Kim Guadagno, a trailblazer who served as New Jersey's first Lieutenant Governor and later continued her public service in nonprofit leadership, will be honored with the Caren Franzini Leadership Award at the 12th Annual Women Business Leaders Forum, powered by Citizens and presented by NJBIA, on Sept. 23 and 24 in Atlantic City.

The Women Business Leaders Forum (WBLF) is New Jersey’s premier professional women’s conference, each year bringing together hundreds of women and men for engaging workshops, dynamic TED-style talks and inspiring keynotes from renowned speakers. Since 2015, WBLF events have inspired thousands of attendees to break barriers, build businesses, launch successful careers and work to make New Jersey’s C-suites and boardrooms more diverse.

This year’s event will also honor five other distinguished leaders for their contributions to advancing women's careers as role models and mentors: Chrissy Buteas, President & CEO, HealthCare Institute of New Jersey; Christina M. Renna, President & CEO, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey; Reshma Saujani, CEO & Founder, Moms First, a national nonprofit that advocates for economic changes that support working mothers; Rick T. Thigpen, Senior Vice President – Corporate Citizenship, Public Service Enterprise Group; and Briana Vannozzi, News Anchor, New Jersey Spotlight News.

The Caren Franzini Leadership Award: Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno

A former federal prosecutor and county sheriff, Guadagno served as both New Jersey’s first Lieutenant Governor and 33rd Secretary of State from 2010-2018, leading economic initiatives that expanded business investment and supported job growth throughout the state.

Guadagno transitioned from elected office to nonprofit leadership, serving first as CEO of Fulfill, the food bank for Monmouth and Ocean counties (2019 to 2021) before her current role as President and CEO of the nonprofit Mercy Center Corporation, where she leads programs providing food, education, social services, and advocacy for individuals and families in need. Guadagno is also currently a partner at the Connell Foley law firm.

“Whether in government or the nonprofit sector, Kim's passion for serving communities has always been at the heart of her leadership,” said NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka.

“From helping businesses reopen during New Jersey's Superstorm Sandy recovery 14 years ago to her work today at Mercy Center Corporation — which also oversees a tuition-free middle school for girls from underserved communities — Kim is a leader who inspires and empowers others,” Siekerka said.

“NJBIA is pleased to honor Kim with the Caren Franzini Leadership Award because, like the award’s namesake, she is a compassionate, hardworking executive who leads by example and has left a lasting mark in business and public service,” Siekerka said.

The Caren Franzini Leadership Award honors the legacy of the longtime chief executive of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, who died in 2017. Franzini worked with seven governors from 1994 to 2012 to promote entrepreneurship and economic growth, particularly in New Jersey’s largest cities. After her tenure at EDA, Franzini served on NJBIA’s Board of Trustees until her death at age 57.

Five other business and community leaders will also be recognized at the WBLF event:

Women for Change Award: Chrissy Buteas, President & CEO HealthCare Institute of NJ

As President & CEO of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, Chrissy Buteas leads an influential trade association for research-based biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies in New Jersey. Buteas had served in a variety of high-level positions over her career, including Vice President of Government Affairs at Optimum; Chief Government Affairs Officer at NJBIA, and the President and CEO of the Home Care & Hospice Association of New Jersey.

A leading voice in New Jersey’s healthcare and business landscape, Buteas has helped shape policy across the life sciences, home care, and business advocacy sectors and strengthened workforce development and the state’s innovation economy. She serves on numerous boards including Middlesex College, New Jersey Council of County Colleges, the NJ Innovation Institute, the National Association of Corporate Directors NJ Chapter, Junior Achievement of NJ, Women’s Political Caucus of NJ, and many others.

Community Impact Award: Christina M. Renna, President & CEO, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey

Christina Renna serves as President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ), where she has championed policies that foster economic growth, advocated tirelessly for the region's employers, and built lasting partnerships that advance South Jersey's competitiveness and quality of life.

Prior to her work at CCSNJ, Renna was Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in former Gov. Chris Christie’s office. She has served in numerous government, communications, and constituent relations positions in both the public and private sectors. Renna currently serves on the boards of several nonprofit and community organizations in the region and is also one of 100 Chamber executives selected to be on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce CCC100 Committee comprised of the top 100 Chamber executives in the nation.

Women in Advocacy Award: Reshma Saujani, Founder & CEO, Moms First

Reshma Saujani is a leading activist, the founder and CEO of Moms First, and the host of My So-Called Midlife with Lemonada Media. She is also the founder of Girls Who Code, an international nonprofit organization committed to bridging the gender gap in technology.

Saujani has spent more than a decade building movements to fight for women and girls’ economic empowerment. Through her leadership, Saujani has advanced issues critical to New Jersey's economic future—from developing a diverse technology workforce and expanding STEM education to advocating for policies that help businesses attract and retain talented employees. Her international bestseller, “Brave, Not Perfect,” has inspired women and girls around the world to embrace courage over perfection.

NJBIA EmpowerHER Award: Richard T. Thigpen, Senior VP Corporate Citizenship, Public Service Enterprise Group

Rick Thigpen is Senior Vice President for Corporate Citizenship at PSEG and chairs the company’s nonprofit philanthropic arm, the PSEG Foundation. At PSEG he is responsible for public affairs strategies to support areas of the business impacted by public policy, including federal, state and local government affairs, sustainability, charitable activities, community engagement, and corporate social responsibility.

Throughout his career, Thigpen has focused on creating opportunities, advancing inclusive leadership, and investing in communities. Under his leadership, PSEG has continued to support employee development and inclusive workplace initiatives, including the company's Women's Leadership Alliance, an employee resource group dedicated to cultivating, mentoring and empowering women at all stages of their careers.

Thigpen currently chairs the board of the Alliance to Save Energy in Washington, D.C.; and is a member of numerous others including NJBIA; the Regional Plan Association; the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES); Public Media NJ (NJ PBS); the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Foundation; Newark Beth Israel Medical Center; WBGO Newark Public Radio.

Women In Media Award: Briana Vannozzi, News Anchor, NJ Spotlight News

An Emmy award-winning journalist, Briana Vannozzi is the anchor for NJ Spotlight News, the newsroom of NJ PBS. Vannozzi began her television journalism career covering State House politics for New Jersey Network News, and later as a news radio correspondent at FM News 101.9 covering crime and politics in New York City.

Vannozzi’s work has taken her to national presidential nominating conventions, Capitol Hill, up and down the East Coast and every corner of the Garden State. She has interviewed every New Jersey governor dating back to Jon Corzine (2006-2010) and moderated numerous political debates and forums. Her work has also earned awards from the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists and the Philadelphia Press Association.

For more information about the 12th Annual Women Business Leaders Forum on Sept. 23 and 24 at Bally’s in Atlantic City, and to register to attend, go here.

The 2026 WBLF is made possible by the generous support of sponsors, who include:

• Arnold Ventures
• AT&T
• Atlantic City Electric
• BCG Securities
• Berkeley College
• Citizens
• DailyPay
• Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc.
• Focus NJ
• Girl Scouts of New Jersey
• HealthCare Institute of New Jersey
• Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
• IBEW Local 102
• Manufacturing Counts
• Marotta Controls
• Minding Your Business
• New Jersey Business Magazine
• New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce & Economic Development
• New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Inc. (NJMEP)
• NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Division of Temporary Disability & Family Leave Insurance
• NJM Insurance Group
• Planet NJ
• PNC
• Prager Metis
• Primepoint HRMS & Payroll
• South Jersey Industries
• Switlik Survival Products
• United Airlines
• WGL Energy