NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka was honored by the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s (AACCNJ) annual “Women Who Empower” awards event.
Siekerka was honored in the Community & Economic Development category, joining fellow nominees Tai Cooper, Chief Community Development Officer, NJEDA; Patricia Perkins-Auguste (Councilwoman at Large, City of Elizabeth); Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (19th Legislative District); and Michele Word (Supplier Diversity Manager, Burns & McDonnell).
“We are pleased to recognize Michele this year along with the other distinguished group of accomplished women,” said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ.
“Michele is one of the hardest-working, results-driven people I know. Her commitment to excellence and her perseverance sets her apart from many of the leaders in her industry, which makes her worthy of this recognition.”
Earlier this week, NJBIA and AACCNJ entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to drive diversity and inclusion in workforce development, employment advancement, corporate boards and suppliers through a formalized pledge signed by New Jersey executives.
The CEO Pledge established by the two groups will call for lead executives to commit to a set of diversity and inclusion-related goals and be scored by a collaborative workgroup on a series of metrics to ensure progress on those goals are being met on a quarterly basis.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the AACCNJ,” Siekerka said. “I have known John for over 20 years and respect and admire him and the work of the Chamber. I am also proud to stand alongside him together as we now set the table for New Jersey’s executives to not just to come together to talk, but to act and be held accountable for moving the diversity needle in New Jersey.”
