WWR Staff
Bedminster, NJ.
Hundreds of men and women packed the Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster New Jersey Thursday night to honor the top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners in New Jersey.
From the founder of a real estate firm (Mimi Feliciano of FEM Real Estate) to the owner of a limousine company, which has been in business for 38 years (Barbara Chirico/Gem Limousine), these exceptional women were recognized for their strong business acumen and influence. In many cases, they were also recognized for their kindness and humor.
Linda Wellbrock, the organizer of the event, says it was more than a decade ago during her career in the publishing world that she was inspired to highlight women entrepreneurs. Wellbrock says she used to write articles about some of the most courageous women in the Greater New York Region.
She says that after each monthly issue was printed she tore off the cover and hung it on the wall next to her. Almost eight years later you can imagine how many women of success she was surrounded by.
Through her writing, the Leading Women Entrepreneurs Initiative was born. On Thursday evening she celebrated that kernel of an idea that has since blossomed into an amazing network of women entrepreneurs and leaders.
Thursday evening’s special reception highlighted these exceptional women and their businesses in an ever changing and ever challenging marketplace and economy. The Top 25 support numerous non-profits, are employing thousands, generating millions and represent a variety of industries.
According to Linda, “women are the forerunners to the economic recovery of our state. Over the last twenty years, women have surpassed men at twice the rate for starting their own companies. Our joint project presents phenomenal exposure for their efforts and the issue that finalists are listed in will reach over 750,000 households,” states Linda Wellbrock, Founder of Leading Women Entrepreneurs.”
This year’s event theme was Rising to New Heights. Hundreds of nominations were received from women entrepreneurs who are all accomplished, intelligent and inspired by their work. This Year’s top 25 include….
VanAdams of the VanAdams Sports Group
Wendy Bosalavage of American Leisure
Joyce Brocaglia of Alta Associates
Cheryl Brunetti of RVM Enterprises
Rebecca Cenni of Atrium Staffing
Kim Cervino of Paradigm Science Inc.
Judith Charny of Charny, Charny & Karpousis
Barbara Chirico of Gem Limousine
Chris Colabella of Construction Information Systems
Laura Cummins of Groezinger Provisions
Stacie Curtis of CW Solutions
Susan Devaney of the Mavins Group
Tracey Doyle & Angela Fiordilino of Phoenix Marketing Solutions
Mimi Feliciano of FEM Real Estate
Kiran Gill of Pars Environmental
Marilyn Grabowski of Atlantic Infra
Christy Lamagna of Strategic Meetings & Events
Angela Margolit of Bluebird Auto Rental Systems
Cynthia Myer of Ridgewood Moving Services
Hetal Parikh of Rangam Consultants
Karen Qualter Carolonza & Deborah Nettune Sittig of Green Room PR
Karen Rossilli-Kiefer of PAR Flooring
Marilyn Schlossbach of Kitchens Hospitality
Andrea Schrager Consumer Centers Of NJ And NY
Theodora Sergiou of Nicholas Pools
Alfa Demmellash, Founder of Rising Tide Capital (Non-Profit Recipient)
Dee O’Leary of IDME Wristbands (Global Recipient)
To find out more about the Leading Women Entrepreneurs Initiative which hosts events and programs to connect women throughout the year simply visit the website www.LWEWORLD.com
There are several pillars of the program where women in business and corporate leaders who support women entrepreneurs can get involved including: The LWE nomination process, The LWE Media Room and Publishing arm, LWE events, membership, global retreats and the W.I.L.L. Fund.