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Updated: August 7, 2020 / 2020 40 Under Forty Honorees

Larisa Kottke

 

Larisa Kottke

Age: 35

Company: Leadership Greater Hartford

Title: Vice President for Finance & Operations

No. of years with current company: 3.5

Town where I live: West Hartford

Town where I work: Hartford

College: Boston University and UConn

Highest degree: Master’s degree in public administration

Larisa Kottke is vice president for finance and operations at Leadership Greater Hartford (LGH), a community leadership organization that develops, connects and inspires diverse leaders to build strong and vibrant communities.

Kottke manages the organization’s business operations, having presided over four clean audits and implemented new technology enabling LGH to adapt programming to virtual platforms during COVID-19. She prides herself in creating a strong operational infrastructure for her team that supports quality programs and LGH’s mission.

What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career?

In nonprofits, small budgets and big dreams often require constant adaptation, personal growth, and the addition of new responsibilities. My promotion to vice president is an affirmation from the LGH staff and board of my own growth, my positive impact on the organization, and my role in its evolving future.

How are you involved in the community?

In my professional work with LGH, I am involved in strengthening the community every day. Outside of that, I recently volunteered to help two Syrian refugee families establish their lives in Connecticut. I assisted with transportation, provided financial literacy coaching, and helped them apply for and successfully secure green cards.

What do you like to do outside of work?

When not working I soak up time with my family. Neighborhood walks, oceanside vacations, delicious meals (either homemade or from a favorite restaurant), visiting friends, or quiet days inside reading and listening to music, are all made better with my husband Evan, daughter Avery, and dog Marley.

What part of work life did you miss most during the pandemic?

I miss being around my LGH team. I work with an exceptional and collaborative group of people, and although we do our best to stay connected virtually, I miss our in-person lunches and meetings, our casual chats, and the laughter and energy I get from seeing them in the office.

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

President of UConn’s Department of Public Policy Alumni Council.

Secured a forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loan, allowing LGH to continue full operations amidst the pandemic.

Served as sole staff representative on the search committee that found LGH’s next President & CEO Chris Duffy.

2018 graduate of Leadership Greater Hartford’s Quest Program.

Fun Fact 

I am a former rugby player, lifelong music nerd, and big fan of Hartford!

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1 Comments

Anonymous
August 10, 2020

A WELL-DESERVED HONOR! CONGRATULATIONS LARISA, AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE UCONN DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC POLICY PROUD! #UConnDPP #DPPproud

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