2026 NJBIZ Finance Power List: A – C

Michael Affuso

President and CEO
New Jersey Bankers Association

What is your proudest professional achievement?

I’m very proud to work with and for great people in a vital industry. Over the past 120 plus years, we have built NJBankers to be a strong ally and trusted resource for the New Jersey banking industry. I’m proud of the work we do to support our members’ needs through advocacy, professional development, and vendor relations. This in turn enhances New Jersey’s communities, as banks are a critical driver of our state’s economy.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

AI – what else. This is affecting all aspects of the industry, from marketing to cybersecurity to customer relations. Also, the inability to deal with our nation’s debt, which is approaching record levels. In the next few years, we are going to see the consequences of these deficits.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

Chance favors the prepared mind.

Michael Allen

Chief financial officer
Hackensack Meridian Health

Allen was named CFO and president, Financial Services Division, of Edison-based Hackensack Meridian Health in December 2024. He oversees the financial services, revenue operations, purchasing and materials management, and investment management teams at the integrated health system, which generates more than $9 billion in annual revenue and has $12 billion in assets, including academic medical centers, children’s and community hospitals, a school of medicine, a research division and a physician division. Allen also manages HMH’s short- and long-term financial plans, serves as a strategic business partner to the CEO, and advises the board of trustees on all financial-related matters.

Besides helming the financial services for the health system, Allen is actively leading the integration of financial and strategic planning, modernizing the analytics platform, and integrally involved in various partnership and M&A activities.

He brings over 35 years of experience in business and healthcare, including 28 years as a CFO for health systems. Allen most recently served as CFO of OSF Healthcare System, where he oversaw all financial operations and led a team of 1,600 finance professionals. During his tenure there, he also served as a voting committee member of the $250 million venture fund OSF Ventures, which achieved an impressive internal rate of return exceeding 25% on portfolio exits.

Karen Artasanchez

Shareholder
WilkinGuttenplan

What is your proudest professional achievement?

My proudest professional achievement is building a meaningful career over nearly four decades where clients and colleagues have trusted me to help them navigate their most important business and personal decisions. While I’ve dealt with many complex tax issues and transactions, I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built and the trust I’ve earned. Helping my clients and colleagues succeed and knowing that I’ve had a meaningful impact on their lives is what I value and am most proud of.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

I believe that AI will be the most disruptive change in the finance industry over the next year. While automation has existed for years, AI is accelerating our ability to analyze data, generate insights, identify risks, and also help streamline decision-making. The firms that embrace AI and use it as a tool to enhance human expertise instead of replacing it will be more successful than those that do not.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

The best career advice I ever received was from my dad, and it was quite simple: find something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.

Dan Borok and Vaughn Crowe

Managing partners
nvp capital

Through nvp capital, Borok and Crowe have made significant contributions to the state’s economy, backing visionary founders building vertical AI-powered software to transform influential industries. They focus on real-world problems, supporting founders and their startups from pilot to scale.

With extensive experience investing up and down the venture maturity curve, Borok has consistently focused on B2B software, driven by a belief that good software creates value by driving productivity and improving the lives of employees. He has invested in notable companies like Vydia, which was acquired by Gamma, and serves as a board member/observer at several companies. His leadership has been instrumental in securing significant capital infusions for the fund.

Crowe has a unique background that includes working at philanthropist Ray Chambers’ family office, Wesray Social Investments. Crowe was a founding limited partner of nvp on behalf of the family office, and transitioned to running the firm, leveraging robust connections to the business community, which has proved to add value to many of its portfolio founders. Under his leadership, nvp has amassed over $200 million in assets under management and continues to raise funds to support next-generation software businesses.

James Bourke

Managing director, Advisory Services
Withum

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Becoming a partner at my firm nearly 40 years ago remains my proudest professional achievement — not simply as a title, but as a defining moment that set the course for everything that has followed in my career. At the time, partnership represented the culmination of years of dedication, continuous learning, and a deep commitment to both clients and colleagues.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

The most disruptive change in the finance and accounting profession in the coming year will undoubtedly be the rapid and accelerating impact of artificial intelligence. While technology has long played a role in improving efficiency, AI represents a fundamentally different shift — one that is redefining how work gets done, how value is delivered, and even how firms are structured.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

[D]ifferentiate yourself and actively pave your own path to success. … The professionals who make the greatest difference are those who lean into their unique strengths, embrace change, and take calculated risks.

Catherine Brennan

Vice president for financial planning and analytics, chief budget officer
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Being asked to serve as deputy state treasurer during the first term of the Murphy administration will always stand as the pinnacle of my career in public service. Helping guide a $40 billion state budget alongside an accomplished, all-women leadership team at NJ Treasury was both inspiring and energizing. When COVID-19 hit, we navigated unprecedented challenges in real time — a reminder that real leadership is forged and revealed when there is no playbook.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

Higher education is in a period of profound disruption, driven by the demographic cliff, political headwinds, rising operational costs, shifting public perception, the impact of AI, and more. At the same time, there is inherent inertia in the sector. The imperative is to become more nimble while staying true to the mission and preserving access. Hands down, higher education remains transformational for both individuals and society.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

Your career will not be a straight line. Take risks, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to reset when something isn’t right.

Becky Burke

EY global services partner, former EY Americas Assurance chief operating officer
Ernst & Young LLP (EY US)

What is your proudest professional achievement?

I advocate mentoring. As EY Americas Assurance COO, I saw the financial performance, quality and results made possible by mentoring and continuous learning. Previously as EY Americas Assurance talent leader, I advanced the EY Digital Audit campaign and encouraged young professionals to take advantage of the EY Career Path Accelerator to help meet CPA licensure requirements and the EY 360 career program’s world-class learning experiences.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

Without a doubt: AI. At EY, our deployment of this technology is transforming the audit. EY has invested in its people, processes, and technology to modernize and empower them to deliver quality services and insights fueled by AI. We saw the excitement build across our teams as they trained and discovered opportunities to reshape service delivery with AI.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

The best career advice comes back to mentoring, curiosity and lifelong learning to enable critical thinking. … It’s also good to give back.

James Cadet

Market executive
Merrill Wealth Management

Cadet is Bank of America’s market executive for Merrill Wealth Management in the greater Paramus area, where he leads nearly 200 employees and manages more than $20 billion in client assets and liabilities. He fosters a collaborative environment where advisors are empowered to support clients through their most important financial decisions.

In addition to the tangible business successes under Cadet’s leadership, he played a critical role in building the firm’s financial advisor pipeline following the pandemic, recruiting some of the best talent in the industry. A graduate of West Point who spent five years in active military service, Cadet is a leader inside and outside Merrill. He is recognized for leading with authenticity and challenging his team to be the best version of themselves, working one-on-one with returning service members to incorporate their skillsets to the civilian workforce and begin the next stage of their careers.

Cadet uses his role on the company’s Black Executive Leadership council to promote entrepreneurship and financial literacy and serves on the board of the U.S. Vets Organization, which seeks to reduce homeless veterans nationwide. Cadet has also served on the Red Bank-based Count Basie Center for the Arts.

Joseph Caplan

Partner
Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman PA, RRBB Advisors LLC

What is your proudest professional achievement?

My proudest professional achievement is becoming a partner and building a reputation as a trusted center of influence in a highly competitive industry, especially as someone who has always identified as a lifelong introvert. Equally rewarding has been the opportunity to coach, mentor, and support others, then watch them grow in confidence, expand their impact, and advance through the ranks as well.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

Artificial intelligence will be the most disruptive force shaping the future of finance. It is challenging firms and professionals to redefine their value propositions, adapt how they serve clients, and continually unlearn and relearn critical skillsets. I also expect AI to reshape hiring strategies, creating demand for professionals who combine business judgment, financial knowledge, technology fluency, and strategic thinking.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

Early in my career, I believed strong technical skills would speak for themselves and naturally lead to advancement. I eventually learned that growth requires more. Act like an owner before you have the title.

Harry Carpenter

Partner and co-practice leader, cannabis advisory services
Citrin Cooperman

What is your proudest professional achievement?

My promotions to manager, director, partner and firm practice leader, and passing the CPA were all amazing achievements I often reflect on. Being honored with this recognition, as well as by Forbes and others, is something I am very proud of, too. However, my proudest professional achievement is seeing the young professionals I once mentored, managed, interviewed or hired become successful partners, managing directors or other leaders in our industry.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

The most disruptive change in the finance industry this upcoming year with be the adaption to AI. It’s a positive disruption that will create significant efficiencies, and these changes will require a learning curve and a change in mind set, while creating some uncertainty with how AI will ultimately affect employment, job responsibilities, policies and procedures, and the future of finance and accounting.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

My advice for the next generation is to balance the use of AI and social media with human interaction and socialization.

Jacques Chappuis

President and CEO
PGIM

Chappius is president and CEO of PGIM, the $1.4 trillion global investment management business of Prudential Financial Inc. With nearly 30 years of investment management experi-ence, Chappuis joined PGIM in May 2025 from Morgan Stanley, where he was most recently co-head of Morgan Stanley Investment Management. At MSIM, he played a key role in the transformative and successful integration of Eaton Vance, a leading provider of advanced investment strategies and wealth management solutions with over $500 billion in assets under management.

Chappius is well known for his deep commitment to clients, leadership in acquisitions, and breadth of expertise across public and private market solutions. At PGIM – one of the key growth engines of Prudential – Chappius’ expertise is allowing the firm to identify opportunities to accelerate its continued growth through new markets, innovative products, and comprehensive solutions across a wide range of asset classes.

He received his B.A. in finance from Tulane University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Chappius also gives back to the community, with volunteer activities that include serving as a member of the New York Board of Advisors of Teach For America and a board member of Centro para la Nueva Economia, a Puerto Rico-based think tank focused on policy matters related to the island’s economy.

Susan Coffey

CEO – public accounting
AICPA

Coffey was “first in line” to see the Ben Affleck action thriller “The Accountant,” but she admits that a Hollywood treatment alone won’t solve the profession’s challenges. As CEO of public accounting at the AICPA, Coffey is guiding the association and supporting CPA firms as they enter a new era: developing ways to attract more people to accounting while increasing diver-sity and helping to guide firms as they integrate artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other technology into their activities.

Under her leadership, the AICPA is also addressing independence and other issues as firms evolve their own business models, looking to private equity, M&A, and other solutions as ways to meet growth and capital needs.

During Coffey’s tenure, the organization continues to adapt in real-time to regulatory, tax, trade and other changes; along with developing emerging initiatives that include rethinking requirements to be licensed as a CPA while maintaining high levels of experience and education; giving exam-takers paid time off from work so they can study for the CPA exam; enticing firms to offer financial incentives to individuals as they pass each section of the exam; and letting undergrad and younger students meet with seasoned CPAs who can tell them about all the opportunities that the profession offers. Under her watch, the AICPA remains committed to staying nimble and forward-looking.

Andrew Coombs

CEO and managing partner
Coombs CPA PC

What is your proudest professional achievement?

My proudest professional achievement is being able to give back to my community. Since starting my firm, I’ve been able to hire and become a resource in Newark. One of my proudest moments is giving scholarships to impoverished students who have struggles paying for college. In addition, I’m proud to have grown a firm to around 1,000 clients.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

The most disruptive change in the finance industry will be artificial intelligence. The technology coming out has the ability to do tasks that a human would typically do. However, I believe that it will enhance the profession and allow humans to do more high-level work. Some people feel threatened by AI, but I think it will increase efficiency in the profession.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

The best advice I’ve received is to stay the course, don’t let your highs get you too high and don’t let your lows get you too low. Life has its ups and downs, but it’s important to stay the course throughout life.

Rob Curley

Executive vice president, regional president, Mid-Atlantic Metro
TD Bank NA

What is your proudest professional achievement?

My proudest achievement is building a 37-year career at TD, starting as a part-time teller and growing into senior leadership. I’ve developed talent across the enterprise, helping others advance, while contributing to our growth into a top market share bank in New Jersey — reflecting a deep commitment to our people, customers, and communities.

What do you foresee as the most disruptive change in the finance industry in the coming year?

The most disruptive change will be the convergence of AI-driven banking and new payment models like real-time payments and stablecoins. As AI becomes more relevant – reshaping advice, operations, and customer engagement – banks must modernize rapidly or fall behind. At the same time, programmable money and embedded finance are redefining payments and deposits, accelerating competition and compressing margins.

What was the best career advice you’ve ever received (or what’s your best advice for the next generation)?

[S]tay grounded in humility and growth: know what you don’t know, work hard, listen more than you speak, and commit to constant learning.

2026 NJBIZ Finance Power List Index:
Intro | A – C | D – G | H – Q | R – Z