PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Prudential CIO Barbara G. Koster has been named to the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame™ – New Jersey’s premier platform to recognize the state’s ultimate role models – for her outstanding professional achievements and community outreach efforts, it was announced today by Junior Achievement of New Jersey.
“Barbara is true role model and we are thrilled to have her join our class of 2013 Laureates,” said Catherine Milone, President, Junior Achievement of NJ. “Induction into the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame is a lifetime achievement award that honors men and women who have made significant, positive impacts.” Milone said that candidates for induction must consistently demonstrate business excellence, visionary and innovative leadership, community involvement and high ethical standards throughout their professional lives.
Ms. Koster is Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Prudential Financial, Inc. and a member of Prudential’s Senior Management Committee. She also is Chairman of the Board of Pramerica Systems Ireland, a technology subsidiary of Prudential. As head of the company’s Global Business and Technology Solutions Department, Ms. Koster formulates policies, establishes standards and architectures; develops guidelines and management practices; and manages Prudential’s global networks, data centers and other technology infrastructures.
In addition, Ms. Koster expresses a strong sense of commitment to corporate social responsibility through her work with organizations that help Newark high school students attend college while they train for positions at Prudential. She also has oversight of Prudential’s Veterans Initiatives, which help military veterans receive the training they need to find new careers in Corporate America.
Ms. Koster also is involved with efforts that assist people who have Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder that affects language and behavioral development, and programs that encourage young women to consider careers in business and technology. She also has helped fund a scholarship for women at her alma mater, St. Francis College.
“We are very proud of Barbara Koster,” said Prudential Vice Chairman Mark Grier. “Prudential highly values talent and leadership and Barbara epitomizes the best. Barbara’s transformational leadership has heightened the collaboration between business and technology at Prudential and she is a respected visionary among her peers. This is a well-deserved honor.”
Ms. Koster will be honored at a special Hall of Fame induction awards dinner on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at the Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel in Elizabeth, NJ. New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno will be the keynote speaker at the ceremony. For more info on the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame and other 2013 laureates, visit www.janj.org.
About Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers providing relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from K-12 knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches four million students per year in more than 120 markets across the United States, with an additional 6.5 million students served by operations in 117 other countries worldwide. This school year, JA of New Jersey will reach more than 46,000 students. Visit www.janj.org.