HAMILTON, N.J., June 28, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LeadingAge New Jersey's President and CEO Michele Kent has been selected as one of the top 40 female executives in the state of New Jersey by the prestigious SmartCEO Brava Award Program.

The Brava Awards celebrate the distinguished achievements of 40 of New Jersey's top women business leaders. This year's class collectively generates more than $2.83 billion in annual revenue and employs 14,457 individuals. Brava award winners combine their irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for giving back to the community, and are exemplary leaders of both their companies and their communities. They encourage local philanthropy, mentor up-and-coming leaders and set their companies on the path to tremendous growth.

“Having spent so much of my life dedicated to helping New Jersey’s most vulnerable citizens and formulating policy that safeguards their care, advocating for seniors was a natural next step. Baby boomers are living longer, and at LeadingAge New Jersey, we help them bridge the challenges that increased longevity brings,” says Kent.

LeadingAge New Jersey members comprise over 135 nonprofit senior care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living, supportive housing, life plan communities and home- and community-based services.

“We do a lot of advocacy engaging state legislative leaders and executive branch leadership to advance quality aging services for seniors in the state,” says Kent.

Ms. Kent is the creator of the web-based series Leading Thoughts from LeadingAge, and as host, she interviews key national and state leaders, policy experts and consumer advocates on trending topics in the senior-care space.

As part of LeadingAge New Jersey’s educational mission, she spearheaded the design of a Master’s Certificate in Senior Care Management, in conjunction with Rutgers University.

“We are building the next generation of professionals who will man the helm of our senior care facilities and organizations in the future,” says Kent. “Our 10-week program is the first of its kind, and is designed for our members who have the ambition to move into the executive-level positions that will be critical in leading the profession in the years to come. It’s a large part of LeadingAge New Jersey’s legacy, really.”

The Brava Awards encourage local philanthropy, mentor up-and-coming leaders and set their companies on the path to tremendous growth. Each year, an independent committee of local business leaders selects winners based on company growth, community impact and mentoring. The winners are profiled in the July/August issue of SmartCEO magazine and were celebrated at a gala awards ceremony on June 23.

About LeadingAge NJ

LeadingAge New Jersey is the statewide association of not-for-profit senior care organizations and is dedicated to advancing quality aging services in New Jersey through advocacy, education and fellowship. Together with our partner, LeadingAge, we advance policies, promote practices and conduct research that supports, enables and empowers people to live fully as they age.