Kessler PR Group CEO Karen Kessler will be honored with the Caren Franzini Award at the 10th Annual New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum, organized by NJBIA in Atlantic City on September 25-26. Kessler's career spans 30 years of counseling high-profile clients globally and mentoring professional women domestically.
NJBIA will also honor two other notable women from the nonprofit sector. Mary Gay Abbott-Young, former leader of the Rescue Mission of Trenton for over 35 years until her retirement in June, will receive the Legacy in Leadership Award. Abbott-Young is recognized for her work feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and helping marginalized individuals access essential services.
Kiran Handa Gaudioso, CEO of United Way of Northern New Jersey & president of United for ALICE, will receive the inaugural Women for Change Achievement Award. Gaudioso's efforts focus on improving conditions for impoverished families and advocating for New Jersey’s 1.2 million ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).
The NJBIA Women Business Leaders Forum is New Jersey’s largest professional conference for women. It gathers corporate and nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, students, and early-career professionals to learn from networking opportunities, TED-style talks, and expert-led breakout sessions designed to help women build successful careers and promote diversity in leadership roles.
Karen Kessler – The Caren Franzini Award
The Caren Franzini Award honors individuals who inspire others through their quiet yet effective leadership. Michele Siekerka, NJBIA President & CEO stated: “Karen Kessler truly embodies the spirit of this award.” Kessler has built a successful public relations business renowned globally for reputational management and crisis communications while serving on numerous boards.
As founding president and CEO of Kessler PR Group based in Monmouth County, Kessler advises clients on regulatory inquiries, personnel matters, business practices as well as criminal and civil litigation. She represents high-profile celebrities worldwide and serves on various boards including Northfield Bank where she chairs compliance committees.
Mary Gay Abbott-Young – Legacy in Leadership Award
The Legacy in Leadership Award recognizes long-tenured careers distinguished by public service and mentorship. Michele Siekerka said: “She [Abbott-Young] has been the heart and soul of Rescue Mission.” Abbott-Young began her tenure at Rescue Mission in 1978 as a program coordinator before becoming CEO in 1986.
Kiran Handa Gaudioso – Women for Change Achievement Award
Kiran Handa Gaudioso will be honored with the inaugural Women for Change Achievement Award recognizing exceptional leadership promoting positive change. Michele Siekerka noted: “Under Kiran’s leadership... replicable solutions are unlocking opportunities for ALICE workers.”
Gaudioso also serves on several boards including Edwin Gould Foundation and Rising Tide Capital. In 2024 she was appointed to the New Jersey-India Commission by Gov. Phil Murphy.
Photo caption: (L-R) Kiran Gaudioso, Karen Kessler and Mary Gay Abbott-Young will be honored at the event held at Bally’s Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City.
About the New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum
Celebrating its 10th year, this two-day event includes executive TED-style talks alongside multiple expert-led breakout sessions aimed at advancing women's careers while promoting C-suite diversity.
Sponsors include:
Amazon
Association Member Trust
AT&T
Atlantic City Electric
BCG Securities Inc.
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
BlackHawk Data
CGI
Citizens Bank
Delta Dental of New Jersey Inc.
Dornoch Holdings LLC
FemGevity
Fidelity Investments
FocusNJ
Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Hussmann Corporation
Insperity
Johnson & Johnson
Junior Achievement of New Jersey
Manufacturing Counts
Marketsmith Inc.
Marotta Controls
Metlife
New Jersey Society of CPAs
New Jersey American Water
New Jersey Business Magazine
New Jersey Resources Corporation
NJBIA HR
NJM Insurance Group
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization Inc.
Panasonic Corporation Of North America
PNC Bank
Prager Metis CPAs LLC
Primepoint HRMS & Payroll
RWJBarnabas Health
Sandler Training
Subaru Of America Inc
TD Bank
YWCA Northern NJ
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