Urban League of Greater Hartford Continues Growth, Elects New Chair Jonathan W. Roberts of Webster Bank, and Four New Board Members

The Urban League of Greater Hartford (ULGH) Board of Directors has elected a new Chair and officers and added four new Board members.

The organization’s 2021-2022 Chair is Jonathan W. Roberts, Executive Vice President, Head of Retail Banking at Webster Bank and Webster Financial Corporation.

Other officers are:

Vice Chair Brian Foley, Assistant to the Commissioner of the CT State Department of Emergency Services and Public;

Treasurer Elissa Eddie, Senior Vice President/Private Bank Team Lead at KeyBank;

Secretary Renee Coleman-Mitchell, Chief Strategist of Academia, Government and Healthcare for Ready Global;

Chair Emeritus Edwin Shirley, Senior Advisor at Fairview Capital Partners, Inc.;

and David Hopkins, ULGH President and CEO.

The four new Directors are:

Nicole Hughey, SiriusXM Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion;

James Michel, Access Health CT’s Chief Executive Officer;

new Board Secretary Renee Coleman-Mitchell (the new Board Secretary),

and Leah Wade, Dalio Education’s Operations Manager.

“While there is still so much more to do, the success we’ve experienced is not only a result of the hard work of our staff, but it is also a reflection of the strategic guidance and sure governance of our Board of Directors,” explains David Hopkins, who in two-and-a-half years as the Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Greater Hartford,  66th affiliate of the National Urban League, has increased revenue 42%, reduced current liabilities by 25%, and expanded staff and programming in the areas of youth development, adult education, workforce development, housing, community health, and social justice. “I am excited to work with the Board under Jonathan’s leadership and look forward to seeing how the League will have an even deeper impact on the Greater Hartford community over the next year.”

“Given the heightened attention to health equity and social justice, the new four new Board members will almost certainly add immediate value to the Urban League’s fulfillment of its mission,” says Edwin Shirley, outgoing ULGH Chair, and Senior Advisor for Fairview Capital Partners, Inc., one of the largest minority-owned private equity investment management firms in the U.S. Mr. Shirley’s role as Immediate Past President and requires him to continue serving and provide continuity to new officers.

Also continuing is Earl Exum, former ULGH Board Treasurer and the second longest-tenured Board member to Mr. Shirley. Exum is President of International Aero Engines, AG (a Pratt & Whitney joint venture company).

Continuing At-Large Directors, completing terms of three to six years of service, are:

Eric Blumenthal of Focused Forward Executive Coaching, LLC;

Shornda H. Cadore of Pratt & Whitney;

Christopher Clarke of Merrill Lynch;

Julia Marquis of Aetna/CVS;

Stephen F. Marshall II, of the Barnes Group;

Laura Soll-Broxterman of Laura Soll Public Relations, LLC;

and Quori Morgan of Travelers Insurance.

Also holding a seat on the Board is the President of the Urban League of Greater Hartford Young Professionals Auxiliary, Aundrya Montgomery.

The Urban League of Greater Hartford, Inc. (ULGH) is a community-based, not-for-profit 501(c)(3). Established in 1964 as the National Urban League’s 66th affiliate, its mission is to reduce the economic disparities in Greater Hartford’s communities through programs and services in the areas of youth development, adult education, workforce development and training, economic enrichment, health equity, and social justice. For information about the organization, visit www.ulgh.org or call 860-527-0147. Follow us on social media @ulgh64.