The Edge for October 2026
We asked N.J. Chamber members to tell us their strategies for managing a team. How do they motivate and empower employees without micromanaging or discouraging them? See their answers below.
An open-door policy isn’t enough
Leadership starts with showing up and listening. I’ve always believed that having an open-door policy isn’t enough. You have to create reasons for people to walk through it. At Bergen New Bridge, I host “Dine with Debbie” forums for all employees to meet with me. I also hold town forums and write a weekly CEO letter for all employees. We celebrate the wins with a “CEO I made a difference” program. We’ve invested in mentorship and leadership development programs, and developed academic partnerships for internships. These aren’t just programs. They’re opportunities to build relationships, discover talent, hear new ideas, and help people grow into leaders.
— Deborah Visconi, President & CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
Invest in people, and the results will come
The most important part of leadership is building talented teams around you. It’s about the long game: when you invest in people, the results come. In my 23 years at Bank of America, I have always championed mentorship. When young people have access to mentors and real career experiences, the impact reaches far beyond the individual.
— Alberto Garofalo, President, Bank of America New Jersey
Combine the ‘why’ and the ‘how’
Effective leadership begins by helping individuals understand why we do our work. I focus on creating a shared vision, clear mission, and values that guide decision-making and connect individual contributions to a larger goal. By combining the “why” with the “how,” with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, I empower my teams to strive for excellence without needing micromanagement. Together, we experiment and iterate to ever higher levels of success. Recognizing achievements and expressing gratitude for their efforts fosters a thriving organization.
— Michael Zwick, Senior Vice President for Research, Rutgers University
Establish trust and encourage independence
The most effective leaders don't simply manage performance; they build confidence, encourage independence and empower people to succeed on their own. My approach is to establish trust, give team members ownership of their work and create an environment where they feel comfortable making decisions and learning from mistakes. I believe in being accessible and providing guidance when needed, but also knowing when to step back and let people find their own way. Ultimately, my greatest satisfaction as a manager comes from watching people grow in confidence, develop their own leadership skills and accomplish things they may not have believed they could.
— Randy Stodard, Chief Marketing Officer, Delta Dental of New Jersey
Know when to step back and let them lead
Leadership starts with trust and creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. I believe in giving associates ownership and the space to apply their strengths, while setting clear expectations and providing candid feedback and encouragement along the way. I also make it a priority to recognize achievements and celebrate progress. Ultimately, good leadership means knowing when your team needs your support and when to step back and let them lead.
— Trish Tangradi, Director Operational Readiness, AmeriHealth
Set expectations and give people room to get there
At the NJCPA, we focus on setting clear expectations, then giving people enough room to decide how to get there. We strive for collaboration, which encourages everyone to share ideas, ask questions and consider how their decisions affect colleagues. Open lines of communication help us address problems early and offer support without hovering. We also make a point of recognizing contributions and treating mistakes as opportunities to learn. We know that trust grows when people feel respected, are heard and are accountable for work they take pride in.
— Don Meyer, Chief Growth Officer, NJCPA
Responses for this article were edited for space and clarity.
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- Lessons That Business Executives Wish They Learned Sooner
- Smartphone Apps that Give Execs an Edge
- The Business Books NJ Executives are Reading, and the Lessons They are Learning
- How NJ Companies Are Building Healthier Workplaces Without Losing Productivity
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Newsmakers
Amy Mansue, CEO of Inspira Health, has announced that she will retire at the end of 2026. Her six-year tenure has been widely recognized for expanding regional health care access, strengthening workforce wellness initiatives, and guiding the network through significant periods of growth across its hospitals and outpatient facilities. Upon her departure, current president and COO Warren Moore is set to step into the role as the system’s next president and CEO effective in January 2027.
United Methodist Communities has named Bob Peterson interim president and CEO, following Mark Lenhard’s resignation. United Methodist Communities is a nonprofit that runs nine senior facilities offering independent, residential, and assisted living.
Hackensack Meridian Health and Hunterdon Health have signed a definitive agreement for Hunterdon to join the Hackensack Meridian network. The deal was unanimously approved by both organizations’ boards of trustees.
RWJBarnabas Health has donated $1 million to United Community Corporation to help sustain its Roseville Avenue emergency shelter in Newark for at least three years and double the capacity of its medical respite program.
Atlantic Health System has received a $5 million pledge from New Jersey philanthropists Bruce I. Jacobs and Kenneth N. Levy, the largest research donation in the health system’s history. The gift establishes an endowment at the Atlantic Health Clinical Research and Innovation Institute to provide annual funding for oncology research and discoveries.
Valley Bank has named Brendan Walsh senior vice president and regional president for middle-market banking in New Jersey.
Amazon plans to hire more than 300,000 workers in the U.S. for the holiday season, its first increase in seasonal recruitment in three years. The company, which hired 250,000 workers during each of the past three holiday seasons, is recruiting for seasonal, part-time and full-time positions across its U.S. operations.
Kean University Associate Professor Moitrayee Chatterjee has received a two-year award of nearly $900,000 from NASA to develop artificial intelligence technology that could help autonomous rovers navigate the moon, Mars and beyond while expanding research opportunities for Kean students.
Rutgers University has been selected to host New Jersey’s new Social Media Research Center as part of Gov. Sherrill’s Kids’ Online Safety initiative. The center will receive a $500,000 grant from the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to study the effects of social media use, addictive platform features and emerging mental health risks facing children and adolescents.
Artificial intelligence can level the playing field for small businesses, but only for the ones that keep up. That was one of the big takeaways from Montclair State University’s 3rd annual New Jersey Small Business Summit. The Summit, sponsored by M&T Bank, tackled inflation, tariffs, AI and a four-generation workforce.
The Thomas Edison State University Foundation has received a $10,000 Finish-Line Scholarship Grant from the Carolyn Jane Scott Charitable Trust. The funding will help low- to moderate-income undergraduate and graduate students overcome unexpected financial barriers when they are within six credits of completing their degrees.
Rowan University has partnered with Union Plus to expand access to higher education for about 15 million union members and their families nationwide. The agreement connects participants with more than 65 degree, certificate and professional development programs through Rowan Online. Founded by the AFL-CIO in 1986, Union Plus is the consumer benefits organization for union families.
Merck & Co. has agreed to pay up to $2.1 billion to Shanghai-based SciBrunch Therapeutics for global rights to develop, manufacture and sell an experimental cancer drug. The oral treatment targets a common cancer-driving mutation found in pancreatic, colorectal and lung cancers.
Joe DeCotiis, managing partner of DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, was named a recipient of the 2026 Bergen County Italian American Heritage Month Outstanding Community Service Award.
Connell Foley appointed Alexa Salcito co-chair of its Labor & Employment Law Group as the firm seeks to grow and meet client needs.
JAG Physical Therapy has relocated its Englishtown and Red Bank clinics to upgraded facilities nearby, expanding space for physical therapy services. The Englishtown clinic moved to 45 Route 520, while the Red Bank location is now at 268 Broad St. Both facilities offer general and specialized rehabilitation services, including orthopedic, spine and sports medicine care.
Public relations firm MikeWorldWide is marking its 40th anniversary. Founded in 1986, the independent communications agency employs about 300 people across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
