Excellence in Governance - 2023

Fekete’s governance roles at the organization date back to 2011, when he joined the Hackensack University Health Network board. As chair of the strategic planning committee, he was part of discussions leading to the 2016 merger that created Hackensack Meridian Health. Even before he was named the health system’s board chair in 2020, Fekete helped guide critical operational decisions, such as partnering with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; creating the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation; and opening Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Fekete, managing partner at accounting firm Mandel, Fekete and Bloom, is also deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, including recruiting a more diverse board to better reflect the New Jersey population. The system also formed DEI councils and established the chief diversity officer position during his tenure as board chair.