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these spending behaviors to current economic headwinds, to showcase New Jersey's heritage of tech innovation,
citing data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and inclusion and opportunity, the event attracted over 80
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jeremiah Lotz, managing vice attendees and featured networking, refreshments and a
president, digital and data at PSCU, stated that March 2023 panel discussion with female tech sector leaders.
showed softening, single-digit growth in consumer spend
with credit and debit transaction growth surpassing Janine Savarese, founder and CEO of NextTech
purchases. Communications, led discussions with panelists Amanda
Pietrocola, president and CEO of Momentum Technology;
"In this month's Deep Dive, we provide a new perspective Jenna Gaudio, co-president at Vydia; and Jasmine Ward,
on the primary ways credit and debit cards are used vice president, strategy and operations for TechUnited NJ.
by defining Digital Payments compared to Physical
Card payments or true 'card in hand' uses," he said in a In opening remarks, Savarese recalled Bell Works'
statement. " prominent role in U.S. history, as "the best-funded lab of
all time," that produced eight Nobel prize winners and
As we reach the two-year anniversary of the PSCU helped win World War II. Today, the enormous building
Payments Index, we continue to evolve the report's data offers a variety of workplace options, she added, including
view and analysis to provide relevant insights in the headquarters for Fortune 500 companies and event space
changing financial landscape." PSCU researchers noted for private and public gatherings. While acknowledging
the CPI increased by 0.1 percent in March 2023 as the improvements in workplace parity, Savarese noted women
inflation rate dropped for the ninth consecutive month. continue to face barriers.
NextTech, NJTC event highlights women leaders "Over 50 percent of women have reported discrimination

The New Jersey Women in Technology Forum, co-hosted and inequality," she said. "In addition, only 9 percent
by NextTech Communications, CoLab at Bell Works and of women-led startups have attracted venture capital
TechUnited New Jersey, was held April 20, 2023, at the investment and 26.7 percent currently hold tech-related
historic Bell Works campus in Holmdel, N.J. Designed jobs."

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