Oftentimes pieces written about working women focus on stories of personal strife and perseverance as they battle their way through prejudice to move forward in their careers. While those stories are important, they frequently focus on the journey without celebrating the end result of those journeys–the lessons learned, careers nurtured and triumphs earned.
Our annual female-leader spotlight seeks to do just that by speaking with local female business owners and leaders to learn more about their professional lives, celebrate their successes and reflect on their careers. These eight women come from a variety of industries, from housing and law to finance and more, but they all have one thing in common: They are strong business women with a heart for others.
Denise Viola Monahan
Executive Vice President, Wilmington Trust Wealth Management
Monahan is a proven leader currently serving as market president for the Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey Regions of Wilmington Trust Wealth Management, a member of the M&T Family. Prior to joining Wilmington Trust this past year, she was the market leader for commercial banking with M&T in Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. Monahan is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and has been in corporate and private banking her entire professional career. Monahan is an active member of her community and has received numerous personal and professional awards, including the Presidential Service Award from the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey, the Woman of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts of Central/Southern New Jersey, and both the Alumni Professional Achievement Award and Lannon Leadership Award from Saint Joseph's University.
On her greatest strength…
My greatest strength is the energy, dedication and strategic skillset that I have continued to nurture and deploy each day in my professional and career journey.
Her female role model…
My female role model will always be my mother. She taught and instilled in me the values and qualities that continue to make me the best version of myself. My mom showed me the definition of being selfless and what it means to be a person who is humble, inclusive, grateful and kind.
Anne E. Koons
Realtor, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Fox & Roach, REALTORS
Whether it is helping families buy or sell their dream home or developing millions of square feet in industrial and commercial properties, there is no other name you need to know in the real estate market in New Jersey than Anne E. Koons. For more than 40 years, Koons has been helping connect families and businesses alike to make sure they find their perfect space.
Her most impactful professional achievement…
While professional recognition is always appreciated, it has been the impact I have been able to make helping organizations throughout the South Jersey community that has made the most difference. Whether serving on the Cooper Foundation board or supporting students at St. Joe’s Pro-Cathedral in Camden, giving back to the communities where I help people realize their dreams has always been the most impactful.
On her hopes for the future…
These are changing times in our industry, but I think it is most important that we don’t lose sight of the traditional values that have helped us gain the trust of our clients in the first place. Our clients deserve a future where they are treated with more professionalism.
The most important lesson she’s learned…
In life and business, all you have is your word. In an extremely competitive market, I have learned that cutting corners can lead to problems between agents and clients. Recognition and opportunities will come and go, but honesty, integrity and professionalism can guide you through the most challenging times to help people realize their dreams.
Simone Bryerman
President and CEO, Proshred Southern New Jersey
Bryerman started out as a print designer, which later led her to opening her own design and print business in London. After selling her business, getting married and moving to the UNited States, Bryerman enjoyed time with her children as a stay-at-home mother for a time. Eventually, Byrerman and her husband Howard opened the Southern New Jersey Proshred location. With her husband gainfully employed elsewhere at the time, it was up to Bryerman to grow the business. In the 10 years since they’ve opened, they have not only added Proshred Delaware but also have grown from one to four shredding trucks. She is now fully joined by her husband, who has come on board as Proshred’s full-time CFO.
The most important lesson she’s learned…
Having gone from printing paper to shredding paper, it has become apparent that if you employ good staff and provide good services and value for your clients, a business will grow and prosper.
On her greatest strength…
I have learned to delegate and promote staff. This allows me to focus on growing my business rather than getting caught up in the minutia of day-to-day issues. If you don’t learn to delegate, you will be stretched too thin to take a business to the next level and to be the most productive. It seems obvious, but it is a learned skill.
Suzanne Bogan Martinelli
Founder and CEO, NJ Health Hospice and Palliative Care
Martinelli is an industry leader in the health and beauty industry. As the founder and CEO of NJ Health Hospice, Palliative and Primary Care, Martinelli serves those in South Jersey. The hometown company provides care to patients and families throughout their health care journey. Martinelli is also an inventor, and she holds not only three U.S. patents but also two U.S. trademarks.
Her female role model…
My female role model is my 94-year-old mother. While raising eight children, she always made time to help anyone who was in need, especially those who were disabled or less fortunate. She exemplifies what it means to be kind, generous and joyful.
On her greatest strength…
My greatest strength is my curiosity and perceptiveness to identify needs and opportunities in places where no one else is looking. My passion, enthusiasm and sheer determination drive me to develop a creative approach to an everyday problem.
Kym Leiby
Business Developer, The Lerepco IT Group
Leiby started her career at a prestigious global financial brokerage house in Central Jersey. It was there that she discovered her passion for sales, working alongside supportive colleagues with strong Wall Street connections. Leiby then transitioned into health and life insurance marketing for credit unions in both Philadelphia and Greater Delaware. She went on to found and run her own insurance agency for several years before taking time away to raise her children. When she returned to work, Leiby joined a global professional services company that helps organizations enhance performance by managing risk, financials and people. Now, at Lerepco IT, she drives sales with the same passion she discovered early on and is focused on expanding back into the risk-management area.
Her female role model…
My female role model is Madam C.J. Walker, (Dec. 23, 1867-May 25, 1919) who was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Record as the first female self-made millionaire in America. Walker grew a successful hair-care and cosmetics business from the ground up, and used her position to create opportunities and advocate for other Black women.
The most important lesson she’s learned…
Patience, persistence, never quit and to have confidence in yourself. It’s important to have the patience to persevere through challenges and the persistence to keep working toward our goals, even when things get tough. Never give up, and love and embrace who you are in every season. Remember that self-care is very important: You cannot give if your cup is empty.
Eileen Wirth
President & CEO, MEND Inc.
Wirth has focused her career on affordable and subsidized housing. Wirth got her start at the NJ State Housing Finance Agency and, in the ensuing 30 years, advanced her career through positions at both for-profit and nonprofit housing developers and managers. Wirth earned her B.C.S. with a concentration in Finance and MBA from Rider University; in addition to her MBA, Wirth holds the Certified Property Manager designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management, the Housing Credit Compliance Professional designation from the National Association of Home Builders, and Specialist in Housing Credit Management and National Affordable Housing Professional Executive designations from the National Affordable Housing Management Association.
On her hopes for the future…
Due to the ongoing shortage and poor public perception of affordable housing, my hope for the future is that the development of affordable housing is welcomed and reaches a level where there is no longer a shortage of affordable homes in any location.
The most important lesson she’s learned…
Certainly in the top three is that maintaining a balance in life is critical. No matter how passionate someone may be about their work, it’s just that—work. If there are personal issues that impact productivity, as a leader it is important to recognize and be empathetic to these challenges. By allowing flexibility in scheduling and enabling matters outside the office to not be a distraction, that allows your team to focus on work while they’re at work.
Dawn Kaplan
Co-Founder, Weinberg, Kaplan & Smith
Kaplan has substantial trial experience in family law matters, including divorce, dissolution of civil unions and domestic partnerships, child custody, child support, equitable distribution, premarital agreements and domestic violence. Her clients include homemakers, business owners, high-net-worth individuals and professionals.
Her most impactful professional achievement…
Opening Weinberg, Kaplan & Smith with my best friend and partner Amy Smith and then having Michael Weinberg join us is my most significant professional achievement. We have created a firm that provides personalized legal services and fosters a supportive team environment. By establishing a firm built on integrity and quality, we have been able to directly impact our clients’ lives with positive outcomes.
The most important lesson she’s learned…
As a family law attorney, the most valuable lesson I've learned is the power of empathy. Recognizing the emotional hurdles my clients face empowers me to provide compassionate and effective representation. I put this lesson into practice by actively listening, offering tailored solutions and maintaining a supportive atmosphere throughout the legal process. This practical application ensures my clients feel heard and valued, leading to better outcomes and a more positive experience during challenging times.
On her greatest strength…
My greatest strength as a family law attorney is my firsthand understanding of the emotional and practical complexities involved in divorce. My personal insight allows me to connect deeply with clients, providing compassionate, insightful representation.
Jo-Ann Weiner, EA, CFE, CTRS, NTPI Fellow
Founder, J. L. Weiner & Associates, LLC
Her most impactful professional achievement…
I took my knowledge, skills, abilities and experience from working at the IRS for 35 years to start J. L. Weiner & Associates. I started a forensic tax accounting firm.to help others both resolve tax controversy issues and figure out difficult matrimonial financial issues. Based on the nature of my work in the Special Enforcement and Grand Jury arena at the IRS, I studied and sat for the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) exam: I passed it and became a licensed CFE, in addition to already being a licensed Enrolled Agent. I was able to apply my skills in tax controversy to help others resolve IRS or State challenges. As a CFE, my practice consists of resolving business litigations and matrimonial matters.
Her female role model…
In 2012, the 15-year-old Pakistani girl Malala Yousafzai—who was vocal in expressing her beliefs in girls’ rights to an education—was riding home on a school bus when a Taliban shooter got on and shot her in her face for the “crime” of that belief. After the shooting, she faced several surgeries, but she lived. Ever since, Malala has been recognized for her courage and hope: Despite dangers to her life, she refused to be anonymous. She went on to be the Nobel Peace Prize’s youngest recipient. Malala inspires me because of her courage, her continued advocacy for education and women and girls’ rights, and because she values truth, justice, forgiveness, and equality.
Click here to subscribe to the free digital editions of South Jersey Biz.
To read the digital edition of South Jersey Biz, click here.
Published (and copyrighted) in South Jersey Biz, Volume 14, Issue 6 (June 2024).
For more info on South Jersey Biz, click here.
To subscribe to South Jersey Biz, click here.
To advertise in South Jersey Biz, click here.
