Corporate Honoree

Adrian Hawkins

Adrian Hawkins is a dynamic trailblazer who began his Novartis career 35 years ago as a Marketing Systems intern. Courageously evolving from IT to various therapeutic sales areas of increased specialized roles, he is currently an Associate Director, Autoinflammatory Disease, Immunology – Customer Engagement. Adrian is a recent graduate from the esteemed Multicultural Engagement Program and is an active member of Management Development Peer Network as he aspires to expand his leadership responsibilities. 

Throughout his stellar career he has won over 15 national sales awards including Cornerstone Sales Club status for sustained business excellence with most recent awards inclusive of: Values in Impact Annual Award 2020-2024 and Business Excellence Award 2022. His passion for Diversity & Inclusion has enabled attainment of 2 CEO awards along with recognition at 2018 National Sales Meeting for his 20 years of dedication for his focus on improving Novartis culture and healthcare disparities nationally. He is founder of the Novartis Corporate Teen Mentoring Program (formerly Black & Latino Achievers Corporate Mentoring Program) positively impacting over 2000 students since inception providing college and career guidance. He is Chair of the Immunology DEI Council with a past similar Oncology Chair role. Following his appreciation for internships, he leads the Summer Sales Internship program as it’s embarking on the 4th summer in 2024 which has developed several full-time hires internal and external. He is CapABLE ERG Co-Chair heightening the awareness and acceptance of disability inclusion at Novartis globally. CapABLE won ERG of the year 2023.

Externally exhibiting corporate community citizenship, Adrian’s leadership continues as Board Chair of NSN NJ/NY Chapter and past President for this chapter and Summit Lions Club enabling servant community activity for urban and underserved areas. He is current Chair of DisabilityIN NJ leading the Re-Launch of this affiliate to become a formal chapter while assisting to increase disability inclusion awareness statewide. Adrian has served on several past boards (YMCA, SAGE, MS Society). Some of his volunteer proudest moments was being recognized as "Alumni of the Year" by Newark Boys Chorus School positive spirit and passion for community giving and honored by the YMCA as “Achievers Most Dedicated Mentor”.

Corporate Honoree

Joseph Baker & Veritext Legal Solutions

Joseph Baker serves as Chief Operating Officer of Veritext Legal Solutions. Veritext is the leader in legal technology services, including deposition and litigation support solutions with a proven track record of industry excellence. Within this role, Joe is responsible for maximizing operational performance and service delivery, while driving improvements across broad workstreams that encompass people, process, and technology.

In early 2021, Joe saw an opportunity to bring Veritext and Spectrum360’s Film Academy together to work on video editing projects.  There was an immediate cultural fit, and the two organizations aligned on a common purpose of serving the Livingston, New Jersey community.  This strategic partnership has expanded to include an internship program and other skill-building initiatives for students and clients.  Additionally, Veritext is now in its third year of supporting Spectrum360’s “Walk for a Lifetime” event -- having raised over $50,000 as a company, to date. Dozens of people have come together from both organizations to create a powerful story that continues to inspire hope and create new opportunities for everyone involved.

Joe is a seasoned executive leader and cultural change agent having led large scale businesses in various industries.  Prior to joining Veritext, Joe was Chief Operating Officer and SVP of Business Development for National Express LLC., a $1 billion provider of people transportation solutions for school students and the disabled community.  He also spent nearly a decade with Hertz Inc. in both project management and operational capacities, most recently as Vice President of Operations.

Joe is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Widener University and an MBA from Villanova University.  He is also a Certified John Maxwell Team Leadership speaker and enjoys mentoring and inspiring young leaders.  He has served on the Board of Trustees for Spectrum360 since 2020 and has a stepson with autism.

Humanitarian Honoree: John J. Mulholland, Jr.

John J. Mulholland, Jr. is the Executive Director of ASAH, a not-for-profit organization of state-approved, highly specialized special education schools that serve over 10,000 students with disabilities. He previously served as the Director of the Governor’s Office of Constituent Relations after holding several senior staff roles in the New Jersey Legislature.

Mulholland is serving his second term as an elected member of the Cherry Hill Board of Fire Commissioners, where he helps to set strategic direction for a full-service fire protection and emergency medical public safety agency that serves Cherry Hill Township and neighboring communities. He was appointed by the Governor to chair both the New Jersey Commission on National and Community Service and the New Jersey First Employee Residency Review Committee, after serving on both with distinction. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for Advocates for Children of New Jersey.

Mulholland received his Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude, in both Political Science and History from Temple University. He received his Juris Doctor from the Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law, where he was awarded a prestigious Peggy Browning Fellowship to serve in the law department of the United Mine Workers of America, and later was named a fellow in the Rubin Public Interest Law Honor Society for his frequent participation in impactful volunteer activities. Upon graduation, he completed a Conwell Community Corps Fellowship with Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, where he focused on homeownership defense work. He maintains his license to practice law in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He also holds a Certified Association Executive credential issued by the American Society of Association Executives.