Connecting the Best of Newark

Diana Candelejo

Visual Artist, Executive

Diana Candelejo grew up in Newark and now lives in the downtown district as a proud resident. She is an executive, a visual artist, and, through social media accounts and her network of acquaintances, a vibrant link between Newark’s people, businesses and the arts.

She makes Newark her home for many reasons, not the least of which is diversity. An immigrant from France with Ecuadorian parents, she appreciates the rich and varied community of people. She calls Newark people very loving, very creative, and filled with the desire to uplift and support each other.

As Assistant Vice President of Economic Inclusion for the Social Impact and Community Investment Department at RWJBarnabas Health, she brings together small, minority, women and veteran owned businesses in Newark and connects them to the hospitals in their system, one of which is Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.

“Folks are allowed to do more than one thing. We are not limited by our job description.”

She celebrates diversity in another passion of hers: painting. “Folks are allowed to do more than one thing,” she laughs, “we are not limited by our job description.” She has always painted; in fact, she went to an arts high school in Newark. She became inspired to study economics because of the lack of economic development and the racial and health inequities she saw growing up. It made her curious as to why society is not always as equitable as we want it to be. And now she uses her art to inspire action and educate.

Her Instagram account actively promotes the Newark arts scene, the Newark Museum, NJPAC, and local businesses. Follow her at @diana_candelejo and you can see her work, keep up with her activities, and let her connect you to some wonderful new experiences.

Favorite place for coffee: 

PJs. “I love their entrepreneurship, their story and their coffee!”