Diversity

Inspiring Portraits of 14 Female Executives

On Sep 16, 2025

Below, we present the profiles of 14 successful women business leaders. No matter what industry they work in, their biographical sketches and words of wisdom underscore the fact that they are role models for other working women who strive for successful careers in the Garden State.

Rosemary Becchi

President & Founder

Jersey 1st | NJ Policy Institute

jersey1st.org

newjerseypolicyinstitute.org

Rosemary is a tax lawyer with Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber & Schreck. While counsel to the Majority Staff of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, Rosemary co-authored the 529 College Savings Plans. She is the Founder and President of Jersey 1st, a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to making New Jersey a better place to live, learn, work, and retire. She also launched the New Jersey Policy Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that exists to ignite, incubate and launch winning ideas for effective education, a strong economy, a thriving business environment, and affordable energy. These organizations have developed strong leaders through its internship programs.

Tips/Advice: One piece of advice I live by is to “pay it forward.” I have been fortunate to have benefited from others who have opened a door, mentored me, or just showed kindness and respect. I try to live everyday by “paying it forward”.

Paula Ferreira

Assistant Managing Partner – New Jersey Market Leader

Forvis Mazars

forvismazars.us

Paula delivers accounting and tax services to privately held businesses spanning a range of industries. She also provides tax consulting and estate and gift strategies to individuals, business owners, and family groups. Her more than 20 years of experience encompass tax planning and business consulting services, augmented by her solid background in individual, corporate, partnership, and LLC tax issues. Prior to joining Forvis Mazars in 2007, Paula held a supervisory role at an accounting and advisory firm. She is a graduate of Rutgers University, Newark, with a B.S. degree in accounting and an M.S. degree in taxation.

Tips/Advice: Always lead with honesty because trust is the foundation of any meaningful relationship. Embrace curiosity and authenticity as they are the fuel for growth. Focus on building relationships, not just your resume, and uplift others as you rise; helping others achieve success is a true mark of leadership and generosity.

Sandra A. Kenoff

President/CEO

Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey

newjerseygirlscouts.org

Sandra is President/CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, leading transformational initiatives that amplify girls’ voices and leadership potential while advancing diversity, accessibility, and inclusion. With a background in marketing and nonprofit leadership, she has held senior roles at the J. Walter Thompson, Foote, Cone & Belding, and the JCC of Central New Jersey. Sandra serves on Girl Scouts of the USA’s Marketing Advisory Committee and holds Board and alumni leadership positions at the University of Pittsburgh. She is a 2025 NJBIZ Leading Women in Business honoree. Sandra is dedicated to empowering girls and strengthening communities.

Tips/Advice: Find a mentor. Stay curious. Listen closely. Set bold goals and take action. The path to success isn’t always clear, and progress comes from movement. Trust your instincts and go for it. Own your voice, your ambition and your worth. You’ve got this.

Diane K. McNulty, CPA

Member of the Firm

Smolin, Lupin & Co., LLC

Smolin.com

Diane is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in New Jersey with more than 30 years of experience in accounting and auditing, tax, and advisory services, with expertise in the construction and manufacturing/distribution industry sectors. Diane holds a BS in Accounting from Rutgers Business School, having graduated from Rutgers University (Douglass College). She is passionate about client service and training/mentoring young professionals in public accounting. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants and has served as past treasurer and board member for 180 Turning Lives Around.

Tips/Advice: Be a leader. Demonstrate leadership qualities on day one. Build the trust of others through accountability– own mistakes, share success, and communicate clearly. Listen actively, foster strong relationships, and stay positive. Above all, lead with authenticity and integrity. Be someone others want to follow.

Kristina Nicoles

President & Chief Administrative Officer

Holman

holman.com

Kristina joined Holman in 2004 and has held a myriad of roles across the company. She was promoted to President & Chief Administrative Officer in 2025 and currently serves on Holman’s Board of Directors. Kristina leads HR, Marketing, Legal & Compliance, IT, and Corporate Assets, focusing on strategic partnerships and organizational growth. She holds degrees from William Paterson and Saint Joseph’s University and completed Wharton’s Executive Leadership program. A community advocate and Inclusion & Belonging council member, Kristina lives in South Jersey and enjoys the beach, yoga, travel, and cheering on her kids’ sports.

Tips/Advice: Believe in yourself and trust in your abilities. Embrace new and challenging opportunities that push you outside your comfort zone. Surround yourself with talented people who inspire you and support your growth. Prioritize work-life balance, stay present and ask for help when you need it. Most importantly, enjoy the journey and have fun along the way!

Melissa J. Orsen

Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer

South Jersey Industries, Inc.

sjindustries.com

As Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of SJI, Melissa provides strategic direction and drives sustainable growth and alignment across the business. Melissa joined SJI in 2017 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, where she advised the Board of Directors and executive team on legal matters and oversaw all corporate legal and government affairs. Melissa is chair of the New Jersey Utilities Association’s Board of Directors, and serves on boards for the American Gas Association, Drumthwacket Foundation, and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

Tips/Advice: Surround yourself with competent individuals who are unafraid to voice differing opinions, which creates a valuable environment for growth and success.

Lori A. Roth, CPA/ABV, CFF

Global Managing Partner

Prager Metis CPAs

pragermetis.com

Lori is the Global Managing Partner of Prager Metis, a member of Prager Metis International Group. As Global Managing Partner, Lori oversees all of the day-to-day operations for the entire firm and provides guidance and oversight to each of its Office Managing Partners and Service Line Leaders. As a member of the firm’s leadership team, she holds a key role in developing firm strategic goals and policies, monitoring performance, and driving business growth. Lori leads each office to achieve organizational goals while maintaining an environment that is flexible, transparent, and diverse, in keeping with the firm’s credo.

Tips/Advice: First, define what success means on your terms. Your vision should be aligned to your values and aspirations not based on societal expectations. Second, remember hard work and determination can help you achieve anything you put your mind to. And third, inspire and empower others to follow their dreams and achieve their potential.

Catherine Frugé Starghill, Esq.

VP, NJCCC & Exec. Dir., Consortium

njpathways.org

Catherine is vice president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) and executive director of the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development. Previously, she was Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Named to NJBIZ’s Top 50 in Education (2022-2023) and one of New Jersey’s 25 Most Influential African Americans by South Jersey Journal (2017), Catherine developed and implemented the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities initiative. Most recently, she was selected as a 2025 Woman to Watch by South Jersey Biz Magazine and recognized as an INNOVATE100 honoree, celebrating her outstanding leadership, trailblazing work, and commitment to excellence across sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Accounting from the University of Michigan, a Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University, and a Six Sigma Black Belt from NJIT.

Jennifer Velez

EVP, Health & Network Solutions

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ

horizonblue.com

A highly recognized health leader, Jennifer directs Horizon’s strategy and execution for all clinical, pharmaceutical, behavioral, population health and provider network operations. She previously served as Horizon’s General Counsel. Her 35-year career is defined by a record of improving healthcare quality and affordability and impacting the health of under-served or vulnerable communities. She previously served as: chief impact officer of a national not-for-profit transforming addiction treatment; as executive vice president of RWJBarnabas Health for Community & Behavioral Health; and was New Jersey’s longest-serving human services commissioner. Jennifer is a lifelong New Jerseyan and holds a J.D. from Rutgers Law School.

Tips/Advice: Lean into opportunities that stretch your capabilities, even if uncomfortable at first. Imposter syndrome can be very real, but stay true to your authentic self, work very hard, focus on servant (not ego-driven) leadership, and ensure you bring others up with you. Find joy and purpose in your work.

Christine Zoino

Senior Vice President , Deputy General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

NRG Energy, Inc.

nrg.com

Christine is Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at NRG Energy. She joined the company in 2013 and is responsible for all matters relating to NRG’s board of directors, corporate governance and public company reporting requirements. Christine also provides strategic advice and counsel on corporate level M&A transactions and oversees a team responsible for all corporate legal services.

Tips/Advice: Be engaged at every stage of your career and seek to fully understand how decisions affect the broader business, not just your department. Asking questions, assuming positive intent, and understanding different perspectives will make you a valuable connector, strong leader, and driver of success.

Powerhouse Women Leading Specialty Acute Care in NJ

At the helm of Kindred’s three Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals (LTACHs) in New Jersey stands a dynamic team of four powerhouse women – trailblazing healthcare executives who are redefining leadership and raising the bar for specialty patient care. Three of these women are under the age of 40, representing the next generation of bold, forward-thinking leadership, while the fourth brings nearly three decades of invaluable healthcare executive experience. Their shared vision is rooted in clinical excellence, compassion, and creating a culture where both patients and employees can thrive.

Kindred LTACHs are not just hospitals. Their specialized and focused approach is designed for the most critically ill patients who require an extended recovery period in an acute care setting. Our teams specialize in delivering complex medical management, rigorous and successful ventilator weaning, specialized wound care, and rehabilitation that drives optimal patient outcomes. By partnering closely with acute care hospitals, we support system-wide goals of improving patient throughput, reducing length of stay, preventing readmissions, and ensuring high-quality transitions across the continuum of care.

This all-female leadership team not only advocates fiercely for their patients – they lead with heart, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to positivity. Their focus on fostering a supportive and empowering culture extends to their staff, especially the nurses who serve as the backbone of care. To nurses seeking to grow in a high-acuity, mission-driven environment: come work alongside these women and be part of something truly impactful.

Together, these Kindred leaders are driving clinical innovation, advancing patient advocacy, and proving that when women lead with purpose; the results speak volumes. This is leadership. This is compassion. This is the future of healthcare!

Sharon Bready, RN, MA | CCO/COO for Kindred Hospital Morris

Katy Ferris, MS | Market CEO for the 3 Kindred Hospitals in NJ

Tuesday Rowan, MSN, MBA, RN, NE-BC, CPPS | Market CNE for the 3 Kindred Hospitals in NJ as well as CCO/COO for Kindred Hospital Rahway

Karli Kohut, BSHCA, RN, CIC | CCO/COO for Kindred Hospital East

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