MetroHartford Alliance Announces 2026 Board of Directors
Board Members and Executive Committee Continue to Lead Economic Development in Hartford Region
The MetroHartford Alliance is grateful to its Board of Directors for continuing to provide guidance and support in the organization’s ongoing mission of growing the Hartford Region through economic development, convening the community around shared opportunities, and providing local Chamber support.
The MHA Board of Directors is comprised of members from dozens of local and global organizations, covering industries from insurance, healthcare, finance, technology, art and culture, education, and nonprofit outreach. The MetroHartford Alliance Board of Directors plays a critical role in shaping the organization’s strategic direction and ensuring strong governance. Board members serve as advisors, ambassadors, and partners in advancing economic growth across the Hartford Region. Their leadership helps connect MHA’s work to the priorities of major employers, institutions, and community stakeholders.
“As we begin a new year, we’re deeply thankful to board members past and present who have assisted the MetroHartford Alliance, making our success as impactful as possible,” noted David Griggs, President and CEO. “Our work is dependent on community engagement; we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the support from both our Board and Executive Committee. When you have leaders from so many leading companies in one room, when you share the momentum to grow the Region and put a spotlight on what we’re doing, great things happen.”
The Executive Committee works closely with MHA leadership between board meetings to help guide strategy, monitor progress on key initiatives, and ensure the organization remains responsive to regional opportunities and challenges. Travelers’ Andy Bessette has been the acting Board Chair since 2024. Other Executive Committee members include Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, City of Hartford; Bimal Patel, Hartford HealthCare; Dan O’Shea, Global Atlantic; Hank Hoffman, The Hartford; Dave French, Travelers; Valerie Powell-Stafford, Trinity Health of New England; and Chris Motl, Webster Bank.
Our full list of MHA Board Members are:
Executive Committee
Andy Bessette, The Travelers Companies, Inc.
Bimal Patel, Hartford HealthCare
Chris Motl, Webster Bank
Dan O'Shea, Global Atlantic Financial Group
Dave French, Travelers
David Griggs, MetroHartford Alliance
Hank Hoffman, The Hartford
Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, City of Hartford
Valerie Powell-Stafford, Saint Francis Hospital
Directors
Amir Johnson, The iQuilt Partnership
Barry Simon, Oak Hill
Bob Patricelli, Patricelli Family Foundation
Brian Canina, PeoplesBank
Dan O'Keefe, DECD
David Fay, The Bushnell
David Hopkins, Urban League of Greater Hartford
Donald Curry, The Metropolitan District Commission
Eric Daniels, State of Connecticut
Greg Reilly, University of Connecticut
Gregory Butler, Eversource Energy
Jane Davey, LAZ Investments
Jay Williams, Greater Hartford Gives Foundation
Jeffrey Hoffman, Hoffman Auto Group
John Maduko, CT State Community College – Capital Campus
John Turgeon, CohnReznick
Joseph Gianni, Bank of America
Keith Hubert, PwC
Kevin Kenny, Lexington Partners
Mark Meador, ConnectiCare
Mark Overmyer-Velazquez, University of Connecticut
Martin Guay, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
Matt Fleury, Connecticut Science Center
Matt Forman, Hartford Steam Boiler
Peter Souza, Town of Windsor
Rhona Free, University of Saint Joseph
Rhonda Tobin, Robinson + Cole
Robert Parry, Liberty Bank
Robin Kulasekararaj, Cognizant
Sam Caligiuri, Nassau Financial Group
Sandy Cloud, The Cloud Company, LLC
Shari Cantor, City of West Hartford