Wumblers are a sweet-natured, whimsical collection of multi-color, bulbous-shaped characters living in a world enough like ours to make sense but different enough to be enthralling. Their food falls from the sky. Their babies come from watermelons.

Their stories blend inspiration, imagination, and fun. Spiritually and globally conscious, Wumblers devote each episode to making the world a better place for ALL.

Laura’s nominations and awards include: 2004 BusinessWoman of the Year Award (NJ), 2004 Ronald Reagan Gold Medal Award for Entrepreneurial Vision & Business Achievements, 2006WonderWomen of Toys,Women-to-Watch Award, The Forbes Enterprise Award. She recently received Ramapo College’s The President's Award of Merit. Laura and accepted a seat on the Business Advisory Board for College’s the Anisfield School of Business. The Wumblers preschool television series’ first episode was granted The Dove Foundation’s Seal of Approval for family entertainment.

Laura’s innovative accomplishments extend into the mentoring of other young women through her association with NAWBO, NAFE,WBENC, andWPEO.

DANIELLE M. MICALE
Director of Community Development for JFK Hartwyck/Solaris Health System
Nominated by Gloria Bradford

"Community Service"

Danielle graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Recreational Therapy & Psychology from Kean University and is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Her MS Degree from Central Michigan University is in Health Care Administration.

Danielle’s healthcare career includes working with Solaris Health System as a Recreation Therapist, Volunteer Coordinator and Department Head in head trauma, long term care, sub acute rehabilitation and assisted living. Danielle also spent five years with the COPSA Institute for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders at UMDNJ as a Recreational herapist/Mental Health Specialist in the adult day care program.

Danielle gives back to the community as the MemoryWalk Team Captain for the Alzheimer Association and coordinated the statewide dinner dance fundraiser to benefit the Alzheimer Association. She has provided community training as an outreach volunteer and advocate for Alzheimer disease and dementia. She volunteers and serves as a substitute teacher at the United Methodist Church in Milltown and has volunteered and helped fund raise for the Milltown Fire Department, National MS Society, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Animal Rescue Force.

Danielle competed successfully in various “Ms” competition including winning the Ms. East Coast USA 2006 title and finishing as 1st runner up as Ms. New Jersey US 2007 and Ms. East Coast USA 2006

Danielle plays basketball and racquetball, skis, rides motorcycles, travels and writes poetry.

JOANNE COCCHIOLA
Mayor, Township of Nutlet
Nominated by Kathy Rempusheski

"Government"

Joanne serves as a role model for all women, young and old, in the Township of Nutley. She is a trail blazing woman in her community being the first woman in the 105 year history of the township to be selected as a Township Commissioner. She was elected the first woman Mayor in 2004 and is in her second term.

Joanne has an extensive professional career in government having served as Deputy Attorney General and currently as the in-house council for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

As Mayor, Joanne launched a number of important programs and services for the elderly, local breast cancer survivors, needy children and their families and troubled teens. She created theWomen’s Initiative of Nutley, bringing programs to the community that educate, promote and highlight the accomplishments of women.

Joanne serves as the Director of the Department of Public Affairs and is a volunteer with and a board member of various nonprofit organizations. She is past recipient of numerous awards including the “Woman as Agents of Change Award” in 2007 by the AAUWin recognition of her dedication in work involving women’s issues.

She has demonstrated true leadership on all levels of her life which include public service, community, her profession as an attorney, as a wife and mother and as a friend. She serves as a role model every day to the women of the town and is on a daily mission to improve the lives of others.

ANNE EVANS ESTABROOK
CEO, Elberon Development Company
Nominated by Elihu Katzman

"Corporate"

Anne was selected because of her extraordinary business acumen, strong civic commitment and fierce adherence to personal core values.

Anne succeeded her father heading Elberon Development Company in 1983 which today owns over two million square feet of space. Including her business accomplishments, Anne is most proud of her role as a mother and as an active member of her community.

Three New Jersey governors appointed Anne to economic development and budget commissions. She served as the first woman Chairman of the State’s Chamber of Commerce. Anne’s commitment to education resulted in her serving on the Lay Board of
Trustees and Chairman of the Board for Delbarton School. She served on Cornell’s Board of Trustees and as Trustee Emeritus and Presidential Councilor on Cornell’s Medical School Board. She previously served as Vice Chairman of the Rutgers Business School of Advisors and currently is on the President’s Council at Kean University. Among her other community involvements she is on the boards of the New Jersey AmericanWater Company, Federal Home Loan Bank of NY, New Jersey Network Foundation and Catholic Charities.

Anne received numerous awards over the year including the 2005 National Conference for Community and Justice Humanitarian of the Year Award and the New Jersey NAIOP Lifetime Achievement Award.

Anne announced plans in 2007 to be a candidate for the U.S. Senate, expecting to become the first woman to represent New Jersey in the Senate.

Anne has passion for helping women succeed. She pulls no punches, telling women that it is hard to run a thriving business and attend to business at home at the same time. But, she is living proof that it can be done.

TERI DUDA
Sr. Vice President of External Affairs, Berkeley College
Nominated by Greenfield Lumpkin

"Education"

Teri Duda “Gets It” because building partnerships that benefit others and community service has been her top priority for many years. She is straightforward, fair, and sets a terrific example for anyone who works with her. She is dedicated, knowledgeable, fun-loving and humble and sets her standards high. Teri is tenacious and engaged, continuously flying under the radar.

Teri works to secure scholarship funds for students for Berkeley College as well as for the Passaic 200 Club which offers assistance and provides 4 year college scholarships for children of police, firefighters and emergency service workers fallen during duty.
Teri brings insight, dedication and energy as VP of Education for the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce and VP of Government Relations and Legislation for the Paramus Greater Chamber of Commerce.

Teri is active in Rotary at the local and district level and chairs the Rotary’s District Homeless project. She was a powerful force in raising $500,000 for the construction of the Frank R. Lautenberg Children’s Park that provides a safe outdoor environment for inner-city children.

Teri has earned numerous honors including: The Shirley Chisholm Catalyst for Change Award, the Greater Paramus Chamber of Commerce Vision Award and theWoman of Distinction Award from the Northern NJ Girl Scout Council.

“Terri’s commitment and involvement brings more internships, community service opportunities and satisfying careers to our students while contributing to the growth in area communities and businesses”. Berkeley College Board Chairman (Kevin Luing.)

JOANNE STARR, MD
Director, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Children's Heart Center, Children's Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Nominated by Timothy Yeh, MD

"Healthcare"

Dr. Starr is the only woman in the country directing a pediatric cardiac surgery program that is a truly a comprehensive model of care providing the best possible treatment for infants and children with congenital heart disease. After 17 years in practice and over 1,000 heart surgeries Dr. Starr has helped bring the most advanced hybrid procedures, combining existing surgical and catheter-based techniques to reduce complication risks and speed recovery.

To improve cardiac care for children around the world, Dr. Starr led several missions to the Dominican Republic that brought hope and renewed life to critically ill children by providing specialized care and training local physicians and nurses. There she is helping to establish a pediatric cardiac program.

Of approximately 5,000 U.S. board certified cardiothoracic surgeons only 130 are women of whom only about a dozen specialize in pediatrics. She has succeeded in a field dominated by men and is working to create a broader path for the next generation of women through her work with Women in Thoracic Surgery, America’s only society of female thoracic surgeons.

Dr. Starr has already studied music and was married with two children when she started her undergraduate pre-med studies.

DEBORAH WITCHER JACKSON
Past President, National Coalition of 11 Black Women
Nominated by Griffith Johnson

"Non-Profit"

Deborah Jackson, lovingly known as “Beechie” throughout Bergen County leads with a strong visionary passion while sanctioning women to stand up, be heard and be respected.” Janice Griffith Johnson Beechie’s 3 terms of leadership, along with other talented women in the National Coalition of 100 BlackWomen Bergen/Passaic Chapter has propelled the Chapter to possess a viable voice on the local and national level. Beechie’s organization engages local politicians to listen and act on issues important to African AmericanWomen in the counties.

Her interpersonal, motivational and mentoring skills equip women with the knowledge and tools needed to improve their lives.

Examples of Beechie’s commitment to her community and current affiliations include: Advisory Board Member for the Center for Healthy Living at Holy Name Hospital; Board of Directors, National Coalition of 1000 BlackWomen Inc.; Advisory Committee Member with Sister to Sister; NationalWoman’s Heart Day New York; Advisory Council, Project GEAR UP and community involvement in nine additional local organizations.

The name Beechie is synonymous with excellence, achievement, diplomacy, dedication and service.

JUDITH FLYNN
President & CEO, Kevco Electric
Nominated by Jerry Killian, CPA

"Woman-Owned Business"

Judy started her business in 1987 with $700. Today it does over $26 million in annual revenues and is one of the largest woman-owned electrical contracting firms in the state. Judy supports and encourages all women entrepreneurs and guides them with her experience to start and grow their businesses.

She mentors small Minority andWomen-Owned enterprises as part of the NY/NJ Port Authority mandatory three year Mentor Protégé Program which she has been part of since 2003. Judy is also a mentor in the second stage of development “The Focus Group”.

Judy and her company support the Hudson CountyWomen and Minority program by hiring women and minority companies as subcontractors when possible. She sponsored the Adopt a Class Program to help fight illiteracy in Hudson County. She has earned various awards in Hudson County for her dedication to the county residents and youth by being a role model and successful entrepreneur. The Boy Scout Troop 23 awarded Judy the ”Special Thanks” thanks award for continuing support she has provided.

She has also been honored for her leadership and entrepreneurial excellence byWPO and NJAWBO and Enterprising Magazine. She was honored by NJ BIZ as one of NJ’s Best 50Women in Business and New Jersey’s Finest 2002.

Judy advocates for women through her membership in theWomen’s President Association and as a founding member of the professional women in Construction – NJ organization. She is a frequent guest speaker at various women’s organizations’ programs.

TAMMIE HORSFIELD
President, Sussex County Chamber of Commerce
Nominated by Mary Emilius

"Media & Communications"

Over the past 15 years, under Tammie’s leadership the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce has grown from serving 15 members to being the largest Chamber in the state with over 700 members and a full time staff of five. She heads seven councils affiliated with the County Chamber Tammie is also President of the Sussex County Economic development Partnership and Chairwoman of the Newton Memorial Hospital Association and sits on the Boards of Sussex County Community College and NJ State Fair. She has been involved with the NJ State Chamber and the US Chamber and served for many years on the Sussex County Strategic Growth Committee.

Among the other committees and groups she has served or led are the Transportation Integration Effort (TIE), theWaterloo Task Force, The Highlands Task Force, the State Tourism Committee, the Underage Drinking Task Force and the Domestic TerrorismTask Force.

“Tami has a passion for our county and state, but not for her own benefit. She is a true inspiration to her staff as well as the members she serves in the county. She puts the wellbeing of our county and state at the top of her list. She puts in many, many long hours that no one can comprehend for the betterment of others.“(Mary Emilius) An animal lover Tammie is married with accomplished young daughters.

SYLVIA VOORHEIS
Patient Services Representative, UMDNJ Institute of Ophthalmology
Nominated by Barbara Andrews-Jenkins

"Special Humanitarian"

89 year old Sylvia works five days a week at UMDNJ with patients (most of whom are indigent) needing eye care. Always considerate of others, she developed close bonds with young women co-workers, administrators and faculty members. Most of her co-workers are single mom head of household. Some have become Sylvia’s adopted daughters. She has been “grandmother” to some of their children.

Sylvia came from a poor background and learned from her mother the joy of being of service and help to others. She graduated high school during the depression and could not afford college. Other than time off to raise three sons Sylvia worked ever since, first as a legal secretary.When war broke out she joined the Navy as aWave and worked at a San Diego hospital where she was one of the first to facilitate doctors using the newly discovered penicillin.While at the hospital she wrote to mothers of young military personnel describing the beauty of the hospital and the condition of their loved ones. Her most prized possessions are thank you notes received from the mothers.

Despite that she lives a comfortable life and could easily live in Florida or elsewhere, she openly shares what it is to have struggled in life and knows what it means to survive in difficult times. “She faithfully rises every morning, no matter the weather, and personally drives from her home to report to work here at UMDNJ where she is considered family and is loved. It is her strength, commitment, dedication and devotion that we appreciate, and is an example for all.” (Barbara Andrews-Jenkins)