Honoring the energy, creativity and success of sixty-five women and students from Connecticut’s science and technology community. In this program, we salute this year’s Women of Innovation who are working as scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs for their contributions to their organizations or schools. Their biographies in this program are testimony to their remarkable careers, fields of study, and their professional and personal accomplishments. We also thank the individuals who nominated these outstanding women and all who are here to celebrate their achievements. After twelve years, there is an alumnae group of nearly 600 Women of Innovation! By gathering this community of accomplished women, we continue to promote, support and encourage young women and girls to pursue STEM careers and to foster a collaborative network. www.CT.org

1. presented by:
ConnecticutTechnology Council | EY | Medtronic
Day Pitney LLP | UnitedTechnologies Corporation
The Annual
Celebration of
Connecticut’s
Most Innovative
Women in Science
&Technology
April 6, 2016

2. A Program of:
The Connecticut Technology Council
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Day Pitney LLP
Ernst & Young LLP
Medtronic
United Technologies Corporation
ConnecticutTechnology Council | EY | Medtronic
Day Pitney LLP | UnitedTechnologies Corporation
The Connecticut Technology Council and our sponsors
celebrate the 12th annual Women of Innovation awards.
Tonight we honor the energy, creativity and success of
sixty-five women and students from Connecticut’s science
and technology community.
We salute this year’s Women of Innovation who are
working as scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs for
their contributions to their organizations or schools.
Their biographies in this program are testimony to their
remarkable careers, fields of study, and their professional
and personal accomplishments. We also thank the
individuals who nominated these outstanding women
and all who are here to celebrate their achievements.
After twelve years, there is an alumnae group of nearly
600 Women of Innovation, some of whom are here tonight!
By gathering this community of accomplished women, we
will continue to promote, support and encourage young
women and girls to pursue STEM careers and to foster a
collaborative network.

3. 11
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Diane Smith
TV journalist, radio talk show host,
author and speaker
WELCOME
Paul Hermes
Board Chair, Connecticut Technology Council and
Entrepreneur in Residence, Medtronic,
Surgical Innovations
INTRODUCTION OF HONOREES / KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Elizabeth Alquist
Chair, Women of Innovation Planning Committee
and Partner, Day Pitney LLP
Melissa Jones
Diversity and Inclusion Programmer Manager
United Technologies Corporation
Stephanie Hollander
Partner and Greater New York Market Leader
Ernst & Young LLP
KEYNOTE
Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty
Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District
AWARD PRESENTATIONS
(In order of presentation)
Public Sector Innovation and Leadership
Youth Innovation & Leadership
(presented by Medtronic)
Jacqueline Jones, PhD, R&D Manager of Clinical
and Human Factors Engineering Team
Marguerite Copel, Vice President Communications
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group
Collegian Innovation & Leadership
Community Innovation & Leadership
Research Innovation & Leadership
Academic Innovation & Leadership
Entrepreneurial Innovation & Leadership
Small Business Innovation & Leadership
Large Business Innovation & Leadership
CLOSING REMARKS
AGENDA
Diane Smith
A New York Times bestselling
author, Emmy award-winning
journalist, documentary
producer, and speaker Diane
Smith is a media veteran.
Diane’s book Obsessed:
America’s Food Addiction and
My Own; written with MSNBC Morning Joe co-host Mika
Brzezinski became an instant best seller.
Diane has been on the air in Connecticut for more than
25 years at WTNH-TV, CPTV, and WTIC-Newstalk 1080.
Diane is the anchor and senior producer for program
development at CTN, the Connecticut version of C-SPAN.
As president of Diane Smith Media, Diane has produced
Emmy award winning documentaries, and other
programs and videos primarily for non-profits. Diane
Smith Media also provides media and public speaking
training for clients including Tiffany & Co., Subway and
Protein Sciences Corporation.
The Globe Pequot Press has published six books based
on Diane’s“Positively Connecticut”TV series, the longest
running local TV series in state history.
Diane serves on the board of the Connecticut Girl Scout
Council and the Connecticut Women’s Council. Diane was
appointed by the CT Secretary of the State to the Civic
Health Advisory Board. Diane is a corporator of the I-Quilt
Project in Hartford and serves on the Board of Overseers
for the Bushnell Theater in Hartford.
In September 2015 Diane gave a TEDx Talk in Springfield,
Massachusetts.
In January 2016 Diane was honored with the National
Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award.
Diane has received the Governor’s Award for Excellence
in Culture and Tourism for her outstanding lifetime
achievements and contributions to the arts and tourism
in Connecticut. The Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame
honored Diane as a woman of“voice and vision”. In 2015
Diane was honored with the Breakfast Badge Award from
the Girl Scouts of Connecticut.
Diane was inducted into the National Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle for 25 years
of distinguished service to broadcasting and the
community. Diane holds an honorary doctorate from
Charter Oak College.

4. 2
Beth Alquist
Partner
Day Pitney LLP
Susan Baserga
Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry of
Genetics and of Therapeutic Radiology
Yale University
Robin Chazdon
Professor, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Connecticut
Emily Davis
Senior Development Engineer
Medtronic
Michele Dischino
Associate Professor, Technology and
Engineering Education
Central Connecticut State University
Jennifer Gabler
Co-Founder
The Refinery
Maria Gigliotti
Director, Drug Regulatory Affairs
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Eileen Hasson
President
The Computer Company
Marja Hurley
Professor of Medicine and Orthopaedics
Univeristy of Connecticut Health Center
Abby Ilumoka
Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering
University of Hartford
Cathy Intravia
Partner
Shipman & Goodwin LLP
Jacqueline Jones
PhD, R&D Manager of Clinical and Human
Factors Engineering Team
Medtronic, PLC
Jennifer Kowalski
Director, Research Strategic Operations
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Glennis Orloff
COO
Whole Biome, Inc
Michelle Perino
Associate
Cantor Colburn LLP
Paige Rasid
COO
Connecticut Technology Council
Tracy Romano
Senior Vice President, Research & Zoological Operations
Sea Research Foundation, Inc at Mystic Aquarium
Stacie Ropka
Counsel
Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP
Vanessa Rubano
Associate Director, Health Economics
and Outcomes Research
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Ellyn Savard
Program Initiatives Manager
Girl Scouts of Connecticut
Sondra Schneider
CEO & Founder
Security University
Peter Smith
VP of Engineering at UTC Aerospace Systems
United Technologies Corporation
Luke Weinstein
Associate Professor
United States Coast Guard Academy
Stephanie Wheeler
Director of Recruting
Datto, Inc.
Martha Yaney
President
Vista Group International, Inc.
PLANNING COMMITTEE

5. 3
Congresswoman Elizabeth H. Esty
Elizabeth Esty is the U.S. Representative for the 5th Congressional
District of Connecticut. The district spans northwest and central
Connecticut and includes Waterbury, Meriden, Danbury, Litchfield
County, the Farmington Valley, and her hometown of Cheshire.
Congresswoman Esty knows that job creation and economic
development is a top priority for the residents of the 5th District.
She’s committed to reinvigorating the district’s manufacturing
tradition through investments in STEM education (science,
technology, engineering, and math), infrastructure, research and
development, and job training. She is also a strong proponent of
helping small businesses and promoting the green jobs of the
future in the 5th District.
Congresswoman Esty’s work in Congress is driven by the priorities of central and northwest
Connecticut. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Science,
Space, and Technology Committee, Congresswoman Esty promoted an innovation agenda to
create greater economic opportunity in Connecticut and across the country, securing passage
of the Export-Import bank, a new long-term highway bill known as the FAST Act, a permanent
extension of the R&D tax credit, and her STEM Education Act. She will continue to support policies
to revitalize American manufacturing, rebuild America’s infrastructure, strengthen workforce
development, and improve education – particularly in STEM – so that students and workers have
the skills to thrive in high-demand careers.
As a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and Co-Chair of the
21st Century Job Skills Working Group, Congresswoman Esty worked both in Washington and
in Connecticut to support STEM education, encourage young people to pursue STEM-related
careers, and improve workforce development to prepare our workers for 21st century jobs. Esty’s
bipartisan STEM Education Act was signed into law in October to strengthen science, technology,
engineering, and math (STEM) training for teachers and include computer science skills in course
offerings to help our students prepare for 21st century careers.
Congresswoman Esty also launched her STEM Advisory Board with Connecticut experts and
leaders from fields such as business, education, manufacturing, and labor. Additionally, she
successfully increased support for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program at
NIST and passed an amendment to improve opportunities for women in entrepreneurship at the
National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps, or I-Corps.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER

6. Boston ConneCtiCut Florida new Jersey new york washington, dC | www.daypitney.com
Congratulations Honorees!
we are proud supporters of
Connecticut technology Council’s
Women of Innovation®

7. 5
MEET THE HONOREES
Aimee Alphonso > Collegian Innovation and Leadership
Medical Student, Yale School of Medicine
Aimee is an MD candidate at the Yale School of Medicine and graduated with honors from Yale
College in 2011. Aimee has led over five student organizations including Women in Medicine, an
organization that strives to empower young women at YSM to flourish in science and medicine.
Aimee will be conducting an additional research year to obtain a master’s in health sciences
before applying for residency programs in 2017.
Michelle Andersen > Community Innovation and Leadership
Research & Engineering Technology Manager, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Michelle develops tools and processes to ensure export trade compliance for Sikorsky Aircraft’s
engineering organization. Previously, Michelle was a materials lead supporting new material
and manufacturing process development for the next-generation BLACK HAWK helicopter
transmission. Michelle educates students about the power of an engineering degree and the
benefits of an engineering career and is committed to the advancement of women in STEM.
Michelle is a past President of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Hartford section.
Ann Aulabaugh > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Associate Research Fellow, Pfizer Inc.
Ann is an associate research fellow in the Pfizer Groton Structural Biology-Biophysics department,
where she uses biophysics/enzymology to drive drug discovery decisions on multiple Pfizer
projects on the east coast. Ann obtained her PhD in biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-
Madison, was a postdoctoral fellow at du Pont, and then worked at Glaxo Wellcome seven years
before joining Pfizer in 1996. Ann authored over 45 publications and holds three patents.
Sara Banach > Youth Innovation and Leadership
High School Student, CREC Academy of Aerospace and Engineering High School
Sara is pursuing a career in software engineering. She placed third in the Technovation 2015
competition, and is mentoring a team for 2016. She has also recently mentored a team of
students to compete in the Congressional App Challenge 2015-2016. In March, the team
presented their app to Congress members in Washington D.C. Sara is working on her Girl Scout
Gold Award, and is building a free online coding curriculum for middle school girls.
Sophie Bardos > Youth Innovation and Leadership
High School Student, Greenwich High School
Sophie has worked with nonprofits in her community to educate young and underprivileged
children in various STEM fields. Through the Science Research program at her high school, Sophie
has been able to pursue independent research projects in E.coli inhibition, water purification, and
HIV-1 prevention. She has competed in both the Connecticut Science Fair and the International
Sustainable World Olympiad (I-SWEEEP), earning recognition at both levels for her research.
Carolyn Begnoche > Community Innovation and Leadership
Senior Design/Drafter, Pratt & Whitney/Society of Women Engineers
Carolyn, wife and mother, is a senior design/drafter for Pratt & Whitney and an active member of
Women in Aviation International. She is the Outreach Chair for the Society of Women Engineers
Hartford professional section. Carolyn also teaches K-12 STEM through hands-on activities.
She is a judge for FIRST robotics and the Connecticut Invention Convention. Carolyn studies
manufacturing management at CCSU where she is also the SWE collegiate counselor.

8. 6
Annie Blumenfeld > Youth Innovation and Leadership
High School Student, Fairfield Warde High School
Annie is a high school senior who founded a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Wags 4 Hope,
dedicated to spreading heartworm disease awareness, helping support shelter animals’medical
needs, and encouraging responsible pet ownership. W4H has been featured in several national
media outlets. She created legislation to change the Connecticut Dog License to include a
heartworm awareness message. Annie is also a patented inventor and autism advocate.
Stacey Brown > Academic Innovation and Leadership
Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut
Stacey is an assistant professor and director of the Community Based Education office for the
UConn School of Medicine. She collaborates with faculty and community partners to develop
and implement curriculum promoting students’understanding of social, economic, political and
factors impacting health. In addition, Stacey conducts health disparities research, is the chair
of the Connecticut Multicultural Health Partnership, and is a Connecticut Health Foundation
leadership fellow.
Nicole Bucala > Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
CEO & President, MIFCOR
Nicole received her bachelor of science degree from MIT and special master’s degree from
Georgetown Medical, while working full-time to enhance US national security. She then departed
for Harvard Business School, determined to improve the health of the masses. At age 25, she
founded a therapeutics startup, MIFCOR, recruited her team, and commanded the company
through its first venture financing. Headquartered in Connecticut, MIFCOR is developing a
patented therapeutic to extend lives of heart attack, stroke, and kidney injury victims, worldwide.
Melissa Casini > Small Business Innovation and Leadership
Director of Account Management, etouches
Melissa joined etouches in 2012, serving in roles including sales engineer, account manager and
recently as director of account management. She oversees a global team of account managers
whose goals are to help clients increase event ROI through etouches’SaaS software. Melissa
helps achieve retention and growth goals, maintaining core relationships with top level clients
and aiding team development. Melissa has seven years of experience in the SaaS industry and a
passion for building long-term client relationships.
Nancy Cika > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
PW4000 Program Manager, Pratt & Whitney
Nancy is the PW4000 program manager at Pratt & Whitney, and is responsible for the financial
and technical health of the fleet supporting over 2,500 engines and 100 customers globally.
Previously, she was lead negotiator on numerous mergers & acquisitions. She is a Six Sigma Black
Belt and a lean practitioner which she used in manufacturing operations. She is also a leader in
the youth ministry at her church, and an avid skier/boarder and sailor.
Terry Cowles > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Chief Engineer, SIPT – EECS Airframe Systems, UTC Aerospace Systems
Terry, a graduate of the UConn School of Engineering, has 32 years of experience as a systems
engineer at UTC Aerospace Systems. She has worked on nearly every aircraft air conditioning
system produced by UTAS over the past three decades. As a systems engineer, she has extensive
experience in requirements validation, verification, and decomposition with a passion for
continuous improvement. Terry and her husband have two grown children.
MEET THE HONOREES

9. 7
Janine Darling > Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Founder and CEO, STASH Secure Data Archiving
Janine is an award-winning business leader and privacy advocate, committed to providing the
best solution to data theft to SMBs. Currently, she is founder and CEO of STASH Secure Archiving.
Cybersecurity thought leaders all agree: companies must migrate to a datacentric archiving
solution for legally mandated, longevity prudent, and‘company data jewels’in order to mitigate
the catastrophic effects of data theft. Janine is bringing this solution to the forefront with STASH.
Wendy Davis > Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Founder and CEO, GestVision, Inc.
Wendy is addressing unmet medical needs in women’s health starting with a preeclampsia
diagnostic. She has 20+ years in biotechnology cultivating early stage opportunities to
commercialization. At HistoRx, her focus was diagnostic solutions for treatment decisions.
Her intellectual property background was instrumental at Curagen, and for building the USF/
Moffitt biotech portfolio. Her career began as a biologist and she worked on two FDA-approved
diagnostic imaging agents.
Caroline Dealy > Academic Innovation and Leadership
Associate Professor, UConn Health Center
Caroline is a UConn alumni and 24-year faculty member at UConn Health Center. Her research
investigates the human skeleton in development, health and disease focuses on arthritis,
congenital short stature, and traumatic limb loss. An active teacher and mentor at UConn, and
beyond, Caroline is founder and director of a technology internship program. She has developed
a middle-school discovery and learning program, founded a Connecticut biotech startup, and is
an advocate for bioscience research and development.
Elizabeth Deckers > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Medical Director, Labor and Delivery and Postpartum Services, Assistant Professor,
Hartford Hospital/Hartford Healthcare and UConn Healthcare
Beth is a graduate of the UConn School of Medicine. She completed her Ob-Gyn residency at the
University of Colorado then joined the Ob-Gyn faculty at Hartford Hospital in 2012, working with
Hartford Hospital’s Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation to develop multidisciplinary
obstetric patient safety simulation programs. She then became medical director of labor and
delivery and postpartum services, where she facilitates a multidisciplinary approach to improving
patient safety, quality and outcomes.
Linda D’Elia > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Sr. Global Product Manager, Ligation Products, Medtronic
Linda, RN, MSN is a master’s prepared nurse with 30+ years of health care experience in clinical,
academic and business settings. In San Diego, she was recognized for her longstanding leadership
in the health care community. During her 11 years at Medtronic, Linda was granted several
patents for product designs and received the Marketing Excellence Award in two divisions. She
currently manages a $220M global business and resides in Westfield, Massachusetts.
Lisa Dierker > Academic Innovation and Leadership
Professor, Wesleyan University
Lisa is professor of psychology, and director of pilot programs at the Wesleyan Center for
Pedagogical Innovation. She has spent eight years developing a curriculum introducing students
to a passion-driven, project-based course in applied statistics, data analysis and programming.
Through a growing network of high schools, community colleges, and universities and a Massive-
Open On-line Course (MOOC), she is dedicated to creating real access for women and other
underserved populations, both locally and across the globe.

10. 8
©2016EYGMLimited.AllRightsReserved.EDNone
Today: celebrate.
Tomorrow: accelerate.
There’s no better reason to celebrate than a milestone
achievement. At EY, we couldn’t be happier for the 2016
Women of Innovation®
honorees. Congratulations!
Visit ey.com/womenfastforward #womenfastforward
To learn more about how EY is helping women
entrepreneurs accelerate growth, contact
Stephanie Hollander at stephanie.hollander@ey.com

11. 9
Dina Dubey > Small Business Innovation and Leadership
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Z-MEDICA
Dina is responsible for business development, research & development, quality assurance, clinical
affairs, and U.S. and International Regulatory Affairs at Z-Medica. Previously, Dina was biomaterials
research manager at Kensey Nash Corporation (now DSM Biomedical). She has a bachleor of
science in biomedical engineering from Case Western Reserve University and dual MS degrees in
engineering management and biomedical engineering from Drexel University. Dina is a certified
Project Management Professional, holds issued and pending patents and has authored peer-
reviewed scientific publications.
Wendy Durica > Community Innovation and Leadership
SQA Engineer – Team Lead, Datto, Inc.
Wendy earned her ASCS, BSEE, and Professional Certificate of Information Security. She will finish
her MSSE from Fairfield University in May 2017. At Datto, Wendy is a SQA Engineer - Team Lead.
She founded Datto Women in Technology, so women across various departments could come
together to network and promote IT to the next generation of women. Wendy serves as an
evangelist for Sit With Me and is active in various hackathons.
Maria Ellis > Research Innovation and Leadership
MD, University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Maria, a Massachusetts native and graduate of the UMass Medical School, studied biochemistry at
Brandeis University. She practices at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, where she completed
her OB/Gyn residency. She is a clinical faculty member of the medical schools at UConn and
Quinnipiac. Marie volunteers for Meals on Wheels, Rebuilding New Orleans/St Bernard Parish
Project and as the board charge of a non-profit institution, Goodwin College. She is an Associate of
the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, an avid flyfisherman and a citizen of Red Sox Nation.
Wafa Elmannai > Collegian Innovation and Leadership
PhD Candidate and Research Assistant at University of Bridgeport, University of Bridgeport
Wafa is a research assistant and PhD candidate in computer science and engineering. Her
academic achievement, innovation, research and creativity are evident in several fellowships,
distinctions, and awards, including a $20,000 international fellowship from AAWU and Highest
Standard Oil Academic Accomplishment, 2015. Wafa has published 20+ research papers in
national / international conferences and journals, and is the President of the Honor Society of
UPE chapter of UB.
Marcia Fournier > Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
CEO, BIOARRAY Therapeutics, Inc.
Marcia is the founder of BIOARRAY Therapeutics, Inc., a Connecticut-based biotech startup.
With 15+ years of experience in oncology, her specialties include drug discovery, biomarker
development, and clinical diagnostics. Previously a principal scientist at GlaxoSmithKline,
Oncology Center of Excellence for Drug Discovery, Marcia was a postdoctoral fellow at University
of California Berkeley and a doctoral fellow at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Marcia has
authored peer-reviewed publications on oncology biomarker discovery, and holds a bachelor of
science degree from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Gail Gottehrer > Community Innovation and Leadership
Partner, Axinn Veltrop & Harkrider LLP
Gail‘s practice focuses on privacy and technology related litigation, class action defense, and
management-side labor and employment matters. She is one of the few defense lawyers to have
been involved in the trial of a class action to verdict before a jury. Gail teaches Law for Knowledge
Innovation and practices at Columbia University and is a Fellow at Vermont Law School’s Center
for Legal Innovation.
MEET THE HONOREES

12. 10
Jennifer Graham > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Dynamic Systems IPT Lead, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Jennifer joined GE Aerospace’s Edison Engineering Program after graduating from Syracuse
University with a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering. She then obtained a MS
in mechanical engineering. Jen’s career has evolved from stress analysis of naval electronics at
Lockheed Martin to management of the Blades Structures group at Sikorsky Aircraft. Currently,
Jen is excited about her new role as Dynamic Systems team lead for Sikorsky Aircraft’s Raider
helicopter program.
Jane Grant-Kels > Research Innovation and Leadership
Founding Chair Emeritus, Dept of Dermatology; Professor of Dermatology, Pathology
and Pediatrics, UConn Health Center
Jane is the founding chair of the Department of Dermatology, founding director emeritus of
the Dermatology Residency program, founding director emeritus of the Dermatopathology
Laboratory and the founding and present director of both the Cutaneous Oncology Center and
Melanoma program as well as professor of dermatology, pathology and pediatrics at the UConn
Health Center. She has published over 245 manuscripts, 84 chapters, guest edited 19 journals,
and edited or co-authored six books.
Cheryl Hayward > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Director, Chemical Research and Development, Pfizer Inc.
Cheryl received a bachelor of arts in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania and her PhD
from Yale University. Cheryl joined Pfizer in 1993 as a medicinal chemist where she assumed
responsibility for the atherosclerosis chemistry team in 1999. In 2007, she joined Chemical
Research and Development where she is a director supporting early development programs and
implementing Pfizer’s linker-payload strategy for antibody drug conjugates. Cheryl is married and
has two teenage daughters.
Amy Howell > Academic Innovation and Leadership
Professor and Head, Chemistry, University of Connecticut
Amy, UConn Chemistry Department Head and Professor, was influenced by a pathway involving
high school teaching and working as a medicinal chemist in varied locations, including New
Mexico, Liberia and England. Amy fosters an atmosphere where diverse members of the university
community thrive personally and professionally, whether in the classroom or research group,
whether they are faculty or department staff, or if they are under-represented groups at UConn.
Anuja Ketan > Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
CTO, Zillion Group Inc.
Anuja specializes in the design, development and deployment of mission critical cloud/web
based systems. She has more than 20 years of experience in large-scale enterprise architecture,
engineering, strategy, and development, and specializes in design, development and employment
of mission critical cloud/web-based systems. Before joining Zillion in 2013, she was vice president
of technology at Northrup Grumman. Prior to that, Anuja was senior director of e-commerce
technology and architecture at Pitney Bowes, overseeing the conception, architecting,
development and deployment of its international shipping engine (technology system).
Gloria Kolb > Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
CEO, Elidah, Inc.
Gloria is an inventor and entrepreneur in medical devices, and is currently CEO and co-founder
of Elidah, developers of a non-invasive device for female stress urinary incontinence. She was
selected for Boston’s“40 under 40,”MIT Technology Review’s“World’s Top Innovators under 35,”
and Fortune’s“Small Business’Hot Startups.”Gloria holds a dozen patents and earned engineering
degrees from MIT and Stanford University, and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Babson College.
MEET THE HONOREES

13. 11
Jacquelyn Kubicko > Collegian Innovation and Leadership
First Class Cadet, United States Coast Guard Academy
Jacquelyn is a senior at the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London,
Connecticut, graduating in May 2016. She currently holds a GPA of a 4.0 and is ranked as number
one in her graduating class. First-Class Kubicko has received orders to Naval Flight Training in
Pensacola Florida, where she aspires to be a Coast Guard Search and Rescue helicopter pilot.
Stacy Lanata > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Business Development Manager, Aftermarket Engine Services,
Pratt & Whitney Engine Services
Stacy recently transitioned into a new role as a business development manager in aftermarket,
where she will identify and develop new service offerings to grow the existing portfolio. Stacy
joined Pratt & Whitney in 2000, holding various positions, including her last role as the Turbine
Airfoils strategic sourcing manager. Stacy graduated from UConn in 1992 with a bachelor of arts
in political science and lives in Glastonbury with her husband and four children.
Victoria Li > Youth Innovation and Leadership
High School Student, Amity Regional High School
Victoria is a high school senior who, in the past two years, has been researching how the tumor
microenvironment affects immune cells at the Yale School of Medicine. Victoria is an all-state
tennis player, captain of the tennis team, president of the National Chinese Honor Society, and
vice president of Mu Alpha Theta. She also volunteers at the Connecticut Open, NHFPL, and Yale
New Haven Hospital.
Helen Liu > Youth Innovation and Leadership
High School Student, Amity Regional High School
Helen was recently named the only Intel Science Talent Search finalist from Connecticut for
her research in developing a novel drug treatment for Gaucher Disease. Helen is president
of Science National Honor Society, Science Olympiad and TEAMS. She was honored with the
Excellence in Mathematics and Science award from Fairfield University and Sikorsky, International
Young Naturalist Awards finalist, and National Center for Women & Information Technology CT
Aspirations in Computing award.
Merrie London > Small Business Innovation and Leadership
Manager Small Business Innovation Research and Federal Leveraging Programs
Connecticut Innovations
Merrie oversees all small business innovation research (SBIR) and federal leveraging programs
and support services available to high tech companies at Connecticut Innovations. She
developed and manages a $1M plus state fund for Connecticut’s SBIR winners. Merrie founded
two successful small businesses, but is most proud of the companies and employees she has
mentored for over 25 years.
Kanika Malani > Youth Innovation and Leadership
High School Student, Glastonbury High School
Kanika is a Latin fanatic, a pianist, a swimmer, but most importantly, a scientist. She researches
osteosarcoma at UConn Health Center, has competed in many science fairs, and has shadowed
doctors to expand her interest on molecular medicine. Kanika is also a National Merit Scholar and
an Academic All-American Athlete. She captains Glastonbury’s Model UN, Science and Medical
Clubs, and runs a nonprofit to reduce water scarcity and its related diseases.

14. 12
Congratulations
Connecticut Technology
Council’s Women of
Innovation™*
Finalists
COMMITTED TO
CONNECTICUT’S
TECHNOLOGY
AND INNOVATION
Through innovation and
collaboration, Medtronic improves
the lives and health of millions of
people each year. Medtronic has
Connecticut locations in New
Haven and North Haven.
www.medtronic.com
© 2016 Medtronic. All rights reserved. Medtronic, Medtronic logo and
Further, Together are trademarks of Medtronic. ™* Third party brands are
trademarks of their respective owners. All other brands are trademarks of
a Medtronic company. 03/2016 US160209 [ref#799480]

15. 13
Committed to Connecticut
Fiber Optic Network • Jobs • Veterans
Cyn Stehouwer
VP Operations Frontier Communications
1.888.Frontier
FrontierCT.com
Congratulations
2016 HONOREE
© 2016 Frontier Communications Corporation

16. 14
Michelle McComb > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Chief Financial Officer, Datto, Inc.
Michelle is CFO of Datto, a business continuity solutions provider. She oversees Datto’s finance,
HR, operations and customer experience areas. She brings 20+ years of financial expertise in
small to large, private and public, U.S. and internationally based companies in various industries
and markets. Michelle began her finance career with Ernst & Young, subsequently joining
emerging technology companies in Silicon Valley. Prior to Datto, she was CFO of Bloomberg’s
Financial Products division.
Amy McCooe > Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Co-CEO, Level Up Village
Amy has a lifelong passion for education, earning a BA in history from Trinity College. After
working at SEI Corporation as a business finance analyst, and CS First Boston as a credit analyst,
Amy returned to academia, receiving an MBA from the University of Texas. Motivated by an
entrepreneurial spirit, she became VP of operations and marketing at a media startup, then
joined Entrepreneurs in Residence at Warburg Pincus. The need for greater emphasis on STEM
and global collaboration in schools led Amy to help launch Level Up Village in 2012.
Ishita Mukerji > Academic Innovation and Leadership
Fisk Professor of Natural Science, Wesleyan University
Ishita is professor of natural science, with a research focus on the study of protein-DNA
interactions to understand the mechanisms of gene expression, DNA replication and DNA
repair. She previously served as dean of science and mathematics at Wesleyan, where she
helped to establish the Wesleyan Math and Science Scholars program and the College of
Integrative Sciences.
Jacqueline (Jackie) Mulhall > Small Business Innovation and Leadership
Director, SMC Partners, LLC
Jackie is a director with SMC Partners, LLC, a consulting firm in Hartford. Jackie has a BS in Finance
from Wharton and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. She has
25+ years of progressive experience in project delivery, primarily in the healthcare industry. Jackie
lives in Middlebury, CT with her husband and three children. She loves to run, play tennis, ski and
spend time with her family.
Jessica Newman > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Senior Design Engineer, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Jessica is a Georgia Tech graduate currently working as a design engineer at Sikorsky Aircraft.
She enjoys her collaborative role as a design integration manager on a future military rotorcraft
program. Outside of the office, Jessica pursues her passion for art by studying for her MA in
illustration from Savannah College of Art and Design. Her artistic talents provide a keen eye for
product aesthetics for her day to day job.
Jani Pallis > Academic Innovation and Leadership
Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Bridgeport and Society of
Women Engineers
Jani has devoted 30 years to reaching pre-college students and teachers, engineering colleagues,
university students, and informal educators with her innovative, creative curriculum and projects.
She has received over $1.5 million in grants solely focused on curriculum development and
outreach. While her projects range from spacecraft to sports engineering, her goal has always
been to offer the next generation of engineers exposure and opportunities to participate in
innovative projects today.
MEET THE HONOREES

17. 15
Anna Karolina Palucka, M.D., PhD > Research Innovation and Leadership
MD Professor and Associate Director of Cancer Immunology, The Jackson Laboratory
for Genomic Research
Karolina is an internationally recognized clinical oncologist and cancer immunologist, joining
The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine (JAX) as professor and associate director of cancer
immunology in 2014. Prior to her role at JAX, Jani was the Michael A.E. Ramsay chair for Cancer
Immunology Research and director of the Ralph M. Steinman Center for Cancer Vaccines at the
Baylor Institute for Immunology Research in Dallas. She is also professor of oncological sciences
and clinical immunology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
Pamela Perdue > Small Business Innovation and Leadership
Executive Vice President, Operations, Continuity
Pam has been innovating in the RegTech space for over 20 years. Continuity is her fourth
regulatory technology venture, founding Compliance Compass and Compliance Coach
then launching My Compliance Info before merging with Continuity in 2011. A former Chief
Compliance Officer and Federal Reserve examiner, Pam’s 360-degree view of compliance gives
her a unique perspective for driving RegTech solutions that improve effectiveness, efficiency and
cost savings.
Lesia Protsailo > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Leader of Advance Materials Program, United Technologies Research Center
Lesia is an expert in advanced materials in the clean energy and aerospace fields. She has served
as an electrochemistry research fellow and head of advanced materials at UTC Power, currently
leading materials development programs for Pratt & Whitney as part of United Technologies
Research Center. She has been recognized with numerous technical publications and patents.
Lesia has a PhD in electrochemistry from the UC Davis.
Stephanie Reeve > Collegian Innovation and Leadership
PhD Candidate, University of Connecticut
Stephanie is a doctoral candidate at the University of Connecticut in the Department of
Pharmaceutical Sciences. She received her bachelor of science in biochemistry at DePaul
University. Her achievements include identifying the causes of clinical drug resistance and
working to overcome the resistance by the development of new antibiotics. This research has
resulted in several high impact publications.
Lynne Regan > Academic Innovation and Leadership
Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry; Professor of Chemistry,
Yale University
Lynne was born in Leeds, UK. She was awarded a scholarship to study biochemistry at Oxford
University, graduating first in her class. Subsequently, she performed her PhD research at MIT.
She joined the Yale University faculty in 1990. She has received many honors and awards,
including Fulbright and Guggenheim fellowships. She established and currently directs the
Raymond and Beverley Sackler Institute for Biological, Physical and Engineering Sciences at Yale.
Kathleen Roberge > Small Business Innovation and Leadership
Vice President of Global Sales, etouches
Kathleen joined etouches in 2014 as vice president of global sales, where her focus is to achieve
company revenue and growth objectives. Her responsibilities include implementing programs
for new client acquisition, expanding relationships with existing clients and developing growth
strategies through new customers and markets. With 18 years of experience, she most recently
served as Compushare’s Chief Business Development Officer. Kathleen holds a BS in business and
corporate communications from Fairfield University.

18. Business & Professional Development Programs
Advance Your Career/Build Your Business www.CCSU.edu/4U
INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
> CCSU CONTINUING EDUCATION
ITBD's award-winning programs and facilities can
help you incubate, launch, or build your business.
Whether it's through workforce development
training, conferencing, or business incubation
and economic development, our experience and
expertise can make it happen for you!
Go to: www.ccsu.edu/itbd to learn more.
Recent graduate or mid-career professional -
Continuing Education programs at CCSU provide
the professional development skills you need!
Whether it's in Project Management or multilingual
medical interpretation, marriage & family therapy
or customized learning solutions for you and your
business, Continuing Education is here for you. To
learn more, go to: www.ce.ccsu.edu
Central Connecticut State University Congratulates
Jessica Skuby
Business Development Manager for CCSU’s
Institute of Technology & Business Development
Women of Innovation Honoree
CCSU Downtown Campus
New Britain
CCS4U is the right place for you and your
organization! Whether you’re interested in learning
new skills or enhancing existing ones, whether you
want to push your business to the next level or launch
out on your own, we have the people, programs, and
places to help you.

19. 17
Annabelle Rodriguez-Oquendo > Research Innovation and Leadership
Professor of Cell Biology, Linda and David Roth Chair of Cardiovascular Research,
University of Connecticut Health Center
Annabelle is an internationally recognized expert in cholesterol metabolism and the genetics
of the HDL receptor SCARB1. Her patents on SCARB1 diagnostics have been licensed and are in
clinical use to identify men and women at risk for heart disease despite having desirable levels of
the good cholesterol HDL. She is the founder of Lipid Genomics, a drug development company
for people with genetic cholesterol disorders.
Holly Rushmeier > Research Innovation and Leadership
Professor, Yale University
Holly earned BS, MS and PhD degrees in mechanical engineering from Cornell. After receiving
her BS degree she worked at Boeing and Washington Natural Gas. In graduate school, she
began her research career in computer graphics. Following her PhD, she served on the faculty
of Georgia Tech, the research staff of NIST and of the IBM Watson Research Center. She is currently
a professor of computer science at Yale.
Kirsten Schnappauf > Community Innovation and Leadership
Structural Engineer, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Kirsten’s aerospace engineering BS degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University launched
her into a structures-engineering career, designing airframe modifications and repairs on
Boeing and Lockheed aircraft at an airline. She subsequently invested 17 years at Sikorsky
Aircraft working on military aircraft and research and development programs while earning her
aeronautical science MS and rallying her colleagues in support of veterans, community efforts,
Hole in the Wall Gang, and STEM outreach.
Mary Schubert > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
UPPAP Program Manager, UTC Pratt & Whitney
Mary began as the Pratt & Whitney UPPAP program manager in 2014. Since then, she has
driven incorporation of this strategic initiative to improve quality for key engine programs
and developed related proficiencies to institutionalize this critical methodology across Pratt &
Whitney and their supply chain. This role builds on her background in operations quality and
manufacturing engineering and aftermarket engineering. Mary earned her engineering degrees
from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Megan Siedman > Youth Innovation and Leadership
High School Student, Joel Barlow High School
Megan is co-captain of her school’s science team, and has competed in the Northeast Science
Bowl and coordinated a junior science bowl at her local elementary school. Her research on
the feasibility of geoengineering was recognized by CSEF and the Office of Naval Research. She
loves teaching and spends her free time writing lesson plans for her Algebra II class. She will be
attending Williams College in the fall.
Kelly Simpson-Angelini > Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
Serial entrepreneur, Simpson Healthcare Executives
Kelly is a serial entrepreneur, non-profit board member, wife, mother, life coach, mentor, and
organic farmer. She is passionate about disruptively innovating the future of health. In 1998, she
founded Simpson Healthcare, a scientific agency where her innovative approach and unique
health collaborations includes pioneering the creation of future health forums, where world
experts collaborate to look at global datasets, shifts, health policies, and patient needs for health
over the next decade.
MEET THE HONOREES

20. 18
Jessica Skuby > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Business Development Manager, Central Connecticut State University - Institute of
Technology and Business Development
Jessica is a business development manager with Central Connecticut State University’s Institute
of Technology and Business Development. Joining ITBD in late 2014, Jessica’s implementation of
ITBD’s programs has helped Connecticut manufacturers improve their technology, processes, and
talent. Jessica has over 14 years of successful sales, management, and training/education industry
experience prior to CCSU. She holds both an MA in teaching and a BA in english from Simmons
College, Boston, MA.
Cynthia (Cyn) Stehouwer > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Vice President of Operations, Frontier Communications
Cyn is vice president of operations at Frontier Communications, overseeing the East Region,
consisting of Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. She manages all
operations functions including budget spending, labor and material efficiencies, and new areas
of technology and customer service. Critical parts of her role are delivering performance against
operating plans and driving service improvement. She has 29 years of communications industry
experience, having held various positions of increasing responsibility at GTE and Verizon prior to
joining Frontier in 2010.
Margaret Steinbugler > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Manager, Materials and Structures, Pratt & Whitney
Margaret has led innovative teams to deliver new technologies and solutions at four UTC
divisions. At UTC Power, she headed the team that developed a zero-emission fuel cell for transit
bus applications and is an inventor on nine fuel cell system design patents. At Pratt & Whitney,
she led the materials engineering team that manufactured the company’s first ever CMC turbine
blades. In 2015, she was recognized on three Pratt & Whitney Leadership Award finalist teams,
and has led teams to develop new ways to perform bird ingestion tests and engine component
interaction test, including one winning team.
Anita Tracy > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Principal Engineer, Turbine Airfoil Structures Specialist, Pratt & Whitney
Anita holds a BS, MS and PhD in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland.
She works on turbine airfoil structures, where she established, and continuously improves,
prescriptive methods for conducting structural analyses of turbine blades for gas turbine engines.
Away from work, Anita is an alumnae adviser to her sorority chapter at Yale University, and an avid
Orioles fan. She is also the acceptable human to four beautiful black rescue kittens.
Chinma Uche > Academic Innovation and Leadership
Math and Computer Science Teacher, CREC Academy of Aerospace and Engineering
Chinma believes that computer science, which fuels innovation in all fields of endeavor and
teaches foundational skills, should be taught to all K-12 students. As president of the Connecticut
Computer Science Teachers Association, co-PI of the Mobile CSP project and K-5 Code.org
affiiiate for Connecticut, she supports teachers to bring computer science to their students.
She is also the 2015 Capitol Region Education Council Teacher of the Year.
MEET THE HONOREES

21. is very proud to
recognize our own
Ann Aulabaugh and
Cheryl Hayward,
along with all of
the CT Technology
Council 2016
Women of
Innovation Award
Honorees
Ann Aulabaugh
Cheryl Hayward

22. ProudUTC is a proud sponsor of the 2016 Annual Women of Innovation
Awards Dinner. We congratulate all finalists for their significant
contributions and leadership in the fields of Science, Engineering,
Technology and Mathematics.
Learn more about our commitment to the community at utc.com
OTIS
PRATT & WHITNEY
UTC AEROSPACE SYSTEMS
UTC CLIMATE, CONTROLS & SECURITY
UNITED TECHNOLOGIES RESEARCH CENTER

23. 21
Kelli-Marie Vallieres > Community Innovation and Leadership
President/CEO, Sound Manufacturing, Inc.
Kelli-Marie is the president and CEO of Sound Manufacturing, a precision sheet metal contract
manufacturer, and Monster Power Equipment, a landscape equipment manufacturer. She earned
her degree in educational leadership and adult learning from UConn in 2007. Kelli is involved
in many workforce development initiatives and serves as president for the Eastern Advanced
Manufacturing Alliance, director of the New England Board of Higher Education Problem Based
Resource Center and is on the board of directors for CBIA and EWIB.
Bing Wang > Research Innovation and Leadership
Associate Professor, University of Connecticut
Bing is currently an associate professor in computer science and engineering at UConn. Her
research interests are in computer networks and pervasive computing. She is passionate about
how to use pervasive sensing, information, networking and computing technologies to improve
our daily work and lives. Her current work on smart and connected health and community are
two directions toward this goal.
Sandra Weller > Research Innovation and Leadership
Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor and Chair of Molecular Biology and
Biophysics and President of CASE, University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Sandra is professor and chair of molecular biology and biophysics at the UConn Health Center,
and is internationally recognized for ground-breaking discoveries on Herpes Simplex Virus. She
is a board of trustees distinguished professor, the highest faculty honor at UConn, and is the
first female president of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering. As president of
the Association of Medical School Microbiology and Immunology Chairs, she promotes STEM
education, research, and public outreach.
Terri Wells > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Vice President, Global Marketing for Access & Instruments, Medtronic
Terri is a 20+ year veteran of the medical device industry. She has held positions at Smith
& Nephew, Pioneer Surgical, and Medtronic, spanning business development, product
management, and leadership roles. She has launched and managed numerous device
products as well as directed portfolio and brand strategy. She is also the author of Medical Device
Marketing: Strategies, Gameplans, and Resources for Product Management. Terri currently leads
Access & Instrument global marketing for Medtronic.
Yan Xia > Collegian Innovation and Leadership
Graduate research assistant and PhD candidate, University of Connecticut
Yan is a PhD candidate in chemical engineering at the UConn. Her research work ranges from
fundamental understanding of lipid-based nanoparticles to practical development of biosensors,
which has led to multiple scientific publications. In 2014, Yan was the recipient of a GE Fellowship
to support her work on single-cell pathogen detection. Yan is currently developing a portable
and sensitive biosensor for pathogen detection in remote areas.
Xiaomei Yu > Large Business Innovation and Leadership
Manager, Environmental and Corrosion Technology, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Xiaomei has played leadership roles in the broad field of advanced materials and manufacturing
mechnology since 1995. She is the manager of the Environmental and Corrosion Technology
group for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. Previously, she was principal investigator of advanced
coating technology with United Technologies Research Center and Carrier’s Alternative
Refrigerant program. Xiaomei is a recipient of the 2014 R&D 100 Award. She holds 11 US Patents.
MEET THE HONOREES

24. Raymond A. Allen, III
Managing Partner
The IMPACT Group, LLC
Jon Baronowski
Partner
Ernst & Young LLP
George Bedocs
VP of Infrastructure Engineering
Datto, Inc.
James Boyle
Director
Yale Entrepreneurial Institute
Kevin Burns
President & CEO
Precision Combustion, Inc.
Michael Cantor
Co-Managing Partner
Cantor Colburn LLP
Oni Chukwu
CEO
etouches
Glenn M. Cunningham
Partner
Shipman & Goodwin LLP
Robert C. Daigle
VP of Research & Development
Chief Technology Officer
Rogers Corporation
Kate Emery
Founder & CEO
The Walker Group
John Emra
President
AT&T Connecticut
Patricia Fisher
President & CEO
JANUS Associates, Inc
Robert J. Friedland
President & CEO
Proton OnSite
Josh Geballe
CEO
Core Informatics
Elliot Ginsberg
President & CEO
Connecticut Center for
Advanced Technology, Inc.
Andy Greenawalt
Founder & CEO
Continuity
Michael Hammond
General Counsel
Insurity
Nancy Hancock
Partner
Pullman and Comley
Richard Harris
Partner
Day Pitney LLP
Paul Hermes
Entrepreneur in Residence
Medtronic, Surgical Innovations
Peter Hicks
Senior Vice President Sponsor
and Speciality Finance;
Emerging Technology Finance
Webster Bank
Rick Huebner
President and CEO
Visual Technologies, Inc.
Derek Koch
CEO and Founder
Independent Software
Stephen Lovass
President
Gems Sensors & Controls,
A Danaher Company
Joe Lubenstein
Industry Partnership Coordinator
Greater Hartford Academy
of Math & Science
Frank Marco
Partner
Wiggin and Dana LLP
Andy McCarthy
VP of Engineering & Technical
Operations, Western NE Region
Comcast
Matthew McCooe
CEO
Connecticut Innovations, Inc.
Alan Mendelson
General Partner
Axiom Venture Partners
Frank Milone
Partner
Fiondella, Milone, &
LaSaracina LLP
David E. Parekh
Vice President, Research, and
Director, United Technologies
Research Center (UTRC)
United Technologies
Leon Pintsov
CEO
SignitSure Company
Bruce Plumley
Executive Director,
Hardware Engineering
Gerber Technology
Eric Rosow
CEO
Diameter Health
Charles Scharnagle
CIO
Mohegan Tribe of the
Indians of CT
Jacqueline Pennino Scheib
Partner
Robinson & Cole LLP
Jeffrey Seeman
VP for Research
University of Connecticut
Martin Seifert
President
Nufern
Steve Shwartz
CTO and Co-Founder
Device42
John Siemon
CTO
The Siemon Company
David Snyder
Regional Vice President
of Engineering
Frontier Communications
Al Subbloie
President & CEO
Tangoe, Inc.
Giovanni P. Tomassi
CEO & CTO
RSL Fiber Systems, LLC
Stewart Tosh
Vice President
First Niagara Bank
Chris VanDerStad
CTO, Open Solutions Division
Fiserv
Ron Vernier
Senior Vice President and
Chief Information Officer
Hartford Steam Boiler
Ira Yellen
President & CEO
First Experience
Communications
Severine Zygmont
President, OPM Biomedical
Oxford Performance Materials
“ On behalf of the Connecticut Technology Council Board
of Directors, we congratulate this year’s outstanding
Women of Innovation®. Your hard work, perseverance
and dedication to your workplace, classroom, profession
& community helps further validate Connecticut as a
home for innovation excellence. We applaud you.
”– Paul Hermes, Board Chair, Connecticut Technology Council

25. 23
The Medtronic
and Jana Moak
Scholarships
Tonight, we also celebrate
Jana Moak, a remarkable
woman we first met in 2006
as a Women of Innovation® winner. She later
joined the Connecticut Technology Council
Board of Directors. Jana passed away in 2007.
With a physics degree, she had spent a large
portion of her career as an investment banker
in the South, moving to Connecticut in 2003 to
manage a Connecticut technology company.
An abiding interest of hers was attracting more
young people, and in particular, young girls, to
technology and science careers. For that reason,
and to honor Jana Moak, the Connecticut
Technology Council is awarding a total of
$1,500 to the youth honorees introduced
this evening, in addition to the $4,000 Youth
Innovation and Leadership scholarship
contributed by Medtronic. Tonight’s honorees
were selected from over 50 outstanding
high school nominations. Four criteria were
considered by the selection panel: academic
achievement, independent research, leadership,
and community service and a decision to
pursue a career in a science or technology
profession. Selecting the Medtronic scholarship
winner was not an easy task; all of our honorees
are deserving of the scholarship and each
will likely go on to excel in their collegiate
and professional careers. We wish them all
immeasurable success.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO:
Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP
Connecticut Invention Convention
Connecticut Innovations
Continuity
CREC-The Academy of Aerospace and Engineering
Day Pitney LLP
Ernst & Young
ESPN
Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina LLP
Frontier Communications
Hartford Hospital
Hartford Steam Boiler
Medtronic
Mystic Aquarium,
a division of the Sea Research Foundation
Pfizer Inc.
Pratt & Whitney
Shipman & Goodwin LLP
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
Synchrony Financial
The Computer Company
University of Connecticut
UConn School of Medicine
University Of CT, Office of the Vice President for Research
University of Connecticut School of Engineering
Wiggin and Dana, LLP
UTC
Yale/ YEI
Yale University
Zillion Group Inc.
2016 TABLE SPONSORS

26. 24
The Women of Innovation® program, now in its 12th year, has created a vibrant network
of more than 600 women studying, working, and pursuing careers in science, technology,
engineering, or math.
2005
20062008201020122014
20072009201120132015
Visit www.CT.org
for a recap of previous years’events.
WOMEN OF INNOVATION®
ConnecticutTechnology Council | EY | Medtronic
Day Pitney LLP | UnitedTechnologies Corporation

27. WWW.CT.ORG • 860.289.0878
CONNECTICUT TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
ConnecticutTechnology Council | EY | Medtronic
Day Pitney LLP | UnitedTechnologies Corporation
innov tion
connecticut
Honoring the 40 fastest growing tech companies in the state of Connecticut.
Recognizing women successful in science,
technology, engineering, math, academia,
and community involvement. An exclusive networking
program for Tech CEOs
and Presidents.
The ultimate gathering of
entrepreneurship and growth
in the state of Connecticut. An educational program catering
to executive IT management
professionals.
Signature Events

28. PRESENTING SPONSORS
SPECIAL THANKS TO
First Experience Communications • Pelton Graphics
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
OUR COLLABORATORS
Congratulations to all the Honorees
THE CONNECTICUT TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
222 Pitkin Street, Suite 113 | East Hartford, CT 06108 | 860.289.0878 | www.CT.org