NJBIZ unveils 2024 Leaders in Finance honorees (updated)

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The NJBIZ Leaders in Finance awards celebrate New Jersey’s financial executives at all levels who contribute to the success of their companies as well as their communities. And the 2024 honorees are prime examples of leadership in the industry. 

Following an open nomination period, honorees were chosen by a panel of independent judges with experience in the financial field. The selections were based on the nominees’ involvement in their industries and communities, as well as their professional achievements. This year’s award program was open to candidates in the banking, corporate, investment and professional categories as well as a new addition for 2024 – blockchain.

Additionally, NJBIZ will honor 2024 Ed Guttenplan, co-founder of East Brunswick-based accounting firm WilkinGuttenplan, as its 2024 Leaders in Finance Lifetime Achievement honoree. Click here to read more about Guttenplan.

A ceremony recognizing these individuals will take place from 8-10 a.m. April 18 at the Doubletree by Hilton Somerset Hotel and Conference Center at 200 Atrium Drive. Tickets are on sale now on the event page, with early bird pricing through March 24. Ticket sales end April 10. 

The presenting sponsor for the event is Provident Bank. 

Congratulations to the 2024 Leaders in Finance honorees!

Lifetime Achievement award recipient

Ed Guttenplan, co-founder, WilkinGuttenplan

2024 honorees

Libby Bajgerova, vice president, senior market manager; Columbia Bank

Mary Bawarski, public school accountant, School Accounting Professionals 

Angela Bianchini, operations controller, Caesars 

Salvatore Bursese, chief operating officer, Smolin Lupin & Co. LLC

Adriano Duarte; executive vice president, chief accounting officer; Provident Bank 

Chris Dumont, private bank market executive, Bank of America 

James Dy, partner and wealth manager, Main Street Wealth Management LLC 

Tim Fitzsimmons, chief financial officer, CompoSecure 

Michael Forrestall, chief financial officer, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey 

Diana Gunteski; assistant vice president, portfolio manager II; Manasquan Bank 

Bradford Huntington, vice president and treasurer, PSEG 

Jordan Kaufman, chief investment officer, Green Ridge Wealth Planning 

Scott Kintzing; senior vice president, senior relationship manager; WSFS Bank 

Steven Klein; chairman, president and CEO; Northfield Bank 

Steven Loeb; member, chair, Tax Group; Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC 

Frank Longo, associate professor of business, Centenary University 

Bobby Mascia, founder and CEO, Green Ridge Wealth Planning 

Clifton McElyea; chief financial officer, principal; Falcon Group 

Michael Meyer, partner, Benjamin Ross Group 

Lou Mortillaro, chief financial officer, DOWC 

Janet Pagan, CEO/branch manager, PRMG/Janet Pagan Home Loans 

Frank Pipas; executive vice president, chief financial officer; RWJBarnabas Health 

Jamie Pizzardi, chief financial officer, H2M architects + engineers 

Steven Poliseo, partner, Citrin Cooperman 

Jonathan Pueschel; managing director, market team lead; J.P. Morgan Private Bank 

Rob Quick; partner, Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman PA; managing member, RRBB Advisors LLC 

Lorane Rodriguez, executive director of consumer & community banking business development, JPMorgan Chase 

Svetlana Savreski; senior director, Consolidations and Financial Reporting; Sharp Electronics Corp. 

Ken Schapiro, CEO, Condor Capital Wealth Management 

Renata Serban, founder and CEO, Highly Elevated CPA 

Tara Seymour, partner, PKF O’Connor Davies 

Alexander Smit, wealth advisor, Withum Wealth Management 

Penny Starace, senior accountant and financial chief, Kimmerle Group 

Doreen Stevenson; director of finance, Physician Enterprise & Business Development; Saint Peter’s Healthcare System 

Keith Suchodolski, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, Kearny Bank 

Lisa Szalankiewicz, managing director, Lampis Wealth Management 

Vidhi Talreja, managing director, FTI Consulting 

Joseph Tammaro Jr.; group head of middle market lending, Metro Pennsylvania and New Jersey; TD Bank 

Christopher Tascione, vice president of finance, AtlantiCare 

Maria Villegas, regional manager, PNC Bank 

Mike Walter; senior vice president, chief financial officer; Atlantic Health System 

Stephen White, managing partner, Onyx Partners Group 

Eileen Zhu, chief financial officer, Riker Danzig LLP 

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 7:22 a.m. ET March 12, 2024, to include the recently unveiled 2024 Leaders in Finance Lifetime Achievement honoree.