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Enterprises that innovate, disrupt, break molds and showcase the energy, talent, intellect and perseverance of women as business leaders.

HarrisonRand

Daryl Harrison Rand, the president and CEO of public relations, marketing and media production studio HarrisonRand, started working with her father, Harold Harrison, in 1972 at the advertising business he founded in the 1940s.

She is a member of the Advertising Hall of Fame of New Jersey, has been honored by NJBIZ as one of the Best 50 Women in Business and was an honoree in the first NJBIZ ICON Awards program.

She was also the first woman to serve as chair of the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce in the organization’s 137-year history.

“We built HarrisonRand to be purpose-driven with the needs of our community and collective future in mind,” the company says on its website. “Part traditional agency and part new media production studio, our vision is to empower organizations of all sizes for the long haul with the expert insight, compelling content, and nimble strategy needed for an ever-changing world.”

Based in Jersey City, the firm has done work for its hometown and the Jersey City Medical Center, along with Jewish Family Services of Northern NJ and other clients. Daryl’s two sons, Jason and David, now also play key roles in the firm.

Hudson Reporting & Video Inc.

Woodbridge-based Hudson Reporting is a full-service, nationwide court reporting and litigation support agency serving top law firms, corporate legal departments and insurance carriers.

The company offers a wide range of services, including court reporting, legal videography, transcription, virtual depositions and interpreter coordination. Known for its responsiveness, reliability and white-glove service, Hudson prioritizes seamless scheduling, fast turnaround times and unmatched attention to detail.

Founded in 1998 by Geeta Sundrani, Hudson says that what differentiates it is not just the quality of its work, but the relationships it builds with clients — many of whom turn to it for complex and high-stakes litigation matters. Sundrani has more than 30 years of experience in the court reporting industry and is member of the National Court Reporters Association and the New York State Court Reporters Association.

According to the company, its reporters are supported onsite by videographers, technical staff, and others who provide timely and accurate information and support for additional services.

“On any given day we could have a number of carefully selected certified court reporters covering hearings, witness testimony and other depositions in San Francisco, Minneapolis, New York, or any other place in the country or abroad that your case takes you,” the company says. “We have covered jobs in Sweden, the U.K., China, Australia, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Malaysia and Mexico.”

Joetta Sports and Beyond

Founded more than three decades ago by four-time U.S. Olympic track team member Joetta Clark Diggs, Joetta Sports & Beyond LLC delivers high-impact programs in leadership, wellness and personal development serving Fortune 500 companies, top universities, municipalities and school districts nationwide.

Diggs is the daughter of Joe and Jetta Clark – her name is a combination of the two. Joe Clark was the principal of Paterson Eastside High School who famously roamed the halls of the school with a bullhorn and was played by Morgan Freeman in the biopic Lean on Me.

As an author, speaker and entrepreneur, Diggs seeks to empower audiences through customized keynotes, executive workshops and community-based initiatives, such as JoTyme Fitness and Head 2 Toe Fitness which have been adopted by cities, recreation departments and youth organizations across the country.

According to the company, Diggs, has the ability to energize audiences and inspire them to overcome challenges. She weaves her own life story into the fabric of daily life, emphasizing the importance of avoiding complacency, striving for excellence and making a positive impact on the world.

And Diggs remains and elite athlete.

In June, she set a new U.S. record for Masters Women (age 60-64) in the 100-meter dash with a time of 13:43.

Joyleaf

Co-owned by Dharshini Casinathen, Joyleaf is a recreational dispensary that approaches the retail experience in a way that allows customers to engage with cannabis comfortably and with empowerment. Besides providing customers with an environment where they can find the best product for their needs, the company hosts education-focused events designed to destigmatize the substance.

For example, to mark Mother’s Day last, Joyleaf welcomed “cannamoms” and a family member of their choice, age 21 and up, for a joint-rolling class, massages and education about the plant’s benefit.

Since Casinathen opened Joyleaf in December 2023 with Jason Ackerman, founder and former CEO of online grocery delivery service FreshDirect, customers have praised its vast selection, affordable prices, quality products, level of employee knowledge and efficient service.

Along with gaining a reputation as a trusted destination, Joyleaf was named Best New Business 2024 by the Roselle Chamber of Commerce and earned over 1,000 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. It serves a customer base that ranges from 21-to-96 years old who seek the right product for better sleep, relaxation, medicinal needs or a good time.

Casinathen, a certified cannabis sommelier and CPA with over 20 years of experience at companies including PepsiCo and KPMG Canada, began her passion and advocacy for cannabis as a medical patient.

Kessler PR Group

Karen Kessler, perhaps the most prominent crisis communications expert in the country, founded this public relations firm and leads it as CEO.

Kessler is the person to see when chief executives, politicians, health care systems, educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, the state’s most prominent law firms and plenty of others find themselves in the headlines for the wrong reasons.

But there is more to the firm. Kessler and her team, which includes veteran communications expert and former mayor of Frenchtown Warren Cooper, tackle white-collar cases; corporate mergers; executive transitions; Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission and  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issues; and more.

The firm continues to expand, with domestic clients in Washington, D.C., and the West Coast, and international clients across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

With the White House and Congress determined to shake things up, demand for Kessler’s PR, crisis communications and reputation management expertise will likely rise even more, particularly in regulated industries, labor and employment and the pharma sector.

But despite rapid growth, Kessler says one thing won’t change: “Our work is always about our clients, and never about us. We operate in the background.”

Lane Innovations

Based in Millstone, Lane Innovations is the company behind the Rinseroo brand, led by Lisa Lane, an inventor with five patents to her name. The company posted 2024 revenue of $4.75 million and earlier this year scored an investment on the ABC reality competition show “Shark Tank.”

“Running my own business is a source of immense joy, where I demonstrate daily that women excel in business, inspire innovation, secure patents and lead with determination,” Lane says. “In fields like entrepreneurship and e-commerce, traditionally dominated by men, women currently own only 10% of patents, underscoring the challenges we face. Despite this, we are making significant strides and reshaping these industries. I am honored to be part of a movement of trailblazers—women who defy expectations!”

Rinseroo is a patented slip-on hose attachment that can temporarily connect to showerheads and faucets without installation. By turning any water source into a hassle-free rinsing tool, Lane says her product can help with anything from cleaning the sink to washing a dog. She was inspired to create a solution while at her crowded beach house. With 15 people and four dogs, she spent more time scrubbing and filling buckets than relaxing.

“I had no background in manufacturing when I had my idea for my first product but knew that I was on to something great. What makes me especially proud is that I figured it all out, brought my idea to fruition and also grew it into a thriving company. Many patents don’t succeed financially. We’ve defied the odds…”

Lee & Associates – WBE

With locations throughout the state, Elmwood Park-based Lee & Associates – WBE is the regional operation of Lee & Associates – and is 100% owned by Lee & Associates brokers. In New Jersey, with President Jessica Vasil at the helm, the team combines a commitment to excellence with the strength and support of Lee & Associates’ national, privately owned commercial real estate services platform. That network, dating to 1979, comprises more than 80 North American office locations and 1,500-plus professionals.

Lee & Associates – WBE launched last year, transitioning from the Lee & Associates New Jersey banner. When it did so, the move established the largest Woman-Owned Business Enterprise commercial real estate brokerage in the New York metro area, according to the firm. It also marked the only national brand with a WBE-designated operation.

In its capabilities statement, Lee & Associates – WBE details the edge its women-owned backing supports: “Diversity and inclusivity lie at the heart of our mission. We understand that supplier diversity is not just a checkbox—it’s a strategic imperative that drives innovation, fosters economic growth, and enhances corporate reputation.”

Earlier this month, the team arranged a full-building industrial lease (+151,000 square feet) on behalf of Brookfield Properties in Union.

ManyMoons

Self-described as America’s first circular retailer, ManyMoons in North Jersey aims to offer ethically produced clothing that helps save money, reduce waste and increase the efficiency of the entire clothing supply chain.

The EPA indentifies discarded clothing as the main source of textiles in municipal solid waste. In 2018, landfills received 11.3 million tons of MSW textiles that year, according to the agency.

Co-founded by CEO Carolyn Butler, ManyMoons grew out of her former shop, Borobabi in New York. That retail business sold and rented all sustainably sourced, organic and natural children’s clothing. Now rebranded, ManyMoons offers rescued (new with tags sourced from brand partners) and pre-loved items across baby, kids and women’s categories on its website. Supporting its commitment to circularity – a system that keeps resources in use for as long as possible in addition to recovering and regenerating products and materials to extract maximum value – ManyMoons is a certified B Corporation. According to the company, it is the first in the U.S. to compost its post-consumer clothing at commercial scale. The company incentivizes and encourages its circular mindset with a Give Back rewards program that allows customers to buy their products and return them at any time to earn a 20% credit.

Over its history, ManyMoons says it has averted more than 41,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions and saved 199,000 gallons of fresh water. In 2024, the company received a $3 million investment via the NJEDA’s Innovation Evergreen Fund.

Marketsmith Inc.

According to the company, Marketsmith Inc. is one of the largest woman-owned and operated independent media and marketing agencies nationwide.

The Whippany business, founded in 1999, operates with an enterprising approach that locks onto new media platforms and engages technology in pursuit of growth for its clients.

The collaborative company cites a dedication to long-term partnerships, with an average client tenure of eight years. Baked into Marketsmith’s mission is also a commitment to the communities it serves and operates in. The LGBTQ+-owned and operated business also celebrates diversity and seeks to promote an inclusive and fulfilling atmosphere for its team.

Founder and CEO Monica Smith leads the company. Participating in a panel discussion during NJBIZ’s 2024 Women’s Leadership Summit last summer, Smith spoke to the experience of owning and building her company.

“I think that everybody’s story is a little bit different on that side of things,” she said. “But if this is a panel about advice – my sense is that it’s never too late to tell your story and put things out there that allow you to optimally do what you want to do.

“And you know what, don’t feel badly if you love your job. Don’t feel bad if you love what you do – or if you are passionate about it.”

Mesob

A mesob is a Harari basket, used for storing Ethiopian flatbread. It’s also the fitting moniker for an eatery in Montclair serving up authentic cuisine. Launched in 2023 by co-owners and sisters Berekti Mengistu and Akberet “Aki” Mengistu, without any formal training or experience, Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant has become a local standard. A particularly notable feat if you consider the challenges – including Hurricane Ida and the COVID-19 pandemic – the business has had to weather.

“It took everything we had, but I’m glad we did that to get here,” Berekti Mengistu told NJBIZ earlier this year, recounting the lengths to which they went to launch—including selling her house and taking an early 401(k) withdrawal.

The Bloomfield Avenue business features 32 tables, with a centrally located one that can accommodate 15 guests. It promotes a communal and cheery atmosphere, while catering to multiple dietary concerns with vegetarian, vegan and meat-based options. And it earns rave reviews from diners, reflected in its four- and five-star ratings on Yelp.

As both a female restaurateur and immigrant, Berekti Mengistu told NJBIZ she believes there will always be those who doubt her ability as a business owner. “I don’t react. I don’t get emotional. I don’t get physical. … I just make sure I stand my ground and don’t let anybody make me smaller,” she said.

MZM Construction & Management Co. Inc.

Founded in Newark in 1992, MZM Construction & Management Co. Inc. is a full-service, certified women-owned business enterprise specializing in construction management and transportation.

MZM serves a variety of clients, from small to Fortune 500 companies, along with government agencies, nonprofits, educational institutions and others. Its specialties include construction and construction management, waste management and transportation. And MZM also provides motivational speaking and business training.

President and CEO Marjorie Perry is well-known in the business community. She’s praised for her innovative problem-solving and hands-on approach to business development as well as construction management. Since joining the company, which was a previous client of her former consulting business, she eventually became sole principal and CEO. “I bought out my partners in 1994 because they could no longer handle entrepreneurship,” Perry told NJBIZ in 2015. “The rest is my beginning.”

Notable projects under her leadership include New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, Delta Airlines at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Verizon, Continental Airlines and MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands.

In 2024, she was elected to the National Academy of Construction, a prestigious organization that recognizes distinguished leaders in the field of construction.
Also a leader in the community – and sought-after public speaker – Perry keynoted Berkeley College’s Women’s History Month Event this past March.

NPZ studio+

Founded by Paola Zamudio, who also serves as CEO and head designer, npz studio+ started as an interior design studio before evolving and emerging into the full-service creative agency that exists today. The company specializes in creative direction, branding, art direction, graphic design, social media and event planning.

Born in Colombia and raised in Miami, Zamudio settled in New York City and established her company in 2014. And you’re probably familiar with some of npz studio’s work.
Although it technically has its base in Brooklyn, npz studio operates extensively in New Jersey, and takes part in local events – for women and otherwise.

The firm is the lead interior designer and creative team behind Bell Works Holmdel and Bell Works Chicagoland, as well as the coLab coworking space at Bell Works. Other clients include Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp., Highpoint Properties, Silverstein Development, Icims and JGS Insurance.

Zamudio leads a team of women promoting inspiring work through design, research and innovation. Underlying all of that, according to the leader, is a shared goal to create spaces that inspire future generations, as well as incorporate wellness and the connection between physical and digital spaces.

The firm and Zamudio also seek to inspire and support women. Last year, npz studio was recognized with an NJBIZ Empowering Women award for doing just that. Its outreach includes a proprietary creative development program for individuals.

Palisade Capital Management LP

Based in Fort Lee, Palisade Capital Management LP is a registered investment adviser. It manages assets for both institutions and individuals across a range of services and products. Managing Partner, President and CEO Alison Berman leads the second-generation family-owned business, which is also a certified WBENC. “Being a women-owned business is both a point of pride and a responsibility. It means leading with a perspective shaped by inclusivity, resilience and long-term vision,” Berman said.

As of June 30, the 30-year-old company reports more than $4 billion in assets under management.

In the workplace, Palisade Capital Management supports women with mentorship and leadership development opportunities, as well as fostering a culture that values diverse voices, according to the company. In the community, Palisade says it supports women and initiatives that empower female entrepreneurs, professionals and students.

Among its recent accomplishments, the company pointed to expanding its leadership team and employee ownership group with diverse and talented professionals. In 2025, Palisades Capital Management earned distinction as a NJBIZ Best Places to Work winner (rankings will be revealed Sept.. 25 at iPlay America in Freehold). And CNBC recognized the company as one of the top 100 Financial Advisors four years in a row.

Its investment approach emphasizes long-term growth and downside mitigation, prioritizing a portfolio’s ability to weather market volatility without compromising owners’ future.

Progsit LLC

Founded in 2017 by Dominican-American technologist Betty Grullón, Progsit LLC is a certified woman-owned, veteran-owned and economically disadvantaged woman-owned small business government contracting firm. The Trenton-based company specializes in IT systems, software lifecycle support, cybersecurity and compliance. It works to build and integrate software tools that are specific to each clients’ needs.

Progsit says it has successfully delivered contracts for the U.S. Army and holds contract vehicles with the U.S. Navy along with two New Jersey state co-ops, enabling support for a range of public institutions. It also services the private sector.

As president at Prgosit, Grullón assists in identifying and bidding on potential contracts and subcontracts, manages the technical team and oversees software lifecycle support for projects.

According to the Progsit, its work blends innovation with heart to build a company culture rooted in service, accountability and meaningful results.

Active in the community, it took part in the New Jersey Business Action Center’s “Resources for Growth” event in May. “The staff supporting each table was friendly, easy to talk to, and very knowledgeable and eager to help,” Grullón said. Additionally, the business is a member of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.

Project for Empty Space

Arts organization Project for Empty Space includes exhibitions, artists residencies, public art initiatives, subsidized artist studios and artist professional/granting opportunities.

The business operates from its bases in culturally rich and art-intensive Newark as well as Brooklyn. Led by co-Directors Jasmine Wahi and Rebecca Pauline Jampol, PES’s partners include Bloomberg Philanthropies, Christie’s, Edison Properties, Express Newark, NJEDA and others.

Last year, PES received a grant from the City of Newark’s Creative Catalyst Fund to continue to foster and promote local arts and culture. And back in 2022, the group advised on and helped develop Audible’s Newark Artist Collaboration in the city. For the program, PES helped install a series of public art displays and installations throughout Newark to help catalyze commerce and creativity.

The organization describes itself as “woman-run, femme-powered, People of the Global Majority/BIPOC, Queer, and unapologetically intersectional.”

PES also puts on the Badass Art Woman Awards.

Coinciding with PES’s 15th anniversary, the theme of this year’s BAWA’s is La Resilience. The awards ceremony will take place Sept. 29 in New York City.

Retirewell Administrators Inc.

Based in Marlton, Retirewell Administrators Inc. is a national, independent third-party administrator and consulting firm with more than 85 years of cumulative experience. Its specialties include plan design, implementation and document services; third-party plan administration, annual compliance testing and government reporting; consulting services; and back office 401(k)/403(b) HR services.

With a team of 11, Linda Scialabba leads the 99%-women-owned business as president.

“The financial services arena is a male dominated field. As a woman, we are able to provide a more caring approach to our clients that stretches beyond numbers or words on a page,” she explains. “When a client is in need, we immediately jump in to help.”

That inclusive environment is bolstered and reaffirmed by the team at work. According to Retirewell, most of its hires are women. The company attracts working women due to its flexible hours and accommodations, such as remote work, flex days, and low-cost health insurance plans for employees and their families.

Amid broad changes, Scialabba says Retirewell persists. “With a recent ramp up at the IRS, we’ve had an increasing number of inquiries initiated by the IRS toward our clients. We are proud to say that we assist with responding to those requests immediately and accurately, therefore avoiding a full audit for our clients.”

ReturnQueen

Reverse logistics startup ReturnQueen offers a solution for both consumers and businesses when it comes to one of the biggest drawbacks to e-commerce: returns. Founded by Daphna Englard and Dasya Katz in 2021, the Ramsey-based app’s innovative service handles pickups, processing and returns – meaning it’s even more convenient than trekking out to a central drop-off location. Additionally, the company takes care of repackaging as well as handling refurbishment, recycling, warehousing and data analytics.

Its partners include Pudo Inc. – North America’s largest independent pick-up and drop-off network – along with Poshmark. Since teaming up with the fashion resale marketplace earlier this year, ReturnQueen users that miss a deadline to send back purchases can now seamlessly list the item for sale on Poshmark.

“At ReturnQueen, we’re always looking for ways to simplify the post-purchase experience for our users. … Plus, extending the life cycle of products through resale aligns with our commitment to more sustainable shopping solutions,” ReturnQueen Head of Partnerships Angela Blain noted at the time.

According to her LinkedIn, Katz currently serves as vice president of product. Meanwhile, Englard recently stepped down as CEO. Her husband, Michael Katz, assumed that role in January.

The app is available in both the Apple App Store and via Google Play; and the company operates nationwide.

Rizco

Founded in 2000 by Debra and Keith Rizzi, Rizco is a New Jersey-based award-winning marketing firm and proudly certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise.

As a brand-led marketing agency, Rizco specializes in design, marketing strategy, web development and print communications for a mix of businesses, nonprofits and institutions. Its client roster has included Boswell, WilkinGuttenplan, Gibbons, DCC and the New Jersey Hospital Association.

Rizco’s efforts toward empowering women earned the firm a 2024 NJBIZ Empowering Women award. The firm also emphasizes its internal wellness program: “MOVEment – Mindfulness, Opportunity, Vibrancy, Encouragement.”

In April, Rizco’s president and partner, Debra Rizzi, was appointed to the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. With over 25 years of experience in brand and strategic development, she brings a creative, forward-thinking lens to the Chamber’s mission, offering valuable insight at the intersection of business strategy, communication and community impact.

Rizzi – who has received numerous recognitions, including one of NJBIZ’s 50 Best Women in Business and a Forty Under 40 honoree  – said she believes the role will present “a meaningful opportunity to contribute to impactful dialogue and decision-making across the state.”

RoseComm

Based in Maplewood, strategic communications firm RoseComm Inc. helps clients uncover and share their messages with target audiences through storytelling. Those clients represent a swath of industries, and RoseComm is adept at handling the needs of emerging businesses, private companies, and established global or publicly traded businesses.

The firm specializes in media/influencer relations, social media strategy/execution, media research/competitive audits, message development, spokesperson training, editorial services/copywriting, trade show support, speaking engagement placement, event planning, crisis communications counsel and campaign measurement.

CEO Rosemary Ostmann founded the business in 2003. According to Ostmann, the issue that keeps her up at night is making sure the firm’s team members feel valued and fairly compensated. “A small business can rarely compete with a larger organization when it comes to salary and benefits. We are a team of strong people who care deeply about their work and produce award-winning campaigns. Keeping employees happy is the top priority.”

More than two decades in, RoseComm is still making progress. The firm passed the $2 million revenue milestone for the first time in 2023. Additionally, Ostmann recently earned the PR Professional of the Year distinction from the NJ Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and the Bulldog Awards PR Person Who Makes a Difference honor.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 1:06 p.m. EST Aug. 4, 2025, to note that RoseComm is now based in Maplewood. Additional updates made to Rizco’s entry at 9:56 a.m. EST Aug. 5, 2025, including location, agency description and client list.

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