Susan A. Feeney, who represents companies in state and local property tax issues as a partner at McCarter & English and who is a former president of the New Jersey State Bar Association, has been honored by Executive Women of New Jersey (EWNJ) for excellent achievement in advancing the cause of women’s leadership in the business community.
Feeney was honored at EWNJ’s “Salute to the Policy Makers Gala,” which helps EWNJ raise money for its programs, which facilitate women’s journeys to leadership positions. At the gala, in keeping with its mission of ensuring that women have equal access to boards and senior positions in corporate governance, EWNJ showcased high-achieving women leaders in New Jersey.
“This truly was an honor, particularly because the organization is so prestigious, my fellow honorees are of such high quality and good will, and because supporting women in commerce and professional services is something that has long been important to me,” Feeney said.
In 2015, the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association awarded her the Women’s Initiative and Leaders in Law. The Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey awarded her the 2012 Mary Philbrook Award, and a year earlier, she received the TWIN (Tribute to Women and Industry) Award. As president of the state bar, Feeney initiated programs to help women attorneys advance at their firms and within the organized bar.
EWNJ’s president-elect, Michellene Davis, who chaired the gala, said of the 38 honorees: “There is a persistent misconception that the reason women are underrepresented in top corporate leadership is because there are not enough qualified women to assume these positions.
“This false perception creates a barrier to women’s advancement, which is why highlighting the multitude of well-qualified women is so essential,” said Davis, executive vice president and chief corporate affairs officer of RWJBarnabas Health.
Michael P. Kelly, chairman of McCarter & English, presented the EWNJ award to Feeney.
“I had the opportunity to spend some time with a few of Susan’s clients,” Kelly said. “One, who is an executive of a major firm client, made me choke up when he said ‘Susan is simply the best at what she does. She is a star.’ I can attest to the fact that Susan is a star– as an attorney, a humanitarian, and an advocate for women in business and the legal profession. I could not be prouder.”