The rationale for this program is based on the following premises:
- Recognize and showcase entrepreneurial excellence, service and leadership
- Celebrate diverse, business, role models
- Encourage more women to strive towards their business dreams
- Educate through example
- Raise awareness for the women leaders who are positively impacting the economy
- Create media opportunities for the female founders of high-potential companies
The women chosen are leaders among the women in business in our state. Intelligent, creative, ambitious and socially conscious, these women are part of the wave of entrepreneurs rising in New Jersey and across the country.
Linda Wellbrock is the CEO and Founder of Leading Women Entrepreneurs, an initiative created to commend women entrepreneurs for their service, leadership, contribution to their communities and the state’s economic recovery.
Linda has dedicated more than a decade of her career to the overall advancement of women and diversity efforts.
Through Leading Women Entrepreneurs, Linda has created a national platform to showcase the efforts and accomplishments of some of the most innovative and influential women entrepreneurs.
Prior to the formation of Leading Women Entrepreneurs, Linda co-founded Own It Ventures and held high visibility conferences and forums to enable women entrepreneurs at all the stages the opportunity to gain the education and make the connections to move their professional goals forward.
She spent several years in publishing industry where she served as Vice President of Business Development and Associate Publisher for a professional women’s publication. In addition to writing feature articles on some of the most influential women in the state, her responsibilities focused on managing sales efforts, launching events and developing and implementing effective marketing campaigns.
She began her career in the financial industry working for leading financial institutions including UBS and Merrill Lynch.
Most recently, Linda has taken her successful platform globally through her creation of global women entrepreneurial retreats in countries including Norway and Ireland.
A seasoned spokesperson and advocate for women’s business issues, Linda has been featured in various media interviews and print publications including, a cover story on NJBIZ and numerous NJBIZ feature stories, Newsweek, New Jersey Monthly Magazine, One on One with Steve Adubato, Fox 5 News, Its Your Call with Lynn Doyle, Enterprising Woman Magazine, North Jersey Women Magazine, NJ.com, The Asbury Park Press, The Star Ledger, and more. She has been recognized by many organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America and Fairleigh Dickinson University for her work for women.
She is a sought out speaker and panelist for many university and business forums and has been a featured presenter for Tory Burch (Elizabeth Street Capital Foundation), Senator Booker, the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), Institute for Supply Management (ISM), Fairleigh Dickenson University, Raritan Valley Community College and many business forums. Most recently, Linda began hosting her own educational forums to educate women about the importance and value of certifications, procurement opportunities and the resources available to facilitate business growth.
A graduate of Northeastern University and Farleigh Dickinson University where she received her MBA in entrepreneurial studies, Linda resides in New Jersey with her husband and three young children.