The Force for Change Column will expand that celebration to showcase some of New Jersey’s finest citizens. I invite you to read about all of the innovative ways people and companies have shifted to make our state once again “Jersey Strong.” We will launch this important month by showcasing remarkable women that have a groundbreaking, game-changing innovations that are sure to inspire NJBIZ readers.

Let me start by telling you a little about my journey and why writing this column is so meaningful. LWE has recognized more than 600 of New Jersey’s best and brightest women over the past decade in an effort to raise the visibility platform for diverse leaders.

At the end of 2019, the Force for Change Conference was launched with Chaka Kahn, New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy, CNBC’s Sue Herrera and hundreds of attendees. No one could have ever imagined that it would be the last for a while.

Given this unprecedented time in history, we chose to also honor some of New Jersey’s amazing heroes and leaders through the newly established Force for Change Awards initiative. The Force for Change honorees included both the amazing leaders who have helped us through COVID over the past year and the future visionaries who made a significant shift to pave the way for a better future for New Jersey citizens, the nation and the world.

I’ve dedicated my entire professional career to meeting, networking, and shaking hands with thousands of people throughout the state. I have been able to showcase the state’s top trailblazers for the past decade at fabulous events with rooms filled with hundreds of decision-makers and influencers.

But that way of doing business came to a screeching halt in March with the arrival of the coronavirus – and let’s face it, the world is not likely to ever return exactly as it once was. Thankfully, technology has opened up new doors of opportunity and in many ways has helped us to expand our connections and increase our time efficiencies and effectiveness.

So I start a new journey with you. One that keeps us largely behind computer screens but does not dim the light of the awesomeness of the men and women we honor or the positive impact that they have made upon our great state.

Our first Force for Change interview is with Caroline Blazovsky, nationally recognized as America’s Healthy Home Expert.

Click here to read the full NJBIZ article: Heroes and leaders