NJIT Leaders Recognized in 2024 Women in Business Influencer List

NJIT administrators, deans, alumni and board members are recognized in ROI-NJ’s 2024 list of influential Women in Business, which noted their impact in different sectors. These remarkable women exemplify NJIT's commitment to fostering leadership and innovation across diverse fields, further solidifying the university's impact on the state and beyond.

Administrators, deans and a director

Catherine Brennan, senior vice president for finance and chief financial officer, credited with revamping NJIT's budgeting process to be data-driven and identifying new revenue streams.

Gabrielle Esperdy, interim dean of NJIT's Hillier College of Architecture and Design, renowned for strengthening NJIT's ties to Newark, including the design of the upcoming Hope Village III housing for the homeless.

Angela Garretson, chief government and community relations officer, lauded for her efforts in nurturing relationships with governmental and community-based organizations to drive economic opportunities.

Oya Tukel, dean of NJIT's Martin Tuchman School of Management, recognized for launching innovative degrees like the Tech MBA and fostering connections with industry leaders through research centers.

Nancy Steffen-Fluhr, director of NJIT's Murray Center for Women in Technology, chair of the Women Faculty Advisory Committee and associate professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, dedicated to creating opportunities for women in STEM fields.

Board members 

Elisa Charters, co-founder and president of nonprofit advocacy organization Latina Surge, a principal at EAC Business International and an NJIT alumna, recognized for her leadership roles at NJIT and its advisory boards, including her efforts in achieving NJIT's Hispanic Serving Institution designation. She’s now a trustee. 

Debbie Hart, CEO of BioNJ, acknowledged for her contributions to advancing research and development initiatives in the life sciences and pharma industries. She also serves on the Board of Directors of NJIT’s New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII).

Marjorie Perry, president and CEO of MZM Construction, an esteemed NJIT alumna and community member who made history as the first woman and African American to chair the Foundation Board of Directors.

Judith Sheft, executive director of the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology, recognized for her role in accelerating economic development through science and technology. Formerly an NJIT colleague, she is an advisory board member of both NJIT's Murray Center for Women in Technology and its Leir Research Institute for Business, Technology and Society. 

Michele Siekerka, CEO of the NJ Business & Industry Association, known for facilitating partnerships among business, government, and academia while advocating for a competitive business climate. She is also a board member of NJII.

Alumni

Komal Dangi, vice president of strategy and growth of the Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce, holds an MBA from NJIT. She not only has used a successful information technology career of more than a decade to launch six startups on a global scale (she is founder of Synkriom and VeriKlick), but she also has been a fervent advocate for women and marginalized communities.

Stacy McCormack, partner of public affairs firm TWENTYTWENTY, holds a master’s in environmental policy from NJIT.