Leading The Way Sponsorships

October 22, 2026 | 11:30am-2:00pm

Preakness Hills Country Club

Fundraiser Luncheon Hosted by United Way of Passaic County Women United

Lead the Way. Invest in Passaic County.

Strong communities are built by leaders who invest in their future.

United Way of Passaic County’s 2nd Annual Fundraiser Luncheon hosted by Women United: Leading the Way- brings together business leaders, philanthropists and community champions committed to creating a stronger Passaic County.

As a corporate sponsor, your organization does more than support an event. You demonstrate leadership through local investment.

Why Lead as a Corporate Sponsor?

Because the companies that shape a community should also help shape its future.

Lead beyond your business. Show that your company’s leadership extends beyond the workplace and into the community you serve.
Put your values into action. Move beyond saying your company cares about community impact—demonstrate it through meaningful local investment.
Take your place among Passaic County’s leaders. Position your organization alongside business, philanthropic and community leaders committed to moving our county forward.
Invest where your employees and customers live. Help create greater opportunity and stronger futures for children and families right here in Passaic County.
Use your influence to create change. Your sponsorship helps bring resources and attention to challenges like literacy, financial instability and food insecurity—and the local solutions addressing them.
Build relationships around shared purpose. Connect your company with leaders and organizations who share a commitment to strengthening Passaic County.
Give your employees something to be proud of. Demonstrate that the company they work for isn't simply located in the community—it is invested in its success.

Leadership isn’t just about where your company is going. It’s about what you help move forward along the way.

Take your place among the companies moving Passaic County forward.

OUR 2026 LEADING THE WAY HONOREES

Community Cornerstone Award: Mimi Feliciano

mimi feliciano Montclair state school of business

Mimi Feliciano is the Founder and CEO of Connect for Freedom, a non-profit dedicated to educating children on the dangers of online exploitation and human trafficking. She is also the Co-Founder and CEO of FEM Real Estate, a national investment firm based in Wayne, New Jersey, which owns and manages real estate across the US, and the former Owner and CEO of Lincoln Park Healthcare.

Mimi’s leadership in New Jersey business and philanthropy has been widely recognized, including as a New Jersey Business Hall of Fame Laureate and a frequent honoree on the ROI NJ Influencers Women in Business list, most recently in 2026. She serves as a Senior Advisor for The Global Center on Human Trafficking at Montclair State University and sits on the boards of the Mimi & Edwin Feliciano School of Business and the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship and is a board member of the .Federal Homeland Security Foundation.

Breaking Barriers Award: Taffi Ayodele

Taffi Ayodele Bureau of Asset Management

Taffi Ayodele Head of Diverse and Emerging Manager Strategy

As Head of Diverse and Emerging Manager Strategy within the Bureau of Asset Management (BAM), Taffi Ayodele leads efforts to expand engagement with and increase allocations to Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises and emerging investment managers and serves as a voting member of the Investment Committee. She also oversees the Minority, Women and Disabled Veteran–Owned Broker Program and coordinates BAM’s annual Emerging and Diverse Manager Conference.

Ms. Ayodele is a seasoned executive with experience in financial services, technology, and real estate. Before joining the Comptroller’s Office, she was a Principal at Harpia Asset Management and co-founded Thando Holdings, a global fashion and technology company supporting African artists. In 2015, Forbes recognized her as one of the 10 Emerging Women Entrepreneurs to Watch in Africa. She previously led TW Advisory, a boutique small business advisory practice.

Her career began at Blaylock Van, LLC (BRV), and she later served as Director of the Office of Executive Initiatives at the New York State Dormitory Authority (DASNY), where she advanced statewide diversity initiatives in procurement and professional services.

She serves on the board of the NYU Global Libraries and is a Trustee Emeritus of New York University, The Guyana Economic Development Trust, and New Jersey SEEDS. Ms. Ayodele earned a BA in Economics from NYU and an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business.

Visionary Leadership Award- Eric Rojas

Eric Rojas Six Plus One

Eric Rojas is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Six+One, a New York-based independent, minority-owned creative agency built around the belief that creativity should move people and culture forward. With more than 25 years of experience in branding, advertising, and storytelling, Eric has helped shape work for brands and organizations including Vitaminwater, Bronx Zoo, New York Life, Spectrum, and others.

His agency’s philosophy, Disruption for Good, reflects his belief that the best ideas can drive business while also serving people and communities. Under his leadership, Six+One was named Design Agency of the Year by Ad Age and recognized by Fast Company for its purpose-driven work.

Eric also serves on the board of United Way of Passaic County and, through For The Greater Hood, has helped support families and communities in Paterson, serving more than 17,000 people and distributing over $2.5 million in brand-new clothing.