United Way of Greater Newark (UWGN) is proud to announce that its President and CEO, Catherine Wilson, has been honored with the inaugural NJBIZ Executive Excellence Award.
This new program recognizes New Jersey’s most impactful senior executives for their leadership, vision, and commitment to their organizations and communities.
The NJBIZ Executive Excellence Awards celebrate leaders who consistently demonstrate integrity, vision, and a strong dedication to shaping New Jersey’s business and social landscape. Honorees are selected by a panel of independent judges for their significant contributions to organizational success and their deep commitment to community service.
Since taking on the role of President and CEO in 2015, Catherine Wilson has transformed UWGN into a forward-thinking organization driving systemic change. Her leadership sharpened the organization’s focus on supporting ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households—the hardworking residents who are essential to our communities yet struggle to meet basic needs. This award is a meaningful recognition of her strategic vision and the collective efforts of the UWGN team, its board, and its community partners.
Catherine’s career has always been rooted in community empowerment. From her early work in child welfare to designing Essex County’s first CASA mentoring program for youth aging out of foster care, she has been a consistent advocate for opportunity and equity. Her recent selection as a 2025 Rockefeller Foundation Big Bets Fellow further underscores her role as a visionary leader committed to scaling transformative ideas that expand economic opportunity.
The 2025 Executive Excellence honorees will be celebrated on October 14 at The Palace at Somerset Park.
Read more: https://njbiz.com/njbiz-executive-excellence-awards-2025/
