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In New Jersey’s rapidly evolving financial industry, professionals go above and beyond to ensure the success of their companies and their communities. 

NJBIZ is recognizing these outstanding individuals with the 2026 Leaders in Finance awards. 

Following an open nomination period, a panel of independent judges with experience in the financial field chose honorees. The selections are based on the nominees’ involvement in their industries and communities, as well as professional achievements.  

The more than 40 award recipients span the categories of banking, corporate, investment, professional and blockchain. 

A ceremony recognizing these honorees will take place from 8–10:30 a.m. April 28 at The Marigold in Somerset. Tickets are now available on the event page.   

The presenting sponsor for the event is Provident Bank.   

Congratulations to the 2026 Leaders in Finance honorees! 

Michael Allen, president, Financial Services Division; chief financial officer
Hackensack Meridian Health 

Ken Bagner, principal and market leader
CLA 

Russell Barrett, senior executive vice president and chief operating officer
Valley Bank 

Kevin Brauer, president and CEO
Affinity Federal Credit Union 

Rebecca Burke, EY Americas assurance chief operations officer
Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) 

Joseph Caplan, partner and managing member
RRBB Accountants & Advisors 

Jeffrey Christakos, partner
Christakos & Co. PC 

Sean Cole, investment advisor
Green Ridge Wealth Planning 

Kristen Crouchelli, principal
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA) 

Laura Crowley, partner
Citrin Cooperman 

Randy Cruz, controller
New Jersey Reentry Corp. 

Gregory Dillon, partner
OneTeam Financial LLC 

Rajae Eltemawi, chief financial officer
Mazza Recycling Services 

Nicholas Faulhaber, senior vice president and controller
New Vistas Corp. 

Michael Feiler, partner, Private Wealth Management
Palisade Capital Management LP 

Richard Friedenreich, vice president of finance
Hamamatsu Corp. 

Rich Fuchs, partner
CohnReznick 

Leisan Galieva, co-founder
Veragalieva LLC 

Jorge Gomes, president and CEO
Lusitania Savings Bank 

Michael Hultberg, chief financial officer
Dynamic Engineering Consultants PC 

Al-Nesha Jones, founder and CPA
ASE Group 

Michael Keevey, senior vice president of state and federal programs
RWJBarnabas Health 

Alexander Kotlyarevsky, chief financial officer
Denholtz 

Kim Luthy, director of wealth planning
Synthesis Wealth Planning 

Erin Lydon, controller
Hermann Services 

Christopher Maher, chairman and CEO
OceanFirst Bank NA

Marsella FNU, senior financial analyst
RBH Group 

Carlos Ivan Merino, founder and executive director
New Jersey Innovation and Technology Alliance 

Kevin Morrison, managing director, New Jersey market manager, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. 

Tony Pelosi, chief financial officer
Elberon Development Group 

Edward Reilly, senior vice president and treasurer
Provident Bank 

Patrick Ryan, president, CEO and director
First Bank 

Michael Saccomanno, lead managing director
CBIZ 

Andy Schwartz, CEO
OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners 

Mannie Sidhu, executive director, New Jersey Commercial Banking
Wells Fargo 

Ranjeet Singhvi, chief financial officer
Diverse Lynx LLC 

Sean Stein Smith, member
New Jersey Society of CPAs (NJCPA) Board of Trustees

Steve Talkowsky, partner, managing director, National Tax Services
Withum 

Manny Tocco, national head of business banking strategy
Citizens 

Tanya Walliser, partner and senior financial advisor
Condor Capital Wealth Management 

Sandra Weiss, chief financial officer, vice president of finance
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center 

Jenn Zorn, executive vice president
New Jersey Bankers Association