One of our greatest assets is the shared willingness to solve problems and to chart a future course that reflects the best thinking and interests of all.

Award Winner Bios

Interested in learning more about our winners? Read their full bios on our POLARIS page! __ Tickets are available now! Purchase here:Ā Polaris23.givesmart.com __ Please plan to join us to celebrate LGH’s...

2023 Polaris Award Sponsors

Become a 2023 Polaris Awards sponsor! For more information, click here: Polaris 2023 Sponsor Package Fill out our contact form to secure your sponsorship spot!


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Discover for yourself: the best leaders are the best learners.

No matter your age, no matter how long you have lived in or around Hartford, there’s always a new perspective to be found to help our region grow. It’s the perspective we find when we gather face to face and, from our different viewpoints, focus on a common goal.

  • "Summer Nexus opened my eyes to the community around me and has given me a better understanding of myself. I can confidently say that I am not the same person I was when I started this program."

    West Hartford student (age 17)
    West Hartford student (age 17)
  • "There’s nothing more satisfying than having your work be something that you’re passionate about and something that improves the community that you live in. That’s definitely one of my favorite parts of making the transition to nonprofit.ā€

    Tracie Cloutier
    Tracie Cloutier Encore!Hartford Fellow
  • "Receiving classroom instruction at different nonprofit locations several each week, we were able to develop hands-on experience and practical knowledge. One of the most positive takeaways from my experience is seeing the passion the staff has for the mission of the organization"

    Mario J. Chiappetti
    Mario J. Chiappetti Encore!Hartford Fellow
  • "I loved getting to work on a community service project with my peers in the Common Ground program. People think teenagers aren't motivated to change the community — but look at us. Look what we have accomplished!"

    Glastonbury student (age 16)
    Glastonbury student (age 16)
  • "Common Ground really changed my life. I am friends with people I never would have met. They are now more than my friends: they are my family."

    East Hartford student (age 15)
    East Hartford student (age 15)
  • ā€œThe Summit program was wonderful. I enjoyed the thought-provoking discussions and am grateful for its contribution to my personal growth.ā€

    Michelle Zettergren
    Michelle Zettergren Executive Healthcare Leader, Business Developer, Brighton Health Plan Solutions
  • ā€œI am grateful for all the thoughtfulness brought to Summit. We all trusted Leadership Greater Hartford to take us on a productive journey and you did just that.ā€

    Ed Klonoski
    Ed Klonoski President, Charter Oak State College
  • "It's been a wonderful process for us. We were able to secure four board members [through Leaders On Board]. It's a wonderful program any organization would want to take advantage of."

    Lorna Little
    Lorna Little Executive Director, St. Agnes Home
  • ā€œI had the privilege of working with an incredibly diverse, talented, committed group of leaders who all came to Quest with different backgrounds, expectations, and leadership styles.ā€

    Maureen Caye
    Maureen Caye Associate Director, Underwriting National Accounts, UnitedHealthcare
  • ā€œThe Quest program has allowed me to make valuable connections around the Greater Hartford region while enabling me to grow both personally and professionally. Being part of the task force helped to develop my skills as a community leader, while giving back and contributing to the growth of the city.ā€

    Kristyn Neal
    Kristyn Neal Realtor and Property Specialist at Executive Real Estate, Quest 2015
  • ā€œBy participating in the Hartford Encounter tours, Cigna employees have been able to connect with the community and see the impact that Cigna leaders are having to improve the neighborhoods around us. Being a part of the community is good business, for so many reasons.ā€

    David Figliuzzi
    David Figliuzzi Chief Diversity Officer, Cigna
  • "The entire Junior Achievement staff participated in a recent Hartford Encounters program and it was amazing.Ā  We received a behind-the-scenes tour of the city and more than a half-dozen historical sites.Ā  It was eye-opening, informative and fun. I would highly recommend this program for anyone looking to learn more about the great city of Hartford."

    Jeremy Race
    Jeremy Race President & CEO, Junior Achievement
  • ā€œSummer Nexus opened my eyes to the community around me and has given me a better understanding of myself. I can confidently say that I am not the same person I was when I started this program.ā€

    West Hartford student (age 17)
    West Hartford student (age 17)
  • "The Executive Orientation Program provided a wonderful opportunity for me to get to know other influential and passionate executives in the Hartford community and to build relationships that have extended beyond the program. The experience gave me up close and personal insights into the community."

    Susan Lane
    Susan Lane Director of Public Relations & Community Engagement, Hoffman Auto Group
  • "The Executive Orientation Program enabled me to developĀ a relationship with other city leaders who are looking to make an impact in their community, workplace, and personal growth. The program re-connected me with the "new" Hartford and all it has to offer."

    Bruce Bernier
    Bruce Bernier Director, Central Division Operations, Eversource Energy
  • "Summer Nexus helped me prepare for life. The lessons taught me a lot about college, but also about decision making and problem solving. Our community service project helped me to take the initiative and practice these skills."

    Avon student (age 16)
    Avon student (age 16)
  • ā€œI learned what this city needs. The city has the equivalent potential to be as popular as Boston or NYC and has the people and leaders with the know-how to get there. And thanks to Leadership Greater Hartford, I’m proud to be a part of that process.ā€

    Tyler Wrenn
    Tyler Wrenn Sophomore, Trinity College
Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Your support of Polaris will help us continue Leadership Greater Hartford’s mission-driven work in the Hartford region. In 2022 alone, we prepared 116 civic-minded leaders to serve on more than 34 nonprofit boards, we empowered 35 leaders through our flagship community leadership development program, Quest, we supported 24 older adults by enhancing their quality of life through purposeful community engagement, we forged connections among 41 senior leaders in the Hartford region through Executive Orientation, and delivered customized leadership training to 27 organizations through LGH Consulting & Training. Proceeds from Polaris ensure access to LGH programs for our nonprofit and small business partners, and provide dedicated scholarship support for BIPOC and Hartford resident program participants.

Thank you for your support
Polaris23.givesmart.com

#lgh #connections #leadership #community #visionary #ctaward #ctevents #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #ctnonprofit #nonprofit #bealeaderinyourcommunity
... See MoreSee Less

✨Polaris Award Winner Spotlight✨

Congratulations, Dr. Paul H. Dworkin! šŸ‘šŸ¼ We are proud to award him the Visionary Award, which will be presented at our 20th annual Polaris Awards on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The visionary award honors individuals like Paul, who who exemplify excellence in leadership, commitment to community, and the power of collaboration.

Dr. Dworkin has had an exceptional medical career and has centered his work on the interface among child development, child health services, and child health policy. Through his leadership of the North Hartford Ascend Pipeline, Paul is working collaboratively with myriad partners and community members to ensure comprehensive cradle to career services for children living in the North Hartford Promise Zone.

Learn more about Dr. Dworkin and how he has positively impacted the community. Polaris23.givesmart.com
Also, don’t forget to grab your tickets while you are there!šŸŽŸļø

#LGH #Community #Leadership #Connections #Polaris2023 #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #hartfordct #hartford #vision #ctevents #ctawards
... See MoreSee Less

✨Polaris Award Winner Spotlight✨

Congratulations, Dr. Paul H. Dworkin! šŸ‘šŸ¼ We are proud to award him the Visionary Award, which will be presented at our 20th annual Polaris Awards on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The visionary award honors individuals like Paul, who who exemplify excellence in leadership, commitment to community, and the power of collaboration.

Dr. Dworkin has had an exceptional medical career and has centered his work on the interface among child development, child health services, and child health policy.  Through his leadership of the North Hartford Ascend Pipeline, Paul is working collaboratively with myriad partners and community members to ensure comprehensive cradle to career services for children living in the North Hartford Promise Zone.

Learn more about Dr. Dworkin and how he has positively impacted the community. https://Polaris23.givesmart.com
Also, don’t forget to grab your tickets while you are there!šŸŽŸļø

#LGH #Community #Leadership #Connections #Polaris2023 #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #hartfordct #hartford #vision #ctevents #ctawards

✨Polaris Award Winner Spotlight✨

Congratulations, Doris Rivera! šŸ‘šŸ¼ We are proud to award her the Leadership Award, which will be presented at our 20th annual Polaris Awards on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The leadership award honors individuals like Doris, who demonstrate exemplary leadership through significant positive impact on others and work to break down barriers to help create a just and caring community.

Doris is a dedicated and passionate volunteer who has devoted much of her life to helping others. After a career as an educator and lifelong volunteerism with her church, Doris has been a weekly ESOL volunteer tutor at the House of Bread’s Jubilee House Program for nearly 20 years, exemplifying servant leadership.

Learn more about Doris and how she has positively impacted the community.
Polaris23.givesmart.com
Also, don’t forget to grab your tickets while you are there!šŸŽŸļø

#LGH #Community #Leadership #Connections #Polaris2023 #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #hartfordct #hartford #vision #ctevents #ctawards
... See MoreSee Less

✨Polaris Award Winner Spotlight✨

Congratulations, Doris Rivera! šŸ‘šŸ¼ We are proud to award her the Leadership Award, which will be presented at our 20th annual Polaris Awards on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The leadership award honors individuals like Doris, who demonstrate exemplary leadership through significant positive impact on others and work to break down barriers to help create a just and caring community.

Doris is a dedicated and passionate volunteer who has devoted much of her life to helping others. After a career as an educator and lifelong volunteerism with her church, Doris has been a weekly ESOL volunteer tutor at the House of Bread’s Jubilee House Program for nearly 20 years, exemplifying servant leadership.

Learn more about Doris and how she has positively impacted the community.
https://Polaris23.givesmart.com
Also, don’t forget to grab your tickets while you are there!šŸŽŸļø

#LGH #Community #Leadership #Connections #Polaris2023 #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #hartfordct #hartford #vision #ctevents #ctawards

Comment on Facebook

Congratulations šŸŽ‰šŸŽ‰šŸŽ‰

✨Polaris Award Winner Spotlight✨

Congratulations, Christopher W Clarke! šŸ‘šŸ¼ We are proud to award him the Connections Award, which will be presented at our 20th annual Polaris Awards on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The connections award honors individuals like Chris, who value collaboration and partnership.

Through his work with the West Hartford Chamber and the CT Chapter of Bank of America Black Professionals Group, Chris makes important connections between individuals and businesses, and challenges all to be a part of the solution for better representation and equity in our local business community.

Learn more about Chris and how he has positively impacted the community. Polaris23.givesmart.com
Also, don’t forget to grab your tickets while you are there!šŸŽŸļø

#LGH #Community #Leadership #Connections #Polaris2023 #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #hartfordct #hartford #vision #ctevents #ctawards
... See MoreSee Less

✨Polaris Award Winner Spotlight✨

Congratulations, Christopher W Clarke! šŸ‘šŸ¼ We are proud to award him the Connections Award, which will be presented at our 20th annual Polaris Awards on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The connections award honors individuals like Chris, who value collaboration and partnership.

Through his work with the West Hartford Chamber and the CT Chapter of Bank of America Black Professionals Group, Chris makes important connections between individuals and businesses, and challenges all to be a part of the solution for better representation and equity in our local business community.

Learn more about Chris and how he has positively impacted the community. https://Polaris23.givesmart.com
Also, don’t forget to grab your tickets while you are there!šŸŽŸļø

#LGH #Community #Leadership #Connections #Polaris2023 #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #hartfordct #hartford #vision #ctevents #ctawards

Comment on Facebook

Congratulations šŸŽ‰šŸŽŠšŸŽˆChris!

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Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Your support of Polaris will help us continue Leadership Greater Hartford’s mission-driven work in the Hartford region. In 2022 alone, we prepared 116 civic-minded leaders to serve on more than 34 nonprofit boards, we empowered 35 leaders through our flagship community leadership development program, Quest, we supported 24 older adults by enhancing their quality of life through purposeful community engagement, we forged connections among 41 senior leaders in the Hartford region through Executive Orientation, and delivered customized leadership training to 27 organizations through LGH Consulting & Training. Proceeds from Polaris ensure access to LGH programs for our nonprofit and small business partners, and provide dedicated scholarship support for BIPOC and Hartford resident program participants.

Thank you for your support
Polaris23.givesmart.com

#lgh #connections #leadership #community #visionary #ctaward #ctevents #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #ctnonprofit #nonprofit #bealeaderinyourcommunity
... See MoreSee Less

✨Polaris Award Winner Spotlight✨

Congratulations, Dr. Paul H. Dworkin! šŸ‘šŸ¼ We are proud to award him the Visionary Award, which will be presented at our 20th annual Polaris Awards on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The visionary award honors individuals like Paul, who who exemplify excellence in leadership, commitment to community, and the power of collaboration.

Dr. Dworkin has had an exceptional medical career and has centered his work on the interface among child development, child health services, and child health policy. Through his leadership of the North Hartford Ascend Pipeline, Paul is working collaboratively with myriad partners and community members to ensure comprehensive cradle to career services for children living in the North Hartford Promise Zone.

Learn more about Dr. Dworkin and how he has positively impacted the community. Polaris23.givesmart.com
Also, don’t forget to grab your tickets while you are there!šŸŽŸļø

#LGH #Community #Leadership #Connections #Polaris2023 #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #hartfordct #hartford #vision #ctevents #ctawards
... See MoreSee Less

✨Polaris Award Winner Spotlight✨

Congratulations, Dr. Paul H. Dworkin! šŸ‘šŸ¼ We are proud to award him the Visionary Award, which will be presented at our 20th annual Polaris Awards on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The visionary award honors individuals like Paul, who who exemplify excellence in leadership, commitment to community, and the power of collaboration.

Dr. Dworkin has had an exceptional medical career and has centered his work on the interface among child development, child health services, and child health policy.  Through his leadership of the North Hartford Ascend Pipeline, Paul is working collaboratively with myriad partners and community members to ensure comprehensive cradle to career services for children living in the North Hartford Promise Zone.

Learn more about Dr. Dworkin and how he has positively impacted the community. https://Polaris23.givesmart.com
Also, don’t forget to grab your tickets while you are there!šŸŽŸļø

#LGH #Community #Leadership #Connections #Polaris2023 #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #hartfordct #hartford #vision #ctevents #ctawards

✨Polaris Award Winner Spotlight✨

Congratulations, Doris Rivera! šŸ‘šŸ¼ We are proud to award her the Leadership Award, which will be presented at our 20th annual Polaris Awards on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The leadership award honors individuals like Doris, who demonstrate exemplary leadership through significant positive impact on others and work to break down barriers to help create a just and caring community.

Doris is a dedicated and passionate volunteer who has devoted much of her life to helping others. After a career as an educator and lifelong volunteerism with her church, Doris has been a weekly ESOL volunteer tutor at the House of Bread’s Jubilee House Program for nearly 20 years, exemplifying servant leadership.

Learn more about Doris and how she has positively impacted the community.
Polaris23.givesmart.com
Also, don’t forget to grab your tickets while you are there!šŸŽŸļø

#LGH #Community #Leadership #Connections #Polaris2023 #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #hartfordct #hartford #vision #ctevents #ctawards
... See MoreSee Less

✨Polaris Award Winner Spotlight✨

Congratulations, Doris Rivera! šŸ‘šŸ¼ We are proud to award her the Leadership Award, which will be presented at our 20th annual Polaris Awards on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The leadership award honors individuals like Doris, who demonstrate exemplary leadership through significant positive impact on others and work to break down barriers to help create a just and caring community.

Doris is a dedicated and passionate volunteer who has devoted much of her life to helping others. After a career as an educator and lifelong volunteerism with her church, Doris has been a weekly ESOL volunteer tutor at the House of Bread’s Jubilee House Program for nearly 20 years, exemplifying servant leadership.

Learn more about Doris and how she has positively impacted the community.
https://Polaris23.givesmart.com
Also, don’t forget to grab your tickets while you are there!šŸŽŸļø

#LGH #Community #Leadership #Connections #Polaris2023 #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #hartfordct #hartford #vision #ctevents #ctawards

Comment on Facebook

Congratulations šŸŽ‰šŸŽ‰šŸŽ‰

✨Polaris Award Winner Spotlight✨

Congratulations, Christopher W Clarke! šŸ‘šŸ¼ We are proud to award him the Connections Award, which will be presented at our 20th annual Polaris Awards on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The connections award honors individuals like Chris, who value collaboration and partnership.

Through his work with the West Hartford Chamber and the CT Chapter of Bank of America Black Professionals Group, Chris makes important connections between individuals and businesses, and challenges all to be a part of the solution for better representation and equity in our local business community.

Learn more about Chris and how he has positively impacted the community. Polaris23.givesmart.com
Also, don’t forget to grab your tickets while you are there!šŸŽŸļø

#LGH #Community #Leadership #Connections #Polaris2023 #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #hartfordct #hartford #vision #ctevents #ctawards
... See MoreSee Less

✨Polaris Award Winner Spotlight✨

Congratulations, Christopher W Clarke! šŸ‘šŸ¼ We are proud to award him the Connections Award, which will be presented at our 20th annual Polaris Awards on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The connections award honors individuals like Chris, who value collaboration and partnership.

Through his work with the West Hartford Chamber and the CT Chapter of Bank of America Black Professionals Group, Chris makes important connections between individuals and businesses, and challenges all to be a part of the solution for better representation and equity in our local business community.

Learn more about Chris and how he has positively impacted the community. https://Polaris23.givesmart.com
Also, don’t forget to grab your tickets while you are there!šŸŽŸļø

#LGH #Community #Leadership #Connections #Polaris2023 #liveonfrontstreet #hartfordhasit #hartfordct #hartford #vision #ctevents #ctawards

Comment on Facebook

Congratulations šŸŽ‰šŸŽŠšŸŽˆChris!

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