2026 NJBIZ Finance Power List

At around this time last year, NJBIZ presented the first Finance Power List – which built upon the Accounting Power 50 features in a way that better reflected the needs of modern businesses and the variety of services that financial professionals are now expected to offer. If anything, the intervening 12 months have only reinforced the logic behind that move.

Technology – especially artificial intelligence – has become more widespread as executives and business owners recognize the efficiencies it can bring to the workplace. As competitors adopt AI, the need to embrace the technology becomes increasingly acute. Financial professionals of all stripes are called upon to master the use of AI and to come up with new ways to deploy it. Clients know the score and are demanding that their vendors figure it out — even if they have historically been skeptical or reluctant.

The economic climate is also putting pressure on businesses to enhance existing revenue streams and create new avenues. Costs are increasing, which means efficiency becomes even more important. Markets are getting more complex by the day, requiring more sophisticated analytic tools. AI can be a critical component in that effort.

But people remain central to every business operation. Every discussion of AI and its uses circles back to the need to maintain a human connection. AI cannot exercise moral and ethical judgment. AI cannot evaluate whether the skills and knowledge of mission-critical staff members are adequate to meet current challenges. AI cannot create and maintain a productive corporate culture. And, perhaps most important, AI cannot build trust and relationships.

Readers will recognize all of those abilities in the profiles that follow. The honorees presented here are and will remain vital to the success of their organizations no matter how deeply technology gets embedded in business workflows.

As always, the profiles are presented in alphabetical order. After reading through them, let us know what you think of the choices represented here and whether we missed someone deserving of recognition.

– Jeffrey Kanige
Email: jkanige@njbiz.com

Methodology

The Power Lists are compiled by the NJBIZ editorial staff based on our reporting throughout the past year with input from experts in a variety of fields and recommendations from our readers. The staff looks for people who have gained public attention – and perhaps acclaim – for their professional accomplishments and public service. Each list identifies individuals who, through their efforts, are helping to make New Jersey a better place to live, work and do business. Honorees are not necessarily better at their jobs than others in their profession, but they have contributed meaningfully to the advancement of the public interest through their work and/or community service.

Meet the 2026 NJBIZ Finance Power List honorees: