Next-Gen Leaders Fine-Tune Their Game

Shubert Theatre chief Anthony McDonald, developer and coworking entrepreneur Juan Salas-Romer, Junta for Progressive Action Executive Director Bruni Pizarro, New Haven Promise’s Jorgieliz Casanova, and and community green-dream organizer Doreen Abubakar were among the rising New Haven leaders to complete this year’s Chamber of Commerce Leadership Center training.

The chamber sent in the following release and these photos about the class:

The Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, business community, and guests celebrated the Leadership Center Classes of 2022. The Leadership Center Graduation, presented by Regional Water Authority took place on Monday, March 21^st, at Woodwinds, located at 29 Schoolground Road, Branford. 

GNHCC’s Leadership Center was established in 1986 and is home to both Leadership Greater New Haven (LGNH) and Executive Orientation (XO). These two programs, now with over 1,000 alumni, offer aspiring community leaders and business executives, a series of practical hands-on training in professional development.

This year’s LGNH class had a total of 23 graduates. Program participants received training underscoring various leadership styles and strategies for team and staff management, team collaboration, navigating a multi-generational and diverse workforce, strategic planning, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, inclusion, cultural awareness, and sharpened their professional skills. Leadership Greater New Haven graduates include: 

• Doreen Abubakar, Founder & Executive Director, CPEN
• Terri Alford Mosley, Director of DMHAS Young Adult Services & Mental Health Waiver, Marrakech, Inc.
• Tracy Bruno, Marketing and Communications Manager, BHcare
• Nikelle Carter, Clinical Program Manager, New Reach, Inc. 
• Jorgieliz Casanova, Program Manager (K‑12), New Haven Promise 
• Terrell Goforth, Performance Based Program Supervisor, New Opportunities, Inc.
• Kentha Heng, Acting Coordinator of Wrap Around Services FESP & Equity Programs/Achievement Coach, Family Economic Security Program (FESP)/Case Manager, Center for Students and Families, Gateway Community College Counseling and Wellness Center
• Kassandra Hernandez, Donor Relations Officer, New Reach, Inc.
• Jim Hill, Director of Operations, South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority 
• Emma Lopez-Mastropietro, Coordinator, Marketing & Development, Parents’ Foundation for Transitional Living 
• Earl McCoy, Jr., Assistant Director of Career and Professional Development, Albertus Magnus College
• Venetia Ndabian, Branch Manager, People’s United Bank
• Deena Nicol-Blifford, Digital Strategist & Graphic Designer, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce
• Devon O’Nalty, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Avangrid
• Kristen Perzan, Individual & Family Support Office Manager, Benhaven, Inc.
• Sam Picard, Director of Residential Services, Benhaven, Inc.

• Mark Podlas, Growth Operations Manager, Nurse in the Making
• Terri Rioux, Director of Philanthropy, Whitney Center
• Tuvana Rua, PhD, Associate Professor of Management, School of Business, Quinnipiac University
• Juan M. Salas-Romer, Founder & Executive Director, Known Coworking & Growth Lab
• Arlevia T. Samuel, Executive Director, Livable City Initiative, City of New Haven
• Nicole Smith, Natural Resources Analyst, South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority
• Kristen Welton, Development Manager, Alzheimer’s Association

XO is the Chamber’s premier leadership program, facilitating strategic connections between participants and influential decision makers and leaders within the Greater New Haven area. This three-session program is designed for senior executives in for-profit, nonprofit, and government sectors. Participants meet with regional leaders to explore and understand the relevant issues, resources, economics, and dynamics of the Greater New Haven region. The Executive Orientation Class of 2022 has a total of 7 graduates, including:

• Carlos Collazo, Executive Director, Ulbrich Boys & Girls Club
• Sunny Lakshminarayanan, Vice President, Engineering & Environmental Services, South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority
• Nicholas LoCoco, Audit Manager, Marcum LLP
• Anthony McDonald, Vice President & Executive Director, Shubert Theater
• Lutishia Pershad, Interim Director of Finance & Admin Services, Gateway Community College
• Bruni Pizarro, Executive Director, Junta for Progressive Action
• Jennifer Ricker, Executive Director, Concepts for Adaptive Learning

LGNH graduates presented on their strategic challenge projects. Five local organizations presented a project idea to the LGNH class and teams were then tasked with creating a solution to the organizations’ problem. The XO class also presented their Executive Project on Workforce Development. 

“This year’s leadership class has done a remarkable job of collaborating and helping one another, working tirelessly on their strategic challenge projects. The one common thread you will find in the classes of 2022 is that each and every one of these leaders has adapted to change. We will look to them to share their knowledge and skills with organizations in this region,” said Garrett Sheehan, President & CEO of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.

PHOTO #1 (LEFT TO RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM): Nicole Smith, Natural Resources Analyst, South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority; Tracy Bruno, Marketing and Communications Manager, BHcare; Emma Lopez-Mastropietro, Coordinator, Marketing & Development, Parents’ Foundation for Transitional Living; Kassandra Hernandez, Donor Relations Officer, New Reach, Inc.; Shana Schneider, Founder, Fitstyle by Shana/Consultant, Russell Reynolds Associates/LGNH Program Coordinator, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce; Nikelle Carter, Clinical Program Manager, New Reach, Inc.; Kristen Welton, Development Manager, Alzheimer’s Association; Jorgieliz Casanova, Program Manager (K‑12), New Haven Promise; Kentha Heng, Acting Coordinator of Wrap Around Services FESP & Equity Programs/Achievement Coach, Family Economic Security Program (FESP)/Case Manager, Center for Students and Families, Gateway Community College Counseling and Wellness Center; Juan M. Salas-Romer, Founder & Executive Director, Known Coworking & Growth Lab; Devon O’Nalty, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Avangrid; Terri Alford Mosley, Director of DMHAS Young Adult Services & Mental Health Waiver, Marrakech, Inc.; Jim Hill, Director of Operations, South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority; Tameika G. Miller, Vice President of Marketing & Program Development; Terri Alford Mosley, Director of DMHAS Young Adult Services & Mental Health Waiver, Marrakech, Inc.; Venetia Ndabian, Branch Manager, People’s United Bank; Larry Bingaman, President & CEO, South Central Regional Water Authority; Earl McCoy, Jr., Assistant Director of Career and Professional Development, Albertus Magnus College; Deena Nicol-Blifford, Digital Strategist & Graphic Designer, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce

PHOTO #2 (LEFT TO RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM): Anthony McDonald, Vice President & Executive Director, Shubert Theater; Sunny Lakshminarayanan, Vice President, Engineering & Environmental Services, South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority; Nicholas LoCoco, Audit Manager, Marcum LLP; Bruni Pizarro, Executive Director, Junta for Progressive Action; Larry Bingaman, President & CEO, South Central Regional Water Authority; Lutishia Pershad, Interim Director of Finance & Admin Services, Gateway Community College; Tameika G. Miller, Vice President of Marketing & Program Development