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July 17, 2015 40 Under Forty 2015

Anthony Byers

Anthony Byers

Age: 30

Title: Co- Executive Director

Company: Hartford Youth Scholars

Location: Hartford

Hometown: Hartford

College: University of Connecticut

Bio

Anthony Byers' life mirrors the work that he does daily as co-executive director of Hartford Youth Scholars. Byers found his way to a small independent high school in West Simsbury called The Master's School. It was this opportunity that he feels has made the difference between college success and college dropout. Coming from a low-income family where college success had not been the standard, the tight-knit community, rigorous academics, support and general college-going culture at Master's removed all doubt and skepticism about college completion.

Upon graduating college, Byers saw the value of an organization like Hartford Youth Scholars Foundation. Since 2007 Byers has served the organization in various programmatic roles and is now chiefly responsible for all aspects of programmatic success.

Starting with only 31 scholars and the premise that Hartford schoolchildren can achieve at high levels with adequate preparation, focus and support, Byers' programmatic leadership and vision has allowed Hartford Youth Scholars (HYSF) to blossom into an organization that now serves more than 200 scholars with more than 60 students in college. Byers has aided 60 percent of the scholars involved in the program toward this goal, accumulating over $8 million in financial aid at schools like Loomis Chaffee, Westminster, Ethel Walker, Choate Rosemary Hall and Philips Exeter.

Q&A

At what age did you decide what you wanted to do with your career? I was the ripe age of 21 when I finally made the decision to take this career path. After graduating UConn with a bachelor's degree in economics and much reflection upon my life, I realized the importance of sharing what I have learned with my community. I wanted to do something that was tangible, something that mattered.

Which destination has most shaped who you are in business and life today? I have not done much traveling in my life, but I am always fascinated by other cultures and just how grandiose this world is. It is extremely humbling to think about. It is humility and humbleness that have guided my footsteps along this career path.

If you could have four traveling companions (alive or dead, real or fictional) throughout your life's journey, who would you pick? 

Nasir “Nas” Jones for his musical talent and ability to tell stories from the perspective of a young black man growing up in the inner city.

Oprah Winfrey for her second-to-none philanthropic endeavors and mentorship.

Michael Jordan because of his persistence, attention to detail and preparation.

Kevin Hart because he's a reminder that we can't take life too seriously. Live. Love. Laugh!

Life's Journey:

During my off time, I am most passionate about….Coaching basketball

What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Las Vegas

Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Kenya, Africa

Favorite Connecticut destination: Heublein Tower, Simsbury

Favorite foreign food: Jamaican jerk chicken

Read the profiles of the other 40 Under Forty for 2015 Winners

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Megan Carannante, Pullman & Comley

Rebekah Castagno, The Village for Families & Children

Aidan Charles, Charles Coaching & Nutrition Services

Dan Clark, Clark Insurance

Endia DeCordova, Manchester Community College

Jocelyn DeMaio, The Hartford Financial Services Group

Stephanie Dumont, Comcast

David Elder, ConnDOT

Stephen Frenkel, Cigna

Ryan T. Gardner, Fiduciary Investment Advisors

Jacquelynn Garofano, United Technologies Research Center

Tara Gerber, Travelers Championship

Daniel Gottfried, Hinckley Allen

Jaclynn Hart, Hartford Performs

Jennyfer Holmes, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Elizabeth Johnson, Post University

Jonathan Kaplan, Pullman & Comley

Alex Koenigsberg, Creative Living Community of CT

Melissa Lambright, SIGHT Eye Health

Lori-Ann Marchese, Body Construct

Michelle McDade, The Hospital of Central Connecticut

Kristina Miner, Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance

Karraine Moody, Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity

Quentin Phipps, Charter Schools for Excellence

Kathryn Redican, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Todd R. Regan, Robinson+Cole

Natasha Roggi, Hartford Sweat

Jacquelyn Santiago, COMPASS Youth Collaborative

Kathryn Shafer, Partnership for Strong Communities

Anthony Shannon, Shipman & Goodwin

Steven C. Taylor, Webster Bank

Joseph Turbessi, Finished: What's Next?

Rebecca Wareing, Management Search

Robert Zanlungo, Primary Residential Mortgage

Mark S. Zatyrka, American Homecare Federation

Julianne Avallone, Ford & Paulekas

Stephanie Higgins Bealing, Replacement Lens Express

David Bittner, St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center

Check out the Digital Edition of the 40 Under Forty for 2015

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