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August 2, 2018 40 Under Forty 2018

Kate C. Farrar

Photo | J. Fiereck Photography

Age: 38

Company: Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund

Title: Executive Director

No. of years with current company: 2

Town where I live: West Hartford

Town where I work: Hartford

College: UConn, Syracuse

Highest degree: Master's degree in public administration

Kate C. Farrar is the executive director of the Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF), a 45-year-old statewide organization that advocates for and empowers women and girls, especially the underserved or marginalized.

Farrar started her career lobbying for nonprofits in the state legislature before working for 11 years in Washington, D.C. for two national women's organizations. A lifelong advocate of women's representation in politics, Farrar served as president of the Women Under Forty Political Action Committee, the only nonpartisan PAC in the country that supports young women who run for office.

What's been your biggest professional accomplishment?

The biggest accomplishment in my career was to develop and manage four national collegiate women's leadership programs to empower and train nearly 10,000 women.

How are you involved in the community?

I am a volunteer for Aurora Foundation for Women and Girls, a mentor for UConn students, and an alternate on zoning for the West Hartford Town Council. I also serve as a board member of the Women Under Forty PAC, the only nonpartisan PAC that supports young women who run for office.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work I look forward to any opportunity to spend time with my husband, our corgi, Lizzie, and our family and friends. With my unending curiosity, I seek out every chance I have to travel to see and experience new places.

Give an example of a people-skills habit you adhere to in your work and daily life that you feel has helped you succeed.

In graduate school, my friends called me the “inquisitor” because in any conversation I ask people a lot of questions about themselves. My ability to ask questions and learn about others' personal strengths and passions helps me build relationships to succeed.

What must the Greater Hartford region do to attract more talented young professionals to the area?

The key to attracting and retaining talented young professionals is to develop them as civic leaders. The more they lead the community solutions, the more they are invested here.

Four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty:

• Guide 45-year women's rights organization to a new vision to be the state's leading champion for women and girls.

• Led legislative advocacy effort to strengthen equal pay in Connecticut to eliminate salary history question prior to job offer.

• Co-founded Elect Her, only program in country that encourages and trains collegiate women to run for student government and political office.

• Serve as mentor for UConn students.

Fun Fact 

I have visited 46 of the 50 states and hope to get to all 50 by age 40.

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