Pulse of the Region Cast

Keep your finger on the pulse of the Hartford Region with Pulse of the Region, the Alliance's weekly radio show.
The MetroHartford Alliance hosts dynamic conversations on healthcare, economic development, housing, public safety, entrepreneurship, the Insurance Capital of the World, and much more.
Show days, times and stations:
– Saturdays at 8 a.m. on ESPN 97.9 FM
– Saturdays at 10 a.m. on WPOP News Talk 1410 AM and 100.9 FM
– Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on New Haven WELI 960 AM
Archived Shows
2023
Actuarial Boot Camp with The Hartford | September 27, 2023 | 30 mins
Actuarial Boot Camp with The Hartford
This week, we’re getting the pulse on how the Connecticut Insurance and Financial Services (CT IFS) is helping to fill the workforce pipeline within the insurance industry. Joining the conversation is Susan Winkler, Executive Director of CT IFS, MetroHartford Alliance; Dan Watt, Actuary and Professor at The Hartford, and Andy Niedzielski, FSA, MAAA, Director, Actuarial Science Program, University of Connecticut. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Talking Health and Wellness with Nassau | September 20, 2023 | 30 mins
Talking Health and Wellness with Nassau
This week, we’re getting the pulse about the value of protecting your health and wealth and the unique approach that Nassau Financial Group is taking with their employees to go the distance when it come to their own health and also the health of our community. Joining the conversation from Nassau Financial Group is Paul Tyler, Chief Marketing Officer, Jessica Fayle, Manager, Community Engagement and Communications, and Hayley Maldonado, Counsel. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership in Oak Hill.
United Way Community Campaign | September 13, 2023 | 29 mins
United Way Community Campaign
This week, we’re getting the pulse about United Way’s community campaign and how the business community is connecting the support workforce development in the Hartford region. Joining the conversation from United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is Eric Harrison, President and CEO, and Victor Sosa, Participant, United Way Supported Job Training Program. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Wellness in the Workplace | September 6, 2023 | 30 mins
Wellness in the Workplace
This week, we’re getting the pulse about wellness in the workplace and strategies your organization can take to create a positive culture for your employees. Joining the conversation are Jacquilyn Davis, Director of Workplace Mental Health & DEI, Mental Health Connecticut, Inc. (MHC) and Nicole Batista, Wellness & Engagement Manager, FCP Euro. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Insurance Capital Summit 2023 | August 30, 2023 | 30 mins
Insurance Capital Summit 2023
This week, we’re getting the pulse about the Insurance Capital Summit and how this event is spotlighting Hartford globally as the insurance capital of the world. Joining the conversation are Craig Weber, Head of Strategy, Insurance, Cognizant, and Susan Winkler, Executive Director, MetroHartford Alliance CT IFS. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Creativity in the Workplace | August 23, 2023 | 30 mins
Creativity in the Workplace
This week, we’re getting the pulse about the value of creativity in the workplace and how organizations are utilizing creative education to strengthen their teams. Joining the conversation are: Beth Miller, Executive Director, Creative Education Foundation; Aaron Wartner, President of BuzzEngine and Marketing Consultant for Creative Education Foundation; and Mary Wisenski, Partner at FML, CPAs and Treasurer for Creative Education Foundation. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
HYPE Hot Takes: Hartford Arts & Culture | August 9, 2023 | 30 mins
HYPE Hot Takes: Hartford Arts & Culture
This week, we’re getting the pulse about the critical role Hartford’s local arts and culture scene has in fostering social cohesion and community wellbeing. Joining the conversation is Mia Sinatro, Executive Director of HYPE, Kelly Dougherty, Development Associate at Hands on Hartford, and Matt Larson, Communication Division of Global Affairs at University of Connecticut. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Learn more about HYPE and its mission here.
Hartford Happenings | July 26, 2023 | 33 mins
Hartford Happenings
This week, we’re getting the pulse about happenings here in our capital city of Hartford – from restaurants to destination locations, the city is bursting with energy! Joining the conversation are Carlos Mouta, CEO and Founder of Parkville Management, and Stephen Cusano, Owner of Parkville Sounds. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Nonprofit State Funding | July 18, 2023 | 30 mins
Nonprofit State Funding
This week, we’re getting the pulse about state funding for non-profit organizations. Joining the conversation are: Barry Simon, President and CEO at Oak Hill, Gian- Carl Casa, President and CEO at CT Community Nonprofit Alliance, and Luis Perez, President and CEO at Mental Health Connecticut. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
National Homeowner Month | July 5, 2023 | 32 mins
National Homeowner Month
This week, we’re getting the pulse about homeownership and where the housing market stands today and its impact on prospective homebuyers in Connecticut. Joining the conversation are: Matt Cammarota, Head of Retail Lending, Liberty Bank, and Jeremy Potter, Strategic Advisor, titleLOOK. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Travelers Championship 2023 Impact | June 28, 2023 | 28 mins
Travelers Championship 2023 Impact
This week, we are getting the pulse about the impact of the Travelers Championship and an inside look at how support from our corporate community is driving this impact. Joining the conversation is Meera Krishnamurthy, Head, Cognizant Americas Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Cognizant and David Griggs, President & CEO, MetroHartford Alliance. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Travelers Championship 2023 Impact | June 28, 2023 | 28 mins
Travelers Championship 2023 Impact
This we are getting the pulse about the impact of the Travelers Championship and an inside look at how support from our corporate community is driving this impact. Joining the conversation is Meera Krishnamurthy, Head, Cognizant Americas Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Cognizant and David Griggs, President & CEO, MetroHartford Alliance. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Travelers Championship 2023 | June 21, 2023 | 28 mins
It’s Travelers Championship Week!
This week we’re getting the pulse about the Travelers Championship–from what it means to be an elevated event on the PGA Tour to the enormous impact the tournament has on our community. Joiningthe conversation is Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer,Travelers and Nathan Grube, Tournament Director, Travelers Championship. Pulse of the Region isproduced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Hartford 400 | June 14, 2023 | 28 mins
HYPE Hot Takes: Hartford 400
This week is the newest episode of HYPE Hot Takes–the podcast which gives you the pulse about the City of Hartford through a young professional lens. This episode we delve into Hartford 400, a coalition led byThe iQuiltPartnership which aims to create a unified and forward-thinking plan for the capital city for the city’s 400th anniversary and beyond. Joining the conversation are: Jackie Mandyck, Executive Director, The iQuilt Partnership; Mia Sinatro, Executive Director, HYPE; Jesse Imse, Senior Advisor to the Commissioner, CT Department of Administrative Services; Matt Mocarsky, Workforce Strategy, Analytics, and Catastrophe Planning, Travelers; and Max Gigle, Program Manager, CT Department of Administrative Services. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
The Hartford Taste | June 7, 2023 | 28 mins
The Hartford Taste
This week, we’re getting the pulse about the 2nd annual Hartford Taste, a two-day food, music, and art festival taking place on June 9 and 10 on Constitution Plaza in Hartford! Joining the conversation are: Sarah Morin, Assistant Director of Public Relations, The Hartford; Chris-Ann Miller, Owner, The Ital Juicery Company; and Marian Andoh Clarke, Director of Business Development, Hartford Chamber of Commerce. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Healthcare Trends and Value-Based Care | May 31, 2023 | 29 mins
Healthcare Trends and Value-Based Care
This week, we’re getting the pulse on value-based healthcare and population health, including trends across the country and the state of Connecticut. Joining the conversation from SoNE Health are Lisa Trumble, President and CEO, and Chief Population Health Officer Dr. George Beauregard, DO. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Accessible Gaming | May 24, 2023 | 30 mins
Accessible Gaming
This week, we’re getting the pulse about accessible gaming and the incredible short and long term impacts it’s having. Joining the conversation are Kristen Gilfeather, Assistant Technology Specialist, NEAT Center at Oak Hill, and Annie Goldsnider, Child Life Gaming and Technology Specialist, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Listen here or stream below.
Employee Resource Groups | May 17, 2023 | 31 mins
Employee Resource Groups
This week, we’re getting the pulse about employee resource groups and the impact they are having on talent retention and attraction. Joining the conversation from Nassau Financial Group are: CJ Kenney, AVP Human Resources; Shanique Daley, Product Analyst; and McKenna Gernander, Financial Analyst. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Travelers EDGE | May 10, 2023 | 31 mins
Travelers EDGE
This week, we’re getting the pulse about a program designed to provide a unique approach to college and career readiness to underrepresented student populations. Joining the conversation are: Ivelisse Maldonado, Travelers EDGE Program Manager, Travelers; Bernardo Lowe, Travelers EDGE Scholar, Central Connecticut State University; and John Thomas, Program Manager, Capital Community College. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
HYPE Hot Takes in Hartford | May 3, 2023 | 28 mins
HYPE Hot Takes in Hartford
This week, we’re getting a special episode of Pulse of the Region where we introduce our first episode of HYPE Hot Takes, an op-ed table talk podcast where young professionals offer unfiltered discussions on talent, lifestyle, workplace trends, and more. Joining the conversation are: Mia Sinatro, Executive Director of HYPE; Lauren LaChance, Public Relations Manager with ConnectiCare and WellSpark Health; and Max Gigle, Program Manager, Innovation Team, State of Connecticut. Pulse of the Region/HYPE Hot Takes is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
United Way and Pratt & Whitney Collaboration | April 25, 2023 | 26 mins
United Way and Pratt & Whitney Collaboration
This week, we’re getting the pulse about collaborations and the significant value for corporations to engage their employees within the community. Joining the conversation are: Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut; and Jill Vichi, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Pratt & Whitney. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Workforce Development | April 19, 2023 | 31 mins
Workforce Development
This week, we’re getting the pulse about an initiative designed to facilitate an ecosystem aligning the business community and higher education in order to address workforce challenges here in our state. Joining the conversation are: Alex Johnson, President and CEO, Capital Workforce Partners; Marty Guay, Vice President, Business Development, Stanley Black & Decker; and Carol Quinn Toomey, Managing Director, Accenture. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
UHart Promoting Hart Lift | April 12, 2023 | 29 mins
UHart Promoting Hart Lift
This week, we’re getting the pulse about how the University of Hartford is developing a marketing campaign to highlight more than 60 new restaurants and retailers who are opening in the City of Hartford as a part of Hart Lift! Joining the conversation are: Eden Fritz Aguiar, Director of Media Production of Crested Communications and graduate student at the University of Hartford; Sarah Miner, Faculty Director of Crested Communications and Assistant Professor at the University of Hartford; and Julio Concepcion, Executive Director, Hartford Chamber of Commerce. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Workforce Development Partnership | April 5, 2023 | 31 mins
Workforce Development Partnership
This week, we’re getting the pulse about empowering partnerships and how Oak Hill and the University of Hartford teamed up to fill special education roles across Connecticut.
Joining the conversation are: Susan Oster, Professional Development Coordinator, Oak Hill; Sheetal Sood, Associate Professor of Special Education, Associate Dean of Assessment, Faculty Development and Special Projects, and Director for the Online Special Education Program, University of Hartford; and Dr. Thilagha Jagaiah, Assistant Professor in the Special Education Program, University of Hartford. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
The State of the Event Industry | March 29, 2023 | 30 mins
The State of the Event Industry
This week, we’re getting the pulse about the state of the events industry. Joining the conversation are: Lee Simons, Owner and President, Event Resources Inc., David Alan, Owner, David Alan Hospitality Group, Steve Perlah, Operations and Development Director, GoodWorks Entertainment and GoodWorks Infinity Hall, and Amanda Campbell, Strategic Events Manager, MetroHartford Alliance. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
The ESG Financial and Talent Impact | March 22, 2023 | 30 mins
The ESG Financial and Talent Impact
This week, we’re continuing our talk on ESG and discussing how these strategies and programs can positively impact your organization’s talent attraction and retention efforts, financial performance, and beyond. Joining the conversation from CohnReznick is Jenny Brusgul, Managing Director and ESG Practice Leader, and John Turgeon, Partner and Client Relationship Executive. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
ESG Strategies | March 15, 2023 | 29 mins
ESG Strategies
This week, we’re getting the pulse on ESG. We take a look at how businesses are working to organically weave environmental, social, and governance strategies into company culture. Joining the conversation are Sophia Mendelsohn, Chief Sustainability Officer, Cognizant, and Veena Jayadeva, Head of Enterprise ESG and Chief of Staff, Guardian Life. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Fighting Obesity in the Workplace | March 8, 2023 | 29 mins
Fighting Obesity in the Workplace
This week, we’re getting the pulse on obesity in the workplace, and how companies can help change the trajectory for employees that may be struggling with this disease. Joining the conversation is Angela Fitch MD, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of knownwell and President of the Obesity Medicine Association. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
The Future of the Workforce | February 22, 2023 | 29 mins
The Future of the Workforce
This week, we’re getting the pulse about the future of the workplace and the workforce. From ‘work at home’ to ‘in office,’ hear how companies are adapting their spaces to enhance workplace culture. Joining the conversation are: Josh Hagstrom, President, Interscape Commercial Environments; and Ted Cutler, President and CEO, Tecton Architects. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
Get HYPE’d | February 16, 2023 | 28 min
Get HYPE’d
This week, we’re getting the pulse on all things HYPE to discuss what’s fresh and new in 2023 and how your young professionals can get involved! Want to discover HYPE for yourself? Join Get HYPE’d on March 1 at Rosa Mexicano. Please share with the young professionals in your office! Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
New Businesses in Hartford | February 8, 2023 | 30 min
New Businesses in Hartford
This week, we’re getting the pulse about the Hartford Chamber of Commerce and what is attracting new businesses to the City of Hartford. Joining the conversation are: Adam Kinson and Emily Walsh, Co-Owners of BTone Fitness in Hartford, and Marian Andoh-Clarke, Director of Small Business, Hartford Chamber of Commerce. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
The Transgender ID Project | February 1, 2023 | 30 min
The Transgender ID Project
This week, we’re getting the pulse about GLAD’s Transgender ID project and the Connecticut partners who’ve come together to support the program. Joining the conversation are: Jaime Welsh, Associate, Shipman & Goodwin, Gabrielle Hamel, Public Information Manager, GLAD, and Rev. Aaron Miller, Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
An In-Depth Look at the MHA | January 25, 2023 | 30 min
An In-Depth Look at the MHA
This week, we’re getting the pulse from MetroHartford Alliance President and CEO David Griggs and members of the MHA team on what the organization and its initiatives have in store for the year ahead! Hear from Chief Business Investment Officer Gene Goddard about the latest trends in economic development and their positive impact on the Hartford region. Listen to Chief Marketing Officer Jeremy Szechenyi discuss marketing strategies to highlight the region and MHA investors. Pulse of the Region is produced in partnership with Oak Hill.
GET HIRED Career Fair on January 10, 2023 | January 9, 2023 | 30 min
GET HIRED Career Fair on January 10, 2023
This week, we’re getting the pulse about Get Hired, one of the largest career fairs hosted in Connecticut – and it’s happening tomorrow! Listen to hear about the event’s impact and how the job seeker in your life can still attend. Joining the conversation are: Rictania Nogueras, Consumer Banking Market Leader for Hartford, Bank of America; Javier Padilla, Chief Human Resources Officer, Oak Hill; and Brooke Penders, Executive Director, Career and Professional Development, University of Hartford. Pulse of the Region is sponsored by Oak Hill.
Learn more about Get Hired and register to attend here.
Unspoken Misunderstandings in the Workplace | January 6, 2023 | 29 min
Unspoken Misunderstandings in the Workplace
This week, we’re getting the pulse about how leaders can navigate unspoken misunderstandings in the workplace to create a positive company culture. Joining the conversation are: Andi Campbell, Chief Growth and Operations Officer, WellSpark Health; Peter Tingus, VP Human Resources, Compliance and Risk, FCP Euro; Nicole Batista, Wellness Manager, FCP Euro. Pulse of the Region is sponsored by Oak Hill.