Kelly Brozyna is the Chief Executive Officer and State Director of America’s Small Business Development Centers – New Jersey (NJSBDC) network, headquartered at Rutgers University Business School (Newark-New Brunswick).  Learn more about Ms. Brozyna.

Sayed Ibrahim, president of Health & Natural Beauty, is an NJSBDC 2016 Success Award Winner and accomplished research scientist who has been successful in evolving his knowledge and passion for chemistry into a key business role with a Fortune 500 corporation. Learn more about Dr. Ibrahim.

Lei Lei received her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin (Madison). Her research expertise includes supply chain network design and optimization, operations planning, scheduling, process recovery after disruptions, demand-supply planning, and resource allocation optimization.  Lei has many refereed publications which have appeared in leading journals such as Management Science, INFORMS Journal on Computing, Interfaces, IIE Transactions, European Journal of Operations Research, Journal of Operational Research Society, and Naval Research Logistics.  Learn more about Dean Lei.

Jerry Silberman is CEO and founder of Corporate Turnaround. He is also a regular contributor on MSNBC’s “Your Business” and has been a featured guest for CNN, Fox, CBS, ABC, the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, US News and World Report and Forbes magazine. Learn more about Mr. Silberman.

John S. Wisniewski, former New Jersey Assemblyman from 1996 to 2018 representing the 19th Legislative District, has an extensive background in property tax appeals. He represents municipalities and the owners of large commercial and industrial properties. His experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in these matters offers a unique and valuable perspective. Learn more about Mr. Wisniewski.

Melanie Willoughby, named one of New Jersey’s most influential economic development leaders in 2019, is no stranger to the New Jersey business community. Before joining the NJBAC in 2018, Melanie served as the Chief Government Affairs Officer of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA).  A seasoned government relations strategist, Melanie has worked with state and local levels of government as an advocate for businesses of all sizes.  Learn more about Ms. Willoughby.

As Chief Community Development Officer at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), Tai is responsible for leading the NJEDA’s communications and enhanced engagement strategy. This includes strengthening ties with policy-makers at the federal, state, and local levels as they look to advance strategies, research, and data that will help drive equitable and inclusive economic development policies and programs, with a specific focus on innovating and generating greater social impact.  Learn more about Ms. Cooper.

Craig Schlosser is an Entrepreneur and the Managing Director for C&C Management LLC since 2010. Prior to his current role, Craig served as Executive Director starting in 2008.  Mr. Schlosser has successfully developed the organization’s client base from the ground up through recommendations, referrals, and long-term client relationships. Combining his unique skills, qualities, flexibility, and leadership makes Craig an effective partner to his clients. His areas of expertise includes Business Development, Technology, Workforce & Training, Marketing, and Non-Profits.  Learn more about Mr. Schlosser.

Luis De La Hoz is a business and community development executive who has focused his entire career on helping local small and mid-sized businesses develop strategies for growth, with particular emphasis in supporting organizations with Latino and minority leadership. In 2019, De La Hoz was recognized by NJ-ROI, for the second year in a row, one of the top 10 most influential people of color in New Jersey, and he has consistently established himself as an undisputed leader in his field.  Learn more about Mr. De La Hoz.

Francisco Cortes is the Chairman & CEO & of the global multicultural communications firm, The Setroc Group which is headquartered here in NJ. He is a proud U.S Army veteran, having served at the elite National Training Center in Ft. Irwin California, and the U.S National Guard. Mr. Cortes currently serves as the President of the NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce and was recently appointed by Governor Murphy to the Restart and Recovery council to assist with New Jersey’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and recently to the newly created Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy.  Learn more about Mr. Cortes.

Michael P. Affuso currently serves the New Jersey Bankers Association as executive vice president and director of Government Relations where he provides legal opinions and analysis of proposed and pending legislation that affects the New Jersey banking industry. He also manages relationships with both federal and state legislatures for the NJBankers. He graduated from American University with a B.A. in political science and minor in history and received his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey/Federal District Court and New York/Federal District Court.  Learn more about Mr. Affuso.

Holly Kaplansky has had a successful career as a business owner, organization leader, and valued resource with a  career in corporate Marketing and Business Management. At Kraft, Foods Holly was Brand Manager in the Maxwell House division. She worked as Global Marketing Director for Ovid Technologies (an international scientific and medical online database) and was Chief Operating Officer for Russ Candy Bears (a licensee of Russ Berrie plush toys).  Her strong background working for these companies contributed to her success as a business owner. Learn more about Ms. Kaplansky.

Mary O. Griffin serves as the vice president of member relations and programs at the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ). Mary’s role is to oversee the day-to-day operations of membership relations and programs structured to meet the goals, objectives, and service delivery commensurate with the mission of the chamber.  Learn more about Ms. Griffin.