AGE: 30
TITLE: Senior Communications Specialist
COMPANY NAME: Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
COMPANY’S LOCATION: Hartford
RESIDENCE: Cromwell
What do you do? As a member of the marketing and communications department at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, my role primarily focuses on event planning and project management. I also write articles, speeches and other marketing collateral. Given the diverse nature of my role, I have the pleasure of working and interacting with a wide range of audiences. What ties all of my activities together is helping to support the mission of the hospital and celebrate the great work that goes on at Saint Francis. I am also a participant in Leadership Greater Hartford’s QUEST program, and I dedicate much of my free time to volunteering and supporting local organizations.
What do you want to be doing in 10 years? It’s cliché to say, but wherever life takes me I hope to be making a difference. I find that to be rewarding and it’s what keeps me going.
What is your biggest strength? Determination.
Where do you go for new ideas? Throughout my career I’ve been fortunate to have wonderful mentors and talented colleagues to exchange ideas with. My fiancé, family and friends also always serve as sources of inspiration.
What is the best advice you received? “Be flexible and adapt” is something that my mother often says. This has served as great advice in my personal and professional life. My family was displaced from our native home in Bosnia and Herzegovina when I was nine-years-old. Since then we have had to start from scratch twice — once in Germany and later here in the U.S. Being flexible and adapting to the situation gave me the right mind frame to make the best of it. This advice has also been helpful in my professional life, especially when faced with unexpected challenges.
What service or charitable cause has your attention? For the last four years I’ve been involved with Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE). I recently completed my term as co-chair of the organization and currently serve on the newly formed Public Policy Committee. HYPE has 3,500 members and is helping young professionals become better engaged in community life, expand professional and social opportunities and become ambassadors for the Hartford Region. In addition, I sit on the Summer Solstice Event Planning Committee for Bushnell Park, the oldest publicly funded park in the country. I also support the YWCA Hartford Region, whose mission is to empower women and eliminate racism.
