14th Annual Great Conversations Gala

Thank you to those who joined us and supported Morris Arts at our 14th Annual Great Conversations event on April 27, 2022. We loved being back in-person with everyone and felt wonderful energy in the room that was truly filled with great conversations! 

Below you will find a link to our Digital Program, Morris Arts video that premiered at the event and some photos from the event. 

Mark your calendar for next year’s event on April 26, 2023 where we are sure to have even more wonderful honored guests, networking and great conversations. 

If you have any questions or comments or want to recommend a conversationalist for next year’s event, please feel free to contact Director of Development, Gina Moran.

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2022 Great Conversationalists

This year’s conversationalists are drawn from the following fields: Arts, Music & Entertainment; Authors & Media; Banking & Finance; Climate & Science; Communications; Culinary Arts & Food; Entrepreneurs; Healthcare & Pharma; Real Estate; Social Impact and Government Relations; Sports & Fitness; and Travel 

VIEW FULL CONVERSATIONALIST BY CLICKING THEIR NAMES BELOW.

ARTS, MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

Santiago Cohen Cartoonist, illustrator, fine artist and children’s book author	Stacey Harcum Soul and jazz musician, recording artist and music educator
Maria Kowroski Acting Artistic Director of the New Jersey Ballet Company; former Principal Ballerina with the NYC Ballet	Alberti Popaj QVC Program Host specializing in beauty, fashion, décor and entertaining

AUTHOR & MEDIA

Edward Adams, Psy.D. Psychologist with expertise in the challenges facing men; author of Reinventing Masculinity

Joseph Lee NJ PBS – General Manager; experienced public media leader and pioneer in community engagement

BANKING & FINANCE

David Dietze Peapack Private Wealth Management – Managing Principal, Senior Portfolio Strategist

Matt Rich PwC – Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Cloud & Digital Services Leader

CLIMATE & SCIENCE

Benjamin Strauss, Ph.D Climate Central – CEO and Chief Scientist; expert on sea level rise

COMMUNICATIONS

Kieran Fagan CVS Health – VP, Communications; responsible for the CVS’ content strategy & digital media

Wendy Lund Chief Communications Officer at Organon; 30+ years experience as advisor and advocate for women’s health

CULINARY ARTS & FOOD

Andrea Lekberg Founder, owner and pastry chef at The Artist Baker; visual artist

Justin Parnell Mondelēz International – VP, U.S. Marketing & Strategy; previously led U.S. Oreo cookie business

ENTREPRENEURS

Adenah Bayoh Restaurant & Real Estate Developer; IHOP multi-franchise owner; co- founder of Cornbread, soul food restaurant; founder of Urban Vegan

Sam Maddali United Pharmacy Network – CEO; Real Estate Developer; Pharmacist

HEALTHCARE & PHARMA

Tanya Silva Alcorn Pfizer – VP, BioPharma Global Supply Chain

Armond Kinsey Atlantic Health System – VP & Chief Diversity Officer

Linda McHugh Hackensack Meridian Health – EVP, Chief Experience & People Officer

Rebecca Wessler Quest Diagnostics – Executive Director of National Patient Services

REAL ESTATE

Joseph Forgione Founder & Principal of JMF Properties

SOCIAL IMPACT & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Jim McGreevey Former Governor of New Jersey; Chairman of New Jersey ReEntry Corporation

Mike Stanzilis Morris County Chamber of Commerce – VP, Membership & Government Affairs; Mayor, Mt. Arlington

Rev. Dr. Sidney S. Williams, Jr. CEO of Crossing Capital Group; Independent Board Director for Valley Bank; Senior Pastor of Bethel Church in Morristown

Ayo Sanderson Wilson Founder, CEO & President of Empower The Village

SPORTS & FITNESS

John Gallucci Jr. CEO of JAG-ONE Physical Therapy; Medical Coordinator for Major League Soccer; sports medicine consultant for NHL, NFL, NBA & MLB.

TRAVEL

Lisa Borromeo Checchio Wyndham Hotels & Resorts – EVP & Chief Marketing Officer

Great Sponsors

We thank the following corporate sponsors for their support of Morris Arts.

ENCORE
Hackensack Meridian Health
JMF Properties
MCM Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley
NJ Advance Media providing services for NJ.com & The Star-Ledger
NJ PBS
ROI-NJ

GREEN ROOM
Delta Dental of New Jersey 

OVATION
Finn Partners
Mondelēz International
Quest Diagnostics

APPLAUSE
Atlantic Health System
BASF
Delta Dental of New Jersey
Peapack Private Wealth Management
Pfizer
PwC
Valley Bank

STAR
Morris County Chamber of Commerce
NK Architects
Riker Danzig
Sherman Atlas Sylvester & Stamelman
ShopRite of Greater Morristown
Sills Cummis & Gross

Any questions? Please email Gina Moran at gmoran@morrisarts.org