Academic Innovation and Leadership Award
Marja Hurley, Associate Dean and Director
University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington
Marja Hurley is an investigator in the field of cellular and molecular biology of bone and is recognized nationally and internationally for her seminal contributions on the role of growth factors in bone homeostasis and disorders such as osteoporosis. Marja is also nationally recognized as an educational leader in the development of innovative programs that have resulted in the matriculation of hundreds of underrepresented students to health professions schools throughout the United States.
|
|
Collegian Innovation and Leadership Award
Claire Weiss,
Doctoral Student, Materials Science & Engineering
University of Connecticut School of Engineering, Storrs
Claire Weiss received her BA in physics from Lawrence University in 2007 and she is now pursuing a
PhD in Materials Science and Engineering. She is currently researching ferroelectric thin films for use in
tunable devices and other applications. Claire spends her summers doing research at the Army Research
Laboratory in Aberdeen, Maryland and will work there after graduating under the SMART (Science,
Mathematics, & Research for Transformation) program. |
|
Community Innovation and Leadership Award
Seema Winsor, Principal Engineer
Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford
An engineer by education, and sociologist by choice, Seema Winsor likes to connect the dots between
innovative programs and students of all ages. Co-founder of Stamford Robotics, Seema brings the
positive impact of FIRST LEGO League and Jr. FIRST LEGO League to the lives of more young
people every year. Over 200 students, ages 6 to 18, have participated in the Stamford Robotics Jr. FLL
Exposition the last two years where they were able to celebrate their passion for science and engineering.
|
|
Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership Award
Heidi Douglas, Founder
EntreNuventus LLC
Technology innovator and entrepreneur Heidi Seifert Douglas is founder and managing partner of EntreNuventus LLC, a consulting firm serving small to mid-size high tech and life sciences companies. Prior to her affiliation with Nuventus, she was co-founder, president and CEO of MysticMD Inc., a company specializing in advanced materials. As a partner in Deloitte Consulting’s high technology practice, she managed some of firm’s largest engagements at Fortune 100 companies. Heidi is a Director at Decision Options, LLC and serves on the University of New Haven (UNH) Board of Governors and UCONN School of Engineering Advisory Board. In 2009, she received the UNH Distinguished Alumni Award.
|
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership Award
Christine Marsh, Vice President, Business Analysis
Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corporation
Christine Marsh is the Vice President, Business Analysis for Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corporation
and Roxane Laboratories, Inc. in Ridgefield. In this role, she is responsible for providing long term
strategic direction and support to senior management in sales, managed markets and marketing related
to all business analysis including data integrity, sourcing and management, commercial analytics,
incentive compensation, market research and business intelligence, marketing analytics, pricing actions,
reimbursement, and contracting. She is responsible for leading a 100+ member team. As a member of
the senior management team, she partners with business client management to identify and define goals
and objectives that support the US/Global growth and top business priorities of Boehringer Ingelheim
USA Corporation. |
|
Research Innovation and Leadership Award
Baikun Li, Assistant Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut
Baikun Li started her academia career as Assistant Professor at Penn State Harrisburg in 2003, and joined the faculty of environmental engineering at the University of Connecticut in 2006. Baikun’s expertise is environmental biotechnology, wastewater treatment and bioenergy production. Currently, she is leading five PhD students working on hydrogen production and electricity production from microbial fuel cell treating wastewater. Baikun has collaborated with environmental companies in Connecticut and New York to commercialize the sustainable bioenergy production through wastewater treatment and convert wastewater treatment plants to power generation plants. By working with industry, Baikun has filed for three patents of microbial fuel cells. In the summer of 2009, Baikun’s group successfully conducted the first national pilot-scale microbial fuel cell systems in wastewater treatment plant, which is a significant step toward the commercialization of bioenergy production. |
|
Small Business Innovation and Leadership
Julie Pellegrini, Vice President
GraphLogic, Inc.
Having earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Boston College, Julie Pellegrini accumulated
biotech experience through positions at CuraGen and Invitrogen. As lead developer on several of
GraphLogic’s early device integration projects, she positioned the company to take advantage of the
potential of the device-generated data analysis market. Leading this segment, her role expanded across
execution and sales, affording her the enterprise-wide scope of her current role. |
|
Small Business Innovation and Leadership Award
Linda Stahl, Director, Strategic Products
COCC
Linda Stahl combines vision with practical experience to help community banks increase efficiency while
reducing paper and power consumption. She began her banking career at age 16 as a teller, and never forgot
the value of implementation and support in realizing technology vision. Her efforts to reduce resource
consumption at banks have magnified her impact on pollution and waste, making Connecticut a healthier
place to live and work. |
|
Youth Innovation and Leadership Award
Neeharika Krothapalli,
Student
Farmington High School, Farmington
Neeharika Krothapalli is a senior at Farmington High School. She enjoys being editor-in-chief of her
school’s yearbook, captain of the JETS team, founder and president of the Current Events Club, and
secretary of the French Honor Society. Throughout the past few years of high school, she has pursued
her interest in finding solutions to problems challenging our society such as the need for alternative
energy by conducting biofuel research on jatropha curcas at the University of Connecticut with Richard
Parnas. A lover of giving classical Indian dance performances and acting in Indian dramas in her free
time, she plans to attend Dartmouth College next fall.
|
|
| |
|
The 2010 Finalists: |
We also honor the full class of 2010 finalists, each and every one is an outstanding woman working in Science and technology. |
Academic Innovation and Leadership
Laurel Appel, Adjunct Associate Professor of Biology
Wesleyan University, Middletown
Laurel is Adjunct Associate Professor of Biology at Wesleyan University, and Faculty Advisor to
Wesleyan Women in Science. She is the Director of the Wesleyan McNair Program, which assists
students from underrepresented groups in preparing for, entering, and progressing successfully through
post-graduate education. Laurel is a past councilor of the Connecticut chapter of AWIS (Association
for Women in Science). Laurel is also involved in many volunteer activities for the community,
especially in the area of science education. She received her AB in Chemistry from Oberlin College,
her MS in biophysical chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley, followed by a PhD in
genetics also from the University of California at Berkeley. |
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Karen Alsante, Research Fellow
Pfizer, Inc., Groton
Karen Alsante is a Research Fellow in the Research Analytical department at Pfizer Global Research and
Development in Groton. Karen received a BA with honors in chemistry from Holy Cross College in
1989 and her PhD in organic chemistry from Duke University in 1994. Karen began her Pfizer career in
1994 as a development scientist in Groton Quality Operations. In 1997, she developed a Degradation
Group in Analytical R&D responsible for gaining a better understanding of drug substance and drug
product chemical and physical stability. In January 2006, Karen began her current position as Research
Fellow for Research Analytical focused on early analytical research activities starting in partnership with
Discovery and progressing through development to Phase II clinical trials. In her community, Karen
started a Science Day event at Old Saybrook Goodwin Elementary School in 2009. |
|
Research Innovation and Leadership
Kathy Ayers,
Director of Research
Proton Energy Systems, Inc., Wallingford
Kathy Ayers has over 15 years of experience in characterization of electrochemically active materials.
Kathy holds a BS in chemistry/chemical physics from the University of California at San Diego,
and a PhD in chemistry from CalTech. She has served as a mentor for many female graduate and
undergraduate students over the past several years through MentorNet. Kathy has two young daughters.
|
|
Small Business Innovation and Leadership
Margaret Bailey, VP Applications Software Development
Sonalysts, Inc., Waterford
Margaret is an accomplished Project Manager who directs a team of innovative software engineers. Her
unique projects have included sonar tactical training, data mining, cyber security, and marine mammal acoustics. She leads the Engineering Process Group at Sonalysts and is responsible for implementing
the CMMI Level 3 process model for software development. Margaret enjoys hiking and lives in central
Connecticut with her children.
|
|
Research Innovation and Leadership
Jean Beebe, Executive Director
Pfizer, Inc., Groton
Jean Beebe received her undergraduate training at the University of Vermont, and her PhD in
Pharmacology from the University of Michigan. She did postdoctoral training at Harvard, joining
Pfizer in December 1991. Jean has led multi-disciplinary teams that are responsible for the discovery
and development of new medicines for patients with cancer and inflammatory conditions.
|
|
Academic Innovation and Leadership
Sarah Berke, Director, Bioscience Explorations
Connecticut United for Research Excellence, Inc., New Haven
Sarah Berke is Director of Bioscience Explorations, a CURE statewide biotechnology education program that serves thousands of students and teachers annually. Under Sarah’s direction, Bioscience
Explorations has expanded, including the addition of a hands-on elementary science program.
Sarah frequently presents at national conferences, serves on the Connecticut Science Fair Executive
Committee, is executive director of the Mobile Laboratory Coalition, and most recently was an invited
panelist for the National Association of Educational Progress.
|
|
Research Innovation and Leadership
Tania Bhatia, Research Engineer
United Technologies Research Corporation, East Hartford
As a research engineer at the United Technologies Research Center (UTRC), Tania Bhatia has worked on developing technologies that enable the use of ceramic components for the next generation gas
turbine engines. Before joining UTRC in 2002, she obtained a BE degree in Metallurgy from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, a PhD in Materials from the Indian Institute of Science and worked
at the University of Connecticut as a post doctoral researcher. Tania is an internationally recognized expert on the subject of Environmental Barrier Coatings (EBCs), and is active in professional societies
relating to ceramics and gas turbine engines. She has been granted three patents with over ten additional patents pending.
|
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Jennifer Broom, Manager of Collaborative Research
Covidien Surgical Devices, North Haven
Jennifer Broom is the Manager of Collaborative Research for Covidien Surgical Devices in North
Haven. She is responsible for managing collaborative projects with external partners including clinicians
and university researchers. Prior to joining Covidien she worked for a specialty metals manufacturer
as a technical specialist, helping to design products and resolve problems with customers. Jennifer
holds a BA in Mathematics from Russell Sage College, a BS in Materials Engineering and a MBA from
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
|
|
Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Phoebe Browning, CTO
YourNurseIsOn.com, New Haven
Phoebe Browning is the Chief Financial Officer for YourNurseIsOn.com, a healthcare staff communications company, based in New Haven. Phoebe received a BS in Finance and a Master’s in
Business Administration from Southern Connecticut State University. Phoebe built an accounting firm prior to YourNurseIsOn.com, and is a respected business consultant. As CFO, Phoebe has
managed the growth of YourNurseIsOn.com from a back-of-the-napkin vision to a paradigm changing communications powerhouse.
|
|
Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Wynne Cerone, Vice President of Operations and CTO
Imaging Solutions, Wallingford
Currently the Vice President of Operations and CTO at Imaging Solutions, Wynne Cerone provides
leadership and direction to a staff that is responsible for pre and post sales support in addition to the
management, development, and implementation of ECM, data capture and workflow systems. She has
managed enterprise-wide projects that involved the coordination, integration and implementation of
products and systems from multiple vendors. Wynne began her career in the imaging industry when
she joined DataImage, Inc. in 1987, later moving to the Plexus Software Division of Recognition
International and then joining Imaging Solutions in 1994. Wynne is very knowledgeable in many of the
imaging, workflow, OCR, ICR, full text retrieval, and document management software products in the
market. She is certified in Kofax Capture and AnyDoc Software products. |
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Kristin Colacchio
CSC
Kristin Colacchio, a Fordham University graduate, joined the CSC Project Management team in July 2000. Kristin is currently managing a $35 million program where she developed and implemented a desktop refresh deployment that spans the United States, Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico. She leads a team of eight Project Managers and a technical support team of over 40 members. The 18-month progam ensures that 25,000 customers, in their respective geographies, are sufficiently serviced with minimal down time. This innovative approach under Kristin's leadership has resulted in high client satisfaction and a paradigm for future programs.
|
 |
Academic Innovation and Leadership
Carmen Cid, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
Eastern Connecticut State University
Carmen Cid is Dean of Arts & Sciences at Eastern Connecticut State University and is one of the
few Hispanic PhD ecologists in the country. She helped establish Connecticut’s AWIS Chapter,
is on the governing board of the Ecological Society of America and is a Principal Investigator of
a national NSF-ADVANCE grant. Carmen developed the multi-media bilingual WONDERWISE
“Urban Ecologist” program for middle school girls. At Eastern, and nationally, she is working on
interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability.
|
|
Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Kelley Connors, Founder & President
KC Healthcare Communications
Kelley Connors is the President of KC Healthcare Communications, a company she founded to empower women to be their own best health and wellness advocates. Working in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry for the past 20 years, she focused on marketing and public relations for companies such as Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Bausch & Lomb, Boehringer Ingelheim and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Kelley is an avid and ongoing student of social media and the role that it plays in improving public health and health communications. Together with her team at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, she just completed a multi-year grant to prevent young girls, ages 9-11, from smoking through a web-based educational intervention called nonsmokingroom.org. |
 |
Academic Innovation and Leadership
Michele Dischino, Assistant Professor, Technology and Engineering Education
Central Connecticut State University, New Britain
Michele Dischino joined the Technology and Engineering Education faculty at Central Connecticut State
University in 2006. She received her PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 2006
and her BS in Mechanical Engineering from Manhattan College in 1992. As a graduate student, Michele
became heavily involved in educational outreach in Philadelphia, where she realized her passion for
teaching and encouraging students to achieve their full potential.
|
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Sue DiMascio, Program Director
ATMI, Inc.
Sue DiMaschio has spent her 17 year career at Advanced Technology Materials, Inc. (ATMI), involving herself in many aspects of the business from Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to Quality Management Systems (QMS). After a few years as a Research Scientist, Sue established and managed a centralized analytical group. She has recently switched roles to lead global R&D informatics strategy for the organization. Sue resides in New Milford with her husband and three children. She earned her degree in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT. |
 |
Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership Award
Heidi Douglas, Founder
EntreNuventus LLC
Technology innovator and entrepreneur Heidi Seifert Douglas is founder and managing partner of EntreNuventus LLC, a consulting firm serving small to mid-size high tech and life sciences companies. Prior to her affiliation with Nuventus, she was co-founder, president and CEO of MysticMD Inc., a company specializing in advanced materials. As a partner in Deloitte Consulting’s high technology practice, she managed some of firm’s largest engagements at Fortune 100 companies. Heidi is a Director at Decision Options, LLC and serves on the University of New Haven (UNH) Board of Governors and UCONN School of Engineering Advisory Board. In 2009, she received the UNH Distinguished Alumni Award.
|
|
| |
|
Youth Innovation and Leadership
Yi Feng, High School Student
Farmington High School, Farmington
Yi Feng is interested in pursuing studies in the field of biological and biomedical sciences. She hopes
to one day have a career in biological/biomedical research or in the medical field. Her other interests
include playing the piano, volunteering, and listening to music. She currently lives in Unionville with her
parents and six-year-old sister and will be going to college next year.
|
|
Collegian Innovation and Leadership
Nupur Garg, Medical Student
YALE
Nupur Garg is a native of Pensacola, Florida, where she grew up with her parents and three siblings.
After finishing high school in 2003, she went on to MIT where she double-majored and doubleminored
in engineering, science, and management fields. She went on to join the MD/MBA program
at Yale University in 2007. Since high school, she has been starting up programs, leading organizations,
and entering and winning innovation competitions, including at the international level.
|
|
Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Mary Gawlicki,
President
Corporate Translations Inc.
Mary Gawlicki founded Corporate Translations in 1990 with the singular goal of providing the
pharmaceutical industry with the superior quality translation consulting services it requires. Prior to entering
the translation industry, Mary enjoyed a successful career in manufacturing finance at Xerox, the Scott
Paper Company and Digital Equipment Corporation. Mary obtained her BA in French at Manhattanville
College and later earned her MBA in Finance at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
|
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Donna Grossman,
Mechanical Engineering Manager
Hamilton Sundstrand
Donna Grossman has worked in Mechanical Design Engineering at Hamilton Sundstrand since 1977.
Her projects have included mechanical design on the current space suit, several projects for nuclear
submarine use, and various environmental control/life support systems (ECLS) for the Space Shuttle
and the International Space Station. Donna is currently working as the Design lead on the ECLS for
the Shuttle replacement vehicle, Orion.
|
|
Community Innovation and Leadership
Nicole Hade, Manager, Engineering Effectiveness & Strategy
Hamilton Sundstrand
Nicole Hade is a pioneer in sustainability initiatives at Hamilton Sundstrand. In addition to her strategic
engineering responsibilities, Nicole co-leads the Sustainability Initiative Team, which she founded three
years ago, engaging employees in sustainable practices. She spearheads the Sustainability Fair, which is held
annually at Hamilton Sundstrand. Nicole has a BS in Geoscience from William Smith College, an MA in
Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island, and an MBA in Managing for Sustainability from
Marlboro College
|
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Sheryl Hildner, IT Director
General Electric Corporation
Sheryl Hildner is an IT executive with extensive experience in developing and implementing complex
IT solutions to enable growth and improve productivity. Her broad experience is in process and
technology redesign projects with a number of financial-based institutions. She has spent over ten years
at General Electric delivering successful multi-year global Business Intelligence/Data Warehouse and
large scale system implementations with significant business benefit.
|
|
Youth Innovation and Leadership
Sydney Hofer, High School Student
Greater Hartford Academy of Arts and Sciences
Sydney Hofer, a high school student at the Greater Hartford Academy of Arts and Sciences, is conducting
an independent research project on biofilms, the plaque that forms on one’s teeth. She is testing the
effects of the active ingredients in traditional and natural toothpastes and their ability to eliminate bacteria
that are commonly found in biofilms. In addition to this project and in the hopes of further advancing her
studies and ultimate goal of becoming a dentist, Sydney is an intern at Farmington Family Dentistry.
|
|
Academic Innovation and Leadership Award
Marja Hurley, Associate Dean and Director
University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington
Marja Hurley is an investigator in the field of cellular and molecular biology of bone and is recognized nationally and internationally for her seminal contributions on the role of growth factors in bone homeostasis and disorders such as osteoporosis. Marja is also nationally recognized as an educational leader in the development of innovative programs that have resulted in the matriculation of hundreds of underrepresented students to health professions schools throughout the United States.
|
|
| |
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Susan Johnston, Director, Customer Service IT
PRICELINE.COM
Susan Johnston leads the team that is responsible for developing and updating the customer relations
software used by over 1,000 of priceline.com’s customer service agents worldwide. In a typical year, Sue
and her team will perform up to 150 system updates. Sue is widely respected by her priceline.com peers
and by senior management. Sue is both a coach and mentor to her team, creating a culture that encourages
continuous individual and group innovation as team members strive to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving
travel industry and improve the ability of customer service agents to deliver valuable, timely customer
service. Sue’s team has helped priceline.com meet the customer service challenges of hurricanes, 9/11, flu
epidemics and the economic downturn. Sue’s retention rate is testimony to her skills and leadership ability
as a manager, as 60% of her team have remained with her for nine years or longer.
|
|
Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Liddy Karter, Managing Director
Karter Capital Advisors
Liddy Karter is presently focusing on investing in clean tech companies She also works with early stage
companies in developing their business and fundraising strategies and assists them in achieving their goals. Liddy
has run two successful entrepreneurial companies and worked at Morgan Stanley as an investment banker.
|
|
Academic Innovation and Leadership
Honora Kenney, President
Connecticut Invention Convention
As a former special education and gifted education teacher, curriculum specialist, and school
administrator, Honora Kenney has devoted over 25 years to the CT Invention Convention. She has
produced educational videos, collaborated on a comprehensive CIC curriculum packet, served on her local
Board of Education, and made educational presentations in the state, country, and even the Republic of
Mauritius, in order to introduce their schools to the 21st Century and productive thinking skills.
|
|
Youth Innovation and Leadership Award
Neeharika Krothapalli,
Student
Farmington High School, Farmington
Neeharika Krothapalli is a senior at Farmington High School. She enjoys being editor-in-chief of her
school’s yearbook, captain of the JETS team, founder and president of the Current Events Club, and
secretary of the French Honor Society. Throughout the past few years of high school, she has pursued
her interest in finding solutions to problems challenging our society such as the need for alternative
energy by conducting biofuel research on jatropha curcas at the University of Connecticut with Richard
Parnas. A lover of giving classical Indian dance performances and acting in Indian dramas in her free
time, she plans to attend Dartmouth College next fall.
|
|
Research Innovation and Leadership Award
Baikun Li, Assistant Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut
Baikun Li started her academia career as Assistant Professor at Penn State Harrisburg in 2003, and joined the faculty of environmental engineering at the University of Connecticut in 2006. Baikun’s expertise is environmental biotechnology, wastewater treatment and bioenergy production. Currently, she is leading five PhD students working on hydrogen production and electricity production from microbial fuel cell treating wastewater. Baikun has collaborated with environmental companies in Connecticut and New York to commercialize the sustainable bioenergy production through wastewater treatment and convert wastewater treatment plants to power generation plants. By working with industry, Baikun has filed for three patents of microbial fuel cells. In the summer of 2009, Baikun’s group successfully conducted the first national pilot-scale microbial fuel cell systems in wastewater treatment plant, which is a significant step toward the commercialization of bioenergy production.
|
|
| |
|
Small Business Innovation and Leadership
Lixia Li, Senior Technologist
Dark Field Technologies
Lixia Li’s work as a Senior Technologist at Dark Field Technologies has led to the development of a
machine vision solution for inspecting a variety of subjects, such as glass, film, and metal strips. At a
previous employer she helped develop the lens design for camera phones. Lixia holds a PhD in Optical
Science and Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, an MS in Optical Engineering
from Tsinghua University (Beijing, China), and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Harbin Institute
of Technology (Harbin, China).
|
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Mary Lombardo, Director, Materials Engineering
Carrier Corporation
Mary Lombardo is an executive with over 23 years of UTC experience. Prior to her current appointment, Mary
was Director, Supply Chain Management where she was responsible for leading the commodity management
teams at Carrier and had responsibility for over $5B in spending in global product and non-product categories.
Mary began her career with UTC in 1986, at Hamilton Sundstrand as a metallurgical engineer and has held
progressive roles in engineering, quality and supply management. Mary holds a BSME from Worcester
Polytechnic Institute and an MBA in Operations Management from Rensselaer at Hartford. |
|
Youth Innovation and Leadership
Jenny Lu, High School Student
Pomperaug High School
Jenny Lu is a 2008 International Chemistry Olympiad Bronze medalist, a member of the 2009 U.S.
Physics Olympiad Team, a USA Mathematical Olympiad Qualifier, and a USA Mathematical Talent
Search Gold medalist. She is a top ten winner in the 2009 First Annual Math Prize for Girls. In
addition, she was selected to attend the 2009 Research Science Institute, where she conducted cell
biology research on the mechanism of Retina-cognin, a protein disulfide isomerase found in chick
embryo retina cells. She is also a Siemens AP Scholar and a National AP Scholar. Jenny is captain of
her school debate team and is an avid pianist. Jenny would like to pursue a career in scientific and
medical research.
|
|
Collegian Innovation and Leadership
Jamie Maciaszek, Doctoral Student
University of Connecticut
Jamie Maciaszek is currently a doctoral student pursuing a Biomedical engineering degree at the
University of Connecticut after graduating with honors from Lehigh University in May 2009 with a
BS in Bioengineering. She is currently working to develop a unified approach involving experimental
techniques and biomechanical multiscale modeling to investigate the fundamental mechanisms
involved in vasoocclusion in sickle cell disease. In her free time, Jamie enjoys swimming, reading,
running and traveling.
|
|
Research Innovation and Leadership
Jeanne Magram, Vice President Immunology & Inflammation
Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation
Jeanne Magram oversees a department committed to drug discovery that addresses unmet medical
needs in autoimmune disease. Jeanne started her career at Hoffmann-La Roche focused on using model
systems to understand the pathophysiology of disease and to identify new therapies. After the next
four years spent in biotech, Jeanne joined BI as a group leader in cellular immunology and was later
promoted to Vice President. Jeanne holds a BA in chemistry from Rutgers University, an MS/PhD in
human genetics from Columbia University and completed post-doctoral training at the University of
California at San Francisco.
|
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership Award
Christine Marsh, Vice President, Business Analysis
Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corporation
Christine Marsh is the Vice President, Business Analysis for Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corporation
and Roxane Laboratories, Inc. in Ridgefield. In this role, she is responsible for providing long term
strategic direction and support to senior management in sales, managed markets and marketing related
to all business analysis including data integrity, sourcing and management, commercial analytics,
incentive compensation, market research and business intelligence, marketing analytics, pricing actions,
reimbursement, and contracting. She is responsible for leading a 100+ member team. As a member of
the senior management team, she partners with business client management to identify and define goals
and objectives that support the US/Global growth and top business priorities of Boehringer Ingelheim
USA Corporation. |
|
| |
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Karen McNemar, Director of Project Management
Covidien Surgical Devices
Karen McNemar is responsible for Project and Resource Management and the Product Development Process in support of New Product Development at Covidien Surgical Devices in North Haven. She has seventeen years in medical device manufacturing with experience in Operations, R&D and Project Management. Karen is a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Initiative at Covidien Surgical Devices. She is a certified PMP from the Project Management Institute and earned her BS in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the University of Massachusetts.
|
|
Collegian Innovation and Leadership
Eliza McNitt,
Student
New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
Eliza McNitt is a 2009 recipient of the Connecticut Academy of Science Gerber Medal. Her novel use of HPLC technology to explore pesticides in honeybees won two Pfizer Trophies at the CT Science Fair as well as awards from Audubon, CURE, MIT, and the Air Force. Eliza also twice won Grand Awards at the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair--including First Place and Best of Category in Environmental Management. Eliza dreams of becoming a filmmaker, directing narrative and documentary films that explore the importance of science. Currently she is working on a documentary that follows the 2009 Intel ISEF winners as they tour CERN, the world’s largest and most complex science research experiment. |
|
Small Business Innovation and Leadership
Theresa McSpedon Vice President, Services
Protegrity Corporation
Theresa McSpedon is the Vice President of Services at Protegrity, a data security management
solutions company based in Stamford. Theresa’s 25+ years of experience managing world-class services
organizations has proven that focusing on customer delight leads to increased profits and a loyal
consumer base. She has a degree in Economics from Columbia University. Theresa sits on the boards
of directors for several local organizations and charities and is an active or past member of the ACLU,
NARAL, NOW, NAACP, Urban League, Women-Leadership and the YWCA. |
|
Community Innovation and Leadership
Belinda Monat, Vice President, Project Management
CSC
Belinda Monat holds the position of Vice President in CSC’s Financial Services Group which
provides Software and IT services to Financial Institutions across the globe. Belinda is responsible
for all operations to support the multiple services provided, including applications and infrastructure
outsourcing, software solutions and transformation services for one of CSC’s core clients, a large global
insurer. Belinda has worked in the Life Insurance Industry on both the technical and business side for
more than 25 years. Prior to CSC/FAS, Belinda held the position of vice president with Phoenix Home
Life Insurance Company, responsible for all systems support for the individual line and before that she
was senior manager with Price Waterhouse in their Management Consulting division.
|
|
| Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Darlene Nebinger, Principal Product Development Engineer
Covidien Surgical Devices
In her current role at Covidien, Darlene Nebinger supports existing and pipeline development for
implantable, degradable sutures and wound closure products, coordinating internal and external in
vitro and in vivo strength and mass loss studies, and serves as Lead Project Engineer for an injectable
lymphatic mapping dye. With a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Connecticut and
a Certified Medical Writer, Darlene is also a recipient of the 2009 Covidien Project Team Award and
a 2009 finalist for Covidien’s Emerging Markets Innovator Award.
|
|
| Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Glennis Orloff,
President & CEO
Samara Innovations, LLC
Glennis Orloff identified the need to protect young athletes from lower extremity injury and developed
the concept and technology for products to address that need in establishing the company she now
leads, Samara Innovations. She has over 18 years of product development experience gained at A&T,
Bell Labs, Texas Instruments Inc., and Schick/Wilkinson Sword. During her 10 years at Schick, she
invented and developed the Intuition Razor. Glennis has a PhD in physical chemistry from Princeton
University. She is a project management professional and prolific inventor, holding 16 U.S. patents, over
21 U.S. patent applications, and a similar number of foreign patents.
|
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Deborah Orosz, Manager, Engineering Effectiveness
Aerospace
Hamilton Sundstrand
Deb Orosz has a strong engineering background with more than 15 years experience in Environmental
Materials. As Hamilton Sundstrand’s Green Products manager, Deb develops and leads strategies for
the company’s global Green Products program, which focuses on providing products that minimize
environmental impact. Previously, Deb managed programs focusing on compliance with product
chemical restrictions and developing product goals, metrics and management strategies for materials
of concern, energy efficiency and packaging. Today, Deb holds the position of manager, Engineering
Effectiveness and Processes for Hamilton Sundstrand’s Aerospace Power Systems. She earned a
Bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut in chemical engineering and a Masters degree
in management of technology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
|
|
Small Business Innovation and Leadership Award
Julie Pellegrini, Vice President
GraphLogic, Inc.
Having earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Boston College, Julie Pellegrini accumulated
biotech experience through positions at CuraGen and Invitrogen. As lead developer on several of
GraphLogic’s early device integration projects, she positioned the company to take advantage of the
potential of the device-generated data analysis market. Leading this segment, her role expanded across
execution and sales, affording her the enterprise-wide scope of her current role. |
|
Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Teresa Piliouras, President
Albright Associates, Inc.
Teresa Piliouras is a child advocate, educator, and entrepreneur. She is creating innovative online safety
and privacy protections especially for children, which are being used to implement social networks
designed to promote the health of at-risk youth. Teresa has a wealth of IT industry experience and
has pioneered artificial intelligence technologies throughout her career. She is an Adjunct Professor of
Management Information Systems at Polytechnic Institute of NYU.
|
 |
Community Innovation and Leadership
Noreen Randazzo, Assistant Vice President
The Hartford
Noreen Randazzo is an IT leader who delivers paradigm-changing initiatives across large enterprises.
She currently oversees technology for The Hartford’s award-winning Property and Casualty call centers.
By marshaling a nationwide team of leaders and volunteers, Noreen twice led the United Way campaign
to achieve record results during times of economic turmoil. Noreen supports numerous fund raising
and non-profit efforts and she inspires employee engagement by aligning leadership mentoring with
community outreach. Noreen is a founding member of a United Way Leadership Initiative and a
member of the Wadsworth Athenaeum Women’s Committee. Noreen lives in Avon with her
husband Michael.
|
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Donna Ray General Engineer Manager
Hamilton Sundstrand
Donna Ray started her career in Mechanical Engineering in 1983 when she joined Sikorsky Aircraft as a
Helicopter Transmission Design Engineer. In 1990, Donna shifted her career from the aircraft product
line to aerospace, joining Hamilton Sundstrand as a Mechanical Design Engineer. Other positions she
has held at Hamilton Sundstrand include Systems Engineer and Program Engineer Manager for its
space suit program. Most recently she became the lead Project Engineer on the next generation space
travel vehicle. The transition has proved very rewarding, as it has given Donna the opportunity to work
with aspiring young engineers who are now starting their careers.
|
|
| Research Innovation and Leadership
Diana Reeves, Principal Scientist
Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corporation
Diana Reeves received her PhD in organic chemistry from Florida University and concluded
post-doctoral training at Pittsburgh University in October 2000. Currently, she is a Principal Scientist
with nine years of industrial experience and a leading member in the Chemical Development
department at Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corporation. Due to Diana’s initiatives to identify the
appropriate automated parallel reactor systems and her dedicated hard work in planning and setting
up the lab, Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corporation currently has a state of the art Automation
Laboratory. Currently, this lab is pioneering the application of automated parallel reactors in solving
challenging tasks in process chemistry. Recently, the Automation Laboratory was nominated as the
Catalysis Center of Expertise to support all Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corporation research and
development units. |
|
Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Jean Marie Roche, Engineering Supervisor
Electric Boat Corporation
Jean Marie Roche has worked at Electric Boat Corporation since graduating in 1986 from the New York
Maritime Academy with a degree in Marine Engineering. She worked in various engineering and supervisory
jobs supporting turbine generator and seawater pump design, system integration, construction, installation,
repair and operation. Her current supervisory role involves coordinating various groups in hardware
manufacture for modernization and repair of nuclear submarines in the U.S. Navy Fleet. |
|
Youth Innovation and Leadership
Colleen Rock, High School Student
Farmington High School
Colleen Rock is an active participant and leader in Farmington High School’s FIRST Robotics Team,
JETS Team, and Science Olympiad. She founded the Science Peer Tutoring Program at FHS and is part
of a select group of students studying patho-physiology in a research-based independent study. Colleen
competes as a member of her school swim team and in several adaptive sports, including sled hockey, track
and field, archery and table tennis. |
|
Collegian Innovation and Leadership
Vanessa A. Rubano, Graduate Student
Columbia University
Vanessa A. Rubano balances a full time career in Clinical Pharmacokinetics, R&D, at Boehringer
Ingelheim USA Corporation with a Masters of Public Health graduate workload at Columbia
University. A 2005 graduate of Quinnipiac University with dual majors of Biology and Interactive
Digital Design, Vanessa has revolutionized how scientists communicate electronically, visually, and
even within paper reports regarding new drug data and analyses. She has developed tools for automated
production of regulatory-mandated tables and figures for reports, as well as production of an on-line
training class series so that scientists can perform the tasks themselves. This innovative on-line training series permits global implementation of automated report writing. In this way, she can collaborate
with interdisciplinary and international teams to ensure timely delivery of clinical trial report data
from protocol design through final report for global regulatory submissions. Vanessa stays current
with the latest software advances in graphical and tabular presentations so as to function as a resource
for the teams. |
|
| Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Kathryn Smith, COO
Synaptic Dynamics Inc.
Kathy Smith is an independent consultant to biotechnology andhealthcare companies and has been
working on incubating Synaptic Dynamics, a start-up company that is discovering and developing new
Alzheimer’s disease treatments. Kathy has 28 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, in R&D,
Business Development and Strategic Planning. Kathy worked for 26 years at Pfizer and in her role as Executive Director of the Acquisition Practice, she led the acquisition strategy and integration of
acquired R&D companies. Prior to that, Kathy led Strategic Alliances for Research. Other positions at
Pfizer included roles in Clinical Development and Discovery Research. |
|
Small Business Innovation and Leadership Award
Linda Stahl, Director, Strategic Products
COCC
Linda Stahl combines vision with practical experience to help community banks increase efficiency while
reducing paper and power consumption. She began her banking career at age 16 as a teller, and never forgot
the value of implementation and support in realizing technology vision. Her efforts to reduce resource
consumption at banks have magnified her impact on pollution and waste, making Connecticut a healthier
place to live and work. |
|
| |
|
Academic Innovation and Leadership
Linda Strausbaugh Professor
University of Connecticut
When not engaged in public education and DNA research, Linda Strausbaugh directs UConn’s Center for
Applied Genetics & Technology and Professional Science Master’s (PSM) Degree in Applied Genomics.
Dedicated to workforce enhancement in partnership with Connecticut companies, she secured Sloan
Foundation funding for pioneering PSMs and National Science Foundation scholarships for economicallydisadvantaged
students. Linda provides national leadership for innovative graduate education, through
workshops (National Governor’s Association), invited testimony (National Academy of Sciences), and
chairing the National PSM Advisory Board (Council of Graduate Schools |
|
Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Eleanor Tandler Independent Consultant
University of Connecticut R&D Corporation
As the former Director of Venture Development at the UConn R&D Corporation, Ellie Tandler most
recently completed her role as CEO of New Ortho Polymers (NOP), an orthodontic start-up company
launched by the UConn R&D Corporation and funded by Connecticut Innovations, Inc. While at NOP,
Ellie identified the technology, hired an engineer, oversaw a successful clinical trial and mechanical testing
of the wire and prepared the company for an exit. |
|
| Collegian Innovation and Leadership
Emily Tao, College Student
University of Connecticut
Emily Tao is a seventh semester chemical engineering student at the University of Connecticut. She has
worked as a research assistant for three semesters, developing better methods of drug delivery. She has
also interned at Sikorsky for three summers, and gained experience in production support and failure
analysis. Since the Spring of 2008, Emily has been an active member of Omega Chi Epsilon and Tau
Beta Pi chemical engineering and engineering honors societies. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking,
reading, and spin cycling. | |
Research Innovation and Leadership
Agnès Vignery, Associate Professor of Orthopedic and Cell Biology
Yale School of Medicine
One of the most recent research focus in Agnès Vignery’s lab has been the development of a novel
approach to target the formation of new bone to specific skeletal sites. This new technology combines
stem cells, nano-material and parathormone. The lab is in the process of translating the data generated
in rats into larger animals, such as rabbits, and eventually in humans. Agnès is most interested in studying
the molecular mechanisms that mediate the formation of the new bone, which forms in response to the
mechanical ablation of marrow. |
|
Research Innovation and Leadership
Guiling Wang, Associate Professor,
Civil & Environmental Engineering and
Director, Environmental Engineering Program
University of Connecticut
Guiling Wang received her BE and MS degrees from Tsinghua University in China, and her PhD degree from MIT. Prior to joining the University of Connecticut Engineering faculty, she was a researcher at Princeton University and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Her primary research interests are precipitation forecasting over the U.S., climate prediction over the globe, and assessing and mitigating climate change impact on human health in the Northeast.
|
|
Collegian Innovation and Leadership Award
Claire Weiss,
Doctoral Student, Materials Science & Engineering
University of Connecticut School of Engineering, Storrs
Claire Weiss received her BA in physics from Lawrence University in 2007 and she is now pursuing a
PhD in Materials Science and Engineering. She is currently researching ferroelectric thin films for use in
tunable devices and other applications. Claire spends her summers doing research at the Army Research
Laboratory in Aberdeen, Maryland and will work there after graduating under the SMART (Science,
Mathematics, & Research for Transformation) program. |
|
Community Innovation and Leadership Award
Seema Winsor, Principal Engineer
Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford
An engineer by education, and sociologist by choice, Seema Winsor likes to connect the dots between
innovative programs and students of all ages. Co-founder of Stamford Robotics, Seema brings the
positive impact of FIRST LEGO League and Jr. FIRST LEGO League to the lives of more young
people every year. Over 200 students, ages 6 to 18, have participated in the Stamford Robotics Jr. FLL
Exposition the last two years where they were able to celebrate their passion for science and engineering.
|
|
| |
|
|
Kaufmann Foundation's FastTrac GrowthVenture™ Course
s. 
