Our Featured Guest for Sunday, June 15, 2025 is Judith Sheft

Judith Sheft, Executive Director of the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology (CSIT), shares how CSIT helps early-stage entrepreneurs bring their ideas to market through grants and funding for life sciences, clean tech, advanced manufacturing, and more. Plus, discover how academic research and industry collaborations are driving groundbreaking developments in New Jersey. 

The mission of New Jersey Commission of Science, Innovation and Technology is to accelerate economic development in New Jersey through science, innovation and technology including stimulating academic-industrial collaboration and encouraging and supporting entrepreneurs and inventors. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) grows the state’s economy and increases equitable access to opportunity by supporting high-quality job creation, catalyzing investment, and fostering vibrant, inclusive community development.  NJEDA works in partnership with a diverse range of stakeholders to implement programs and initiatives that improve quality of life, enhance economic vitality, and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

Previously Judith was involved with regional economic and cluster development having responsibilities at the New Jersey Innovation Institute @ NJIT for the HealthIT Connections entrepreneurial cluster development program, the NJIT I-Corps Site and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center. She has been engaged with technology /IP innovation and commercialization efforts working with faculty and students to create startup companies and establishing licensing relationships with corporate partners. She advised external startups at NJIT’s high technology / life sciences business accelerator/incubator. She is on the Board of Advisors to the NJIT Murray Women’s Center and serves as a mentor and coach to students and faculty. She is a former member of the NJ – Israel Commission and serves as Board Chair for the Board of Greater Newark Enterprise Corporation. She is on the Board of the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship Corporation, Einstein’s Alley, and SheTek working to assist early stage tech and life sciences entrepreneurs foster regional economic growth. She was a co-chair of Governor Murphy’s transition advisory committee for Technology Government and Innovation (2017). Read more at: https://www.njeda.gov/csit/ and at: https://innovation.princeton.edu/people/judith-sheft

Our Entrepreneur Presenters:

Gaurav “G” Sharma is the founder of Hook, the ultimate app for music remixing and mashups, giving you the freedom to express your creativity like never before. Remix your favorite songs and craft unique mashups in seconds. Whether you want to create viral sounds for reels or just have fun, Hook makes music remixing effortless and enjoyable.

Browse their catalog of licensed tracks, let your creativity flow, and use AI-powered mashups, genre-based filters, and sound effects to shape your sound. Take it to the next level with video editing tools and seamless social media sharing—Hook is your creative playground. 

Key Features:

– Music Library: Choose from our ever-growing collection of licensed tracks.

– Song Moments: Capture and remix iconic moments from trending songs.

– Mashups: Create your dream mashup with just a few taps.

– Filters & Effects: Apply fun AI-powered music filters and sound effects to transform your hooks.

– Video Integration: Add videos to bring your hooks to life.

– Instant Sharing: Share your remixes directly to TikTok, Instagram, and other social media and messaging platforms.

– Explore & Discover: Browse trending remixes and get inspired by top artists, top creators, top filters, and top hooks.

Read more at: https://hookmusic.com/

Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick is the founder of Leading Young Women, Inc., a community-engaged non-profit organization delivering enrichment programs that address leadership, identity, and empowerment for middle and high school girls through partnerships with New Jersey school districts. Leading Young Women, Inc. is led by successful women of color who look to effect positive change in the lives of young women living in underserved communities. As women leaders, they understand the importance of providing representation of, exposure to, and interactions with successful women from their communities.

Over the course of the last twenty years, Dr. Quick has worked in higher education, with areas including student affairs and diversity education. Dr. Quick’s growing passion lies in empowering, advocating, and supporting young women of color. Working at institutions of higher learning has afforded her the opportunity to mentor young women of color pursuing their academic degrees and career trajectory. One of her early experiences in higher education was serving as a Board Member for ACE Women’s Network NJ for three years,  a non-profit organization committed to advancing women in higher education who actively identify, develop, encourage, advance, link, and support women in higher education.  In working with this organization she recognized the importance of providing representation for young women to see Women of Color achieving success.​

In 2021, Tamika decided to align her passion with her purpose and created her own 501c3 non-profit organization Leading Young Women, Inc an organization that looks to support black and brown girls building lifelong learners who want to lead the future. The organization strives to inspire and encourage female empowerment, social education, mentorship, and basic life skills that will foster partnerships with parents, community members, and friends. Read more at: https://www.leadingyoungwomen.com/