Compiled by Diane C . Walsh Contributing Editor

In this special feature we are highlighting extraordinary women , whose excellence is admired by their peers . Their brief stories give a glimpse of their accomplishments . Our “ One to Watch ,” category is brimming with professionals destined to lead their industries , while the “ Platinum ” selections are women whose careers are models for others . Fascinating stories , fascinating women .

and insights on the professional and technical aspects of CPA firms . In addition , she leveraged her experience as a woman partner to serve as a role model and mentor to others . From day one she had a transformative impact on SobelCo , addressing the firm ’ s quality control challenges and raising the bar on standards . At the same time , she took on responsibility for growing the fledgling Employee Benefits Audit Practice . Today , employee benefit plan audits represent a significant part of the SobelCo client base due to her involvement as the niche champion and her dedication to building a team of benefit plan auditors . In a profession that has been typically male-dominated at the leadership level , Harper is a strong reminder of all that can be accomplished .

ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE resiliency , alternative energy ( offshore wind in particular ), infrastructure , water resources in the western part of the United States and the origination of a company-wide plan —( an Environmental , Social and Governance initiative — ESG ). Under Warne ’ s watchful eye , the company has won numerous local , regional , industry and national awards . Warne is a champion of bringing young women into STEM fields , and always credits her employees for the company ’ s success . Most recently , Matrix was selected one of NJ ’ s ‘ Best Places to Work ’, demonstrating Warne ’ s belief in a company culture of a healthy work experience coupled with unparalleled technical expertise in some of the most critical issues facing the region and the country , is a winning combination . Warne personifies a female leader who inspires and encourages daily , while having a huge impact and advancing the environmental engineering industry .

SobelCo Elizabeth ( Liz ) Harper , CPA Member of the Firm , Director of the Employee Benefits Plan Audit Practice , and Director of Quality Control

Elizabeth ( Liz ) Harper brought to SobelCo years of experience at diverse firms ranging from the Big Four to local practices . As such , she shared a wide variety of perspectives

Diversity and Inclusion has become a priority for today ' s corporations .

Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / Edwin Tan

T & M Associates Lynn Spence , SPHR , SHRM-SCP Senior VP and Chief People Officer

Lynn Spence is an exceptional example of an enterprising woman in commerce . As SVP and Chief People Officer at T & M Associates , she oversees the company ’ s human resources strategy and also heads its award-winning marketing group . Since Spence joined T & M more than 12 years ago , the company ’ s revenue has increased by more than 50 percent , headcount has increased by 40 percent , and T & M has opened several new offices throughout the nation . Spence was the first female and among the youngest-ever employees named to the T & M Board of Directors in the company ’ s 55-year history . She leads the company ’ s Diversity and Inclusion committee and helped establish the T & M Associates Foundation , for which she serves as a trustee . Spence was named by NJBIZ among its “ Best 50 Women in Business ” and was a South Jersey Biz “ Executive of the Year ” honoree .

Matrix New World Engineering Jayne Warne , P . E . President

Jayne Warne has piloted Matrix to new heights with her leadership on climate change

ENVIRONMENTAL

Creamer Environmental Tracy Straka Executive Vice President

Tracy Straka is known as a hard-working , brilliant , driven person , who is a great mentor and friend . With more than 30 years of experience in the environmental industry , her skills include leadership , corporate strategy , risk management , regulatory compliance , marketing , governance , mentoring and volunteer service . Straka is active with many business organizations and has served as chair on several boards , including a term as the first and only female chair of CIANJ . She has been instrumental in pushing environmental issues , especially in her work with the Environmental Business Council . Straka is also a strong advocate on women ’ s initiatives . Straka has been a trailblazer in the environmental and construction industries , where she was often the only woman on the job . She has extensive experience dealing with regulators and has been at the forefront of creative and practical solutions that benefited business operations and the environment . An animal lover , Straka works with animal welfare groups and has devoted her life to rehabilitating abused animals .

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