Join Us Thursday: WPCNJ Women of Achievement PAC Reception
Women's Political Caucus of NJ PAC
2019 Women of Achievement
Reception
Thursday, June 6, 2019
NJ Restaurant & Hospitality Association
126 West State Street, Trenton
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
WPCNJ-PAC Honoring Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver Recipient of the Spotlight Award
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Women's Political Caucus of NJ PAC
Women of Achievement
Reception
Award Honoree
 Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver
Spotlight Award
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 Thursday, June 6, 2019
NJ Restaurant & Hospitality Association
126 West State Street, Trenton
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Award Recipients
Karin Elkis
Senior Vice President, Optimus Partners LLC
Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award
Kate Gibbs
Deputy Director, ELEC 825
Labor-Management Fund of Operating Engineers Local 825
Carol Murphy Award
Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver
Spotlight Award
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LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SHEILA Y. OLIVER
Sheila Y. Oliver took the oath of office as New Jersey's 2nd Lieutenant Governor on January 16, 2018. She is the first woman of color to serve in statewide elected office in New Jersey history. She was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs by Governor Phil Murphy.
Lt. Governor Oliver is a 40-year resident of East Orange, and a native of Newark.
First elected to the General Assembly in 2003, she became Speaker in 2010 - the first African-American woman in state history to serve as such, and just the second in the nation's history to lead a state legislative house.
She has chaired the Assembly Human Services Committee, and served on the Labor, Higher Education, Women and Children, Commerce and Economic Development, and Transportation and Independent Authorities committees. She also sat on the Joint Committee on the Public Schools and the Joint Committee on Economic Justice and Equal Employment Opportunity.
Prior to her election to the General Assembly, she served as an Essex County Freeholder, from 1996 to 1999, and was a member of the East Orange Board of Education. She alsoserved as an Assistant County Administrator for Essex County from 2000 until 2018.
An alumna of Newark's Weequahic High School, she went on to graduate cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. She also holds a Master of Science Degree in Community Organization, Planning and Administration from Columbia University.
Lt. Governor Oliver began her career in public service as the Director of the Office of Youth Services and Special Projects for the City of Newark, where she focused on preparing young people ages 14 to 21 for post-secondary education and entry into the workforce. She later became the Development Director for The Newark Literacy Campaign while working at Caldwell College as the Coordinator of Career Guidance within the Educational Opportunity Fund Program.
She has taught college courses in Achievement Motivation, Non-Profit Management, and Pre-College Preparation, served as a consultant to a variety of non-profit organizations, and spent several years as the Director of the Essex County Division of Community Action, an anti-poverty initiative.
Lt. Governor Oliver has served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations, including the East Orange General Hospital Board of Trustees, the United Way, the Newark Coalition for Neighborhoods, the Newark Collaboration Group, the Rutgers-Newark Educational Opportunity Fund Advisory Council, the Global Women's Leadership Collaborative of NJ, the Essex County and East Orange Committees on the Status of Women, Programs for Parents, and a number of other community-based entities. She has held memberships in the Women's Political Caucus of NJ, the NAACP, and the Urban League.
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WPCNJ-PAC Honoring Kate Gibbs Recipient of the Carol Murphy Award
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Women's Political Caucus of NJ PAC
Women of Achievement
Reception
Award Honoree
 Kate Gibbs
Deputy Director, ELEC 825
Labor-Management Fund of Operating Engineers Local 825
Carol Murphy Award
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 Thursday, June 6, 2019
NJ Restaurant & Hospitality Association
126 West State Street, Trenton
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Award Recipients
Karin Elkis
Senior Vice President, Optimus Partners LLC
Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award
Kate Gibbs
Deputy Director, ELEC 825
Labor-Management Fund of Operating Engineers Local 825
Carol Murphy Award
Sheila Oliver
Lt. Governor of New Jersey
Spotlight Award
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Kate Gibbs
At the cross sections of economic develop, business and organized labor you will find Kate Gibbs. The Deputy Director for the Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative, ELEC 825, a collaborative trust focused on creating work opportunities for the members and signatory contractors of Local 825 Operating Engineers, Gibbs leads Business Development for the organization by promoting economic development and advocating for investments in all types of infrastructure.
She has established a strong record of shaping policy, building coalitions and implementing successful strategies and tactics that include political advocacy, government relations, communications and social media in pursuit of organizational goals. With her background in politics, public affairs and organizational management, Gibbs is uniquely suited to help ELEC 825 achieve its core objectives of growing the economy to create jobs for Local 825 members and its union contractors.
In November of 2015, Gibbs was elected to the Burlington County Board of Freeholders; becoming the youngest woman in NJ to be elected to countywide office. During her first two years in office, Gibbs served as Deputy Director before being elected in January of 2018, in a unanimous and bi-partisan vote of her peers to serve as Freeholder Director.
In this role she crafted and passed a tax-cutting budget while investing in a first of its kind $20 million school security grant program, creating a women's mentoring program, and ensuring that all County facilities, schools and libraries are equipped with dedicated, private space for mothers to nurse or pump.
Prior to joining the Freeholder Board, Gibbs served on the Board of Trustees for Rowan College at Burlington County, where she worked closely with the County's new Workforce Development Institute and played an active role in establishing the College's partnership with Rowan University.
Gibbs actively participates on boards and committees for various Chambers of Commerce and business and industry organizations throughout the entire State of New Jersey. Gibbs earned her Master's in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Drexel University's LeBow College of Business, graduating Summa Cum Laude and a B.A. from The American University, with a Double Major in Public Communications and Political Science.
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WPCNJ-PAC Honoring Karin Elkis Recipient of the Barbara Boggs Award
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Women's Political Caucus of NJ PAC
Women of Achievement
Reception
Award Honoree
 Karin Elkis
Senior Vice President, Optimus Partners LLC
Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award
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 Thursday, June 6, 2019
NJ Restaurant & Hospitality Association
126 West State Street, Trenton
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Award Recipients
Karin Elkis
Senior Vice President, Optimus Partners LLC
Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award
Kate Gibbs
Deputy Director, ELEC 825
Labor-Management Fund of Operating Engineers Local 825
Carol Murphy Award
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KARIN ELKIS
Karin Elkis has been committed to serving the people of New Jersey for four decades. During that time, she has helped thousands of New Jersey residents navigate the complexities of State and Federal Government to solve their most pressing issues. She has been a Senior Advisor to three United States Senators and numerous State legislators, advised many of our State's Governors, served as government relations advisor to many of our State's leading corporate and non-profit entities, and served in leadership roles for numerous charitable and community service-oriented organizations.
During the early years of her career in government, Elkis served as Legislative Aide to New Jersey Assemblyman Martin Herman, where she managed the Third District office staff and advised the Assemblyman on legislative and policy matters.
Karin began her federal service in the United States Senate in 1983 and continued on a career path that led her to become Director of the Southern New Jersey Offices and State Director for three United States Senators - Frank Lautenberg, Jon Corzine and Robert Menendez. In this capacity, Karin served as a senior policy advisor on New Jersey matters, managed the broad range of constituent services throughout the State, and traveled regularly alongside the Senators managing their relationships with elected officials and corporate leaders.
Later in her career, Karin would return to State Government as Chief of Staff of the New Jersey Senate Majority Office. Today, she serves as Senior Vice President of Optimus Partners, a consulting and lobbying firm, based in Trenton, New Jersey.
In addition to her official governmental positions throughout her career, Karin has remained active in elective politics - having been involved with countless campaigns at all levels of government in New Jersey.
Karin continues to serve many charitable organizations, but is best-known for her dedication to New Jersey's Jewish community. She is a leading member or chair of numerous boards and commissions.
Her recent recognitions include the Trailblazer Award from the New Jersey Leaders Council and the Women Who Get It Done Award by Pam's List. She is a Founding Board Member of Maria's Women United, a southern New Jersey women's Political Action Committee (PAC) in honor of the late Maria Barnaby Greenwald. In addition, she has been the recipient of the Evangelina Menendez Women's Trailblazer Award and the John Adler Advocacy Mission Award. Throughout the years, she has been named to various lists of New Jersey's leading female political leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg's annual Women Power List.
Many young people - especially young women in their first jobs - who have interned and worked under Karin have gone on to build successful careers of their own. She takes great pride in mentoring these young women and men and continues to provide guidance and support as they pursue their aspirations of becoming active leaders in their communities and the State.
She lives in Haddonfield with her husband, Steven Weinstein, Executive Vice President for Policy & External Relations at Rowan University. Elkis and Weinstein have four children: Jordan (and wife Janet), Noah, Lara and Asher. They are also the proud grandparents of Jackson, Ty, and Lila.
Elkis earned her M.S.W. from Tulane University and her B.A. from the Newcomb College for Women.
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WPCNJ Elects New Board President
The Women's Political Caucus hosted its Annual Meeting on Tuesday evening. Thank you to Assembly Budget Chairwoman Eliana Pintor Marin for sharing her wisdom and helping ensure that women's voices are present throughout state government.
2019-2020 WPCNJ Board of Directors
Special thanks to outgoing president Chrissy Buteas for all her years of service. Under her leadership, the WPCNJ organization has grown both financially and in membership. WPCNJ welcomes incoming president Jennifer Mancuso, Executive Director of the Fair Share Hospitals Collaborative.
The meeting marked the addition of
two new board members:
WPCNJ Executive Board
President, Jennifer Mancuso
VP of Finance, Kelly Stewart Maer
VP of Membership, Jodi Bouer, Esq.
Treasurer, Elizabeth Murray
Secretary, Sonia Das
WPCNJ Board Members
Jade Bechelli
Rosemary Bernardi
Chrissy Buteas
Flora Castillo
Lisa Chapland, Esq.
Tai Cooper
Marilyn Davis
Eileen Della Volle
Jeanne Fox, Esq.
Deborah Hurley
Lisa Mizrahi Kaado
Eileen Kean, Esq.
Jennie Lamon
Jeannine LaRue
Jeralyn Lawrence, Esq.
Jayne O’Connor
Scarlett Rajski
Antonia Ricigliano
Patricia Teffenhart
Joyce Watterman
Sharon Weiner, Esq.
Pamela Yuen
Board Counsel
Rebecca Moll-Freed, Esq.
Alix James, Esq.
* Jayne O'Connor, Vice President of Taft Communications
* Scarlett Rajski, Director of Legislative Affairs at the New Jersey Schools Development Authority
Sharon Shinkle Gardner, Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Daniel Benson, was also sworn in as the new WPCNJ PAC Chairwoman
Thanks to Asw. Nancy Pinkin for swearing in the 2019-2020 board members and for Asw Verlina Reynolds-Jackson for joining us.
2019-2010 WPCNJ Executive Board & WPCNJ Board
WPCNJ Executive Board
President, Jennifer Mancuso
VP of Finance, Kelly Stewart Maer
VP of Membership, Jodi Bouer, Esq.
Treasurer, Elizabeth Murray
Secretary, Sonia Das
WPCNJ Board Members
Jade Bechelli
Rosemary Bernardi
Chrissy Buteas
Flora Castillo
Lisa Chapland, Esq.
Tai Cooper
Marilyn Davis
Eileen Della Volle
Jeanne Fox, Esq.
Deborah Hurley
Lisa Mizrahi Kaado
Eileen Kean, Esq.
Jennie Lamon
Jeannine LaRue
Jeralyn Lawrence, Esq.
Jayne O’Connor
Scarlett Rajski
Antonia Ricigliano
Patricia Teffenhart
Joyce Watterman
Sharon Weiner, Esq.
Pamela Yuen
Board Counsel
Rebecca Moll-Freed, Esq.
Alix James, Esq.
Join Us Thursday: 2019 Passion * Power * Progress Awards
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Passion * Power * Progress Awards
February 7, 2019
Hyatt Regency, New Brunswick, NJ
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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WPCNJ Expresses Condolences to Family of Babs Siperstein
Services will be held on Wednesday, February 6 at Flynn and Sons Funeral Home in Fords. Detailed information can be found at
In lieu of flowers, it was Babs' wish that memorial donations be made to "The Barbra Siperstein Endowed Scholarship at Middlesex County College"
MCC Foundation
2600 Woodbridge Avenue
Edison, NJ 08818-3050
WPCNJ To Honor Assemblyman Daniel Benson, Good Guy Award Recipient
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Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey
honors
 Assemblyman Daniel R. Benson
Legislative District 14
Good Guy Award
Assemblyman Dan Benson (D-14 Mercer) first joined the Assembly in 2011 and is currently serving his fourth term. A former member of the Environment, Commerce, and Law and Public Safety Committees, the Assemblyman currently serves as the Chair of the Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee and as a member of the Health and Senior Services and Budget Committees. He represents towns in Mercer and Middlesex Counties including Cranbury, East Windsor, Hamilton, Hightstown, Jamesburg, Monroe, Plainsboro, Robbinsville, and Spotswood.
Assemblyman Benson has a Bachelor of Science in physics and government from Georgetown University and a Master of Public Policy in science and technology policy from Rutgers University. Professionally, the Assemblyman is an energy and telecommunications policy consultant and resides in Hamilton with his wife Hande and their son Nicholas.
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WPCNJ To Honor Madeline Ferraro, Esq., Mary Philbrook Award Recipient
Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey
honors
Madeline Ferraro, Esq.
Vice President of Government Relations & Public Affairs,
Atlantic Health System
Mary Philbrook Award
Ms. Ferraro has been Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs at Atlantic Health System since 2002.
In this senior leadership position, Ms. Ferraro helps devise and direct the system's strategic policy decisions and enhance the system's position with state and federal leaders. Ms. Ferraro is responsible for all legislative and regulatory matters and she meets regularly with federal and state legislators, local elected officials, the Governor and his staff, and the Commissioners and staff of various state departments.
Ms. Ferraro was the architect for Atlantic Health System's corporate strategic giving program and heads the committee that directs and distributes over one million dollars annually of Atlantic Health System funds to charities with aligned missions.
In 2017, Ms. Ferraro was named to NJ Governor-Elect Phil Murphy's transition team, as a member of the transition's healthcare committee. She also served as Appointments Counsel to Governor Christine Todd Whitman and as a Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey.
Ms. Ferraro is very active in her civic community. She sits on the boards of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, the National Public Affairs Council (the preeminent association for public affairs professionals worldwide), Georgian Court University, Brookdale Community College, the New Jersey Hospital Association HealthPAC Board of Directors, Policy Development Committee and Government Relations Committee, and the Fair Share Hospitals Collaborative Government Affairs and Strategic Planning Committee. Ms. Ferraro also acts as a mentor to young and seasoned professionals in varied fields.
WPCNJ To Honor AECOM, Corporate Award Recipient
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Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey
honors
 Corporate Award
AECOM, a premier, fully integrated global infrastructure firm, is built to deliver a better world. They design, build, finance and operate infrastructure assets for governments, businesses and organizations in more than 150 countries. As a fully integrated firm, AECOM connects knowledge and experience across their global network of experts to help clients solve their most complex challenges. From high-performance buildings and infrastructure, to resilient communities and environments, to stable and secure nations, their work is transformative, differentiated and vital.
Inclusion and diversity are key AECOM core values and they're committed to creating an inclusive culture
where all employees are empowered to thrive. AECOM actively supports the pursuit of diverse leadership in both business and politics as a best practice in promoting positive societal values.
For more information on AECOM, please visit aecom.com and @AECOM.
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