Joyce P. Hendricks, president and chief development officer of the Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, has been named a recipient of the prestigious NJBIZ Icon Award. The award recognizes New Jersey business leaders for their notable success, outstanding leadership and significant contributions to their industries and communities.
Hendricks is a titan in the field of health care philanthropy, and her career is a testament to her unwavering dedication and visionary leadership. Since joining the Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation in July 2020, she has been the driving force behind the Be The Difference campaign, a $1 billion philanthropic initiative aimed at enhancing patient care, accelerating groundbreaking research, expanding access to care and transforming education for the next generation of medical professionals. Under her guidance, the campaign has raised nearly $850 million to date. In part, because of the campaign’s success, Hendricks was also recently named a Notable Leader in Philanthropy by Crain’s New York Business.
"Joyce is an invaluable member of our leadership team, and is well-deserving of this honor due to her incredible contributions to Hackensack Meridian Health and the entire state of New Jersey," said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. "Her leadership of our Be The Difference campaign has been nothing short of extraordinary. We look forward to celebrating the campaign's success at our upcoming gala on November 21 at the newly renovated Waldorf Astoria."
Under Hendricks' leadership, the organization has seen donations double. In 2024, the Foundation raised $235 million, its highest annual fundraising total, and has brought in nearly 150 gifts of $1 million or more since her arrival. Her efforts have been instrumental in the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy recognizing the Foundation as a "High Performer" year after year.
"I am deeply honored to receive the NJBIZ Icon Award and to be recognized among such a distinguished group of leaders," said Hendricks. "This award is a reflection of the incredible work of the entire Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation team and the generosity of our community. I congratulate my fellow honorees and thank NJBIZ for this incredible distinction."
Before her tenure at Hackensack Meridian Health, Hendricks served as the first chief philanthropy officer of the Institute of International Education and held leadership roles at the Rutgers University Foundation and Johnson & Johnson. She is a graduate of Rutgers University and the Lead New Jersey program.