Union County Women Mean Business

• The Power of Assertiveness – Communicate with Confidence and Impact -- Have you ever been told you’re too assertive—or not assertive enough? Tired of walking that fine line? In this interactive workshop, you’ll discover strategies to balance your assertiveness, shape the perception you want, and strengthen your professional relationships. Learn how to achieve your goals while leveraging emotional intelligence to adapt your approach for different situations.
• Tales from the Front Lines – How Local Women Business Owners Continue to Beat the Odds -- Are you considering opening your own business? Are you struggling to get off the ground with a business that you already own? Join us as these local women business owners share their stories of success despite facing obstacles and challenges along the way. Learn from their experiences and discover how you too can realize your dream of owning a profitable enterprise.

• Step Into Your Strength – Building Resilience and Balance in a Demanding World -- Immerse yourself in an interactive wellness session designed for high-performing women ready to move beyond burnout and feel more present, focused, and empowered.Participants will assess their personal stress patterns, practice a simple exercise to restore calm and focus, and learn science-backed strategies to boost energy, mood, and mental clarity.You’ll walk away with practical tools to build resilience, stay energized, and set healthy boundaries without guilt. This session offers approachable, effective habits to nourish your mental, physical, and emotional well-being, helping you thrive both personally and professionally. Take this opportunity to pause, reset, and reclaim your calm.
• Networking with Purpose – Turning Obligation into Opportunity -- Does the thought of networking fill you with dread? You’re not alone.While it’s often cited as essential to career growth, many professionals find networking to be uncomfortable, forced, or overwhelming. In this dynamic panel discussion, hear from seasoned professionals who have turned networking into a powerful and rewarding tool in their careers.Panelists will share real-life stories, practical tips, and mindset shifts that helped them move from obligation to opportunity. Learn how to build authentic relationships, activate and maintain your network, and—yes—even enjoy the process. Walk away with a fresh perspective, confidence-boosting strategies, and actionable advice you can put to work immediately—whether you’re new to networking or looking to take your connections to the next level.

Meghan Rehbein serves as the eleventh Dean of Douglass, a role she has held since July 2022. As Dean, she has focused on setting new strategic priorities, building curriculum around leadership development, and aligning the College with Rutgers University and the Academic Master Plan.

Dr. Rehbein joined Douglass in 2018, serving most recently as Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives where she developed new opportunities for collaboration, with a special focus on communications and sustainability.

Prior to that, she led the record-breaking conclusion of the highly successful Power of 100 Years Campaign on behalf of Douglass, and previously served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Georgian Court University.

She has a bachelor’s degree from Hampshire College, a master’s degree from Sacred Heart University, and an Ed.D. from Stockton University.

Dr. Rehbein has more than two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, higher education, and health and human services organizations, and her research focuses on gender and leadership development in the nonprofit sector.

Her recent publication, Embracing Ambition, is a collection of stories of women for whom challenge served as a catalyst towards a leadership identity.

Founder,

Luz is a Consultant, Coach, Trainer, and subject matter expert in Professional Development partnering with organizations, leaders, and individuals to enhance competencies, strengthen leadership skills, and drive transformational change.

Using her proprietary G.A.I.N. Model™, Luz helps clients and organizations overcome challenges in authentic communication and relationship building. She equips them with self-directed tools and strategies to foster self-awareness, belonging, and emotional intelligence, both in life and the workplace.

Luz’s global facilitation, training, and speaking engagements address pressing professional challenges, including Communication & Change Management, Cultural Awareness, Leadership Development, Team Performance, Mentorship & Sponsorship, DEI, and Emotional Intelligence.

Luz serves as a Board Member of WCEC, further advancing her commitment to professional development and leadership excellence.

Founder & President,

Kay LiCausi is a highly sought-after government and public relations strategic advisor and issues advocate. A creative and dynamic business leader with over 30 years of experience in government and politics at the local, county, state, and federal levels, Kay knows how public policy, politics and process intersect to craft and deliver personalized strategies to achieve client objectives.

Kay is the founder and President of Hoboken Strategy Group, a boutique government and public relations firm and certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE). HSG represents a diverse client-base including Fortune 100 companies, pharmaceutical interests, brownfield developers, national associations, and government entities. HSG works with organizations in New Jersey to increase their business presence, solve regulatory challenges, or champion legislative issues. Kay has bipartisan reach and has guided her clients through five gubernatorial administrations.

Kay is the co-chair of the New Jersey Committee of the Regional Plan Association and was selected by Governor Murphy to serve on the Government Technology and Innovation Transition Team. Kay is a determined advocate for women and children. She believes that business and government entities are stronger when a diverse array of voices collaborate, which is why she dedicates her time to ensure the placement of women in key governmental positions and on boards and commissions. Kay serves as the co-chair of PAM’s List, a fundraising network for democratic women running for office and the board of Latina Civic PAC.

Kay earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and American Studies from Rutgers University in 1993.

CEO,

Maria Sparacio is an entrepreneur and the founder of The Pink Room, Inc., a leading shapewear business dedicated to empowering women through confidence-boosting solutions.

Originally from Cali, Colombia, Maria studied law in Bogotá before moving to the United States in 2001 to improve her English skills. Inspired by the opportunities available in her new home. She transitioned from working various jobs, such as waitressing and advertising sales, to saving enough money to launch her own business.

In 2008, amidst one of the toughest economic downturns in U.S. history, Maria opened The Pink Room in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Driven by a passion for helping women feel their best, her company specializes in high-quality shapewear designed for comfort, versatility, and inclusivity.

Her mission is deeply personal, stemming from her desire to support women like her mother, who struggled with weight challenges. Maria believes in the power of community and personal transformation. She sees her work not just as selling products but as solving real-life challenges for women.
Through her business, she fosters confidence, self-love, and empowerment, helping customers improve their lives from the inside out.

A devoted advocate for entrepreneurship and personal growth, Maria has dedicated over 16 years to promoting diversity, inclusion, and self-confidence.

She firmly believes that success comes from uplifting others, building strong relationships, and using business as a platform to create positive change in the world, as a busy mom of two kids she’s trying to balance work and family creating meaningful memories with her kids.

Owner,

Amy is a passionate fitness professional based in Morganville, New Jersey. Amy’s journey into the fitness industry began over a decade ago with a simple invitation from her sister-in-law to try a new fitness concept.

What started as a personal interest quickly became a life-changing passion. After experiencing the profound physical, mental, and emotional benefits of the program, Amy was inspired to help others transform their lives as well.

Today, she is the proud owner of two fitness studios — THE MAX Fitness and Wellness Center of Springfield/Union and THE MAX Fitness Center of New Providence — where she is dedicated to building supportive, empowering communities.

Amy’s mission is to inspire individuals to look and feel their best while becoming the strongest versions of themselves.

Owner and Chief Operating Officer,

Alexis Henderson is the Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Island Vibez, a women- and minority-owned micro-retail dispensary located in Plainfield, New Jersey. A lifelong resident of Plainfield, Alexis proudly represents her community and advocates for the health benefits of cannabis, striving to bring awareness and education to those she serves.

Island Vibez distributes recreational, medical-grade cannabis products to qualifying customers across New Jersey, aged 21 and older. The dispensary offers a diverse selection of products, including cannabis flowers, concentrates, ingestibles, pre-rolls, live resin, topical treatments, vape pens, cartridges, edibles, and accessories.

Alexis is deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is passionate about creating opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds, particularly supporting those with prior marijuana-related charges by offering second chances through employment opportunities. This mission reflects a broader dedication to social justice and community empowerment.

In addition, Island Vibez proudly recognizes the contributions of veterans and seniors by offering them special discounts as a token of appreciation for their service and wisdom. The dispensary also actively supports local charitable and nonprofit organizations, believing that a thriving community is built through collective support and involvement.

Alexis Henderson and the Island Vibez team look forward to welcoming customers to experience their vibrant, community-centered lifestyle.

CEO/Founder/Medical Director, &

Lorraine Maita, MD the Hormone Harmonizer and Detoxifier, specializes in helping you ditch weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, mood swings and hormone havoc to have boundless energy, stable moods, a lean body, sharp, clear mind, and balanced hormones so you can feel like yourself again.

She helps you understand how your lifestyle choices impact your mind and body so you can choose what makes your feel great.

As a triple board certified and award-winning physician, writer, author, and speaker, her own struggles with hormone imbalance prompted her to become Board Certified in Anti-Aging Regenerative and Functional Medicine and Advanced Endocrinology.

Her programs impacted over 120,000 people in each of 3 Fortune 100 companies where she served as Chief Medical Officer or Medical Director of Global Health Services as well as thousands in her private practice.

Her patients call her a “miracle worker” “a revolutionary doctor” “a warm, caring, medical professional who listened, really listened and is extremely smart” “words cannot express how grateful I am to Dr. Maita for turning my life around” “feeling 20 years younger.”

As CEO and Founder of The Feel Good Again Institute, Vibrance for Life and How to Live Younger, she has been featured in ABC News, Forbes, WOR Radio and many media outlets to spread the word that you can live younger and healthier at any age.

Aging is inevitable but suffering is optional. Be good to yourself and get the support you need to Feel Good Again at TheFeelGoodAgainInstitute.com

Adult men and women are freed of the struggle to maintain their weight, lift the brain fog, stabilize mood swings, fight fatigue, increase their health span free of chronic conditions and harmonize their hormones. They reclaim their strength, vitality, libido, and more. She enables them to think, feel and live life fully with optimal health.

Author & Coach,

Ferlie Almonte is the reigning Ms. New Jersey Senior America 2023, and is the very first asian to win this title in its 40-year senior pageant history. Ferlie represented NJ and finished on the Top 5 out of 49 other state queens at the recent National Ms. Senior America pageant.

Ferlie Almonte is multi-passionate and multi-talented. She is a Motivational Speaker, Inspirational EDUtainer, International Best Selling Author, Certified Life Coach, Image Consultant,TV/Podcast Host and is a Resilience and Confidence Authority. Ferlie is a retired Respiratory Therapist and Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. Ferlie had over 20 years of successful Sales Management experience in upscale retail sales, receiving top sales awards and many other accolades in Business Development.

Ferlie has triumphed over many adversities, including Breast Cancer, and have decided to Make her Mess her Message, inspires and leads others to live Resilient, Confident and Magnificent Lives despite life’s challenges. As a Ms. NJ Senior America queen, she serves the community by providing Motivational Talks and Inspirational Entertainment primarily in senior facilities. Ferlie also empowers patients and loved ones whose lives were affected by Breast Cancer by volunteering in various educational, empowerment and fundraising programs. She also provides private coaching on Life Reinventions, Image, Confidence and Public Speaking.

As a social media influencer, TV/Podcast host, Ferlie utilizes her own compelling stories of resilience and her wisdom to ignite possibilities and new beginnings in others.

Owner,

Nadya Ramos is a brand strategist, marketing consultant, and founder of MRK (mar-kah) Marketing Consulting.

With 10+ years of experience and a master’s in strategic communication, she helps solopreneurs and small business owners build trusted brands that attract dream clients and unlock growth opportunities.

Strategic Advisor,

Christina Zuk is a results-driven, well connected, and highly respected government affairs professional with expertise in regulatory and legislative policy, politics, and issue advocacy. With almost two decades of experience serving in leadership roles in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Ms. Zuk previously worked in the New Jersey State Senate, serving as Chief of Staff to the Budget & Appropriations Committee Chair and later to the Senate Majority Leader where she began to hone her policy and political skills. She later served as the Political Director on the 2013 Democratic statewide gubernatorial campaign. Prior to that, Ms. Zuk worked in a number of government and campaign roles at the county and local levels across New Jersey.

Currently, Ms. Zuk serves as the 2nd Vice President of the Board of Trustees for 180 Turning Lives Around, a nonprofit organization serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Monmouth County as well as on the Board of PAM’s List, an organization supporting women running for office in New Jersey.

Christina received her undergraduate degree from Rutgers University with a double major in Planning & Public Policy and Political Science, was an Eagleton Undergraduate Associate at the Eagleton Institute for Politics, and a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. Ms. Zuk also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs and Politics from Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.

Ms. Zuk is regularly recognized as an influential operative in New Jersey business and politics, including on “ROI Influencers: Women in Business” list, InsiderNJ’s “Power List”, “30 Under 30” list, “100 Insider Policymakers”, “100 Millennials List”, and Senator Loretta Weinberg’s “Women’s Power List”. She was recognized by EmergeNJ at their “Build the Bench” reception, honoring women who have helped build the bench for Democratic women running for office, and by the Reed Autism Foundation with their “Changemaker Award.”

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