The Women in Business Awards has become a flagship event for Hartford Business Journal.
Get Instant Access to This Article
Subscribe to Hartford Business Journal and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
- Critical Hartford and Connecticut business news updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Bi-weekly print or digital editions of our award-winning publication.
- Special bonus issues like the Hartford Book of Lists.
- Exclusive ticket prize draws for our in-person events.
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
Recognizing top business, nonprofit and higher-ed women leaders
The Women in Business Awards has become a flagship event for Hartford Business Journal.
The enthusiasm and energy around it was reflected in the more than 50 nominations we received this year.
Picking the eight winners was a difficult task.
Some people, however, get the wrong impression that this award simply recognizes women who happen to be successful.
That's not the case. This award recognizes successful executives or leaders who happen to be women. There is a difference, as subtle as it may be.
In the pages that follow we recognize eight remarkable women whose achievements would and should be recognized regardless of their gender. They're successful because they are making a significant difference within their organization and the community.
This year's winners come from diverse backgrounds and industries.
We've got an advertising and media executive, a top corporate lobbyist and human resources director as well as a manufacturing CEO.
Our winners also include an intellectual property lawyer, theater executive, foundation vice president and college master planner.
In each of the past 16 years, Hartford Business Journal has honored eight of the region's most talented women in leadership roles throughout central Connecticut. The winners are nominated by readers and chosen by a panel of independent judges. This year we'd like to thank Anne L. Elvgren (president of Elvgren Associates), Gail Lebert (director of partnership development, Klingberg Family Centers), and Rev. Shelley D. Best (president and CEO of the Conference of Churches), for helping choose our winners.
The honorees demonstrate business savvy, confidence in themselves and their organizations, and a strong track record of professional success.
We hope you enjoy this issue and attend the Women in Business celebration April 30, at the Hartford Hilton in Hartford. The event will include a keynote address by Carla Harris, vice chairman, managing director and senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley. We'd also like to thank the Goodwin Hotel for hosting this year's photo shoot.
– Greg Bordonaro, Editor
Photos | Steve Laschever
Judges
Rev. Shelley D. Best, President and CEO, Conference of Churches
Anne L. Elvgren, President, Elvgren Associates
Gail Lebert, Director of Partnership Development, Klingberg Family Centers
This year's winners
Laura Cruickshank, University of Connecticut
Sara-Beth Donovan, Mintz + Hoke
Krystyna Paluch, Phoenix Manufacturing Inc.
Stacie L. Ropka, Axinn, Veltrop and Harkrider LLP
Lynn Rossini, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center Foundation
Yolande Nicholson Spears, The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
