Marlene Asselta, SNJDC President, Honored with Alice H. Parker Outstanding Woman of Inspiration Award by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

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As the longtime president of Southern New Jersey Development Council, Marlene Asselta is a passionate leader and advocate for businesses and entrepreneurs.

She is someone who has taken lessons learned by others to be a thought leader and an icon in South Jersey and beyond — yet has managed to stay humble throughout the journey. Simply put, Asselta said she never realized that she herself could be an inspiration to others.

But Thursday night, as one of a dozen honorees as a Women of Inspiration by the N.J. Chamber of Commerce, Asselta she saw first-hand the power of the group.

“The word is inspiration,” she told the crowd at the National Convention Center in Hightstown. “I don’t know that I inspire anyone. I know I’ve been inspired by many people, even many in this room, including my daughter.

“But what occurs to me is that we’re being watched. We are inspiring by our words and our behavior and our very presence. And it’s very important to remember our role of inspiration to others.”

Fortunately for the honorees, that role comes naturally.

Throughout the night, the speeches of the honorees all included a passage that was indeed inspirational — and an insight into how they have been able to be so successful.

Here’s a look at their powerful words.

Trish Zita: Be kind

She is the CEO and owner of one of the Zita Group. After explaining how work is the key to success, she explained that you don’t have to have a hard edge while doing so.

“Just be kind,” she said. “Be kind to yourself. Give yourself some grace. Be kind to others. You don’t know what they’re going through. Just be kind when you really don’t want to be kind in that moment. I promise you, if you work hard and you’re kind, you’ll have no regrets in life.”

Kelly Brozyna: Give back

She is the state director of the N.J. Small Business Development Centers. And she loves building communities, one small business at a time.

“By supporting small businesses in New Jersey, we’re not only fueling economic development and retention, but we’re also helping to strengthen communities,” she said. “These communities need these resources to thrive, and by providing these resources, we’re giving back to the community to ensure that no matter what challenges they’re facing, that they have these resources at their fingertips to be able to stay in business and grow their business.”

Chrissy Buteas: Mentor

She is CEO of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey. After thanking so many that helped her along her journey, she encouraged others to do the same.

“There are many of our colleagues out there who are looking for guidance, so please not only mentor them, but be sponsors of them when you’re in a room — and be their champion.”

Kristi Howell: Collaborate

She is the CEO of the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce. After thanking so many who have helped her (her moms, her aunt, her daughter and fellow honoree Marlene Asselta) she encouraged everyone to work in groups.

“Collaboration is the key,” she said.

Brianna Vannozzi: Help others rise

She is the anchor of NJ Spotlight News. After acknowledging all the people that helped her rise to that role after starting as a general assignment reporter, she encouraged others to do the same.

“What’s so important to bring to our jobs is helping those who are coming up, because it’s not easy, and it’s only getting harder,” she said. “We need to help each other and not lose that connection when it is so easy to do.”

Linda Doherty: Advocate

She is the CEO of the New Jersey Food Council. After detailing all of the folks she has collaborated with in her more than two decades in the role, she explained how the role is about so much more than pushing policy.

“To me, the word advocate has always meant using our voice, our platform, our position to uplift others,” she said. “Advocacy just isn’t about policy or politics, It’s about people, it’s about partnerships, it’s about progress, it’s about community, it’s about opportunities and it’s about our future.”

Deb Visconi: Be inclusive

She is the CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. After explaining her team is transforming health care by embracing innovation, she explained that innovation isn’t always what people believe it to be.

“We innovate around people, around the human spirit, around what’s important for that healing and for that hope — that’s what we do,” she said. “More than anything, our work is about people. It’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, has access to compassionate, high-quality care.”

Monica Slater Stokes: Servant leadership

She is the managing director of corporate and government affairs at United Airlines. After thanking colleagues that attended — and a colleague who was a fellow honoree — she noted that no one succeeds on their own. It’s all about connecting with others.

“It’s all about people in the communities we serve,” she said. “We are actively engaged through volunteerism. We try to effect change in Newark, Elizabeth, Hudson County, Burlington County, Camden County. It’s about people, and without you flying us, we could not survive. You matter and we thank you for your support and for your continued commitment to community, because we are interconnected and we need each other.”

Blenda Pinto: Community matters

She is the director of corporate and government affairs at United Airlines. She explained how United takes pride in its connection to the state.

“We are New Jersey’s hometown airline,” she said. “We do not take that for granted.”

Kim Hanemann: Build teams

She is the President of PSE&G Gas.

Hanemann was not able to attend, due to illness. Lauren Thomas, a VP of clean energy solutions for PSE&G spoke in her honor. She talked of how Hanemann is the ultimate team-builder, calling her own team, her squad.

“She is all about creating teams — that is one of her superpowers,” she said. “And she does that not only within PSE&G, but also outside PSE&G, with our vendors, with our legislators, our regulators, community members, community groups as well as our customers — and all in the name of creating safe and reliable service for our customers.”

Diane Wasser: Create opportunities

She not only is the partner-in-charge of EisnerAmper’s office in Iselin, she oversees the firm’s partners in charge across the entire country. Wasser talked of how the group of honorees have a singular goal: Make the state a better place.

“This award celebrates those who use their talents to create opportunities and make New Jersey a better place to live and work,” she said.

As Asselta said, the award celebrates those who inspire.