Donna Thompson Receives 2009 Business Woman of the Year Award
from NJAWBO Essex

Donna Thompson, president and owner of drtEnterprises, of Cedar Grove, has received the 2009 Business Woman of the Year from the Essex County chapter of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO). The award is given in recognition of accomplishments in her business, her work in NJAWBO, and in her community.

NJAWBO Essex recognized Thompson’s successful career and passion for the publishing industry. She started drtEnterpises in 2004 and has over 35 years in the industry. Thompson is also the senior editor of inBiz Magazine, published by Vicinity Media Group of Fairfield, and also serves as contributing editor for two of their other publications, Suburban Essex Magazine and Vicinity Magazine.

She recently partnered with another Cedar Grove business owner, Brenda Hendrickson, to launch Woodpecker Press LLC. Using her experience in the book publishing industry, Woodpecker Press helps potential authors by guiding them through every step of the self-publishing process.

Thompson is currently the vice president of member services for NJAWBO Essex. During her term, the chapter became the largest in the state. She is also a recipient of the NJAWBO Teal Heart Award and won the 2009 NJAWBO State Membership Drive Contest.

Her community involvement includes cofounding the Cedar Grove Education Foundation in 2003. The organization is dedicated to not only awarding scholarships but also providing funds to upgrade classrooms, music equipment, stage rigging, and other high school auditorium improvements. She served on the Board of Education for four years (1999-2003). Thompson earned her BS in business administration from Caldwell College and is currently a member of the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the Association of Women in Communications.

The New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, Inc. (NJAWBO) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide tools for women business owners to compete in any marketplace, enabling them to operate a financially successful business. NJAWBO is the largest statewide women business owners' organization in the United States. Its primary objective is to support and encourage business ownership by women. Networking, partnering, leadership, education, and political advocacy are the hallmarks of the NJAWBO experience.

Donna Thompson (center), a resident of Cedar Grove receives the 2009 Business Women of the Year Award from Holly Kaplansky (right), chapter president and Judy Bennett, awards chair. 

Maria-Elena Grant Receives 2009 Communications Award from NJAWBO

Maria-Elena Grant, president and owner of Alpha Marketing Solutions, LLC, of Hewitt, has received the 2009 Communications Award from the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO) on behalf of the Essex Chapter for serving as editor of the NJAWBO Essex Quarterly Newsletter. The chapter also presented her with a plaque to commemorate the achievement of creating an award-winning newsletter for the chapter in her first year of membership.

In addition to the state’s Communications Award, Grant was also one of three Notable Newcomer Award recipients. The Notable Newcomer Award is presented to chapter members who are dynamic, active, and productive in their first year of membership.

Grant is a writer, editor, and marketing specialist. She started Alpha Marketing Solutions in 2001, after a 15-year career at Lucent Technologies. She is also marketing director for awesome rooms, llc, an interior designing and professional organizing company.

She joined the Essex Chapter last year and is currently serving her second term as the newsletter editor. Grant earned her B.A. in Chemistry from Caldwell College and her MBA in Finance from Seton Hall University.

The New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, Inc. (NJAWBO) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide tools for women business owners to compete in any marketplace, enabling them to operate a financially successful business. NJAWBO is the largest statewide women business owners' organization in the United States. Its primary objective is to support and encourage business ownership by women. Networking, partnering, leadership, education, and political advocacy are the hallmarks of the NJAWBO experience.

Caption: Donna Thompson (left), vice president of member services for NJAWBO Essex, congratulates Maria-Elena Grant, a resident of Hewitt, on her selection as the recipient of the 2009 Communications Award from the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO) on behalf of the Essex Chapter for serving as editor of the NJAWBO Essex Quarterly Newsletter.

NJAWBO ESSEX CHAPTER INDUCTS 2009–2010
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Members of the 2009-2010 Board are:

NJAWBO is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide tools for women business owners to compete in any marketplace enabling them to operate a financially successful business. NJAWBO is the largest statewide women business owners' organization in the United States. Its primary objective is to support and encourage business ownership by women. Networking, partnering, leadership, education, and political advocacy are the hallmarks of the NJAWBO experience. For more information, go to www.njawbo.org.

NJAWBO’s Essex Chapter is consistently one of the state’s largest and most effective in program development. The chapter presents monthly breakfast and dinner networking opportunities for members and nonmembers throughout the year, featuring presentations on entrepreneurship, personal growth and practical skill development. Two signature events are its Fall Gala and Spring Diversity Networking Luncheon, which each bring together hundreds of women business owners, sponsoring corporations and nonprofit organizations for partnership, collaboration and marketing opportunities.

 Hendrickson named 2008 Woman of the Year for NJAWBO Essex

Brenda Hendrickson, CSA, president, and owner of Hamilton-Hendrickson, LLC, of Parsippany, has been names 2008 Woman of the Year by the Essex Chapter of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO). The chapter presented her with a plaque to commemorate the occasion.

The Woman of the Year Award honors NJAWBO members who distinguish themselves in their businesses, in NJAWBO, and in their community and gives them recognition for their business skills and accomplishments. Nominees must have been a member of NJAWBO and a business owner for at least three years.

Hendrickson is an accountant, tax specialist, certified senior advisor, instructor, and speaker. She started her accounting career in the corporate world after graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1982. She has been an active member of NJAWBO since July 1999, currently serving her second term as NJAWBO Essex vice president of finance.

She is a speaker on such topics as wealth management, retirement planning, tax tips, and entrepreneurship. She has been a featured speaker for Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Business Leaders of Tomorrow and a panelist for its Horizon’s Program. She has also been featured as a tax expert on Cablevision Channel 26 and interviewed on several local radio programs.

Hendrickson earned her B.S. in Economics from Fairleigh Dickenson University in 1982 and her Certificate in Financial Planning (CFP) in 2006. Hendrickson is a member of both the North Essex Chamber of Commerce and the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.

The New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, Inc. (NJAWBO) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide tools for women business owners to compete in any marketplace, enabling them to operate a financially successful business. NJAWBO is the largest statewide women business owners' organization in the United States. Its primary objective is to support and encourage business ownership by women. Networking, partnering, leadership, education, and political advocacy are the hallmarks of the NJAWBO experience.

Congratulating Brenda Hendrickson (center right), a resident of Cedar Grove, on her selection as the 2008 Woman of the Year by the Essex County Chapter of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, are fellow NJAWBO Essex officers (from left to right): Holly Kaplansky, president elect, of Bloomfield; Julie Serritella, vice president of member services, of Nutley; and Rosanna Imbriano, 2005–2008 chapter president, of Cedar Grove.

2008-2009 Policies and Procedures

The Essex Chapter of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO) has formed a strategic alliance with The Prudential West Essex Agency, of East Hanover. Through this alliance, the agency has become a 2008 annual sponsor of NJAWBO Essex.

“This partnership between NJAWBO Essex and Prudential’s West Essex Agency is about teaming up with a great company in a business alliance that will be mutually beneficial to both organizations,” explains Rosanna Imbriano, chapter president.

“After an interesting and informative discussion with Imbriano and other leaders of NJAWBO Essex, we knew this was the right group for us to support in 2008. We are looking forward to interacting with the members and being involved and active in all chapter events,” said Robert Formato, managing director of The Prudential West Essex Agency.

Prudential is committed to maintaining strong ties to communities and diverse organizations that share its vision and values. The cornerstone of the company’s diversity strategy is based on identifying and building strategic relationships that support its recruiting and marketing business objectives as well as align with its commitment to diversity and community leadership. “We see a tremendous opportunity in developing strong partnerships with organizations that compliment our approach toward recruiting, education, and financial empowerment,” said Formato.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader with approximately $648 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2007, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Leveraging its heritage of life insurance and asset management expertise, Prudential is focused on helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth. The company’s well-known Rock symbol is an icon of strength, stability, expertise, and innovation that has stood the test of time. Prudential's businesses offer a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. For more information, please visit www.prudential.com.

The New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, Inc. (NJAWBO) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide tools for women business owners to compete in any marketplace enabling them to operate a financially successful business. NJAWBO is the largest statewide women business owners' organization in the United States. Its primary objective is to support and encourage business ownership by women. Networking, partnering, leadership, education, and political advocacy are the hallmarks of the NJAWBO experience. For more information, visit www.njawbo.org.

CAPTION: From left to right, Prudential Financial’s Robert Formato, West Essex Agency managing director, and Saara Marte, Prudential’s local relationship manager, celebrate the company’s decision to form a strategic alliance and become a 2008 annual sponsor of NJAWBO Essex with chapter president, Rosanna Imbriano, and president elect, Holly Kaplansky. As annual sponsor, Prudential Financial presented the chapter with a generous contribution and will be working closely with the chapter to assist in any way it can throughout the year.

The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark NJ, and its affiliates. IFS-A143686 Ed 02/2008

  Aguirre Appointed Diversity Chair for NJAWBO Essex

From left to right, chapter officers Brenda Hendrickson, owner of Hamilton–Hendrickson, LLC, Parsippany, and Rosanna Imbriano, owner of RI Consulting, Cedar Grove, congratulate Angelica Aguirre, owner of MonsterINK, Bloomfield, on her appointment as the new diversity chair for the Essex County Chapter of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO), with NJAWBO Essex member Marygrace Robinson, owner of the Family Training Institute, Maplewood, looking on. As diversity chair, Aguirre is responsible for the chapter’s diversity initiative. She is also in charge of planning the 3rd Annual NJAWBO Essex Diversity Networking Luncheon, scheduled for June 12, 2008, from 11:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. at The Wilshire Grand Hotel, 350 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange. The chapter’s previous diversity luncheons attracted approximately 200 business women from around the state, featured several major sponsors, and great speakers. More details will be available soon. To become a member of the planning team or a sponsor of the event, please contact angelica@printmonsterink.com.

The New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, Inc. (NJAWBO) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide tools for women business owners to compete in any marketplace, enabling them to operate a financially successful business. NJAWBO is the largest statewide women business owners' organization in the United States. Its primary objective is to support and encourage business ownership by women. Networking, partnering, leadership, education, and political advocacy are the hallmarks of the NJAWBO experience.

For sponsorship or advertising information regarding the June 12, 2008, 3rd Annual  NJAWBO Essex Diversity Networking Luncheon, click here.

  Slane Appointed Recycling Chair for NJAWBO Essex

Michele Sutton (left), owner of Personal Solutions and vice president of administration for the Essex County Chapter of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO), congratulates Donna Slane, an independent consultant with Arbonne International, on her appointment as the chapter’s new recycling chair. Slane will coordinate the printer cartridge recycling program for the chapter, which accepts empty name-brand laser and ink-jet printer cartridges for recycling. The money received from the recycled cartridges is donated to NJAWBO’s Women’s Business Center. Sutton is a resident of West Orange and Slane resides in Caldwell. Anyone who would like to donate their empty name-brand cartridges can reach Slane at DonnaSlane@myarbonne.com.

The New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, Inc. (NJAWBO) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide tools for women business owners to compete in any marketplace, enabling them to operate a financially successful business. NJAWBO is the largest statewide women business owners' organization in the United States. Its primary objective is to support and encourage business ownership by women. Networking, partnering, leadership, education, and political advocacy are the hallmarks of the NJAWBO experience.

From left to right, Donna Thompson, president and cofounder of the Cedar Grove Education Foundation (CGEF), is shown welcoming Rosanna Imbriano and Brenda Hendrickson to leadership roles on the 2007–2008 CGEF Board of Trustees. All three women are fellow members of the Essex Chapter of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO Essex). Imbriano, a marketing consultant and current president of NJAWBO Essex, was elected as CGEF vice president, and Hendrickson, an accountant and NJAWBO Essex vice president of finance, is the new CGEF treasurer. Thompson, a publishing specialist, is vice president of marketing for NJAWBO Essex. All are residents of Cedar Grove. Not shown, but also a CGEF Trustee, is NJAWBO State Secretary, Dawn R. SanFilippo, Esq., a Cedar Grove attorney.

Established in 2003, the Cedar Grove Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization. The Foundation is committed to bringing exceptional educational programs to township residents, to providing an adult education program in town, and to awarding scholarships to qualified students.