YWCA Northern New Jersey (YWCANNJ) will honor exceptional women from a variety of professional and community organizations who have demonstrated remarkable leadership and positive influence in their fields at its 45th annual Tribute to Women of INfluence (TWIN) on Tuesday, June 6th, at 8:30 a.m. at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park. Established by YWCANNJ in 1975, TWIN allows businesses and organizations to honor their highest-achieving women and gather to celebrate their accomplishments and network. The success of YWCANNJ’s TWIN inspired YWCAs from around the country to bring this recognition ceremony to their communities.

The 2023 TWIN INfluencer honorees are:

Tahesha Way, Esq., New Jersey’s 34th Secretary of State
Marcella Gencarelli, Co-Chair, Suburban Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Lakeisha Nicholls, Assistant Professor of Nursing, Pace University
Michele DiIorgi, Chief of Staff, Bergen County Executive Office
Miriam L. Wallach, Head of Social Responsibility, Cross River
Jackie Lue Raia, President, ALEXENA Consulting, LLC
Teri Capparelli, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County
Patricia Hughes, M.D., Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science

This year, Women to Watch, a new level of recognition, was added to highlight inspiring female leaders making considerable contributions within their industries.
Our 2023 Women to Watch are:
Dr. Uchenna Baker, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Jennifer Polidori, Senior Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management; Founder, Third Tuesday Professional Women’s Lunch Group
Tiannia Barnes, Founder and CEO, TB Tiannia Barnes
Adi Adair, Chief Financial Officer, Triple Five Group
Carol-Ann Jedziniak, Regional Manager, Veris Residential

“When Tribute to Women of Influence was established in 1975, our purpose was to help our corporate partners recognize women on their staff whose achievements might otherwise be overlooked or taken for granted compared to their male counterparts. Since then, it has become one of our signature events honoring women’s excellence. I want to thank those that nominated these remarkable women and congratulate the honorees,” stated YWCA Northern New Jersey CEO Helen Archontou. “My team was in awe while reading the stories of impact and inspiration shared by our honorees’ colleagues. As women continue to grapple with issues such as equal pay, equal opportunities, and work-life balance, we hope this event inspires them to become mentors and leaders and continue to work toward leveling the playing field at their organizations. The heart of TWIN remains to honor women of achievement and celebrate organizations that create cultures in which women can thrive.”

Learn how to sponsor, support, or attend TWIN by visiting our GiveSmart page or emailing communications@ywcannj.org.

About YWCA Northern New Jersey
For over a century, YWCA Northern New Jersey has improved the lives of thousands of women, girls, and families and is at the forefront of the fight against gender and racial discrimination. We work to build more just and inclusive communities through programs for women and girls, anti-racism training, and policy advocacy. We operate healingSPACE, Bergen County’s only Sexual Violence Resource Center (hotline number: 201-487-2227) and provide year-round child care, and senior wellness programs. YWCA Northern New Jersey serves Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, and Passaic counties. To learn more, visit ywcannj.org and follow @ywcannj on social media.