Two executives from the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) and four members from its Board of Trustees have been acknowledged in ROI-NJ's 2025 Women Influencers in Business list. The honor spotlights NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka and Lori Roth, who holds dual roles as global managing partner at Prager Metis and vice chair of NJBIA’s Board of Trustees.
Michele Siekerka is commended for her instrumental role in amplifying NJBIA's involvement in various sectors. ROI-NJ states, "NJBIA has expanded its role in government affairs, workforce development, and economic policy, playing a key role in shaping a more competitive business climate in New Jersey. As she continues to push for pro-business reforms, Siekerka remains a driving force in the state’s economic and legislative landscape."
Lori Roth brings an extensive four-decade career in the accounting and advisory domain. She is also noted for her role outside of her corporate duties; “Leading strategic operations for the international firm, she oversees more than 100 partners and 600 team members,” ROI-NJ mentioned. Additionally, Roth is vice president on the board of Unchained at Last, a nonprofit group focused on combating forced and child marriages.
Also recognized on ROI-NJ's list from NJBIA are Vice President of Government Affairs Althea D. Ford and trustees Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich, Celestina Quintana, and Deanna Sperling.
Deborah Visconi, president and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, not only made the list but received the top position. Nearly two dozen other NJBIA member leaders were named among the influential businesswomen of the year, highlighting their significant contributions across various industries.
The list includes:
- Deborah Visconi, President & CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
- Patrizia Zita, Founder and CEO of the Zita Group LLC
- Kim Hanemann, President & COO, PSE&G
- Amy Mansue, CEO, Inspira Health
- Alma DeMetropolis, Managing Director and NJ Market Manager, JPMorgan Chase
- Gretchen Wilcox, President & Founder, G.S. Wilcox & Company
- Lori Roth, Global Managing Partner, Prager Metis
- Valerie Monteclavo, President & CEO, Bayshore Recycling
- Lata Reddy, Chair; SVP inclusive solutions Prudential Foundation; Prudential Financial
- Susan Hardwick, CEO, American Water
- Michele Siekerka, President & CEO, NJBIA
- Chaya Pamula, CEO and co-founder, PamTen
- Diane Wasser, Managing Partner, EisnerAmper
- Melissa Orsen, President, South Jersey Industries
- Kathleen Coviello, Chief Economic Transformation Officer, NJEDA
- A.J. Johnson, CEO, New Jersey Society of CPAs
- Balpreet Grewal-Virk, SVP Community Health, RWJBarnabas
- Debbie Hart, President & CEO, BioNJ
- Christina Renna, CEO, Chamber of Commerce of Southern NJ
- Linda Doherty, President, New Jersey Food Council
- Monica Smith, CEO, Marketsmith
