Christiana Foglio Named Among Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs Finalists

Best and Brightest To Be Announced at Dec. 5th Reception

Christiana Foglio, founder/owner and chief executive officer of Community Investment Strategies (CIS), Inc., has been named a 2013 Leading Woman Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Initiative finalist, an honor which was open to the women in New Jersey who have been keeping the small business economic engine warm in these troubled times. The Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs will be recognized on December 5, 2013 at Fiddlers Elbow Country Club at a cocktail reception.

"This recognition is an opportunity to celebrate the many successful business women who are making a difference in their companies and their communities," said Foglio. "At CIS, we strive to make a positive impact in our state's economic recovery by creating affordable housing that stabilizes and revitalizes communities."

The 2013 finalists who were selected are women who support numerous non-profits, are employing thousands, generating millions and represent a variety of industries. After analyzing hundreds of entries, an independent committee selected the initial finalists for phase one of the competition who were judged in four areas: Market Potential, Innovation, Advocacy for Women and Community Involvement.

"I am very excited about the 2013 initiative in partnership with New Jersey Monthly Magazine that honors women business owners because women are the forerunners to the economic recovery of our state. Over the last twenty years, women have surpassed men at twice the rate for starting their own companies. Our joint project presents phenomenal exposure for their efforts and the issue that finalists are listed in will reach over 750,000 households," states Linda Wellbrock, Founder of Leading Women Entrepreneurs. Finalists are then automatically submitted for phase two of the competition.

Through Foglio's leadership, CIS has successfully transformed numerous blighted communities into safe, quality housing projects. CIS' mission is to leave communities better than when they found them. As a result, the company has successfully improved the quality of life for thousands of residents.

CIS, a leading developer of multi-family housing, including 55+, senior housing and mixed-use redevelopments, has successfully repositioned numerous properties in Elizabeth, Glassboro, Bordentown and Rahway, N.J. The for-profit, certified woman-owned business enterprise (WBE) specializes in developing a broad spectrum of multi-family properties, ranging from multiplex apartments and townhomes to garden-style and mid- and high-rise complexes, valued in excess of $350 million.