>>> FUNDING PROVIDED BY MORE THAN 118 YEARS NJBIA HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON THE ADVANCEMENT AND SUCCESS OF OUR MEMBERS.

REPRESENTING ALL INDUSTRIES TO BUILD A MORE PROSPEROUS NEW JERSEY THROUGH SUPPORT, NETWORKING AND BENEFITS.

OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY WITH BUSINESS AT LICKS.

WITH STEPS AWAY FROM THE PATH TRAIN AND MINUTES FROM WALL ST STREET.

LEARN MORE AND LOCAL 102, PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY, VISIT IBEW 102.ORG.

>>> THIS WEEK ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" WHAT CAN CAN BUSINESSES EXPECT WHEN GOVERNOR MURPHY DELIVERS HIS BUDGET ADDRESS NEXT WEEK.

I SIT DOWN WITH THE NJBIA FOR A BUDGET PREVIEW AND HEAR WHAT SHE SAYS IS NEEDED TO HELP BUSINESSES IN THE STATE.

>>> AND WE PUT THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS IN FOCUS THIS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.

FROM EXECUTIVE WOMEN TRYING TO BREAK INTO THE C SUITE TO MORE WOMEN OWNING THEIR OWN BUSINESSES TO GIRLS WHO STEAM.

THAT'S STRAIGHT AHEAD ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

>>> THIS IS "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

>> HELLO, THANKS FOR JOINING US ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

IT YOU'RE WATCHING ON YOUTUBE, MAKE SURE YO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO GET ALERTED WHEN WE POST NEW EPISODES AND CLIPS.

NEW JERSEY HAS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN REVENUE AND SOON WE WILL KNOW HOW THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO SPEND IT.

GOVERNOR MURPHY WILL DELIVER HIS BUDGET TRAES THIS TUESDAY LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR A NEW SPENDING BLUEPRINT FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, WHICH STARTS IN JULY.

ON A POSITIVE NOTE, AHEAD OF THE BUDGET ADDRESS, MOODY'S UPGRADED NEW JERSEY'S CREDIT RATING.

GOVERNOR MURPHY MADE A MONEY-RELATED PROMISES IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS IN JANUARY, PLEDGING NO TAX INCREASES AND PROMISING TO FOCUS ON CONTROLLING PROPERTY TAXES.

NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS EAGER TO HEAR ALL THE DETAILS.

I TALKED WITH MICHELLE, WHO LEADS THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION.

MICHELLE, VERY SOON, WE WILL BE HEARING FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS HE OUTLINES HIS BUDGET ADDRESS AS HE SEES THEM.

THE LEGISLATURE WILL WEIGH IN AS WELL.

WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES THAT YOU WANT TO HEAR THAT YOU THINK NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY NEEDS IN THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.

>> THERE ARE JOBS THAT FOLKS ARE COMING BACK TO.

THIS IS CAUSING BUSINESS TO HAVE TO RECONSIDER HOW THEY DELIVER THEIR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND TO THAT END, I'M SURE THEY NEED TO MAKE INFORMSMENT IN THEIR COMPANY BY NEW TECHNOLOGY, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, TAX CREDITS AND SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES IN THOSE AREAS.

WHEN WE NEED TO GET OUR WORKFORCE BACK.

WE WOULD LIKE OUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNOR IN THIS BUDGET ADDRESSING, AGAIN, MAYBE TAX CREDITS IN ORDER TO ENABLE US TO PAY MORE IN CERTAIN WAYS FOR CERTAIN IN DEMAND JOBS.

WE NEED ATTENTION TO CHILD CARE.

THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR A $700 MILLION APPROPRIATION TO HELP SUPPORT THE CHILD CARE INDUSTRY.

NONE OF THAT MONEY IS ON THE STREET YET.

>> MICHELLE, ONE ISSUE THAT REALLY IS STILL OUT THERE IS THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND.

THERE WAS A DESIRE FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY TO USE THE COVID RELIEF MONEY TO TAKE THE BURDEN AWAY FROM BUSINESSES.

ANY CHANCE THERE WILL BE MOVEMENT ON THAT?

>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE HAS ALREADY GIVEN ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS IN RELIEF TO NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES.

HOWEVER, THIS NUT TO CRACK IS ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS OVER THREE YEARS.

SO GIVING WITH ONE HAND AND TAKING BACK WITH THE OTHER DOES NOT LEAVE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WELL AHEAD.

IT SETS IT BACK.

>> ARE THERE CONCERNS THERE MIGHT BE SURCHARGES OR TAXES BY ANOTHER NAME THAT HAVE OR WILL BE LEVIED ON BUSINESSES?

>> THE TAT IS PRETTY FLUSH WITH CASH.

THERE'S NO REASON AT ALL TO SEE ANY INCREASE IN THIS PARTICULAR BUDGET.

BUT LET'S BE CLEAR.

ANY COST, ANY MANDATE ON BUSINESS INCREASES THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS NO MATTER WHAT WE CALL IT.

SO SURCHARGES, ANY NEW MANDATE THAT CAUSES US TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO DELIVER OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OR TO TAKE CARE OF OUR WORKFORCE IS AN ADDITIONAL COST ON BUSINESS.

WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT NEW PROGRAMS MAYBE STOOD UP THAT WON'T BE SUSTAINABLE IN THE FUTURE WITHOUT INKRCREASED COSTN THE FUTURE.

>> AFFORDABILITY IS THE THE BUZZ WORD NOW.

DO YOU THINK THE MESSAGE HAS GOTTEN ACROSS NOT JUST TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, BUT TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE AS WELL THAT THIS HAS TO BE A PRIORITY THIS YEAR?

>> THE DEFINITION OF AF AFFORDABILITY FOR OUR POLICY MAKE SERS DIFFERENT THAN THE DEFINITION OF AFFORDABILITY FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

AFFORDABILITY IS TAKING ON THE BIGGER ISSUES OF TAX REFORM AND AFFORDABILITY REALLY FROM A POLICYMAKERS IS REALLY VERY DIRECTLY CONSUMER ORIENTED AND THAT MAKES US NERVOUS.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> YOU BE WELL.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A TUMULTUOUS WEEK FOR COMMODITY MARKETS FOLLOWING RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE.

RUSSIA IS A MAJOR OIL SUPPLIER AND ENERGY FLOWS THROUGH PIPELINES IN UKRAINE.

WORRIES ABOUT SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS SENT GAS PRICES HIGHER AND THEY COULD DPO HIGHER STILL.

WHAT WE DON'T YET KNOW IS IF HIGHER GAS PRICES WILL RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE DRIVING LESS.

WE'RE WATCHING THAT CLOSELY IN NEW JERSEY BECAUSE THE STATE SETS ITS GAS TAX RATE EACH YEAR BASED ON FUEL CONSUMPTION AS BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER EXPLAINS.

>> IF PRICES GET TOO HIGH AND THAT INFLUENCES CONSUMER BEHAVIOR, MAINLY DRIVING LESS, THAT COULD MEAN FEWER GAS TAX COLLECTIONS OVERALL, WHICH PUTS US IN AN ENVIRONMENT THIS SUMMER WHERE THERE MAY NEED TO BE A GAS TAX INCREASE.

>> NEW JERSEY STARTED LINKING THE GAS TAX RATE TO FUEL CONSUMPTION IN 2016.

THE TAX IS USED TO FUND TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS.

THE HEAD OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE JEROME POWELL SAID THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF RUSSIA'S INVASION AND THE SANCTIONS THAT FOLLOWED ARE HIGHLY UNCERTAIN.

POWELL MADE THE STATEMENT DURING HIS CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY ON THE ECONOMY BEFORE THE INVASION OCCURRED THE FED PLANNED A SERIES OF INTEREST RATE HIKES THIS YEAR TO HELP CONTAIN INFLATION AND POWELL SAID THE FED WILL STILL PROCEED ALONG THAT PATH AND EXPECTED HIKE LATER THIS MONTH WILL BE THE FIRST SINCE 2018.

>> THIS IS STRONG, HIGH INFLATION.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET ON TOP OF IT THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

I WOULD SAY THIS.

THE LABOR MARKET IS EXTREMELY STRONG.

WORKERS ARE STILL GOING TO BE GETTING GOOD JOBS AND PAY INCREASES FOR SOME TIME.

AND SO THE ECONOMY IS STRONG.

THAT MEANS THE ECONOMY CAN TAKE THE RATE INCREASES THAT WOOR GOING TO BE MAKING.

>> BILLS TO PROVIDE SOME TAX RELIEF ADVANCED IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK.

ONE BILL WOULD PROVIDE FINANCIAL RELIEF TO RENTERS ALLOWING THUNDERSTORM TO INCREASE THEIR STATE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FROM 18 TO 30%.

THE BUDGET COMMITTEE ALSO APPROVED A BILL ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO DEDUCT CONTRIBUTIONS TO CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS FROM THEIR STATE INCOME TAX BILLS.

CORPORATE LEADERS IN NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THE U.S. BY AND LARGE ARE MEN.

SURE, THE GLASS CEIL ING HAS BEN CRACKED, BUT IT HASN'T BEEN BUSTED WIDE OPEN.

MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, SO WE WANTED TO HONOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS NEW JERSEY WOMEN ARE MAKING IN BUSINESS AND TO FIND OUT WHY SOME OPPORTUNITIES REMAIN ILLUSIVE FOR WOMEN.

THIS WEEK WE'RE PUTTING FEMALE LEADERS, ENTREPRENEURS AND DREAMERS IN FOCUS.

FIRST, HATS OFF TO THOSE WOMEN WHO DREAMED OF OPENING A BUSINESS AND HAVE ACTUALLY DONE IT.

BETWEEN 2014 AND 2019, THE NUMBER OF WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES CLIMBED 21% TO NEARLY 13 MILLION.

EMPLOYMENT GREW BY 8% TO 9.4 MILLION, AND REVENUE ROSE 21% TO $1.9 TRILLION ACCORDING TO TO A REPORT FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS.

IN CORPORATE AMERICA, WOMEN ARE MAKING SOME PROGRESS IN OBTAINING LEADERSHIP ROLES.

MORE WOMEN ARE HOLDING CORPORATE BOARD SEATS, 65% OF THE SITTING ON THEIR BOARDS.

THIS IS NOT THAT DAY.

WHITE WOMEN ARE PAID 8 3 CENTS FOR EVERY DOLLAR PAID TO MEN.

BLACK WOMEN MAKING 64 CENTS AND LATINOS MAKING 57 CENTS.

THE GENDER PAY GAP IS VERY REAL IN NEW JERSEY.

THE GARDEN STATE RANKS 20th IN THE COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES TO PAY EQUITY.

THAT'S BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

WOMEN HERE MAKE 80 CENTS FOR EVERY DOLLAR PAID TO MEN.

IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT NEW JERSEY HAS AN EQUAL PAY LAW, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ERASE THOSE DISPARITIES IN OUR STATE OVER TIME.

WOMEN NO DOUBT ARE ON A WORKPLACE EQUALITY JOURNEY AND THE ROAD TO A TOP LEADERSHIP POSITION REMAINS DIFFICULT.

I SPOKE ABOUT THE PROGRESS THAT'S BEEN MADE AND THE WORK THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH ADAM TAHATA, WHO IS PRESIDENT OF EXECUTIVE WOMEN OF NEW JERSEY.

>> WE SPOKE LAST FALL AND IT WAS TRACKING WHAT'S GOING ON WITH EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP IN THJ WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON DIVERSIFYING LEADERSHIP HAD ROLES IN THE STATE?

>> SINCE WE HAVE RELEASED OUR REPORT SINCE 2013, WE HAVE SEEN AB INCREASE IN WOMEN ON CORPORATE BOARDS IN NEW JERSEY, BUT THE PROGRESS HAS BEEN WE THINK REALLY GOOD PROGRESS, BUT STILL THERE NEEDS TO BE A LOT MORE WORK DONE.

WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON IS DIVERSIFYING THE RACIAL MAKEUP OF WOMEN ON CORPORATE BOARDS AND THE MAKEUP OF BOARD MEMBERS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> HOW IS THE WORK PROGRESSING?

WHAT IS BEING DONE TO TRY TO CHANGE THE EQUATION?

>> WE HAVE SEEN WHAT SOME OF THE CORPORATIONS WE WORK THAT THEY ARE BEING MUCH MORE INTENTIONAL ABOUT SPONSORING WOMEN AND SUPPORTING WOMEN WHEN IT COMES TO ELEVATING THEM TO POSITIONS.

ONE OF THE EXAMPLES WE HAVE SEEN IN NEW JERSEY IS THAT PANASONIC ELEVATED MEGAN LEE TO THE CEO POSITION.

AND SHE WAS IN THE TRADITIONAL HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER POSITION, WHICH IS NOT A POSITION THAT NORMALLY WOULD GET SOMEONE TO HAD THAT POSITION.

>> WE KNOW THERE ARE FEWER WOMEN IN CEO ROLES, BUT WE FIND THEM IN HR.

BUT THE ABILITY TO MAKE THE LEAP TO CEO AND ANOTHER M MALE-DOMINANTED ROLE, WHERE IS THE DIFFICULTY THERE.

IS IT JUST RESISTANCE TO CHANGE AN ORGANIZATIONS?

IS IT NOT HAVING ENOUGH QUALIFIED WOMEN OR SOMETHING ELSE.

>> MEN HAVE SERVED IN CFO ROLES, WHICH IS WHAT THE PIPELINE IS TO THE CEO.

THEY CHANGE THE MAKEUP OF THE LEADERSHIP.

THEY HAVE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY.

THE REALITY IS IF WE'RE ABLE TO HOLD THAT POSITION, I DON'T CARE WHAT IT IS, YOU'RE CAPABLE OF BEING A CEO.

WE GIVE THEM THOSE SKILLS.

>> I JUST READ AN INTERESTING ARTICLE.

IT'S ABOUT THE FACT THAT A LOT OF FEMALE CEOs AT TECH COMPANIES ARE STEPPING AWAY FROM THEIR POSITIONS.

WE DISCUSS HOW DO COMPANIES BEST SUPPORT WOMEN LEADERS AND SHOULD THEY THINK OF THEIR FEMALE LEADERS DIFFERENTLY THAN THEIR MALE LEADERS.

>> THEYEN SHOULDN'T THINK OF WOMEN LEADERS DIFFERENTLY.

THEY SHOULD MAKE SURE THEY ARE GIVING THEM THE SAME SUPPORT.

SO COMPANIES SHOULD MAKE SURE THEY ARE SPONSORING THESE WOMEN AND GIVING THEM THE PROPER ME MENTORSHIP.

>> IT WAS GREAT TO CATCH UP ON THE PROGRESS BEING MADE IN NEW JERSEY.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> DURING THE PANDEMIC, WOMEN OPT ED OUT FT WORKFORCE MOVING O PART-TIME POSITIONS FOR LEAVING ALTOGETHER.

IN TERMS OF COVID, WE WANTED TO FIND OUT IF WOMEN ARE RETURNING TO WORK.

I SPOKE WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RUTGERS CENTER FOR WOMEN THIS WORK ABOUT THAT AND THE ISSUE OF ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR WOMEN.

>> DEBRA, THANKS FOR JOINING ME ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WHERE ARE WE NOW IN TERMS OF PROGRESS OR LACK OF PROGRESS WOMEN HAVE MADE IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC STABILITY, PAY EFFQUIT AND OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT?

>> AT THE CENTER FOR NEWARK, WE HAVE BEEN DOING SOME ANALYSIS OF DATA THAT'S BEEN COMING IN FROM THE CENSUS AND HOUSEHOLD PULSE SURVEYS AND OUR FINDING THAT WOMEN KNOW THE HEADLINES HAVE BEEN THAT WOMEN HAVE BEEN LEAVING THE WORKFORCE IN DROVES, BUT SOME OF THE NUMBERS PAINT A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT PICTURE.

THAT IS THAT IN RECENT MONTHS, AND OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE RECOVERED IN SOME WAY.

AND I WANT TO PUT SOME AIR QUOTES AROUND RECOVERED THERE, BUT WOMEN'S LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE IS NOT ACTUALLY THAT MUCH DIFFERENT THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND AGAIN, THAT IS BROADLY SPEAKING.

AND THERE ARE MANY CHALLENGES THAT REMAIN AND THE PANDEMIC HAS NOT IMPACTED OR AFFECTED WOMEN EQUALLY ACROSS RACE AND CLASS.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT.

BUT WE DO SEE THAT WOMEN ARE WORKING.

THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING IN MANY WAYS THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

AND THE WAY THEY ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE LABOR FORCE RAISES SOME CONCERNS.

FOR EXAMPLE, IT SEEMS THAT WE HAVE MORE WOMEN TAKING ON PART-TIME JOBS.

WE'RE NOT SURE ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE JOBS THAT WOMEN ARE NOW WORKING, LOER INCOME HOUSEHOLDS HAVE LOST MORE PAID WORK THAN UPPER INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

>> I MEAN, I THINK YOU'RE HIT ING ON A POINT THAT WE SHOULD DIVE RIGHT INTO.

AND THAT IS HAVE WE SEEN INEQUITIES GET KPAS BAITED AND SHOULD WE BE DISCOURAGED BY THAT OR DO THE NUMBERS PROVIDE ANY SORT OF REASON FOR OPTIMISM?

>> I'M HOPING THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES, PARTICULARLY IN NEW JERSEY, WHICH IT DOES REALLY HAVE A HISTORY OF TRYING TO PASS POLICIES, LEGISLATION AND SUPPORTS WORKING FAMILIES AND IS AT LEAST COGNIZANT OF SOME OF THE I OBJECT EQUITIES WE HAVE.

>> A LOT TO CONSIDER ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES THAT WOMEN HAVE EXPERIENCED AND WHAT STILL NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR INSIGHT AND ALSO FOR TELLING US ABOUT SOME OF THE RESEARCH UNDERWAY AT THE CENTER.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> NO PROBLEM.

>>> SOME WOMEN HAVE DROPPED OUT OF THE LABOR MARKET TO FIND THEIR OWN PATH.

THERE'S BEEN AN UPTICK IN WOMEN GOING INTO BUSINESS FOR THEMSELVES.

WE TALKED TO CHRISTINA RENO, CEO OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY ABOUT THE TREND SHE'S SEEING AMONG THE WOMEN OF SOUTH JERSEY WELCOME TO "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

>> WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE ARE FOCUSED ON WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES THIS WEEK ON "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

SINCE THE PANDEMIC HAVE YOU SEEN GROWTH OF WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES OR A DECLINE?

>> CERTAINLY, DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE SAW A DECLINE.

IT'S WELL DOCUMENTED THAT WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES WERE SOME OF THE HARDEST HIT ALONG WITH PLAQ BLACK AND BLOWN BUSINESSES.

IT'S BEEN ENCOURAGING.

A LOT OF FOLKS, AS WE KNOW, WERE LAID OFF, FURLOUGHED AND HAD CAREER CHANGES AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

SO I TO THINK WOMEN ARE STARTING TO KIND OF PEEK THEIR HEAD OUT AGAIN AND LOOK AT SOME NEW INTERESTING OPPORTUNITIES.

>> DO YOU GET THE SENSE THAT WOMEN ARE EAGER TO DIP THEIR TOES IN THE WATER OF THE BUSINESS BUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES ARE STILL VERY MUCH OUT THERE, SUCH AS TRYING TO OBTAIN CAPITAL?

>> CAPITAL IS NUMBER ONE.

WOMEN ARE LOOK INING TO GET INT BUSINESS MAY NOT HAVE THE CONTACTS THAT DIFFERENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, MAYBE THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS MAY HAVE OR DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START AND DON'T HAVE A KNOWLEDGE BASE OR SURROUNDING COMMUNITY TO TAP INTO FOR THOSE RESOURCES NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CAN HELP YOU VERY EASILY.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO.

SO WALKING INTO A BANK AND BEING TOLD NO FROM ONE INSTITUTION WHEN ANOTHER INSTITUTION MAYBE A MUCH BETTER FIT FOR ANY VARIETY OF REASONS, SOMETIMES THAT NO JUST PUSHES THEM AWAY.

>> TO YOU THINK WE NEED MORE ASSISTANCE TO HELP BUSINESSES GET LAUNCHED?

>> 1,000%.

IF WE WANT OUR ECONOMY TO THRIVE, WE HAVE THIS ADDED GOVERNMENT MONEY COMING IN EITHER AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL OR AT THE STATE LEVEL.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WAS HIT EXTRAORDINARILY HARD OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

ANY MONEY FILTERING BACK TO POTENTIAL STARTUPS, T ENTREPRENEURS, THAT ONLY LEADS TO MORE JOB GROWTH, MORE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, ALL GOOD THINGS.

>> WE HEARD SO MUCH DURING THE PANDEMIC ABOUT THE HUGE NUMBER OF WOMEN LEAVE ING THE WORK TOR.

WE KNOW THERE ARE OTHER CHALLENGES OUT THERE SUCH AS FINDING CHILD CARE.

DOES THAT HELP LEAD SOME WOMEN DOWN THE ENTREPRENEURIAL PATH, KIND OF A RETHINK OF WHAT WORKING MEANS WHEN YOU'RE A WOMAN?

>> I THINK IT'S OPENED WOMEN'S EYES TO THIS IS A WAY FOR ME TO MAYBE HAVE AN EVEN GREATER WORK/LIFE BALANCE THAN I EVER HAD BEFORE.

SOME WOMEN FOUND THEMSELVES IN UNFORTUNATE POSITION OF BEING LAID OFF OR FURLOUGHED.

HOW CAN I CONTINUE TO BOLSTER THAT SPIRIT I HAVE AT PROFESSIONAL DRIVE THAT I HAVE WHILE STILL BEING A ABLE TO BE AT HOME WITH MY FAMILY, MY CHILDREN, IT'S A GREAT OPTION.

AND CHILD CARE WAS CERTAINLY TOP OF THE LIST.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST IBD CATERS.

THIS PRESENTS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE AND SOMETHING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS SUPPORTIVE OF.

>> GOOD TO CATCH UP WITH YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> IF YOU WANT TO SHARE THE STORY OF ONE NEW JERSEYEN WHO IS CHANGING THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF GIRLS.

THIS DYNAMIC FEMALE LEADER FOUNDED GIRLS WHO STEAM, A STUDENT-RUN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO CLOSE ING THE GEND GAP IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, THE ARTS AND MATHEMATICS.

THE FOUNDER HAS JUST BEEN NAMED ONE OF NEWARK'S EMERGING VISIONARIES, THE ONLY NEW JERSEYEN SELECTED FOR THIS HONOR.

WHAT MAKES THIS ALL MORE IMPRESSIVE, SHE'S A 9th GRADE STUDENT.

WE THINK SHE'S ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S NEXT GEN FEMALE LEADERS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING AN EMERGING VISIONARY.

THAT'S QUITE AN HONOR.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I'M SO EXCITED.

I'M EXCITED FOR THE WEEKS TO COME.

>> SO YOU BROUGHT THIS ACHIEVEMENT FROM AN ORGANIZATION YOU FOUNDED CALLED GIRLS WHO STEAM.

TELL ME ABOUT IT.

>> SO I FOUNDED IT OVER THE PANDEMIC WHEN MY SCHOOL WAS CLOSED.

IT WAS A REALLY OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON AN ORGANIZATION AND A MISSION THAT I PERSONALLY WANT AND AM PASSIONATE ABOUT.

SO GIVEN DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THAT IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS WEREN'T A POSSIBILITY, I HAD TO TURN TO THE WORLD OF THE MEDIA AND THE ONLINE WORLD.

AND OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS CREATE A COMMUNITY OF YOUNG GIRLS.

AND WHAT I HAVE BEEN AIMING TO DO IS SHOW THEM RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN STEM.

SO OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, I HAVE BEEN WORKING TO COMMUNICATE TOGETHER WE HAVE HAD AN ONLINE COMMUNITY AND OVER 70 VIRTUAL EVENTS.

>> WHAT WAS IT ABOUT STEM FIELDS IN PARTICULAR THAT REALLY ATTRACTED YOU?

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL INTEREST IN?

>> SO MY PARENTS ARE BOTH ENGINEERS.

SO IT'S SOMETHING THEY GREW UP.

I ALWAYS LOVED IT.

THERE'S ALWAYS A LOT ACROSS MY HOUSE.

I WAS INTERESTED IN BIOCHEMISTRY.

AND I FEEL LIKE ESPECIALLY AS A GIRL, I JUST GRADUATED MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I NOTICED THAT A LOT OF TIMES GIRLS TEND TO SHY AWAY FROM THESE FIELDS.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, THEY WERE FILLED WITH YOUNG GIRLS OR BOYS COMING TOGETHER TO WORK WITH INTERESTING FIELDS AND PROJECTS.

ESPECIALLY AS I GREW OLD ER, I WAS INTERESTED IN COMPETITIONS.

I NOTICED THAT THAT WAS MORE THE CASE.

>> HOW DO YOUR WORKSHOPS ATTEMPT TO CHANGE THAT?

>> YOU FOCUS ON GIRLS BEFORE COLLEGE.

SO WORKING WITH THE GIRLS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WE DO A LOT OF HANDS-ON SCIENCE TUFTS JUST TO GET AN INTEREST AND SHOW THEM SOME CREATIVITY.

JUST RECENTLY, WE DID A WORKSHOP IN NEW JERSEY AND REALLY A LOT OF BEHIND MAKING THE KEL CALL BONDING COULD BE A GOOD LESSON.

FOR OLDER KIDS, ESPECIALLY OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE BEEN USING THE POWER OF VIRTUAL EVENTS TO CONNECT ALL THE GIRLS WITH WITH SPEAKERS AND MENTORS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD.

>> HOW MANY GIRLS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN SOME OF YOUR WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS AND WHAT ARE JR. AMBITIONS IN TERMS OF GROWING THE ORGANIZATION?

>> SO I THINK I HAD OVER 4,000 GIRLS PARTICIPATE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR EVENTS.

IT'S ALSO ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE TEND TO USE A LOT.

JUST TO CONNECT AND I FIND IT ACCESSIBLE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ON INSTAGRAM AND FAIB LATELY AND I THINK IF YOU'RE GOING TO SPEND THAT MUCH TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA, IT MIGHT AS WELL BE FOR SOMETHING GOOD.

AND FOR THE FUTURE, I AM REALLY LOOKING TO JUST START A MISSION FOR GIRLS I WOULD LOVE TO START, PERMITTING INTO LIBRARIES.

>> IT'S BEEN GREAT TALKING TO YOU.

AND AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS.

IT'S REALLY GREAT TO HAVE A NEW JERSEY STUDENT ACHIEVE SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I'M HONORED.

>> AND THAT WRAPS UP OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

JOIN US NEXT WEEK WHEN WE TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO THE NEW STATE BUDGET PROPOSED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "NJ BUSINESS BEAT."

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND.

>> FUNDING FOR "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" BRIDE VOOIED BY, NJB, ACRES, HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON THE ADVANCEMENT AND SUCCESS OF OUR MEMBERS.

EMPLOYEES REPRESENTING ALL INDUSTRIES, WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP BUILD A MORE PROSPEROUS NEW JERSEY THROUGH ED AADVOCACY, SUPPORT, NETWORKING AND BENEFITS.

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, A GAME-CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

STEP WAS FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE ONLINE.

AND LOCAL 102, PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH, LOADING THE WAY, VISIT IBEW1 IBEW102.ORG.