I’ve dedicated my entire professional career to meeting, networking and shaking hands with thousands of people throughout the state. I have been able to showcase the state’s top trailblazers for the past decade at fabulous events with rooms filled with hundreds of decision makers and influencers.

Thankfully, technology has opened new doors of opportunity, and in many ways has helped us to expand our connections and increase our time efficiency and effectiveness. We are excited to offer a high-level virtual speed networking event on Sept. 14, which will be an impactful way to meet with 50 of the state’s thought leaders and changemakers.

The 2021 FFC and LWE winners were announced in June and now we are bringing both the Top 25 LWE and FFC honorees together for an evening of virtual speed networking. Space is limited but we have a few open spots to those professionals who would like to connect with this powerful group.

We are excited to introduce all the honorees to each other at this exclusive speed networking event and all participants will have the opportunity to meet in smaller breakout groups. This unique format enables our attendees to meet and connect with many high-level professionals in the shortest amount of time. We are proud to have our host committee kick off this speed networking event with some short remarks on how they are a Force for Change in NJ.

I’d like to thank our host committee members. They are:

Steven M. Cohen, a graduate of New York University School of Law and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, is the chair of Morgan Lewis’ emerging business and technology practice. Cohen represents entrepreneurs, private equity investors, and venture capital funds. He advises clients in such industries as technology, life sciences, chemicals, consumer products, digital health, and fintech. Cohen counsels mid-Atlantic region investors and emerging growth companies in a variety of business transactions including equity financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), divestitures, initial public offerings (IPOs), joint ventures, and international strategic partnerships. He is also the chairman of the board of trustees of meditation4leadership and authored, “Leading from Within: A Guide to Maximizing Your Effectiveness Through Meditation.”

With nearly 20 years of public accounting experience, Sharon Gordon is a partner in CohnReznick’s Construction and Commercial Real Estate Industry practices. She is based in the firm’s Parsippany office. In her role, Sharon provides top-level industry guidance to construction and real estate clients while serving as a technical resource for CohnReznick.

As head of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey for more than 30 years, Carolyn Beauchamp has developed programs that empower people with mental illness and created a strong statewide consumer voice that affects policy decisions at the highest levels. Beauchamp has marshaled diverse groups, including corporations, the education community and government agencies, to reduce stigma and increase access to mental health treatment.

Cynthia Colucci is the senior relationship manager of TD Bank of Piscataway. The bank’s vision is clear: to be The Better Bank. So, too, is their mission: to be the best-run, customer-focused, integrated financial institution, with a unique and inclusive employee culture.

Our mission is to create a sustainable ongoing environment that brings leaders together and showcases their attributes and contributions.

Linda Wellbrock is CEO and founder of Force for Change and Leading Women Entrepreneurs.