As New Jersey’s film and television industry experiences unprecedented growth, one of the leaders helping shape its future has earned statewide recognition.
Diane Raver, executive director of the New Jersey Film Academy at Brookdale Community College and founder of the Garden State Film Festival, has been named one of NJBIZ’s 2026 Leading Women in Business, honoring her decades of leadership in advancing New Jersey’s film industry through education, workforce development and arts advocacy.
Presented annually by NJBIZ, the Leading Women in Business awards recognize accomplished professionals who have made a significant impact on business throughout New Jersey. Formerly known as the Best Fifty Women in Business, the program was expanded in 2024 to honor an even broader group of exceptional leaders across industries including healthcare, finance, technology, law, education and nonprofit organizations.
For more than two decades, Raver has championed New Jersey’s creative economy, helping transform the state into a destination for filmmakers while creating meaningful pathways for students and emerging professionals to enter the industry.
That vision is now taking shape at Brookdale Community College. As the lead institution for the New Jersey Film Academy, Brookdale is preparing the next generation of filmmakers, production professionals and digital storytellers through hands-on education designed to meet the growing workforce demands of New Jersey’s expanding film and television industry.
Launched through a generous grant from the NJ Council of Community Colleges Pathways Initiative and New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), the New Jersey Film Academy is a statewide workforce development initiative led by Brookdale Community College in partnership with 12 other partner community colleges around the state. The Academy connects students with industry professionals, state-of-the-art production training and real-world learning experiences that prepare graduates for careers in film, television, streaming and digital media.
“Diane’s leadership has helped position Brookdale at the forefront of one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing industries,” said President David M. Stout, Ph.D. “Her passion for education, innovation and workforce development continues to create life-changing opportunities for our students while strengthening New Jersey’s film and television industry.”
Raver’s influence extends well beyond the classroom. Through the internationally acclaimed Garden State Film Festival, she has spent decades connecting filmmakers, educators, students and industry professionals while advocating for New Jersey as a premier location for film production. Her work has helped foster collaborations that continue to expand opportunities for aspiring filmmakers throughout the state.
Raver’s recognition comes at a pivotal moment for New Jersey’s entertainment industry. As film and television production continues to grow across the state, students at Brookdale now have unprecedented access to education, professional training and industry partnerships that allow them to launch successful careers without leaving New Jersey.
“Receiving this recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the incredible collaboration happening across New Jersey,” said Raver. “At Brookdale, we’re giving students the opportunity to learn from industry professionals, gain hands-on experience and build careers in film without leaving the state. Watching those students succeed is the greatest reward.”
Raver will be honored alongside more than 60 of New Jersey’s most accomplished business leaders during the 2026 NJBIZ Leading Women in Business Awards on August 18 at The Palace at Somerset Park.