NJBIZ Honors Brookdale’s Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes with Leading Women in Business Award

Brookdale Community College proudly announces that Dr. Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes, D.M., regional director of the New Jersey Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC) at Brookdale, has been honored with the NJBIZ Leading Women in Business Award for 2024. Formerly known as the NJBIZ Best Fifty Women in Business, the award has been expanded this year to recognize 60 exceptional professionals across New Jersey, acknowledging their significant impact on business and community development.

Dr. Mejias-Fuertes’s leadership and dedication have made her a guiding force in entrepreneurship and small business growth in Monmouth County. With over 16 years of service at Brookdale’s SBDC, she has played a crucial role in shaping the region’s economic landscape, providing invaluable support to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Her work influences key decisions, from securing funding to business expansion, directly impacting the local economy and the lives of countless individuals.

This award adds to a growing list of accolades for Dr. Mejias-Fuertes. She was previously recognized as America’s Small Business Development Center New Jersey State Star in 2021, making history as the first Latina regional director to receive this honor. Under her leadership, the SBDC at Brookdale has received the Silver Gull Economic Development Award and was named the national pitch plan competition winner at America’s SBDC National Conference. Additionally, she played a key role in developing and producing the award-winning video Transforming a Problem into an Opportunity: Alumni to the Rescue and has received the New Jersey Minority Achievers Award. In 2015, Dr. Mejias-Fuertes was honored with the inaugural Women in Business Award from the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce (MRCC). This year, she has been named a finalist for the MRCC’s ATHENA Leadership Award®, an internationally renowned program that celebrates individuals who demonstrate excellence in their professions, provide valuable service to their communities, and actively assist women in achieving their full leadership potential.

Reflecting on the NJBIZ honor, Dr. Mejias-Fuertes stated, “I am deeply honored to be recognized as one of the NJBIZ Leading Women in Business. This award is a testament to the incredible work being done at the NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College and the unwavering dedication of our team to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in our community. It is truly rewarding to see the impact of our efforts in driving economic growth and innovation in New Jersey.”

Beyond her work with the SBDC, Dr. Mejias-Fuertes is the visionary behind Brookdale Community College’s VentureHive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (VEE). Launched to drive economic development in Monmouth County, the VEE fosters an entrepreneurial mindset and collaboration through workshops, a virtual hub, and plans for a physical space dedicated to interdisciplinary innovation. The VEE’s Virtual Resource Hub has quickly become a dynamic platform, providing small businesses with the resources, mentorship, and partnership opportunities essential for their growth.

“Dr. Mejias-Fuertes embodies our mission to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners to turn their ideas into thriving ventures,” said David M. Stout, Ph.D., president of Brookdale Community College. “Her leadership at the SBDC and her work with the VentureHive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem are driving forces behind the creation of new jobs, innovation, and economic growth in our community. By fostering a culture of collaboration and support, Dr. Mejias-Fuertes ensures that our entrepreneurs have the tools and resources they need to reach new heights of success.”

Dr. Mejias-Fuertes’s holds a BA from Hunter College, an Entrepreneurship Certificate from Brookdale Community College, an MBA specializing in entrepreneurship from Ashford University, and a Doctorate in Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

The NJBIZ Leading Women in Business Award will be presented at a ceremony on October 15, 2024, from 6-9 p.m. at The Palace at Somerset Park. The event, brought to you by Provident Bank, will include a cocktail reception, an award presentation, and a dessert and networking reception. Tickets are available on the event page. Early bird pricing ends on September 15.

Brookdale Community College proudly celebrates Dr. Mejias-Fuertes’s achievements and unwavering commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth in New Jersey.