The 7th Annual Save Jersey “Right” Women to Watch List highlights non-elected female leaders up and down the state, leading organizations and in their communities.
Now in its seventh year, my hope is that readers will take note of the powerful changemakers and future officeholders on this list who advocate for a freer Garden State for all. Some of these women are bold visionaries breaking barriers in public policy and others are rising stars on the campaign trail or making news.
Spread the word:
- Alex Wilkes is a successful political consultant, commentator for the NJ Globe’s Stomping Grounds, and Communications Director for NJGOP where she guides messaging for the state’s top Republican candidates.
- Alexis Bailey is a lobbyist for Public Strategies Impact, a staple firm representing clients in Trenton. Bailey moved over from the NJ Business & Industry Association this past September.
- Ali Stienstra is a veteran fundraiser and kitchen cabinet advisor to Senate Republican Leader Tony Bucco. She has experience fundraising for campaigns up and down the ballot, as well as executing high dollar events.
- Alyssa Dawson is Chief of Staff for Senator Holly Schepisi. She wears several hats, including as a third-year law student, advocate for reducing stigma around mental health, and a living kidney donor.
- Amanda Esposito ran in the competitive LD-4 race for Assembly. While unsuccessful, she is on the radar for a future run as a strong candidate and leader. Esposito is an educator and outspoken about the importance of parental rights.
- Ashley Smith was promoted to Managing Director of Jersey 1st, a grassroots organization fighting for lower taxes and a freer state, where she grew the internship program to a successful pipeline of more than thirty-five emerging free market leaders each of the past two summers.
- Caroline Casagrande is the Executive Director of Government Relations for Adult Education for Stride Inc., where she advocates for workforce development through EdTech. Casagrande brings her experience as a former legislator and pragmatic approach to her leadership in education policy.
Danielle Zanzalari
- Danielle Zanzalari is an Assistant Economics Professor at Seton Hall University and a contributor to the Garden State Initiative, New Jersey’s free market think tank. Zanzalari is building a brand as a thought leader to “Save Jersey” through pension reform and researching tough economic issues.
- Deidre Koczur ran for Cranford Township Committee as a fresh voice for township residents, opposed to corporate welfare for developers. While unsuccessful in the general, Koczur has a bright future as a strong candidate for local office.
- Elizabeth Nader wears many hats as a Jersey 1st Board Member, host of the Nader Narrative, Chair of the Common Sense PAC, and Co-Founder of First Day PR. She’s in Bill Spadea’s inner circle.
- Elyssa Webber is the Senior Manager of Special Projects and Events at the State Policy Network, the country’s largest association of free market think tanks. Webber can be seen partnering alongside think tank executives to build impactful, sustainable organizations.
- Erin Darreff is District Director for Congressman Tom Kean, Jr., managing the operation in the competitive 7th
- Grace Zhang ran for the NJ Assembly in LD-16 to lower taxes and reduce wasteful spending, and while unsuccessful, she is on the radar for a future run for elected office.
- Jeanette Hoffman Henne is a political commentator, veteran media strategist, and staple in the New Jersey State House.
- Katie Gibbs is the Deputy Director for the Engineers Labor-Employer Coorperative and played a key role in several South Jersey races this past cycle.
- Kristen Cobo is a fierce parental rights advocate and super mom.
- Lauren Casper, the Finance Director for Senator Mike Testa, is a digital fundraising expert and kitchen cabinet advisor to #TeamTesta.
- Liz Hedden was a candidate for Clinton Town Council, taking on a powerful Democrat establishment in a swing town.
- Liz Parlett Butcher is an Associate Director for Rare Disease, Patient Advocacy, and Communications for Kyowa Kirin, Inc., bringing her years of experience in special education advocacy.
Marcela Crossman
- Marcela Barrezueta-Crossman is the Chairwoman of the Jersey 1st Board, an accomplished finance executive, and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
- Megan Moench, the Bridgewater GOP Chairwoman, is also founder of Dreaming Tree Consulting, fundraising for local candidates.
- Melanie Collette is the Director of Community Engagement for LD-1 and regulator political commentator for Newsmax. She’s also a county commissioner-elect in Cape May County so she’ll likely move to the “honorable mentions” list next year!
- Michelle Purdy is President of the Galloway GOP and has been a great advocate, raising money, and getting candidates elected in Atlantic County.
- Nicole Davidman may call FL home, but she is the lead Republican fundraiser in South Jersey’s competitive LD-2 and a NJ native.
- Nicole Saphier is a board-certified diagnostic and interventional radiologist, as well as a notable Fox News political commentator and thought leader. You can find her across the media, discussing the COVID pandemic and intersection of medicine and public policy.
- Regina Egea is the President of the Garden State Initiative, an “independent research and educational organization dedicated to promoting new investment, innovation and economic growth in New Jersey”.
- Reina Smrdelj is a Legislative Analyst for the New Jersey Assembly Republican Office, where you can find her breaking down the hot issues in Trenton on YouTube and building a red meat brand for the caucus.
- Rosemary Becchi is President of Jersey 1st, a free market grassroots organization, where she leads an army of activists to advocate for lower taxes and greater education opportunities for NJ families. She brings decades of experience as a tax attorney and staffer on the Hill.
- Rosy Thakkar, known for her inclusive leadership style, is the Montgomery GOP Chairwoman and on the radar for a future run for elected office after a brief candidacy for for the Assembly in LD-16.
- Samantha DeAlmeida Roman is President of Associated Builders & Contractors of New Jersey, the trade association for merit shops leading the charge for worker freedom in the Garden State.
- through 33. Stacy Shuster, Kathy Hugin, and Laura Overdeck lead the Women for a Stronger New Jersey PAC, “working to grow the number of women serving in elected office at the state and local level by building a diverse network of moderate Republican and Independent women throughout the state and expanding the pool of women considering public office.”
- Sydney Ugalde, Founder and President of The Biscayne Group, consults for local candidates on how to run and win.
Theresa Velardi
- Theresa Velardi is Executive Director for NJGOP, where she strategizes to rebuild the Republican Party and voter base in the Garden State. She is on the radar for a future run for elected office.
- Theresa Winegar, Deputy Political Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee, is a veteran political operative and asset for Republicans in Congress in the Northeast.
- Tracy Tomasso is the Vice President of Infrastructure for Stand Together, where she leads behind-the-scenes infrastructure for the expanding free market chamber of commerce and its affiliates across the country.
- Amanda Stone-Maraldo is the Government Affairs Director of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association.
- Melinda Ciattarelli, wife of gubernatorial candidate and 2021 nominee Jack Ciattarelli, is reportedly stepping out on her own and weighing a 2024 U.S. Senate candidacy.
- Madi Valenziano is emerging as a top fundraising consultant in New Jersey Republican circles.
- Amanda Woloshen Glass is a veteran operative for Checkmate Strategies, the campaign consultancy of Chris Russell and formerly New York Congressman Mike Lawler.
Honorable Mentions
The Republican Women of the New Jersey State Legislature:
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- Senator Holly Schepisi
- Senator Jean Stanfield
- Senator Kristin Corrado
- Assemblywoman Aura Dunn
- Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer
- Assemblywoman Bethanne McCarthy Patrick
- Assemblywoman Claire Swift
- Assemblywoman DeAnne DeFuccio
- Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove
- Assemblywoman Kim Eulner
- Assemblywoman Marilyn Piperno
- Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis
- Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz
- Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn
- Assemblywoman-Elect Dawn Fantasia
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The list is in alphabetical order to honor the accomplishments of all these powerful women. It was curated with recommendations from many insiders, activists, and other doers from around the state.
