This Montclair State University senior means business. So much so that she has garnered glory from a statewide professional organization.
The New Jersey Business And Industry Association (NJBIA) has honored Montclair State student Isabella Gaudio with the NJBIA Rising Star Award. The award, which recognizes undergraduate business students who “demonstrate leadership, a passion for their field, and a commitment to community involvement,” was presented to Gaudio on Sept. 25 at the New Jersey Women Business Leaders Forum in Atlantic City.
Gaudio was nominated for this award by Claira Zambon Versland, an assistant teaching professor of marketing at the Feliciano School of Business. Only five recipients are selected statewide for this commendation. In an Aug. 21 NJBIA press release, Versland mentioned Gaudio’s Rising Star Award nomination-worthy attributes.
“Isabella Gaudio is a natural leader who uses empathy and respect to inspire and encourage others to give their best,” Versland told the NJBIA. “She is a true rising star with a brilliant future, and I can’t wait to watch her professional achievements.”
Versland’s nomination stems from Gaudio’s standout performance in her Fall 2023 consumer behavior course. In that class, Gaudio led a four-student team during an intensive semester-long project. The group-choice theme entailed simulating a pitch to the Green Bay Packers to make the football team more environmentally friendly.
Gaudio said the surprise news of Versland’s Rising Star Award recommendation came by e-mail in July.
“She contacted me saying, ‘I would really like to nominate you because I think you fit all the criteria,’” Gaudio explained. “I was really excited and thankful that someone thought of me.”
Gaudio said the project was a rigorous group effort. The team performed countless hours of discussion, internet research and scientific environmental studies. Gaudio said she even contacted the Green Bay Packers’ administration for information on the franchise’s environmental friendliness. At first, she said, the franchise was skeptical of her intentions, suspecting her to be a reporter.
“I called the Green Bay Packers, and after I asked them a couple of questions, I remember the person on the phone was like, ‘Who are you?’” Gaudio recounts. “I remember that the person got a little hesitant in answering.”
Gaudio said being the team leader meant hours of back-and-forth discussion with her colleagues. She kept her group’s work efforts focused and made sure to ask Versland questions when needed. She added that the project was done with the attentive detail of an actual presentation to the Packers.
“In that case, we wanted to make sure we had all of our research right, all of our data right, all of our recommendations if they were feasible, right,” Gaudio said.
Gaudio also said that in her final presentation, her team cited a study indicating that football fans care about their team’s environmental friendliness efforts.
According to Gaudio, her group’s meticulous work produced four recommendations for environmental friendliness. They include football jerseys with less microplastic, public transportation incentive tickets, and converting stadium-used frying oil into biodiesel fuel.
Collaboration is essential to efficient teamwork, Gaudio stressed, and therefore it is vital to avoid a dictatorial approach to team leadership.
“I never walk into a project and say, ‘This is my show. We’re going to do it my way,’” Gaudio said. “Absolutely not. I like to hear other’s feedback. I make sure everyone gets a chance to speak. That is one thing that I will always make sure of.”
Gaudio said, for good measure, she makes an extra effort to solicit opinions from shy participants.
The award recipient said being a business leader requires organization, good communication skills, problem-solving, and empathy. One key quality of a good leader, she stated, is consulting with coworkers if dealing with a difficult business matter. She added failing to reach out and maintain consistent communication can have costly consequences in the corporate world.
“You may be missing out on a perspective that could actually be profitable and beneficial to you,” Gaudio explained.
Kaitlyn Amato, a former classmate of Gaudio’s who graduated in August, witnessed Gaudio’s leadership skills in action. Amato characterized Gaudio’s business class management as “insanely well done.”
“I’ve worked on multiple group projects with Isabella, and honestly can say she is the best person I’ve ever worked with in a group project,” Amato attested. “She is very intelligent and always participated in class regularly. She made me feel more comfortable sharing my thoughts in class as speaking to her made me feel more confident.”
Amato said Gaudio showed aptitude in giving guidance, and she immediately noticed Gaudio’s knack for tactfully taking charge.
“Isabella never outright said she was our group’s leader, but she [led] gracefully and with ease. Throughout the entire project she checked in with every team member, always offered help, and made sure we all stayed on track while giving positive encouragement.”
Amato said she was “absolutely not shocked” that Gaudio landed the Rising Star Award, given her excellence.
“I can’t think of a single person who deserves it more than her. Isabella is going to go far in life, and I can tell you that as a fact.”
Also testifying to Gaudio’s prowess is Ansa Bijo. Bijo is a senior accounting BS/MS major and one of the honoree’s classmates. Bijo said she had Gaudio in two courses and considers her “not only a valuable friend but also a role model within the business industry.” Bijo said the prize winner has outstanding corporate world attributes.
“Her patience, attention to detail, and unwavering perseverance are truly commendable,” Bijo explained. “Collaborating with her on group projects has been a rewarding experience, as there is so much one can learn from her.”
Bijo said Gaudio’s potential bodes bright career prospects.
“I have no doubt that Isabella’s current accomplishments are just the beginning of a promising future. I look forward to seeing all that she achieves. She truly is a Rising Star!”
Gaudio said her plans after graduating are to work for MARGIN, a Montclair-based medical supply purchasing collective. She is currently interning at the company, where she organizes data sets.
