What’s the most important factor in a state’s economic growth? Low taxes? A business-friendly regulatory environment? Access to major markets? All of these characteristics are important, but businesses will struggle unless their leaders can easily hire skilled, educated employees.

That fact makes educational institutions – high schools, colleges, vocational schools and other entities that add expertise to the workforce – indispensable economic actors. The leaders we profile in this issue are responsible for managing these organizations, making policies that directly affect the institutions or are themselves directly responsible for imparting knowledge to students, apprentices and the citizenry at large.

As you read the profiles, you’ll see teachers, administrators, executives and public officials. Their backgrounds are varied, but their work is focused on the same goal: Making New Jerseyans smarter about the world around them. In that way, they all help make the state a better place to live, work and do business.

When you’ve finished, please let us know what you think about our choices. Or just share an experience you had with a teacher or mentor who made a difference in your life or career. In that way, you will also add to our collective intelligence.

2019 honorees are ranked from 1 to 10, with the remainder appearing alphabetically.