The Newark Regional Business Partnership (NRBP) successfully hosted the inaugural Executive Exchange on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. This exclusive evening was dedicated to high-impact networking among the region’s top leaders. The event, held at the vibrant Newark ArtSpace at Vermella Broad Street, brought together executive and C-suite members from NRBP’s Trailblazer, Visionary, and Luminary tiers.
The Executive Exchange was designed for individuals who are policymakers within their respective organizations, allowing them to engage in high-level, informal dialogue about the future of business and the economic landscape in Newark. The sophisticated gathering included curated experiences by Divino Tasting Room wines and Jimenez Tobacco cigars, blending peer-to-peer networking with a shared focus on the long-term success of Newark.
“Executive Exchange represents the highest tier of strategic engagement for NRBP. By gathering the drivers and changemakers of our region, we are not just networking, we are deliberately fostering the relationships necessary to accelerate Newark’s economic future and solidify its position as a regional powerhouse,” said Ferlanda Fox Nixon, NRBP President & CEO.
Rutgers Newark Chancellor Calls for Urban Renewal
A highlight of the evening was the featured guest, Tonya Smith-Jackson, the newly appointed Chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark. In her welcoming remarks, Chancellor Smith-Jackson expressed a keen interest in leveraging the collective expertise of the NRBP membership. She specifically called for collaborative efforts to formulate investment solutions that put Newark’s downtown vacant buildings to productive use, signaling a strong institutional commitment to urban renewal and partnership with the private sector.
The inaugural Executive Exchange was generously supported by event sponsor, PNC Bank. Newark Arts served as the host sponsor, spotlighting the Newark ArtSpace as one of the city’s newest and most dynamic creative spaces.
