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Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Celebrates Visionary Leaders at 2026 Women of Vision Awards Breakfast
More Than 350 Community, Corporate, and Philanthropic Leaders Gathered to Celebrate Extraordinary Women and Invest in Opportunities for the Next Generation of Girl Scouts Event Surpasses $125,000 Fundraising Goal
WESTFIELD, NJ (May TK, 2026) – More than 350 corporate leaders, community partners, philanthropists, volunteers, and Girl Scouts gathered at The Marigold in Somerset, New Jersey, for the 2026 Women of Vision Awards Breakfast hosted by Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ). Centered around this year’s theme, “Girls with Dreams Become Women of Vision,” the organization’s signature event celebrated extraordinary women whose leadership, innovation, and commitment to community continue to inspire the next generation while highlighting the importance of investing in young people and creating spaces where they can grow, lead, and discover who they are becoming.
The 2026 Women of Vision honorees were:
• Aisha Glover, Global Head of Urban Innovation at Audible — Trailblazer Award
• Natalya Johnson, Assistant General Counsel at Johnson & Johnson and President of the Garden State Bar Foundation, Inc. — Inspiration Award
• Bethann Rooney, Port Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey — Inspiration Award
• Janeen Uzzell, Chief Executive Officer of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) — Trailblazer Award
During the event, GSHNJ announced that it had already surpassed its $125,000 fundraising goal, with additional gifts continuing throughout the morning to support leadership programs, STEM experiences, entrepreneurship initiatives, camp opportunities, mental wellness programming, and community-based initiatives serving young people across the council’s footprint of seven New Jersey counties.
The event was emceed by award-winning journalist Raven Santana of NJ Spotlight News, who returned for her second year as master of ceremonies. A mother of a Girl Scout herself, Santana helped guide the morning’s celebration while drawing connections between the experiences young people gain through Girl Scouts and the impact they carry into their futures.
A defining feature of the Women of Vision Awards Breakfast was the participation of Girl Scouts throughout the program and event experience. Girl Scout presenters Alyssa P., Lilijana J., Camilla C., and Jade P. introduced the honorees by reflecting on how their own Girl Scout experiences connect to the leadership qualities, resilience, confidence, and community impact demonstrated by each of the women being recognized. The program also featured a moving “Spark Talk” from Shelby M., an Ambassador Girl Scout from Flemington, who spoke candidly about the pressures of perfectionism and the importance of resilience, growth, and self-discovery through the Girl Scout experience. Beyond the stage, guests engaged directly with Girl Scout-led activation booths representing the Teen Advisory Board, Ctrl+Alt+Defeat Robotics Team, Beyond the Badge, Highest Awards, World Thinking Day, and Book Club initiatives, offering attendees a firsthand look at the leadership, creativity, and collaboration fostered through Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey.
In one of the morning’s most impactful moments, Vice President of Strategic Philanthropy Joie Langford led a live call for support, encouraging attendees to invest in opportunities for young people across the region. Guests then heard a deeply personal story from Nikki and Livvi M. of Cranford, reflecting the impact Girl Scouts can have across generations. Livvi, a Junior Girl Scout from Troop 40901, shared her experience alongside her mother, Nikki, a longtime volunteer and Service Unit 48 leader who serves in multiple roles including registrar, delegate, manager, troop leader, and troop cookie manager. Together, their story highlighted the lasting connections, confidence, and sense of belonging fostered through the Girl Scout experience.
GSHNJ also showcased the Girl Scouts on the Go! Mobile Classroom, Powered by Kean University, which was stationed outside the venue. Guests were invited to tour the 25-foot mobile STEM classroom and experience firsthand how Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey is bringing hands-on technology, engineering, and innovation opportunities directly into communities throughout the region.
The Women of Vision 2026 Awards Breakfast was made possible through the support of generous corporate and community partners. GSHNJ recognized Carbro Constructors Corp as the event’s Presenting Partner and Audible as the Gold Partner, whose leadership support helped bring the morning’s celebration and fundraising efforts to life.
GSHNJ also proudly recognized the support and partnership of PNC Bank, Red Hook Terminals, Donjon Marine Co., LLC, Amazon, APM Terminals, Barnes & Thornburg, Harbor Freight Transport Corporation, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Optimum, Rey Financial Group, International Longshoremen’s Association, Local Union 1235, Sims Metal Management, Columbia Container Services/CMC, and Riker Danzig.
Event photos from the 2026 Women of Vision Awards Breakfast, along with tribute videos honoring each of this year’s recipients, are available at Women of Vision 2026 Honoree Tributes and Photo Gallery.
About Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey
Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) believes in the power of every girl. Through programs focused on STEM, entrepreneurship, life skills, and the outdoors, Girl Scouts discover who they are, connect with others, and gain the confidence to make a difference in their communities and beyond. Serving more than 13,000 girls from kindergarten through 12th grade across Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, southern Warren, and parts of Middlesex counties, GSHNJ provides access to leadership experiences that help girls build courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. GSHNJ operates service centers in North Branch and Westfield, the Girl Scout Leadership Center in Newark, Camp Hoover in Middleville, Camp DeWitt in Hillsborough, and The OVAL in Maplewood. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, please visit Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey.
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May 13, 2026
