Celest Quintana and Sally Glick will be honored for their contributions to the Garden State’s business community and beyond at the 9th Annual New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum (NJWBLF), powered by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA).

The largest professional women’s conference in New Jersey takes place Sept. 27-28 at the Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott.

Each year, the event brings together hundreds of corporate and nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and students to inspire and empower the building of successful businesses and to increase diversity in corporate leadership — both in the C-suite and the boardroom.

The forum features executive TED-style talks, multiple breakout sessions led by expert panelists, one-on-one coaching, help with resume building, LinkedIn makeovers, networking opportunities, and much more.

Caren Franzini Leadership Award

A self-made entrepreneur who owns and operates 10 McDonald’s franchises throughout North Jersey with her daughter, Jessica, Quintana will receive NJBIA’s 2023 Caren Franzini Leadership Award. The recognition is named for Franzini, who died in 2017 at age 57, the longtime chief executive office of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) who worked with seven governors to promote entrepreneurship and economic growth, particularly in the state’s largest cities.

Quintana, who came to the United States from Spain when she was 10, grew up in Newark with eight brothers and sisters. In 1992, she opened her first McDonald’s restaurant on Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen and now has locations in Jersey City, Newark, Irvington, East Orange and Parsippany that employ more than 500 local residents and provide for those in need through donations and fundraisers.

She has also been a member of NJBIA’s board of trustees since 2008 in addition to serving as the board’s chairperson from 2021 to 2023.

“The Caren Franzini Leadership Award is an honor bestowed on individuals who inspire and empower others to achieve professional excellence,” said Michele Siekerka, NJBIA president and CEO. “Celest’s rise in business over the past 30 years has been remarkable and to see first-hand how she has grown her businesses, provided countless opportunities for workers and served her community well beyond food has been nothing short of inspirational.”

Legacy & Leadership Award

Glick, a business development advisor and ambassador with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), will be honored with NJBIA’s 2023 Legacy & Leadership Award in recognition of her business achievements, mentorship of women in business and years of public service. In her current role, Glick is responsible for reinforcing the eighth-largest CPA firm in the United States’ legacy while maintaining critical relationships with the business and nonprofit communities in the New Jersey regional market.

Prior to her current position, Glick was a principal and chief growth strategist for Livingston-based SobelCo, which merged with CLA in February, for nearly two decades.

Glick is also deeply involved in the community, serving on several nonprofit and business boards and committees.

“Sally’s generosity in sharing her rich knowledge and experience as a mentor to so many women in New Jersey business – even including many of us at NJBIA – is beyond compare,” said Siekerka. “Her reputation as someone with unstoppable energy, kindness, compassion, and resilience is her well-earned foundation.”

Siekerka added that it is a privilege to honor both women, who she described as true trailblazers in their respective fields who have given so much to the business world and public service here in New Jersey.

“These amazing women have achieved immeasurable results for their businesses, while opening the doors for other women seeking to advance themselves in business,” said Siekerka. “We are thrilled to present these awards to Sally and Celest.”

More information on the NJWBLF can be found here.

More recognition

Sally Glick also is a 2023 NJBIZ Accounting Power 50 honoree. Click here to see who else made this year’s list, released June 26.