CDFA®

Managing Director, Private Wealth Management
Palisade

Lorraine is Managing Director, Private Wealth Management and Head of Palisade Capital Management’s Financial Planning team. In her role, Lorraine is responsible for overseeing Palisade’s Private Wealth Management financial planning process while also serving as an advisor to high net worth client relationships. Lorraine has experience developing customized investment portfolios; providing education, retirement, and estate planning advice; generating cash flow analysis; and assessing risk tolerance and time horizon. She regularly liaises with clients’ CPAs and attorneys to enhance communication while managing the investment process, trouble-shooting issues, and enhancing tax planning. Prior to joining Palisade in 2019, Lorraine served as Managing Director, Client Advisor with Simon Quick Advisors LLC for 15 years. There, she advised clients regarding diverse aspects of wealth management so they can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying the life they worked hard to build. Lorraine received her undergraduate degree from Hartwick College, and has earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) professional designations. Lorraine is also a 6-year winner of the Five Star Wealth Manager Award.

Ms. Salvo earned the Five Star Wealth Manager Award in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025. To receive the Five Star Wealth Manager Award, a wealth manager must satisfy ten objective eligibility and evaluation criteria that are associated with wealth managers who provide quality services to their clients. Five Star Professional considers factors including assets under management and client retention rate. Candidates also undergo a thorough regulatory and complaint review. Rankings published by Five Star Professional base the selections partially on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser.

Panelist – Lauren N. Schwimmer

Shareholder
Flaster Greenberg PC

Lauren N. Schwimmer is a member of the Business Transactions Department and serves as the Real Estate and Land Use Practice Group Lead.

She focuses her practice on advising individuals and businesses on entity formation, governance matters, and the structuring of buy-sell and other arrangements among shareholders, members, and principals. Lauren also brings extensive transactional experience to her practice, including the purchase and sale of businesses and the acquisition, financing, and disposition of commercial real estate.

Lauren provides comprehensive counsel to clients at every stage of the business lifecycle, helping them navigate a wide range of legal and strategic challenges. Her experience includes reviewing and negotiating agreements with vendors, customers, and suppliers, as well as employment and other operational agreements. She is particularly passionate about serving as outside counsel and supporting organizations as they grow and evolve.

In addition, Lauren regularly represents landlords and tenants in the negotiation and drafting of commercial leases. Prior to joining the firm, she gained experience in commercial and general civil litigation, banking law, and bankruptcy. This diverse background allows her to bring a practical, well-rounded perspective to her transactional work and contract review.

Lauren earned her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. While at the University of Pennsylvania she earned a Certificate in Business and Public Policy from the Wharton School and was a senior editor of the Journal of Law and Social Change.

Panelist – Mamie Tolbert

President
NJ State Women’s Chamber

Dr. Tolbert has more than 30 years experience in the insurance industry as a property and casualty claims professional advancing to the position of Home Office Supervisor at AIG in New York. She participated in ADR – Alternative Dispute Resolution including arbitration, mediation, and litigation. She is often consulted for her knowledge and wisdom and is recognized as a person of integrity who does whatever she can to connect people to resources that can benefit them. She is an Alumna of the state of New Jersey’s Entrepreneurial Training Institute (ETI) and Leadership Newark – a fellowship public policy program for qualified professionals committed to community involvement.

She is co-founder of Business Resource Connector LLC and President & CEO of MST Mediation Solutions LLC. As a professional mediator, she has been trained in all areas of mediation, however, she focuses on business and corporate mediation including workplace mediation. She is actively involved in the community, helping connect people with services and resources that are often needed, but not easily accessible. She facilitates workshops, seminars, and webinars to educate and inform persons about many of the resources that can benefit them. She is the current President of the New Jersey State Women’s Chamber.

Panelist – Alesia Visconti

CEO and President
FranServe

Alesia Visconti is the CEO and President of FranServe Inc. and a recognized innovator and leader in the franchising industry. She holds multiple professional credentials, including Certified Franchise Executive, Certified Advanced Franchise Consultant, Certified Franchise Consultant, and Certified Life & Career Coach. Alesia is actively involved in industry leadership and serves on several committees within the International Franchise Association, including the Diversity Board, VetFran Committee, Legal Legislative Committee, Supplier Advisory Board, Membership Committee, and Broker Task Force. She is also a member of the Leadership Council for the National Small Business Association and serves on the Advisory Board for the Titus Center for Franchising at Palm Beach Atlantic University, where she mentors interns.

Under her leadership, FranServe has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America. Alesia has also been named a Top Influencer in Franchising and a Top Woman in Franchising, and was recently recognized as a Top Woman Leader in New Jersey. She is the author of The Pink Tsunami: Women’s Rise in Franchising, owner of Franchise Dictionary Magazine, and a monthly contributor to Inc.com. Alesia is also deeply committed to philanthropy as the founder of FranAid and a volunteer life coach with Save Our Sisters, supporting survivors of domestic violence.