Newark Regional Business Partnership (NRBP) has announced that Barbara E. Kauffman has decided to step down from her responsibilities as executive vice president and COO in Fall 2022.
Barbara has been with NRBP for 34 years, beginning as a project manager for NRBP’s predecessor organization, Renaissance Newark, Inc. (RNI). When RNI merged with the Metro Newark Chamber in 1993, Barbara took on an economic development role as a vice president. She was later elevated to executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Monica Slater Stokes, Chair of the NRBP Board of Directors and Managing Director, Corporate and Government Affairs at United Airlines said, “We are grateful to Barbara for her many years of service and dedication to our members. Barbara has made countless connections across industry sectors, and established long-lasting partnerships that created many opportunities to grow and expand business.”
NRBP President & CEO Chip Hallock lauded Barbara for her consistent efforts to support NRBP’s members and her work to produce hundreds of high quality events that included expert speakers and supportive sponsors. “Barbara has an extraordinary combination of intelligence, passion and work ethic that has served our members well. She has been a statewide resource for countless business acquaintances in helping to build their networks and careers – we can’t applaud Barbara enough and wish her well as she continues her civic engagement.”
Barbara stated that her greatest accomplishment has been helping members make connections that fostered new business and opportunities. “I enjoy the challenge of making a meaningful introduction and providing assistance through our wide network of member contacts. I am fortunate to have members who are so willing to use their networks to respond to other members and provide assistance.” She continued, “I intend to continue making connections after I step back from NRBP. I will be pursuing opportunities to continue my commitment to the City of Newark, in part through work at NRBP, the NJIT Martin Tuchman School, Rutgers Business School, and by continuing to serve on boards such as the University Hospital Foundation, the Newark Museum Business and Community Council, and more.”
