WBLF: Inspiration, Empowerment & Connection

At NJBIA’s annual Women Business Leaders Forum, to be held from September 17-18 at the Doubletree by Hilton Somerset, female entrepreneurs and executives will share advice and cultivate support to help fellow women in business overcome challenges and pursue their career goals.At NJBIA’s annual Women Business Leaders Forum, to be held from September 17-18 at the Doubletree by Hilton Somerset, female entrepreneurs and executives will share advice and cultivate support to help fellow women in business overcome challenges and pursue their career goals.

By Jennifer Lesser, Contributing Writer On Sep 2, 2025

Although women have come a long way in pursuing their career goals, today’s women in business continue to face obstacles ranging from inequity in high-level positions to learning how to prioritize and dealing with what has become known as “imposter syndrome.” This is why every September, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association’s Women Business Leaders Forum (WBLF) provides opportunities for female executives and entrepreneurs alike to come together to find the support they need to succeed in the business world. 

The WBLF features speakers, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, panels and more to allow women opportunities to forge connections, gain valuable insight on how to overcome challenges and, most importantly, find success in their chosen industries. According to Melissa Isman, of AMVAL Insurance Solutions, LLC, the business world still presents numerous challenges for women, from underrepresentation in leadership to the constant push to “prove” themselves. She encourages women to develop strong support systems, advocate for themselves, and to not be afraid to walk away from environments that don’t support their growth.

“These events give us the space to connect, reflect and grow. Hearing real stories from other women – the challenges, the pivots and the wins – creates a sense of shared experience that’s both empowering and validating,” says Isman, who also spoke at the event last year. “After sharing my own personal stories [at last year’s event], several women came up to thank me for being so open … they said it gave them the freedom to share their own challenges and reminded them that others are navigating similar things.” 

Isman spent her career in the insurance industry, starting out as a personal insurance advisor and growing into strategic partnership roles where she focused on connecting organizations with solutions that meet their needs. “What I enjoy most is building relationships and helping others see what’s possible,” she says.

One of the biggest keys to success for women continues to be mentorship, and Isman encourages women to remember that they don’t have to navigate everything on their own. “Success, especially for women, often comes from having the right people around you: mentors, colleagues, and peers who see your potential and help you step into it fully … We’re stronger when we lift each other up,” she says.

Another issue that continues to plague women in the business world is the pressure to “do it all.” Women often still tend to feel the need to be able to take on increasing responsibilities at work while also ensuring that their family’s needs are always met at home. “I hope women walk away reminded of their value – and with permission to stop over-explaining it,” she says. “My advice is to listen to your gut, honor your limits, and stop tying your worth to how much you can carry; balance isn’t about doing everything, it’s about doing what’s right for you and letting go of what no longer fits.”

Bertha Garcia Robinson, an executive coach and business consultant and founder of Star One Professional Services, notes that the challenges of knowing what to prioritize and when remains one of the greatest challenges for women in the workplace, regardless of their industry. “People tend to call it ‘work/life balance,’ but it’s about prioritizing and learning when to say ‘yes’ and when to say ‘no’ … and also how to delegate,” she says. “That’s why events like the WBLF are invaluable to women, because they will be amongst others who have experienced the same challenges and managed to succeed,” Robinson explains.

“You have this incredible opportunity to be around high-profile business leaders and hear their stories, take a nugget of advice from them and apply it to your own business pursuits,” she says. “When people talk about how they got to be where they are today, it was never overnight. You have to be consistent and persistent.” Robinson has more than 25 years of experience in business analysis and organizational growth, and specializes in executive coaching, business strategy, and leadership development. 

She also notes that a common thread among many women in the business world is the idea of “imposter syndrome” – a psychological pattern marked by doubt in one’s own accomplishments and a fear that they will be exposed as a fraud despite their competency. “Being able to recognize and combat your own ‘imposter syndrome’ – and celebrating your own small wins – is huge,” she says. 

Robinson advises women who are attending the event to go in and be intentionally prepared to make new connections and foster relationships. It’s not just about finding new people to do business with, but also connecting with potential mentors who can help them get to that next step. “Just like anything else, you’re going to get out of it what you put in,” she says. 

“I would also encourage women to attend the forum and take a look around at all of the people who are not only willing, but excited to help,” agrees Brittany S. Hale, founder and CEO of BND Consulting Group. Hale was inspired by her time as an undefeated trial attorney, public official, and risk management strategist to establish BND Consulting in 2017. She channels her deep understanding of the challenges that leaders face in an ever-changing business climate to provide a unique, data-driven blend of executive coaching and strategic advisory, and all while providing women with the clarity they need to become confident leaders.

However, Hale points out that a concerning trend is that women seem to be disappearing from the pursuit of leadership positions. “If you look at the Fortune 100 companies, you can see that numbers have shifted in terms of women in leadership roles, and so the question becomes: ‘Where are they going? … Are they getting burnt out before they even get into the board room?’” she says. “Often, women feel the need to always show up perfectly and do everything right. It continues to be a tightrope we are walking.”

Along with struggling with “imposter syndrome” and striving to do it all, many women also lack the confidence they need to succeed in the business world – and that’s why events like the WBLF will continue to provide invaluable resources for women as they launch their own businesses or navigate the corporate world. 

“So much about starting a business is about confidence: Do you have the confidence to offer a solution to a longstanding problem?” Hale concludes. “One question people often come away with after conferences like these are: ‘What do I do next?’ … So, the goal is to provide actionable strategies that women can actually use at work the very next day.” 

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