SJ Biz 621 FemaleBusinessLeaders - FINAL_Layout 1 6 / 21 / 21 4 : 34 PM Page 2 Powerful . Innovative . Inspiring . Those are just some of the words you could use to describe many of South Jersey's female business leaders . These women made a concerted effort to shatter the glass ceiling and never look back . We wanted to find out more about their experiences so we asked several area to share their stories and found out how they hope to inspire the next executives generation of women who are poised to follow in their footsteps . SANDI HARVEY work to be done : I’ve witnessed changes ANGELA SICOLI More Vice President of Sales , Meet AC Broker / Owner , Century 21 Award Agency ; in terms of more women in our industry , HARVEY HAS BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY for Immediate Past President of NJ Realtors and more acceptance of women in lead - SICOLI OPENED HER REAL ESTATE OFFICE , over 30 years and joined Meet AC in 1995 . ership , but again the numbers show we Century 21 Award Agency , in 1986 . She She was installed into her current position still have a long way to go . I also think began volunteering with New Jersey Re - in 2018 . there’s more we can do as far as women as a woman in business : Truthfully , altors as a committee member , eventually Challenges helping other women on the way to lead - I felt the road was more challenging be - serving as treasurer and president . ership positions . At NJBIA , we’re fortu - leadership are women as a woman in business : When I cause I rarely saw women in my current Challenges nate — much of our and we work like hand in glove . However , first opened my business in 1986 , it was role . Of course , that was way back when . I know that’s not the case everywhere . unheard of that a woman could own their The anecdote is when you see it you can Women working together strengthens us own business . The industry and brokers believe it . I remember meeting a client for as a whole and individually . were predominantly male , but that didn’t the first time and I am still in contact with stop me from doing what I love , helping her today . She was and has been my mentor PEGGY ALLEN clients achieve their dreams . for over 25 years . ( SEWEKOW ) in the glass ceiling : I have high hopes Cracks In Atlantic City , I have witnessed the CEO , Perry iSearch Partners Inc . for the younger generation as they enter changes in the boardroom , meeting room ALLEN JOINED THE STAFFING AND RECRUIT - the workforce . There are a lot more women and the overall industry . We have cracked MENT INDUSTRY in 1995 . Through the years , in positions of power than there were when the glass ceiling with presidents and CEOs she took on projects and demonstrated our industry with more women in the C - I first began my career . The real estate in - in thought leadership at the company , which Suite . dustry has turned itself around and it is work to be done : I believe we still have naturally evolved into leadership and the More now more female - dominated than male . the next generation : As a broker , I work to do but self - doubt can be dangerous eventual purchase of the company in 2018 . Inspiring as a woman in business : I started have the opportunity to mentor and help for anyone . Every day I say these words : Challenges as the junior person of a male - dominated new agents build their careers . It’s so im - You are braver than you believe , stronger executive search team . I had to work really portant in this industry , and any industry than you seem and smarter than you think . of wisdom : Be confident in your abil - hard to prove myself in a man’s world . I for that matter , to turn around and help Words ities and know your value . felt like I had to work much harder for the those behind you . A career in real estate same level of achievement . This adversity extends far beyond the confines of a con - the best CHRISSY BUTEAS is what gave me the drive to be tract , and once I learned that , I myself of my ability , which ultimately worked out Chief Government Affairs Officer , New Jersey grew , and grew my business in ways I never in my favor . Now , I strive to make the Business & Industry Association ( NJBIA ) thought possible . earning potential equally attainable by all . BUTEAS HAS 18 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE in the next generation : Women have SHARON HAMMEL Inspiring her industry . She joined NJBIA in 2018 Senior VP , Chief Retail Officer , Republic Bank been the backbone of my company . Un - after previously serving as president and HAMMEL’S CAREER IN BANKING began at fortunately , they have not always been CEO of the Home Care & Hospice Asso - age 18 . By age 21 , she was promoted to recognized , due to working more behind ciation of New Jersey . as a woman in business : In a way , store manager . Over her 36 - year career , the scenes . Now that I’m running things , Challenges yes , I did face challenges . The numbers she has held several management positions , I’m in the forefront . It’s important that I do speak for themselves in terms of women and joined Republic Bank in 2012 . She has show up and present a strong company , lagging behind in leadership positions in been in her current role since 2017 . owned and operated by a woman . … As as a woman in business : In my corporate business , nonprofits and in gov - Challenges a leader , I want to be an example of a career , I’ve always been in meetings with ernment . However , it’s just as important to strong woman to my employees and other male counterparts and male bosses , and realize that everyone is faced with different aspiring industry leaders . As I mentor oth - in the past the industry was dominated by challenges and you don’t want to succumb ers , I encourage women to become aware male executives . That being said , I never to those challenges becoming a self - fulfilling of their strengths and take on roles that thought my professional journey was more prophecy where you don’t succeed . You align with their long - term goals , while en - difficult than anyone else’s . I’ve always just have to commit to working harder and couraging them to accept their weak - esses but never stop trying to improve worked hard and focused on the company’s being more prepared and being willing to n in those areas . goals and built meaningful relationships . take more risks . It’s a mindset . SouthJerseyBiz.net | VOLUME 11 ISSUE 6 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | 31