My Favorites

2019

Pulse of the Region Cast

Economic Summit & Outlook 2020

Listen Here


December 11 – Young Professionals Uniting Hartford

Listen Here


November 27 & December 5 – Take Care This Flu Season

Listen Here


November 23 – Tons of Toys

On Wednesday, December 4, Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE) will host Tons of Toys from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Gershon Fox Ballroom in Hartford. HYPE has collected more than 13,360 toys since 2006. On this weekend’s episode of Pulse of the Region Kim Bishop, Executive Director of Talent Attraction & Retention, MetroHartford Alliance; Mia Sinatro, Program Director of HYPE; Harold Sparrow, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Hartford; and Ryan O’Halloran, Donor Grants Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, will share fun details about the party and its benefits to the YMCA of Greater Hartford and the community.

Listen Here


November 16 – InsurTech Startups

Tune in this weekend for a conversation about Hartford’s booming insurTech startup ecosystem with Dawn LeBlanc, Managing Director of Hartford InsurTech Hub; Doug Roth, Managing Director, Venture Capital Investments, Connecticut Innovations, Jill L. Frankle, AVP, Strategic Ventures, The Hartford; and Ojala Naeem, Director of Innovation, PI Customer Experience & Innovation, Travelers.

Listen Here


November 9 – Veterans Day
The UCONN School of Business Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) program provides entrepreneurship and small business training to veterans, many of whom were disabled in combat, and enables them to successfully transition from military service to small business owners and other civilian careers. In recognition of Veterans Day, this episode of Pulse of the Region features a conversation with James R. Barger, KeyBank Market President, Connecticut & Massachusetts and Michael Zacchea, Director of EBV and Executive Director of the United States Veterans Chamber of Commerce (USVCC).
Listen Here


October 5: Cyber Security
News of data breaches and cyber attacks are becoming commonplace, making cybersecurity more important than ever for every type of business. On this weekend’s episode of Pulse of the Region we will hear from two Alliance Investors who have formed an IT partnership to prevent and battle cyber attacks. Jonathan Stone, CTO, Kelser Corporation and Matthew Hoffman, Vice President, Dealer Principal at Hoffman Auto Group will discuss IT strategy and implementation particularly in the auto sales industry.
Listen now.


September 7: United to Do Something Big
At Monday’s networking breakfast, United to Do Something Big: Making Community Impact and Employee Engagement a Reality, we will learn about innovative approaches to employee engagement, brand lift, and corporate social responsibility as well as the opportunities available right here in our region. On this weekend’s episode of Pulse of the Region, Stephanie Boles, COO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut will give us a preview of the event and discuss the importance of United Way’s campaign kickoff to the people who live and work in our region.
Listen Here


August 31: Future of Health Care
Rapid change is taking place in healthcare delivery across the country and right here in Connecticut. On September 26, the Connecticut Health Council will host Future of Health Care from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Hartford Marriott Downtown. This episode of Pulse of the Region features Amy Cunningham, VP and Executive Director, Connecticut Health Council; Paul Grady, Principal, Alera Group; and Michael Critelli, Retired Chairman and CEO, Pitney Bowes who provided insight into what the future of healthcare in Connecticut and the U.S. will look like.
Listen Here


August 3: The Hart of Our Capital City
The key to a successful Hartford Region is maintaining a vibrant urban core for residents and visitors. This includes offering programming and events that promote engagement in the city after hours. On this weekend’s episode of Pulse of the Region we welcome John Michael Mason from the Small State Great Beer Festival and Jalmar De Dios, Marketing Director of Hartford Pride and founder of V7 Strategies, to discuss the anticipated positive impacts of the upcoming Hartford events.
Listen now.

July 27: Curious about how the MetroHartford Alliance is making a regional and global impact? This episode of Pulse of the Region will host Gene Goddard, CEcD, EDFP, Chief Business Investment Officer for the Alliance, for one-on-one discussion about the organization’s evolved role, how we’re marketing the Region, and ways we’re attracting global businesses to Hartford.
Listen now.

July 13: Our Insurance Commissioner is on Pulse
In February, Governor Ned Lamont named Andrew Mais Insurance Commissioner for the State of Connecticut. On the next episode of Pulse of the Region, we will get to know the person behind the Insurance Capital global brand and how this reputation impacts our talent, business recruitment, and overall economic development.
Listen now.

July 6: Health Insurance Insight
We all know that health insurance is expensive because health care is expensive. The health care landscape is changing at an increasingly rapid pace leaving many people confused about their choices. On this episode of Pulse of the Region, Eric Galvin, President, ConnectiCare, helps us decode health care and discusses ConnectiCare’s commitment to our state and to the people who depend on its coverage.
Listen now.

June 22: Giving Back to Hartford
The Travelers Championship may have been the center of the golf universe last week, but in addition to world-class golfers and festive activities that draw golf fans from across the globe, the tournament is about community engagement and charity. On this episode of “Pulse of the Region,” we chat with Hector Glynn, MSW, Chief Operating Officer, The Village for Families and Children; Julia O’Brien, Esq., LEED Green Associate, Vice President and General Counsel, Principal, BL Companies; and Mike Trinks, CPA, Partner, Assurance & Advisory Services, Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina about not only making an economic impact, but giving back to the place we call home.
Listen now.

June 15: Tee It Up for Charity with HYPE
Tee It Up for Charity at the Travelers Championship, a signature event from HYPE (Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs), has raised $123K for charity since 2010. On this weekend’s episode of “Pulse of the Region,” we chat with Kim Bishop, Executive Director of Talent Attraction and Retention, HYPE; Mia Sinatro, Program Director, HYPE; Mark Moriarty, Executive Director, The First Tee of Connecticut; and Jeremy Race, President & CEO, Junior Achievement of Southwest New England about the lasting legacy of this program.
Listen now.

June 1″: The Business of Healthcare
The Hartford Region is fortunate to have access to some of the best health care in the world. On this episode of “Pulse of the Region,” our guests from Trinity Health of New England – Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center include Dr. John Rodis, President, and Dr. Jeffrey Brown, Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine, who will talk about a new partnership with Hartford Athletic and how the health sector plays a vital role in our economic development.
Listen now.

May 25: Changing Lives One Job at a Time
A new contract with the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) enables Oak Hill to provide employment and pre-employment services to adults with disabilities. On this episode of “Pulse of the Region,” our guests from Oak Hill Andrea Melms, Manager of Employment Services, and AJ Dunnack and Shirley Lyn, Community Engagement Specialists, will discuss the goals of this community-focused program, the value it brings to employers, and how it changes the lives of the adults it serves.
Listen now.

May 18: Adding Pep to Hartford’s Step
On this episode, script writer Steve Loff and actor James Ladio tell us about their plans to shoot a feature film in Hartford based on local boxer Willie Pep’s 1960s comeback. The duo has been trying to tell Pep’s life story for more than a decade and they are now one punch closer to making it reality.
Listen now.

May 11: Actuarial Boot Camp
On this weekend’s episode, learn more about the 2019 Actuarial Boot Camp hosted by Lincoln Financial Group. Susan Winkler, Vice President and Executive Director, Connecticut Insurance and Financial Services (CT IFS); Josh Durand, CT IFS Executive Board member and VP, Life Insurance Business Leader, Lincoln Financial Group; and Kevin Ho, Actuarial Boot Camp alumnus and Associate Actuary, Lincoln Financial Group, will discuss actuarial talent attraction in the Insurance Capital of the World – Hartford.
Listen now.

May 4: Illuminating Hartford’s Global Presence
On this weekend’s episode, learn more about the World Affairs Council’s (CTWAC) Luminary Award from Megan Torrey, CEO, World Affairs Council of Connecticut, Sudhi Bangalore, Vice President, Industry 4.0, Stanley Black & Decker; Mark Maybury, Chief Technology Officer, Stanley Black & Decker; and Jessica Ramsey, Senior at Glastonbury High School, 2018 CTWAC Model UN Officer. They discuss Stanley Black & Decker’s global impact and highlight extraordinary students who are engaging with their world.
Listen now.

April 29: Kicking Off the Athletic Season
On this week’s episode, learn more about the dynamic sports scene in Hartford, home to Hartford Athletic, Connecticut’s only professional soccer team. Donovan Powell, Chief Operating Officer, Hartford Athletic, and Jimmy Nielsen, Head Coach, Hartford Athletic, discuss some big goals for Hartford Athletic’s inaugural season.
Listen now.

April 20: Power of the Purse
On this week’s episode, Karen Hinds, Author, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Workplace Success Group, and Gina D’Ambruoso, VP, Business Development Officer, SBA Division, TD Bank, will give us a preview of Women United’s Power of the Purse. This luncheon and silent auction provide funding for United Way-supported economic mobility programs and services that enable families to learn financial skills and qualify for good-paying jobs with opportunities for advancement. TD Bank is proud to return as the event’s presenting sponsor.
Listen now.

April 13: Persuing Privacy
On this week’s episode, John Turgeon, CPA, HCS, Partner, Managing Director- CohnReznick Affiliated Companies, and Ken Fishkin, MCSE, CISSP, Director – CohnReznick Advisory, discuss how businesses can overcome security and privacy challenges.
Listen now.

April 6: The Key to Empowering Women
On this week’s episode, we will hear from Melanie Sinche, Executive Director, Women’s Leadership Center at University of Saint Joseph, and Courtney Jinjiika, Senior Vice President, Regional Retail Leader CT/MA at KeyBank, about ongoing gender discrimination in the workplace. They will share insightful data with us and discuss barriers, overcoming challenges, and details about KeyBank’s Key4Women program.
Listen now.

March 30: Workplace Balance Stronger than Oak
Hear from our partners at Oak Hill: Barry Simon, President & CEO, Shanna York, Residential Program Worker, and Spencer Cain, Board Member. Learn how Oak Hill finds balance with happy employees and a healthy bottom line.

Listen now.

March 23: Women of Innovation
On this week’s episode, learn about Connecticut Technology Council’s 15th Annual Women of Innovation Awards from Beth Alquist, Partner at Day Pitney, and 2019 Women of Innovation Finalists Shana Schlossberg, Founder and CEO, Upward Hartford, and Sharon Traficante, Deputy Executive Director – Administration at Connecticut Airport Authority.

Listen now.

March 16: March Madness Invades Hartford
What’s round and orange with a $7.7 million impact on the Hartford Region? The answer: It’s basketball. And Hartford is ready. The NCAA March Madness First and Second Round DI Men’s Basketball Championship will arrive on Thursday, March 21 and Saturday, March 23. On this weekend’s “Pulse,” hear from Chris Lawrence, General Manager of the XL Center, Pratt & Whitney Stadium, Hartford Wolf Pack Business Operations; Evan Feinglass, Associate Director of Athletics at the University of Connecticut’s Division of Athletics; and Bob Murdock, President of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau and its Director of Sports Marketing, about the many reasons this tournament is so important to our city and the Region.
Listen now.

March 9: Around the World in 30 Minutes
What do Poland, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates have in common? Each of them, in addition to many other global communities, do business with our state. The secret is out: Hartford is a global region in a state known around the world for its business practices and commerce. On this weekend’s “Pulse,” Megan Torrey, CEO, World Affairs Council of Connecticut, Darek Barcikowski, first Honorary Consul for the Republic of Poland for the state of Connecticut, Gregory Boyko, Honorary Consul General for Japan supporting the Boston Consulate, and His Excellency Majid Al-Suwaidi, Consul General of United Arab Emirates in New York, will talk about these global partnerships. They will also preview a Diplomat Reception slated for March 19 at Wadsworth Atheneum, the participating nations’ priorities and connections to Connecticut, and the global nature of our state.
Listen now.

March 2: The Sport of Marketing Our Region
Hear from Bob Murdock, President, CT Convention & Sports Bureau (CTCSB), Susan Koczka, Director of National Accounts for the Corporate & Association Markets, CTCSB, and Andy Smith of City Steam, about the many reasons why Hartford is such an appealing destination for meeting planners and sports promoters. Thanks in part to local partnerships, the conventions/sports industry is generating millions of annual dollars for the regional economy. Hear what they have to say about it on “The Pulse.”

Listen now.

February 23: Hidden in Plain Sight
Hear from Patrick McMahon, CEO of the Connecticut Main Street Center, James Lindberg, Vice President, Research & Policy Lab, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Bob Stevens, Principal & Co-Founder of M&S Development and the Founder of Stevens & Associates, P.C. They will tell us how old, historic buildings are diamonds in the rough that can transform into charming, useful economic drivers that change the landscape of an entire neighborhood or city.

Listen now.

February 16: The Key to Financial Stability
Hear from Katie Farrington, Key Bank’s Key@Work Relationship Manager, and Laura O’Keefe, Director, Financial Center, The Village for Families & Children, as they discuss financial stability as an employee benefit and how it’s a win-win for employers and employees.
Listen now.

February 9:  Mike Abramson, General Manager, Hartford Yard Goats, and Jeff Dooley, Voice of the Yard Goats, previewed the upcoming season, including key players, community engagement, and promotions. They also discussed the role of the Yard Goats in Hartford and economic development.
Listen now.

February 2: Hear from Megan Torrey, CEO, World Affairs Council of CT, Becky Nolan, Vice President, Global Business Development, MetroHartford Alliance, and Daniel Weiner, Ph.D., Vice President for Global Affairs, University of Connecticut, about the global assets of the Hartford Region that make this market an ideal place to do business for companies around the globe. We are the Insurance Capital of the World, have a rich tradition of manufacturing evolving into Industry 4.0, offer world class health care, house innovators and startups, and showcase cultural assets second to none. This used to be a secret but we now have ambassadors telling the Hartford story.
Listen now.

January 26: Learn about “Grow with Google” from Google’s Communications Manager, Peter Schottenfels, The American Place’s CEO, Homa Naficy, and our own President and CEO, David Griggs. Find out why this national brand is coming to Hartford and how Google plans to work with entrepreneurs and enhance the way they do business on a daily basis while contributing to the economic development of our city.
Listen now.

January 19: During a one-on-one conversation with MetroHartford Alliance President and CEO David Griggs, learn more about efforts in marketing the Hartford region on a global scale, the evolution of the Alliance and the organizational goals for 2019, and the role of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce.
Listen now.

January 12: With an educated workforce, cutting edge technology, and global presence, Hartford is a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Learn more about why the Hartford Region is an ideal place to start a business from our guests David Sagers and Ryan Keating, two area entrepreneurs.
Listen now.

January 5: Get Hired is CT IFS’ annual career fair for college students and recent graduates seeking internships and full-time employment in Connecticut’s insurance and financial services industry. Learn more about Get Hired, a career launchpad, from our guests: Susan Winkler, Vice President and Executive Director, Connecticut Insurance and Financial Services (CT IFS); and Lisa Simonetti, Director of Human Resources, ConnectiCare.
Listen now.

2019

Pulse of the Region Cast

Economic Summit & Outlook 2020

Listen Here


December 11 – Young Professionals Uniting Hartford

Listen Here


November 27 & December 5 – Take Care This Flu Season

Listen Here


November 23 – Tons of Toys

On Wednesday, December 4, Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE) will host Tons of Toys from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Gershon Fox Ballroom in Hartford. HYPE has collected more than 13,360 toys since 2006. On this weekend’s episode of Pulse of the Region Kim Bishop, Executive Director of Talent Attraction & Retention, MetroHartford Alliance; Mia Sinatro, Program Director of HYPE; Harold Sparrow, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Hartford; and Ryan O’Halloran, Donor Grants Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, will share fun details about the party and its benefits to the YMCA of Greater Hartford and the community.

Listen Here


November 16 – InsurTech Startups

Tune in this weekend for a conversation about Hartford’s booming insurTech startup ecosystem with Dawn LeBlanc, Managing Director of Hartford InsurTech Hub; Doug Roth, Managing Director, Venture Capital Investments, Connecticut Innovations, Jill L. Frankle, AVP, Strategic Ventures, The Hartford; and Ojala Naeem, Director of Innovation, PI Customer Experience & Innovation, Travelers.

Listen Here


November 9 – Veterans Day
The UCONN School of Business Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) program provides entrepreneurship and small business training to veterans, many of whom were disabled in combat, and enables them to successfully transition from military service to small business owners and other civilian careers. In recognition of Veterans Day, this episode of Pulse of the Region features a conversation with James R. Barger, KeyBank Market President, Connecticut & Massachusetts and Michael Zacchea, Director of EBV and Executive Director of the United States Veterans Chamber of Commerce (USVCC).
Listen Here


October 5: Cyber Security
News of data breaches and cyber attacks are becoming commonplace, making cybersecurity more important than ever for every type of business. On this weekend’s episode of Pulse of the Region we will hear from two Alliance Investors who have formed an IT partnership to prevent and battle cyber attacks. Jonathan Stone, CTO, Kelser Corporation and Matthew Hoffman, Vice President, Dealer Principal at Hoffman Auto Group will discuss IT strategy and implementation particularly in the auto sales industry.
Listen now.


September 7: United to Do Something Big
At Monday’s networking breakfast, United to Do Something Big: Making Community Impact and Employee Engagement a Reality, we will learn about innovative approaches to employee engagement, brand lift, and corporate social responsibility as well as the opportunities available right here in our region. On this weekend’s episode of Pulse of the Region, Stephanie Boles, COO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut will give us a preview of the event and discuss the importance of United Way’s campaign kickoff to the people who live and work in our region.
Listen Here


August 31: Future of Health Care
Rapid change is taking place in healthcare delivery across the country and right here in Connecticut. On September 26, the Connecticut Health Council will host Future of Health Care from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Hartford Marriott Downtown. This episode of Pulse of the Region features Amy Cunningham, VP and Executive Director, Connecticut Health Council; Paul Grady, Principal, Alera Group; and Michael Critelli, Retired Chairman and CEO, Pitney Bowes who provided insight into what the future of healthcare in Connecticut and the U.S. will look like.
Listen Here


August 3: The Hart of Our Capital City
The key to a successful Hartford Region is maintaining a vibrant urban core for residents and visitors. This includes offering programming and events that promote engagement in the city after hours. On this weekend’s episode of Pulse of the Region we welcome John Michael Mason from the Small State Great Beer Festival and Jalmar De Dios, Marketing Director of Hartford Pride and founder of V7 Strategies, to discuss the anticipated positive impacts of the upcoming Hartford events.
Listen now.

July 27: Curious about how the MetroHartford Alliance is making a regional and global impact? This episode of Pulse of the Region will host Gene Goddard, CEcD, EDFP, Chief Business Investment Officer for the Alliance, for one-on-one discussion about the organization’s evolved role, how we’re marketing the Region, and ways we’re attracting global businesses to Hartford.
Listen now.

July 13: Our Insurance Commissioner is on Pulse
In February, Governor Ned Lamont named Andrew Mais Insurance Commissioner for the State of Connecticut. On the next episode of Pulse of the Region, we will get to know the person behind the Insurance Capital global brand and how this reputation impacts our talent, business recruitment, and overall economic development.
Listen now.

July 6: Health Insurance Insight
We all know that health insurance is expensive because health care is expensive. The health care landscape is changing at an increasingly rapid pace leaving many people confused about their choices. On this episode of Pulse of the Region, Eric Galvin, President, ConnectiCare, helps us decode health care and discusses ConnectiCare’s commitment to our state and to the people who depend on its coverage.
Listen now.

June 22: Giving Back to Hartford
The Travelers Championship may have been the center of the golf universe last week, but in addition to world-class golfers and festive activities that draw golf fans from across the globe, the tournament is about community engagement and charity. On this episode of “Pulse of the Region,” we chat with Hector Glynn, MSW, Chief Operating Officer, The Village for Families and Children; Julia O’Brien, Esq., LEED Green Associate, Vice President and General Counsel, Principal, BL Companies; and Mike Trinks, CPA, Partner, Assurance & Advisory Services, Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina about not only making an economic impact, but giving back to the place we call home.
Listen now.

June 15: Tee It Up for Charity with HYPE
Tee It Up for Charity at the Travelers Championship, a signature event from HYPE (Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs), has raised $123K for charity since 2010. On this weekend’s episode of “Pulse of the Region,” we chat with Kim Bishop, Executive Director of Talent Attraction and Retention, HYPE; Mia Sinatro, Program Director, HYPE; Mark Moriarty, Executive Director, The First Tee of Connecticut; and Jeremy Race, President & CEO, Junior Achievement of Southwest New England about the lasting legacy of this program.
Listen now.

June 1″: The Business of Healthcare
The Hartford Region is fortunate to have access to some of the best health care in the world. On this episode of “Pulse of the Region,” our guests from Trinity Health of New England – Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center include Dr. John Rodis, President, and Dr. Jeffrey Brown, Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine, who will talk about a new partnership with Hartford Athletic and how the health sector plays a vital role in our economic development.
Listen now.

May 25: Changing Lives One Job at a Time
A new contract with the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) enables Oak Hill to provide employment and pre-employment services to adults with disabilities. On this episode of “Pulse of the Region,” our guests from Oak Hill Andrea Melms, Manager of Employment Services, and AJ Dunnack and Shirley Lyn, Community Engagement Specialists, will discuss the goals of this community-focused program, the value it brings to employers, and how it changes the lives of the adults it serves.
Listen now.

May 18: Adding Pep to Hartford’s Step
On this episode, script writer Steve Loff and actor James Ladio tell us about their plans to shoot a feature film in Hartford based on local boxer Willie Pep’s 1960s comeback. The duo has been trying to tell Pep’s life story for more than a decade and they are now one punch closer to making it reality.
Listen now.

May 11: Actuarial Boot Camp
On this weekend’s episode, learn more about the 2019 Actuarial Boot Camp hosted by Lincoln Financial Group. Susan Winkler, Vice President and Executive Director, Connecticut Insurance and Financial Services (CT IFS); Josh Durand, CT IFS Executive Board member and VP, Life Insurance Business Leader, Lincoln Financial Group; and Kevin Ho, Actuarial Boot Camp alumnus and Associate Actuary, Lincoln Financial Group, will discuss actuarial talent attraction in the Insurance Capital of the World – Hartford.
Listen now.

May 4: Illuminating Hartford’s Global Presence
On this weekend’s episode, learn more about the World Affairs Council’s (CTWAC) Luminary Award from Megan Torrey, CEO, World Affairs Council of Connecticut, Sudhi Bangalore, Vice President, Industry 4.0, Stanley Black & Decker; Mark Maybury, Chief Technology Officer, Stanley Black & Decker; and Jessica Ramsey, Senior at Glastonbury High School, 2018 CTWAC Model UN Officer. They discuss Stanley Black & Decker’s global impact and highlight extraordinary students who are engaging with their world.
Listen now.

April 29: Kicking Off the Athletic Season
On this week’s episode, learn more about the dynamic sports scene in Hartford, home to Hartford Athletic, Connecticut’s only professional soccer team. Donovan Powell, Chief Operating Officer, Hartford Athletic, and Jimmy Nielsen, Head Coach, Hartford Athletic, discuss some big goals for Hartford Athletic’s inaugural season.
Listen now.

April 20: Power of the Purse
On this week’s episode, Karen Hinds, Author, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Workplace Success Group, and Gina D’Ambruoso, VP, Business Development Officer, SBA Division, TD Bank, will give us a preview of Women United’s Power of the Purse. This luncheon and silent auction provide funding for United Way-supported economic mobility programs and services that enable families to learn financial skills and qualify for good-paying jobs with opportunities for advancement. TD Bank is proud to return as the event’s presenting sponsor.
Listen now.

April 13: Persuing Privacy
On this week’s episode, John Turgeon, CPA, HCS, Partner, Managing Director- CohnReznick Affiliated Companies, and Ken Fishkin, MCSE, CISSP, Director – CohnReznick Advisory, discuss how businesses can overcome security and privacy challenges.
Listen now.

April 6: The Key to Empowering Women
On this week’s episode, we will hear from Melanie Sinche, Executive Director, Women’s Leadership Center at University of Saint Joseph, and Courtney Jinjiika, Senior Vice President, Regional Retail Leader CT/MA at KeyBank, about ongoing gender discrimination in the workplace. They will share insightful data with us and discuss barriers, overcoming challenges, and details about KeyBank’s Key4Women program.
Listen now.

March 30: Workplace Balance Stronger than Oak
Hear from our partners at Oak Hill: Barry Simon, President & CEO, Shanna York, Residential Program Worker, and Spencer Cain, Board Member. Learn how Oak Hill finds balance with happy employees and a healthy bottom line.

Listen now.

March 23: Women of Innovation
On this week’s episode, learn about Connecticut Technology Council’s 15th Annual Women of Innovation Awards from Beth Alquist, Partner at Day Pitney, and 2019 Women of Innovation Finalists Shana Schlossberg, Founder and CEO, Upward Hartford, and Sharon Traficante, Deputy Executive Director – Administration at Connecticut Airport Authority.

Listen now.

March 16: March Madness Invades Hartford
What’s round and orange with a $7.7 million impact on the Hartford Region? The answer: It’s basketball. And Hartford is ready. The NCAA March Madness First and Second Round DI Men’s Basketball Championship will arrive on Thursday, March 21 and Saturday, March 23. On this weekend’s “Pulse,” hear from Chris Lawrence, General Manager of the XL Center, Pratt & Whitney Stadium, Hartford Wolf Pack Business Operations; Evan Feinglass, Associate Director of Athletics at the University of Connecticut’s Division of Athletics; and Bob Murdock, President of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau and its Director of Sports Marketing, about the many reasons this tournament is so important to our city and the Region.
Listen now.

March 9: Around the World in 30 Minutes
What do Poland, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates have in common? Each of them, in addition to many other global communities, do business with our state. The secret is out: Hartford is a global region in a state known around the world for its business practices and commerce. On this weekend’s “Pulse,” Megan Torrey, CEO, World Affairs Council of Connecticut, Darek Barcikowski, first Honorary Consul for the Republic of Poland for the state of Connecticut, Gregory Boyko, Honorary Consul General for Japan supporting the Boston Consulate, and His Excellency Majid Al-Suwaidi, Consul General of United Arab Emirates in New York, will talk about these global partnerships. They will also preview a Diplomat Reception slated for March 19 at Wadsworth Atheneum, the participating nations’ priorities and connections to Connecticut, and the global nature of our state.
Listen now.

March 2: The Sport of Marketing Our Region
Hear from Bob Murdock, President, CT Convention & Sports Bureau (CTCSB), Susan Koczka, Director of National Accounts for the Corporate & Association Markets, CTCSB, and Andy Smith of City Steam, about the many reasons why Hartford is such an appealing destination for meeting planners and sports promoters. Thanks in part to local partnerships, the conventions/sports industry is generating millions of annual dollars for the regional economy. Hear what they have to say about it on “The Pulse.”

Listen now.

February 23: Hidden in Plain Sight
Hear from Patrick McMahon, CEO of the Connecticut Main Street Center, James Lindberg, Vice President, Research & Policy Lab, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Bob Stevens, Principal & Co-Founder of M&S Development and the Founder of Stevens & Associates, P.C. They will tell us how old, historic buildings are diamonds in the rough that can transform into charming, useful economic drivers that change the landscape of an entire neighborhood or city.

Listen now.

February 16: The Key to Financial Stability
Hear from Katie Farrington, Key Bank’s Key@Work Relationship Manager, and Laura O’Keefe, Director, Financial Center, The Village for Families & Children, as they discuss financial stability as an employee benefit and how it’s a win-win for employers and employees.
Listen now.

February 9:  Mike Abramson, General Manager, Hartford Yard Goats, and Jeff Dooley, Voice of the Yard Goats, previewed the upcoming season, including key players, community engagement, and promotions. They also discussed the role of the Yard Goats in Hartford and economic development.
Listen now.

February 2: Hear from Megan Torrey, CEO, World Affairs Council of CT, Becky Nolan, Vice President, Global Business Development, MetroHartford Alliance, and Daniel Weiner, Ph.D., Vice President for Global Affairs, University of Connecticut, about the global assets of the Hartford Region that make this market an ideal place to do business for companies around the globe. We are the Insurance Capital of the World, have a rich tradition of manufacturing evolving into Industry 4.0, offer world class health care, house innovators and startups, and showcase cultural assets second to none. This used to be a secret but we now have ambassadors telling the Hartford story.
Listen now.

January 26: Learn about “Grow with Google” from Google’s Communications Manager, Peter Schottenfels, The American Place’s CEO, Homa Naficy, and our own President and CEO, David Griggs. Find out why this national brand is coming to Hartford and how Google plans to work with entrepreneurs and enhance the way they do business on a daily basis while contributing to the economic development of our city.
Listen now.

January 19: During a one-on-one conversation with MetroHartford Alliance President and CEO David Griggs, learn more about efforts in marketing the Hartford region on a global scale, the evolution of the Alliance and the organizational goals for 2019, and the role of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce.
Listen now.

January 12: With an educated workforce, cutting edge technology, and global presence, Hartford is a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Learn more about why the Hartford Region is an ideal place to start a business from our guests David Sagers and Ryan Keating, two area entrepreneurs.
Listen now.

January 5: Get Hired is CT IFS’ annual career fair for college students and recent graduates seeking internships and full-time employment in Connecticut’s insurance and financial services industry. Learn more about Get Hired, a career launchpad, from our guests: Susan Winkler, Vice President and Executive Director, Connecticut Insurance and Financial Services (CT IFS); and Lisa Simonetti, Director of Human Resources, ConnectiCare.
Listen now.