TRENTON (February 5, 2016) – As the country celebrates “National Wear Red Day” today to raise awareness about heart disease, @NJEDATech takes a look at several New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA)-supported companies that strive to improve the lives of cardiac patients. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease and stroke cause one in three deaths among women each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds. 
 
“The statistics on heart disease are sobering,” EDA Chief Executive Officer Melissa Orsen said. “However, the progress that EDA-supported startup companies are making toward stemming the tide of heart disease is promising.  From implantable medical devices to injectable drugs, these companies continue to create industry-leading, impactful products.”
 
Svelte Medical Systems, located in New Providence, produces a cost-effective integrated balloon expandable drug eluting coronary stent system featuring the smallest diameter in the industry. This stent, which is now approved in Europe and will undergo United States studies later this year, has led to a new standard of care in treating the buildup of plaque in coronary arteries, known as atherosclerosis. The company was founded by industry leading scientists — physicist Dr. Robert Fischell and his sons Dr. David Fischell, also a physicist, and Dr. Tim Fischell, an interventional cardiologist.
 
The Fischells also founded Angel Medical Systems, located in Shrewsbury. The company developed an implantable device, known as the AngelMed Guardian® System that can detect the onset of a heart attack and alert patients to quickly seek medical attention. The Guardian® is under final review for approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration this year.
 
Svelte Medical Systems and Angel Medical Systems are among the more than 500 companies that have benefitted from the State’s Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer (NOL) Program. The program allows qualified technology and biotechnology companies to sell unused New Jersey net operating losses and research and development tax credits to unrelated profitable corporations to raise cash to finance their growth and operations. Svelte Medical Systems also raised millions of dollars from investors who took advantage of the State’s Angel Investor Tax Credit Program, which provides credits against New Jersey corporate business or gross income tax for 10 percent of a qualified investment in an emerging technology business that conducts research, manufacturing, or technology commercialization in the state. 
 
VEESAG Mobile develops wearable technology aimed at helping people maintain their independence, remain healthier and live better. The company’s smart watch, Mobile Personal Emergency Response System (MPERSENS®), comes equipped with an application for heart monitoring and a one-touch emergency button, as well as location tracking, fall detection, and remote monitoring. It can also share critical information with family members. Following confirmation in 2015 from Sprint and Verizon that the devices were compatible with their networks, VEESAG Mobile is ramping up manufacturing to make its watches widely available to consumers.
 
Ascendia Pharmaceuticals is developing ASD-002, an injectable form of the blood thinner clopidogrel, the generic form of Plavix®, which is currently administered orally. Ascendia expects ASD-002 to be utilized in multiple markets, including catheterization procedures, peripheral arterial disease and acute coronary syndrome. The company is currently preparing for clinical testing of ASD-002.
 
VEESAG Mobile and Ascendia Pharmaceuticals are both located at the EDA’s Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies (CCIT). Nestled among commercial real estate up and down the Rt. 1 corridor in North Brunswick, CCIT is New Jersey’s leading life sciences incubator. Home to nearly two dozen seed-stage life sciences companies, CCIT offers its tenants not only affordable lab and office space, but also a wealth of resources, such as assistance with identifying funding sources, including state incentives, and help making matches to private sector support, discounted rent for the first year for university spinouts, access to small business development resources and administrative support.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority's next public Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the EDA offices at 36 West State Street, Trenton. A copy of the proposed agenda can be found prior to the meeting at www.njeda.gov/Board. Following the Board Meeting, minutes and the full agenda will also be available at www.njeda.gov/Board.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) recently unveiled its second group of Executive-in-Residence (EIR) appointees. These highly-skilled life sciences professionals will mentor and advise emerging companies at EDA’s Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies (CCIT) in North Brunswick. The EIR program was created in collaboration with BioNJ.  

Over the next few weeks, @NJEDATech will continue to delve into the back-stories of these EIRs; next up, Roland Staal, of Metuchen.
 

 
Roland Staal (EIR – Strategic and Product Planning) is a scientist with a passion for drug discovery. He particularly enjoys understanding how drugs work and identifying new targets and strategies for developing desperately-needed therapeutics.
 
Staal graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University and a PhD in Pharmacology from Rutgers University – UMDNJ – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. His academic career at Rutgers-UMDNJ, as well as the time he spent at Columbia University as a post-doctoral fellow and then as an associate research scientist, focused on investigating various molecular mechanisms that contribute to Parkinson’s disease.
 
Staal subsequently joined Wyeth Research (now part of Pfizer) where he worked on drug discovery projects for Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Most recently, Staal served as a principal scientist for Lundbeck Research, a mid-sized pharmaceutical company that conducts brain disease research. At Lundbeck, Staal was instrumental in the creation of the neuroinflammation department, tasked with developing treatments for chronic pain.
 
During his time in the industry, Staal served as the biology team leader and project leader for various pre-clinical drug discovery projects for indications including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease as well as neuropathic pain. He assisted in evaluating in-licensing opportunities and coordinated collaborations with internal departments, academic labs, and contract research organizations. Staal’s comprehensive knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, licensing opportunities and experience managing projects position him as an ideal mentor to many of the CCIT tenants currently developing and commercializing lifesaving therapies.
 
@NJEDATech asked Staal about the Executive-in-Residence Program and his plans for the future:
 
Why did you choose to apply to the Executive-in-Residence Program?
I initially heard about the CCIT and the EIR program from Vicky Gaddy at BioNJ and was immediately intrigued by the opportunity to mentor/advise nascent start-up companies. I have always been curious to learn about new and innovative technologies and ideas, and am always been eager to take on new challenges. Furthermore, I have always enjoyed mentoring interns and sharing knowledge with collaborators. Thus, this seemed to be a great opportunity to learn about some of the exciting start-up companies in NJ as well as share some of my experience regarding project strategy and planning.
 
What do you hope to get out of this Executive-in-Residence Program?
Networking was often mentioned as one of the benefits of the EIR program and this was important to me, as I wanted to steer my career in a different direction while remaining in NJ. I also want to learn more about some of the State’s novel technologies and start-up companies. During the time that I have been at CCIT, I have met a number of very interesting people: from EDA staff, to fellow EIRs, tenant companies and CCIT advisory board members. Through these people, I have made many connections to organizations and people with common interests working on very different and exciting projects.
 
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve heard over the years that you hope to impart on these emerging life sciences companies?
Do what you love, delegate the rest! The person who gave me this advice was joking, but at the same time completely earnest. In various points of our careers and life, we have to do what needs to be done, even if that means going out of our comfort zone. One has to be flexible, and always willing to learn. This is especially true for new projects and start-up companies. However, once you gain momentum and grow as a start up, group or organization — delegate. Especially delegate the tasks that drain your productivity and slow down your momentum. It is still important to know how to do a given task, to understand how it fits in with your goal, but if someone else can do it better or more efficiently, delegate. This frees up your time to do what you are best at or what you are passionate about.
 
What is the next challenge you want to undertake in your career?
The next challenge I am looking to undertake is to build on my preclinical drug discovery experience by learning more about clinical trials. I am very interested in translational medicine and clinical trials in order to gain experience in the entire drug discovery process, from the initial concept through United States Food and Drug Administration approval and post marketing surveillance. Alternatively, I would also be very interested in working with others to start a new biotech company or joining a start-up company to learn the business of bringing technologies or novel therapeutics to the market.
 
More information about EIR program, including eligibility, can be found at www.njeda.gov/EIR.

To learn about programs and initiatives that support the technology industry, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Morris Plains-based Immunomedics is developing drugs designed to combat certain types of cancers with the potential to prolong patients’ lives

TRENTON (January 28, 2016) – Exemplifying the way New Jersey’s innovative ecosystem is impacting the scientific world, Morris Plains-based Immunomedics is developing drugs designed to combat certain types of cancers with the potential to prolong patients’ lives. The biopharmaceutical company has tapped into the State’s popular Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program (NOL) Program over the years to further its goal.

Immunomedics is creating drugs that target aggressive types of cancerous solid tumors, such as triple-negative breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer. These therapies are designed for patients who have not responded favorably to previous lines of treatment. Immunomedics’ portfolio of investigational products includes antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), which are designed to deliver a chemotherapeutic selectively to the tumor while reducing overall toxic effects usually found with conventional administration of this type of therapy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) awarded Fast Track status last year to Immunomedics’ lead ADC, sacituzumab govitecan (IMMU-132), for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The FDA previously granted Fast Track status to IMMU-132 for the therapy of patients with triple-negative breast or small-cell lung cancers. IMMU-132 has also been designated an orphan drug by the FDA for the treatment of patients with small-cell lung or pancreatic cancers.

“In a Phase 2 clinical trial, IMMU-132 has produced encouraging results in patients with advanced solid cancers that include triple-negative breast, small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancers, esophageal, urinary bladder, and other epithelial cancers,” said Peter P. Pfreundschuh, Immunomedics Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance.

Immunomedics has benefited repeatedly from the NOL Program. Administered by the EDA and the New Jersey Department of Treasury's Division of Taxation, this competitive program enables eligible technology and biotechnology companies to sell New Jersey tax losses and/or research and development tax credits to raise cash to finance their growth and operations. Since the program’s inception in 1999, more than 500 technology and life sciences companies have received a total of more than $860 million.

Pfreundschuh was present at a recent HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ) roundtable discussion that touched upon resources available to the Garden State’s pharmaceutical industry. During the discussion, Pfreundschuh told New Jersey state leaders what a difference the NOL program has meant to his company.
“The $5.1 million cash proceeds from the NOL program have allowed us to continue with our aggressive agenda to advance a currently ongoing Phase 3 pivotal study in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, and support the ongoing clinical trials with our ADC,” he said.

@NJEDATech asked Pfreundschuh about Immunomedics’ experience in New Jersey and its plans for the future:

What advantages does Immunomedics see in locating itself in New Jersey?
We have found numerous advantages to locating our headquarters in New Jersey. In terms of human resources, New Jersey has a highly educated workforce trained in science and technology, from which we can recruit. In addition, the State is home to a significant number of multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for potential scientific collaborations and commercial licensing. Finally, resources such as the NOL program provide small, unprofitable biotechnology companies like ours with an important source of non-dilutive financing to fund our working capital needs.

What is Immunomedics’ biggest success to date?
We have pioneered a new approach in cancer therapy using ADCs that are different from the current industry paradigm.  We’re very encouraged by the Phase II results of IMMU-132 in a variety of solid tumors. Patients enrolled in this program have had many prior therapies, and have limited options to treat their cancer. Based on these promising results, IMMU-132 was recently recognized as one of the “Most Promising Clinical Candidates” at the recent World ADC Awards in San Diego.

What’s on the horizon for the company?
Our main focus currently is to consummate a licensing partnership with large pharma or biotech to advance IMMU-132 to a Phase 3 registration trial in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Trial design, including a Special Protocol Assessment agreement, with the FDA has been completed. Clinical materials for the Phase 3 study and beyond are being prepared and tested by outside manufacturers.

Our second ADC, labetuzumab govitecan (IMMU-130), has completed a Phase 2 study in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Plans for a Phase 3 study in this indication are underway. In addition, the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials of yttrium-90-(90Y)-labeled clivatuzumab tetraxetan in patients with relapsed, advanced pancreatic cancer is expected to complete patient enrollment in 2016, with results anticipated shortly thereafter.

For more information about resources available to support New Jersey’s technology industry, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.
 

News Release –  NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

New Jersey Unemployment Falls to 5.1 Percent, Within 0.1 Percent of National Rate
64,500 Private Sector Jobs Added in 2015 Represents Strongest Growth in 15 years 

TRENTON, N.J., January 21, 2016 – New Jersey's private sector employers reported another month of solid growth in December, adding 12,500 jobs to bring the total private sector employment increase for 2015 to 64,500 jobs.  This affirms 2015 as the strongest year of private sector job growth in 15 years and the sixth consecutive year of private sector growth in the Garden State, according to preliminary monthly data released by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
 
New Jersey's unemployment rate continued to tumble, dropping by 0.3 percentage points in December to 5.1 percent, off the national rate by 0.1 percent and down 4.7 percentage points since the recessionary high of 9.8 percent in January 2010. Total nonfarm employment rose by 13,300 jobs over the month to reach a seasonally adjusted total of 4,047,500 as measured by the BLS through its monthly employer survey. The number of residents reporting to have jobs in New Jersey reached an historic level for the fourth time in 2015, climbing to an all-time high of 4,332,900 in December after reaching a record 4,300,700 in November, according to the BLS household survey.

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Loralyn Mears, EIR – Market Development, has extensive experience selling and marketing products and services for several Fortune 500 life sciences companies. She has closed multi-million- and billion-dollar deals, forged hundreds of partnerships, and launched innovative first-in-world products that have generated significant revenues for a former Fortune 10 employer.
 
In her last few roles, Mears has designed and executed integrated sales and marketing campaigns promoting corporate real estate and facilities management, and information technology and biomarker genomics software to biopharmaceutical customers. Mears has helped drive billions of dollars in revenues by forging C-suite relationships with customers as a trusted advisor and by creating novel sales channels with strategic partners. She has also established world-class competitive intelligence infrastructure and programs, and managed market research teams to track trends and insights and apply data analytics and metrics to measure team performance.
 
Mears has an affinity for creating alliances and partnerships. She believes collaboration and partnerships – whether academic, vendor or practitioner – are key to awareness and market development. This belief is driving her to help CCIT tenants identify and articulate their value to the marketplace. For example, since beginning at CCIT last month, Mears has worked closely with Aucta Pharmaceuticals Founder & CEO Shoufeng Li, PhD to raise his company’s profile at last week’s JP Morgan Chase Healthcare Conference.

Mears earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Queen’s University, a Master of Science degree from the University of Toronto and a PhD in Molecular Biology jointly through Case-Western Reserve University and Queen’s University.
 
Why did you choose to apply to the EIR program?
I'm drawn to people who are passionate about their work and about trying to make a difference in people's lives. I love the positive and frenetic energy that comes with start-ups and recall the intensity of midnight pizza meetings and trying to get a solution ready for a customer back when I was part of a start-up. The pressure, the passion, the hope – all combine to create a vitality that's stimulating and energizing. Who doesn't want to be a part of a program that fosters this?! 
 
What do you hope to get out of this EIR program?
In recent years, I've strayed too far from biopharmaceutical scientific research and I miss being part of a team that can have direct immediate impact on human health. I am skilled at translating scientific and technical content and converting "it" into something of measurable commercial value and can help the consumer understand why "it" is special. Helping CCIT tenants  with their efforts in global market development and finding new partners and additional funding, and grow sales, is one way I can give back, and get closer to the science that I've missed at the same time. By doing what I do, I hope to help the tenants here do what they do brilliantly — making discoveries that will transform patients' lives.
 
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve heard over the years that you hope to impart on these emerging life sciences companies?
Forbes StrengthsFinder changed my life. The philosophy proposed is to let go of all of the skills that you're simply not good at and absolutely nail your Top 3 existing skills. This advice has helped me zero in on roles and projects in which I know I can be the most effective and impactful. According to Strengthsfinders, my Top 3 are:

1) "WOO" (Winning people over) – essential to build relationships in alliances and sales
2) Communications – essential for a liaison role with partnerships and essential for crafting marketing messages
3) Strategy – enormously helpful to assimilate disparate data and identify the right next step based on a situational analysis
 
What is the next challenge you want to undertake in your career?
Recently, I've had a variety of roles in market development and worked for several employers. While my intention has always been to secure a role with a single employer and stay there long enough to learn, grow, advance and have impact, as we all know, there is much churn in the industry today which often results in a premature and unexpected stop on the career path with your employer. I have challenged myself to find a leader, a team, an employer, and a mentor that will help me build the skills and experience that I need to establish a career managing strategic partnerships and harnessing innovation that will have a positive impact on people's lives.
 
More information about EIR program, including eligibility, can be found at www.njeda.gov/EIR.

A meeting of the Capital City Redevelopment Corporation (CCRC) Board has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 10:00 am in the EDA Board Room, 36 West State Street, Trenton, NJ.
 
A copy of the proposed agenda can be found at http://web.njeda.com/ccrc/page.aspx?id=2461

Edison Partners Managing Partner Chris Sugden addresses the audience

at Edison's 2015 CEO Summit.

TRENTON (January 14, 2016) – Edison Partners enters 2016 at an exciting point in its history. The investment firm recently moved back to its original home in Princeton, and is also in the midst of investing in technology-sector businesses through its newest fund, Edison Partners VIII. 
 

Last January, the Board of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a $2.5 million limited partnership investment in Edison VIII. Under the leadership of Managing Partner Chris Sugden, the fund will invest in 20-25 growth stage technology businesses across four industry sectors: financial technology, healthcare information technology, marketing technology, and enterprise 2.0 (focused mainly on mobile, security and business operations software).
 

The EDA previously invested in four Edison Partners funds.  The firm, formerly Edison Ventures, has nearly a dozen New Jersey portfolio companies, including Trialscope, PHX and Scivantage. The company recently announced that it successfully exited Fairfield-based Archive Systems Inc., which has experienced significant growth over the past few years and was recently acquired by Access®.
 

“The EDA’s commitment to New Jersey’s technology ecosystem is unwavering,” EDA Chief Executive Officer Melissa Orsen said. “As part of this commitment, we help increase available capital for companies by investing as a limited partner in venture capital funds.  To date, the EDA has invested in excess of $40 million; these funds have leveraged the EDA’s investment in New Jersey businesses by more than 62 times.”
 

In addition to its investment of capital, Edison Partners offers its portfolio companies access to its Edison Edge value add platform which entails four key elements: sales and marketing acceleration program, capital formation and exit advisory, the Edison Director Network, and executive education programs.
 

“During 2015, Edison performed more than 200 advisory engagements, hosted 11 events (with nearly 400 attendees) and had 52 active Edison Director Network members serving on portfolio company Boards of Directors,” Sugden said. “The Edison Edge is a unique, turnkey platform of support and mentorship that nurtures innovation and accelerates growth stage companies.”
 

Edison Partners routinely participates in the New Jersey Founders & Funders events at the EDA’s Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies (CCIT) in North Brunswick. Held semi-annually, these events enable early-stage businesses to meet with potential investors in 10-minute, one-on-one “speed dating” sessions to discuss strategy, business models and funding opportunities.  Registration is now open for the spring 2016 event at https://application.njeda.com/tls/.
 

@NJEDATech asked Sugden about Edison Partners’ experience in New Jersey:

What advantages does Edison Partners see in locating itself in New Jersey?
New Jersey has been Edison’s home since our founding in 1986. We recently moved back, after 20 years, from Lawrenceville to our original location in Princeton.  I can personally attest to the phenomenal opportunities in New Jersey, having moved my family from New York City to New Jersey 18 years ago for a startup. Our location benefits Edison and our portfolio companies in several ways: First, one of the biggest advantages of New Jersey is location, location, location; we are the epicenter of commerce and financial markets along with access to major cities outside the state. This proximity enables business to get done in person more often, which is more efficient. Second, the talent pool in New Jersey is tough to replicate, in terms of both a well-trained workforce and availability of talent. Finally, our state offers unique access to incredible natural resources that enable work-life balance. Whether you enjoy the beach, golf, skiing or hiking, New Jersey has it all within a short drive.

How has the Edison Edge benefited your portfolio companies?
Edison Edge brings value to our portfolio companies and the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole. Edison’s sales and marketing acceleration program is unique in that we combine our talent and processes with our portfolio company talent to accelerate growth. Too often, young companies spend money on sales and marketing without the processes or technology to effectively measure and scale these areas. Edison Edge offers over 50 playbooks, from strategic objectives such as product positioning, to tactical ones, including marketing technology acquisition and enablement.

Edison Edge worked with 23 portfolio companies in sales and marketing acceleration in 2015.
 

What advice you give to startup companies that you meet at our Founders & Funders events?
I love the Founders & Funders events. The EDA has done a great job bringing entrepreneurs and capital together in an informal setting. Edison will continue to actively participate in these events.

In terms of advice, one thing I tell all young companies is to FOCUS. Do not allow yourself to chase after too many markets or solve too many problems at once. Be able to clearly articulate the problem you solve and solve it better than anyone else can. If you do this over and over, success will follow. To quote Thomas Edison, “If we all did the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves.” For startups and founding teams, do what you are capable of doing and astound your customers. 
 

For more information about resources available to support New Jersey’s technology industry, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) recently announced the selection of the second group of Executive-in-Residence (EIR) appointees. This group of highly-skilled life sciences professionals will mentor and advise emerging companies at EDA’s Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies (CCIT) in North Brunswick. The EIR Program was created in collaboration with BioNJ.

Over the next few weeks, @NJEDATech will delve into the back-stories of the five EIRs; first up, Gary Esterow of Manalapan.

 
Gary Esterow, EIR – Strategic Communications, brings over 30 years of global communications expertise in the consumer, pharmaceutical, medical device, non-profit, agency, and corporate arenas to his advisory role. He told @NJEDATech that he looks forward to helping the start-up and small tenant companies at CCIT establish and grow their businesses and develop relationships with key influencers.
 
During more than two decades at Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Esterow developed and executed a number of multifaceted, integrated communications strategies and programs for leading over-the-counter and prescription brands across the pharmaceutical giant’s sectors. Within each of the divisions he worked, Esterow was instrumental in building and expanding the base of company and brand advocates through the development of strategic partnerships with consumers, healthcare professionals, and other key influencers. He also worked closely with business leaders to provide strategic counsel and focused leadership during uncertain times, helping ensure organizational readiness for a number of potential and emerging U.S. and global issues. While at J&J, Esterow received numerous awards in recognition of innovation, customer focus, teamwork, diversity, and leadership.
 
In addition to mentoring tenant companies at CCIT, Esterow is currently providing counsel, writing, and executing programs on behalf of a number of healthcare clients. He can be reached directly at gesterow@gmail.com.
 
Esterow earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alfred University.
 
@NJEDATech spoke to Esterow about the EIR Program:
 
Why did you choose to apply to the Executive-in-Residence program?
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to lead, and collaborate with others, in driving business impact and customer engagement through effective communications and stakeholder management. I applied to the EIR program because I feel that the breadth and depth of my background and experiences can be of assistance to these start-up and small companies in helping them to establish and grow their businesses, and can help them develop relationships with key influencers. I also saw it as a wonderful opportunity to network with the other EIRs and the broader life sciences community.
 
 What do you hope to get out of this Executive-in-Residence program?
 I would like to work with as many of the CCIT tenants as possible to understand their needs and help them develop and implement impactful communications strategies that will create value for them and their key stakeholders. Additionally, I hope to expand my own network within the healthcare and life sciences community.
 
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve heard over the years that you hope to impart on these emerging life sciences companies?
These two pieces of advice have been at my desk side for years and have inspired me both personally and professionally:
 
“You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take” (Wayne Gretzky) — CCIT tenants are already on this path, but it is a great reminder to continue to experiment and cultivate new ideas. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and have the inner confidence to take prudent risks and learn from experience.
 
“…you must be very careful not to just go down a road because you had planned to.” (Katherine Hepburn) — Be comfortable in understanding and recognizing that sometimes change to an agreed upon plan is necessary if it is in the best interest of the enterprise. Remain focused under ambiguous and complex circumstances and work well with others in leading and managing change when it is needed.
 
What is the next challenge you want to undertake in your career?
I am in the midst of that challenge now — looking to find my next opportunity, whether it be in a senior leadership role with a new organization or by doing more hands-on, senior level counseling and execution work with a variety of clients.
 
Over the years, I have helped build and strengthen the role of the communications function as an essential business partner, and have developed a reputation for building strategic partnerships that have played important roles in enhancing, protecting, and preserving brand and company reputations. Having the opportunity to do these things in healthcare has given me great personal and professional satisfaction.  I hope the future will provide me with more chances to continue working with organizations and individuals who share my enthusiasm for and commitment to making a difference in the lives of patients and the healthcare professionals they depend on for care.  
 
To learn more about the EIR Program, visit https://www.njeda.gov/eir and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority's next public Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the EDA offices at 36 West State Street, Trenton. A copy of the proposed agenda can be found prior to the meeting at www.njeda.gov/Board. Following the Board Meeting, minutes and the full agenda will also be available at www.njeda.gov/Board.