Our Honorees: BD & Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter

We salute BD for their steadfast support of our work “ to create opportunities to transform lives for Paterson ”children and families.

Bob Guarasci NJCDC Founder & CEO

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of health care by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for health care providers. BD and its 70,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety and efficiency of clinicians’ care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance researchers’ capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. By working in close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand access to health care.

BD is a long-standing supporter of NJCDC and has also been a key partner in the governance of the nonprofit organization through membership on its Board of Trustees for more than 15 years. BD has also long worked directly with NJCDC’s programs, including hosting NJCDC’s students at its headquarters, holding career panels, and participating in Read Across America Day at NJCDC’s preschool.

Carline participated in our virtual Read Across America Day in March

Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter is an ad“ vocate on matters important to the children and families we serve, and we applaud her strong leadership on is”sues across the board.

Bob Guarasci NJCDC Founder & CEO

Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter entered the New Jersey General Assembly in 2012 and represents the 35th Legislative District. She has served in the executive leadership as Deputy Speaker and Majority Conference Leader.

In this session, Shavonda serves as chair of a new assembly committee, Community Development and Affairs, where she looks forward to tackling important issues such as community blight, the wealth gap and upscaling the needs of New Jersey’s small businesses. She’s also a member of the Labor and Law & Public Safety committees. In addition, Shavonda was elected as the first woman to chair the Legislative Black Caucus.

Shavonda recognizes that her legislation transcends her district and affects the 9 million people in the state. She’s a staunch advocate for job growth, women’s health, voting rights, civil rights, and criminal justice reform. Shavonda has championed legislation addressing Black Maternal & Infant mortality and recently, the Governor signed her voting rights legislation into law that will restore voting rights for more than 80,000 individuals who are on probation or parole.

Shavonda received her MBA from the Fairleigh Dickinson University Silberman College of Business and attended Kean University for her undergraduate degree in Political Science. Shavonda is a staunch advocate for access to health care services including mental health care. Her career in mental health services spans over 20 years working with health systems throughout the state that included Hackensack Meridian UMC Mountainside. She prides herself on hard work that her parents Charles and Bonnie Williams instilled in her.

Shavonda has been married for 22 years to Kenneth; together they have two children, a daughter, Tyler and a son, Kenneth. She continues to work hard with a purpose because she believes to whom much is given, much is required. Assemblywoman Sumter has always been extremely supportive of NJCDC, and of the issues that we care about. She has participated in activities with our Paterson Youth Council and other programs, and we are grateful for her continual support.