ROCHELLE PARK, NJ. August 30, 2025 — The Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) and Commerce Magazine hosted the 5th Annual Enterprising Women in Commerce Awards on August 13, 2025, with more than 200 people gathered for the largest event in the program’s history. The breakfast celebration at the Glen Ridge Country Club honored women across industries who exemplify hard work, innovation, and resilience—while inspiring the next generation of leaders.
“Congratulations to all the honorees for the example they set for others in what it means to work hard, be bold, and persevere in their careers and in life,” said Anthony Russo, President of CIANJ. “They are true role models for us all. We always look forward to hosting this event and sharing their stories of success.” The morning opened with a keynote address by Aparna Khurjekar, Chief Revenue Officer of Verizon Business, who delivered an inspiring message about the value of connection and details from her own personal leadership journey.
“Your network is your net worth,” Khurjekar told attendees, later adding with humor, “Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, but wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.” She also spoke about how artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting leadership and the workplace. “You cannot be overinvesting in AI. Your careers, your jobs, your companies are a jungle gym. You’re going to shift, you’re going to adjust, you’re going to go back sometimes, only to leap forward. But always do it with the right conviction. Always do it with knowledge at the core.”
A dynamic panel discussion followed, moderated by Lucy Sorrentini, Founder & CEO of Impact Consulting, featuring four women leaders from diverse industries who shared their personal journeys, challenges, and leadership lessons:
• Dr. Kelly Blundy, Co-Founder, The Functional Medicine Center of New Jersey and The Spine and Health Center of New Jersey
• Susan Osgood, Vice President of Corporate Human Resources, Sharp Electronics Corporation
• Jenny Mundell, Mayor of Bloomfield, NJ, and Vice President of Development, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
• Jacqueline Adelfio, Senior Director – Electric T&D Operations, PSEG
Each panelist offered candid reflections. Mayor Jenny Mundell spoke about embracing unexpected paths: “[Politics] was not a space I saw myself in before, but I decided to embrace it. I think that’s one of the lessons I carry with me. There are opportunities around you all the time—you just have to be listening for them and be willing to say yes.”
Dr. Kelly Blundy emphasized compassion in leadership: “The best leaders listen, they take the time to truly engage with their team, to learn. Never stop learning, never stop asking questions and be respectful. Everything can be done in kindness.”
Jacqueline Adelfio highlighted opportunities for women in technology and engineering: “There’s a tremendous need for technology, whether it’s in how we speak to our customers, how we operate our electrical system, in cyber. There’s a tremendous amount of opportunity in some of those engineering and technical fields for us.” Susan Osgood reminded attendees about resilience: “We’re all going to make mistakes at some point in our life, just know how to fix it and do it.”
During the ceremony, 43 awards were presented to women across industries. Among the honorees, three women were given top honors:
Top Enterprising Woman Across Industries 2025:
Joanne Cimiluca – Bergen County Division of Economic Development
Top Enterprising Woman To Watch 2025:
Dr. Patricia Lemmerman – Fairleigh Dickinson University
2025 Enterprising Woman Of The Year:
Marie Mathews – Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi’s (CSG Law)
The event celebrated not only the achievements of all the 2025 Enterprising Women featured in the August issue of Commerce Magazine but also the spirit of mentorship, innovation, and perseverance that continues to fuel progress for women in business across New Jersey.
CIANJ RECOGNIZES BERKELEY COLLEGE DIRECTOR, CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS, AMONG 2025 ENTERPRISING WOMEN IN COMMERCE
CIANJ recognized Lynn Stamatelatos, Director, Corporate and Community Relations, New Jersey, Berkeley College, among its 2025 Enterprising Women in Commerce on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Glen Ridge Country Club in Glen Ridge, NJ. Stamatelatos is a resident of Wyckoff, NJ. According to CIANJ, the Enterprising Women in Commerce Awards celebrate women who “inspire and encourage others daily and are leaving their mark in their chosen profession.”
“Lynn Stamatelatos exemplifies leadership through her efforts to bridge the gap between higher education and the community at-large,” said Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College. “Lynn forges innovative partnerships between Berkeley College and New Jersey industries, nonprofits, and civic organizations, creating a pipeline for internships and workforce development that benefits both students and business. Lynn’s story is a powerful example of how the right support can ensure every student has the tools and opportunity to succeed.”
Stamatelatos oversees the Berkeley College Corporate Learning Partnership program in New Jersey, cultivating relationships with businesses, local governments, and nonprofits, and facilitating higher education and training initiatives for their workforces. The Berkeley College Corporate Learning Partnership program offers discounted tuition and customized training to employees seeking skills to advance their careers. More than 175 companies are currently enrolled in the program.
“I am so grateful to be among this year’s remarkable list of Enterprising Women in Commerce,” Stamatelatos said. “It is an honor to be recognized for work I am passionate about: empowering students to believe in their own potential and supporting employers in addressing workforce needs. It is a privilege to build partnerships that strengthen New Jersey industries and communities while creating pathways for students to gain real-world experience, grow in confidence, and embark on meaningful careers.”
Stamatelatos is a lifelong community volunteer, most recently focusing on fundraising with Families for Families (NJ) and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. She is a member of the New Jersey Career Center Consortium (NJC3), an organization that seeks to increase the professionalism of career centers.
