Executive Women of New Jersey (EWNJ) Honors Barbara Taibi of EisnerAmper at its Signature Salute to the Policy Makers Gala

On May 5, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. at the Hilton East Brunswick, Executive Women of New Jersey (EWNJ) honored Barbara Taibi, a partner with EisnerAmper, for her trailblazing work in advancing women’s leadership at the organization’s signature Salute to the Policy Makers Gala. In keeping with EWNJ’s mission to ensure that women have equal access to boards and senior corporate governance, the gala showcased the abundance of high-achieving women leaders in New Jersey, and recognized companies, like EisnerAmper, that have created cultures where women advance more quickly.

The Salute to the Policy Makers Gala honored thirty-eight of the most successful women leaders in the state. “There is a persistent misconception that the reason women are underrepresented in top corporate leadership is because there are not enough qualified women to assume these positions. This false perception creates a barrier to women’s advancement, which is why highlighting the multitude of well-qualified women is so essential,” explained Michellene Davis, Esq., Gala Chair, EWNJ President-Elect, and RWJBarnabas Health Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. 

“Diverse boards and executive teams are crucial to the long-term success of a corporation in today’s market,” said Barry Ostrowsky, President and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health and Salute Honorary Chair. “That’s why I’m honored to join with EWNJ and recognize the contributions of these outstanding women leaders.”

In addition to highlighting the gender diversity efforts of top women leaders, EWNJ also honored the advocacy efforts of companies named to its Business Honor Roll. The Business Honor Roll celebrates firms that acknowledge systemic barriers to gender diversity and have made women’s development a priority through sponsorship and mentoring, goal setting, and hiring initiatives. “It is not only important to advocate for inclusion as an organization, we must also celebrate the companies that pioneer changes in the workplace that further women’s leadership. As proven in the EWNJ 2015 report on corporate gender diversity, companies with diverse boards and senior leadership consistently outperform the market,” stated Barbara E. Kauffman, Gala Vice Chair, EWNJ Board Member, and Executive Vice President of the Newark Regional Business Partnership.

Through Salute to the Policy Makers, EWNJ raises funds for leadership programs, most notably its Graduate Merit Award Program, which is focused on establishing a pipeline of future women leaders. As the largest provider of scholarships to non-traditional women graduate students in New Jersey, EWNJ is proud to have awarded over $1.2 million to deserving candidates over the last 30 years.

The gala also featured a keynote address by insurance industry trailblazer Christine LaSala, Chair of Willis Towers Watson, North America.