Trenton, New Jersey, United States, May 2025 – Denise Santoro has been appointed as the Chief Human Resource Officer at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). With nearly two decades of senior HR leadership experience, Denise will spearhead strategic HR initiatives to support NJEDA’s mission of inclusive and sustainable economic development across the state.
Prior to this appointment, Denise served as a Freelance Human Resources Consultant with Robert Half for over a year. In this capacity, she collaborated with senior leaders across industries, guiding succession planning, employee engagement, policy design, and regulatory compliance. She also successfully negotiated vendor contracts and handled complex business and HR issues, reflecting her capability to navigate multifaceted challenges.
Before her consulting role, Denise spent approximately 19 years at ETS, where she rose to the position of Executive Director/Director HR/HRBP. She led large-scale transformation initiatives, including rearchitecting IT structures, launching the Technology Fellows Program, and overseeing HR due diligence during M&A activities. Her leadership contributed to significant business outcomes, such as a 60% reduction in time-to-fill, a 25% drop in attrition, and over $1 million in cost savings through process optimization and strategic negotiations.
About New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA):
The NJEDA is the State of New Jersey’s primary agency for promoting economic growth and competitiveness. Its mission is centered around fostering equitable development, creating high-quality jobs, and improving the quality of life for residents. By partnering with public and private stakeholders, NJEDA delivers innovative programs and policies that promote dynamic communities and long-term economic resilience across the state.
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