NJBIA will honor seven business leaders, including three pro-business legislators, at its 2026 Public Policy Forum on Friday, Jan. 30.
The event, which annually provides insights from policymakers and top business executives to help shape the economic landscape in New Jersey, will be held at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal starting at 8:30 a.m.
Awardees for the event will include:
Candy Straight Woman Trailblazer Award
Awarded to trailblazing advocates for women in politics and the business world
- Barbara DeMarco, Vice President, Porzio Governmental Affairs
- Lynn Nowak, Executive Vice President, Porzio Governmental Affairs
Paul L. Troast Award
Awarded to a legislator for public service to the business community and commitment to improving the state’s economy. It acknowledges efforts to improve New Jersey’s economic vitality, encourage job growth, streamline government and make businesses feel welcome again in New Jersey.
- Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (R-13)
- Assemblyman William Spearman (D-5)
- Senator Latham Tiver (R-8)
Leonard C. Johnson Award
Awarded for dedicated service as an advocate and leader for New Jersey employers, acknowledging efforts to improve the state’s economic vitality, encourage job growth, streamline government and make businesses feel welcome again in New Jersey.
- Denise Beckson, Vice President/Chief Administrative & External Affairs Officer, Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Water Parks
- Ward Sanders, President, New Jersey Association of Health Plans
“We’re thrilled to honor these outstanding business leaders,” said NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka. “While they all come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, they share unique leadership qualities that are absolutely essential to New Jersey’s business community and to our business climate.
“This will be an outstanding forum, with important content as the state transitions to new leadership. We look forward to presenting these awards to these individuals as part of an informative event with tremendous subject matter experts.”
Media interested in covering NJBIA’s 2026 Public Policy Forum can contact NJBIA Chief Communications and Media Officer Bob Considine.
Sponsors and partners for NJBIA’s 2026 Public Policy Forum include:
ACI Medical & Dental School
Amazon
AmeriHealth
Archer Law
AT&T
Atlantic City Electric
CGI
Citizens
Cottage Four
DSM- Firmenich
Eastern Janitorial (Ran-R Group)
EDGE Consulting Government Affairs
Falstrom
Fidelity Investments
Focus NJ
Hackensack Meridian Health
HealthCare Institute of New Jersey
Hermann Services
Holman
Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield
IBEW Local 102
Johnson & Johnson
Junior Achievement of NJ
Manufacturing Counts
Marotta Controls
McDonald’s Dorno Corporation
Minding Your Business TV
Morey’s Piers
My Leave Benefits
Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future
New Jersey Business Action Center
New Jersey Business Magazine
NJCMO
NJ Community College Consortium
NJM
NJ Resources
NJ Society of Certified Public Accountants
Otsuka
Planet NJ
Porzio Government Affairs
Prager Metis CPAs
Pricewaterhouse
PSE&G
Sills Cummis & Gross
Solix
South Jersey Industries
Stevens & Lee
United
WGL Energy
