Coffee with eight remarkable women

Welcome to the eighth annual selection of the Hartford Business Journal’s Eight Remarkable Women in Business. As you read about the winners, you will discover that our remarkable women are not sitting around drinking coffee, unless they are multitasking in the best possible way.

We found some inspiring themes in the nomination forms of the winners. Many have been change agents in their own organizations. The word “innovation” arose over and over. Each has a passion for community and for building up the people who work with them. They are purposeful in setting the direction for their businesses, and for their communities. Clearly, each thinks about the past, the present and the future.

For the past eight years, the Hartford Business Journal has honored eight of the region’s most highly talented women in leadership throughout Central Connecticut. The winners are nominated by readers and chosen by a panel of independent judges. The honorees demonstrate a business savvy, a confidence in themselves and their organizations, and a strong track record of success in the business world. We are pleased that again this year the winners’ careers span industries, manufacturing, marketing, healthcare, social services, insurance and financial services.

In addition to success within their own companies, our Eight Remarkable Women take the time to give back to the community. They are board members, serve on leadership committees of nonprofits, mentor, are leaders in industry associations, and encourage their teams to give back. Social responsibility is definitely an important value for this group.

Not surprisingly, many of the group have already received local, regional, even national awards. They are an inspiration to us all. So grab a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy reading their stories, and let their actions and advice speak to you.

Meet the winners:

Kathleen Bromage, Senior vice president of e-business at
Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.

Bonnie Del Conte, President and CEO, business consulting firm
CONNSTEP, Rocky Hill

Jody Ferrer, President of The Perfect Promotion,
West Hartford

Molly Rees Gavin, President of Connecticut Community Care Inc., Bristol

Lucille Janatka, President & CEO, MidState Medical Center, and
senior vice president of Hartford HealthCare

Jeanne B. Merola, Senior vice president, The Hartford Steam Boiler
Inspection and Insurance Co.

Lynn Ricci, Senior vice president, administration,
Hospital for Special Care, New Britain

Beth Stafford, CEO of the Manchester Conference of Churches
 

Click here for information about the judges