New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), a subsidiary of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), is pleased to announce the appointment of Chrissy Buteas and Elisa Charters to NJII’s Board of Directors.
Chrissy Buteas is the President & CEO of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ). Founded in 1997, HINJ serves as the trade association for leading research-based biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies in New Jersey.
Chrissy Buteas, a seasoned leader, has held significant positions in her career. Before joining HINJ, she served as the VP of Government Affairs at Optimum, a prominent broadband communications and video service provider operating across 21 states. She served as the Chief Government Affairs Officer of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), a role that enabled her to influence policies affecting the 1 million employees of member companies. She also led the NEW JOBS PAC, the State’s largest and most influential ideological business political action committee.
Before joining NJBIA, Buteas also served as president and CEO of the Home Care & Hospice Association of New Jersey, representing New Jersey home health agencies, hospices, and healthcare service firms that provide care to the state’s Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay patients.
She serves on the boards of trustees of Middlesex College, New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), Thanexus, Inc. (a funeral service cooperative), the National Association of Corporate Directors NJ Chapter (NACD-NJ), South Jersey Technology Park at Rowan University, the New Jersey Medical Assistance Advisory Council, Focus NJ, Junior Achievement of New Jersey, Women’s Political Caucus of NJ, and The Historic Village at Allaire. Buteas holds an MPA from the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University-Newark and a BA from Rowan University.
Buteas stated, “New Jersey’s innovation economy depends on strong collaboration among diverse partners—from academia and research institutions to private industry, state government, and economic development agencies. As HINJ works to strengthen the research ecosystem through ongoing partnerships, I am honored to have the chance to serve on the board of the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII). Together, we will continue to advance our state’s technology and innovation initiatives.”
Elisa Charters is a seasoned executive strategist with over 30 years of public-sector finance and transactional experience, specializing in the negotiations of major economic development and regional infrastructure. Her highlights include leading valuation of the Port Authority of NY & NJ’s 23 million sq. ft. of mixed-use portfolio, managing acquisitions in the redevelopment of One World Trade Center post 9/11 and assessing revenue programs as Assistant Comptroller of Port Commerce.
Elisa’s experience in government led to future appointments by three consecutive governors in the State of New Jersey, most recently, as Vice Chair of the NJ Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, and the NJIT Board of Trustees.
Elisa emerged from the government sector following her interests in entrepreneurship and service. In 2009, she founded EAC Business International LLC, a consultancy focused on LATAM wholesale imports, multi-national industrial technical sales, and government contracting. In 2023, she added Juegos AI Lab, a start-up effort on SMS/RCS communication innovations, mobile applications, SaaS platforms, and agentic human-centered AI modeling. In a world where we are so digitally connected, her team’s goal is to help eradicate the national epidemic of loneliness.
A passionate advocate for education and empowering underserved communities, Elisa serves several scholastic and commerce boards, including Latina Surge National non–profit, which she co-founded and scaled from a local grassroots organization to an international platform via the Lean In Latina Surge Network (Lean In has 170K+ global circle members).
Elisa is an alumna of NJIT (BS-CSLA ’92, MS-NCE ’93) holding dual degrees in Environmental Science. She also pursued her graduate degree in International Finance and Business from Columbia University’s School of International & Public Affairs (SIPA).
When asked about the future of NJII, Charters remarked, “The global AI race is progressing at extreme speed, and this is New Jersey’s AI moment. NJII is our East Coast Gateway to transformative growth across key innovation sectors, uniquely supported by NJIT, our premiere R1 translational research institution. State-of-the-art technology and the most prepared technical workforce will forge economic advancement and quality of life in New Jersey for decades to come.”
NJII President Michael Johnson, Ph.D., expressed enthusiasm about Buteas and Charters’ appointments: “We are thrilled to welcome Chrissy Buteas and Elisa Charters to the NJII Board of Directors. Their extensive backgrounds in healthcare and economic development will be invaluable as we continue to drive innovation and foster collaboration across New Jersey’s key sectors. Together, we will enhance our mission to accelerate technology and support our state’s growth, ensuring New Jersey remains at the forefront of the innovation economy.”
Under Johnson’s leadership, NJII has made significant strides, including the recent launch of the NJII Venture Studio, the state’s seventh Strategic Innovation Center (SIC) focused on high technology and IT. NJII has also strengthened its role in workforce development by expanding training programs in cutting-edge fields such as AI, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology, creating hands-on opportunities for students and professionals alike.
About NJII
The New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit wholly owned by NJIT. Founded in 2014, NJII leverages the vast resources of an R-1 research university, deep industry and government partnerships, and a proven track record of building industry-centric ecosystems to accelerate technology, foster innovation, and drive workforce development. With over $330 million in revenue across four divisions—AI/ML, Defense, Entrepreneurship, and Healthcare. NJII delivers measurable economic impact across New Jersey and beyond. Learn more: NJII
About NJIT
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is the leading producer of technological talent and knowledge in New Jersey, serving as a nexus of innovation. NJIT is the only polytechnic university classified as an R1 (highest level) Carnegie Classification research university and is designated as both an Asian American and Hispanic-serving institution. The New York Times college ranking tool rates NJIT No. 1 nationally among all public universities for high alumni earnings, economic mobility, and academic profile. Additionally, NJIT is ranked among the top 100 universities in the country for alumni mid-career earnings and is recognized as a Best Value College by The Princeton Review.