NJBIA has recognized five college students with its 2025 Rising Star Awards during the New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum (WBLF). The awards honor students who have shown leadership, dedication to their fields, and involvement in their communities.
“Each year we recognize future business leaders, who are currently working toward educational milestones who have demonstrated leadership, a passion for their anticipated field and a commitment to volunteering and community involvement,” said NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka.
This year, NJBIA received a large number of nominations before selecting the five winners. Siekerka described them as “amazing, incredible, female leaders who are going to be even more amazing as their stars continue to rise in their leadership journey.”
The 2025 Rising Stars are Alicia Brownstein from Bergen Community College, Melissa De Cunto and Zeynep Nalan Kus from New Jersey Institute of Technology, Laasya Kandakurti from Rutgers University, and Alusha Olivier from Berkeley College.
The WBLF event took place over two days in Somerset on September 17-18. More than 550 people attended sessions that included talks styled after TED presentations, panel-led breakout discussions, and networking opportunities. Since it began in 2015, the WBLF has aimed to help women advance in their careers and promote diversity at senior levels within organizations.
