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Companies often rely on their boards of directors for strategic direction, executive oversight, financial guidance and more. These members are key to an organization’s success. 

To honor these business beacons, NJBIZ is unveiling the inaugural recipients of the Board Leadership Awards.  

Launched in 2026, this program recognizes outstanding board members whose governance, expertise and commitment have made a meaningful impact on their organizations and communities.   

Honorees were selected based on their strategic impact, commitment, leadership and additional contributions to their boards.  

“So many professionals across New Jersey give their time and energy to organizations they care deeply about,” NJBIZ Associate Publisher and General Manager AnnMarie Karczmit said when the program was announced earlier this year. “This new awards program allows for a more widespread way to share appreciation for these individuals.”  

Among the eligibility criteria, the company or organization for which the nominee serves on the board must have a physical office in New Jersey. 

Join us

An in-person event will celebrate these honorees Aug. 4 at The Marigold in Somerset. The morning will begin with breakfast and networking, followed by the award presentation. Each honoree will also feature in a special event supplement distributed at the ceremony and included in a future issue of NJBIZ. Tickets to the celebration are now available on the event page.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for this inaugural program. Contact Karczmit at 732-246-5717 or [email protected]. 

Congratulations to the 2026 NJBIZ Board Leadership Award honorees! 

Honorees appear listed alphabetically, with their role on the board 

Michele Ansbacher, board chair, Feliciano School of Business Advisory Board, Montclair State University 

Dr. Lourival Baptista Neto, chair, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center 

Nickolas Carros, chairperson, Integrity House 

Michael Coletti, board chairperson, Meadowlands YMCA; board member, Meadowlands Chamber 

Nick Day, president, Screen Alliance of New Jersey 

Travis Epp, board member, corporate and foundation committee chair and gala committee member, Breakthrough T1D — New Jersey Metro & Rockland County Chapter 

Claudia Franco Kelly, chair, HomeFront 

David Goddard, chairman, AtlantiCare Health System Board of Trustees

Patrick Higgins, board member and co-chair, “Meeting the Moment” Capital Campaign; JBWS, Safety Support & Solutions for Abuse

Rebecca Hollender, board member and president, New Jersey Licensed Site Remediation Professionals Association 

Jason Holt, trustee, Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership at Seton Hall University 

John Keith, treasurer, Spina Bifida Resource Network (SBRN) 

Laura Ann Kelly, board chair, Atlantic Health 

Tom Lankey, chairman, Magyar Bank Board of Directors

Craig Lehman, executive board, Woodbridge Chamber of Commerce 

Raghu Rao, executive chair, Guidant BioTherapeutics; board director, ImageProVision Technology; member, TiE New Jersey Board of Directors

Susan Reinhard, chair, RWJBarnabas Health Board of Trustees 

Prema Roddam, president, Manavi Inc. Board of Directors

Bonnie Rodriguez, secretary, Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation 

Dana Rodriguez; chair, Nominations Committee; Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

David Rottkamp; board member, audit and finance committees; National Multiple Sclerosis Society 

William Ryan III, finance committee, The Alpine Learning Group; treasurer, Alpine Learning Group Foundation; treasurer, Alpine Learning Group Autism Services Board of Directors; treasurer, A Good Job Box 

Jill Schafhauser, chairperson, Occupational Center of Union County 

Tom Sholes, board member, FLX Networks 

Jason Snagusky, chair, First Atlantic Federal Credit Union 

Cathy Tamburello, chair, Youth Consultation Service (YCS) Board of Trustees

Catherine Tantillo, chair, Hudson County Chamber of Commerce 

Amy Towers, chair, Rutgers University Board of Governors 

Stephen Trimboli, Preferred Behavioral Health Group Board of Directors

Diane Wasser, treasurer, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Richard Wille, trustee, vice president-elect, immediate past secretary and board trustee; Rutgers School of Law—Newark Alumni Association 

Michael Willmann, trustee and chair, NPO Summit; chair, Governance Committee; NonProfit Development Center of Southern New Jersey