Irene Bassock is Named Chair of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut’s Board of Directors
The organization also announced new members appointed to its Board.
Hartford, CT (Feb. 24, 2026) – United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is pleased to announce that Irene Bassock has been named Chair of its Board of Directors. Bassock is a partner at Cohen & Buckmann, P.C. Law Firm and has more than 30 years of experience practicing employment and executive compensation law.
A long-time West Hartford resident who is passionate about literacy and its impact on children achieving success in school and beyond, Bassock began volunteering with United Way in 2016. She first joined United Way Women United and remains an active supporter the group’s focus of helping neighboring women achieve financial stability. She deepened her involvement by becoming a founding member of Women of Tocqueville, an affinity group comprised of committed business, civic and philanthropic women leaders dedicated to closing gaps and creating opportunities for our neighbors experiencing working or extreme poverty.
“We are delighted to welcome Irene as our Board Chair. Her empathy and sense of responsibility is notable in every commitment she makes to United Way,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “We are thrilled to have Irene become the third woman in our organization’s history to lead our Board of Directors, and we know she will continue to forge a path for others eager to serve our community.”
Bassock holds a bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College and a Juris Doctor from Boston University. Recognized as a strategic negotiator and trusted advisor, she has developed her career as an attorney helping clients to navigate complex scenarios, always maintaining her ethical compass.
“I am fortunate to have the time and resources to lend to others in my community who need support. Growing up, my family was asset limited. So, I recognize the daily challenges that working families face and how just a bit goes a long way,” shared Irene Bassock. “Thankfully, I am in a position to offer that assistance and welcome the opportunity to do so. It is a true honor to lead United Way’s Board of Directors and ensure that we can fulfill the organization’s mission to end poverty in the 860 region.”
Bassock also sits on the executive compensation committee of Bristol Hospital in Bristol, Connecticut; serves as an executive board member of the Connecticut Employment Lawyers Association; and, is a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association.
The organization also announced the appointment of new members to its Board of Directors:
Tom Barnes, Board Chairman at Barnes Aerospace Foundation
Hank Guerrero, President and General Manager at NBC and Telemundo Connecticut
Brian Zelman, Principal at Zelman Real Estate
Laura Zucker, Senior Manager at Accenture
Austin G. Provost, Partner at Robinson & Cole LLP
About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
United Way mobilizes resources and aligns strategic partners to end poverty in the 860 region by closing gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy with the goal of a region where there are equal opportunities for everyone to succeed. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org.
United Way Media Contact:
Anyeline Céspedes López, 787.502.0436, acespedes@unitedwayinc.org