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www.HartfordBusiness.com • August 6, 2018 • Hartford Business Journal 21 K ate 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 Wash- ington, 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 man- age 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 Founda- tion 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 mem- ber of the Women Under Forty PAC, the only nonpartisan PAC that sup- ports 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 unend- ing 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 ques- tions 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 de- velop 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 Connecti- cut to eliminate salary history question prior to job offer. • Co-founded Elect Her, only pro- gram 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. B rad Palazzo is the director of community impact for Com- cast's Western New England Region. He develops and manages Com- cast's community impact strategies and activities, which include providing cash and in-kind sponsorships to area non- profit organizations with a focus on ac- celerating digital inclusion, developing skills for the digital economy, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and inspiring volunteerism and service. He also manages the Comcast Foun- dation's signature initiatives that in- clude Comcast Cares Day, the Leaders & Achievers scholarship program and the regions employee giving campaign to benefit the United Way. What's been the biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Through my tenure in Connecticut, I have overseen the coordination of numerous community impact pro- grams that have reach throughout New England. In 2009, I helped launch the "Beyond School Walls" partnership with Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters at our regional office in Berlin. The program now in its ninth year matches Comcast employees with students from Lincoln Elementary School in New Britain for one-on-one mentoring twice a month. How are you involved in the community? I volunteer my time with the United Way of New Britain and Berlin. With two daughters under the age of two at home, most of my time is spent with family. As my daughters grow, I plan to be active in their passions and hope to coach youth sports. What do you like to do outside of work? Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my family. I also enjoy basket- ball and baseball, as well as being out- doors. I'm an avid sports fan, so many weeknights are spent rooting for the New York Yankees and Sunday's in the fall cheering on the New York Giants. What must the Greater Hartford region do to attract more talented young professionals to the area? I think offering more affordable housing, in prime locations, will help keep talented young professionals liv- ing and working in the city. Four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: • I exemplify a rising young profes- sional who is driven for success and motivated by challenges. • After starting at Comcast as an in- tern, I've grown my career, rising from a community impact coor- dinator to director of community impact through my work in New England and the mid-Atlantic. • I'm the face of Comcast in the community. I'm also able to think outside the box on how to connect with nonprofit organizations le- veraging Comcast's assets to help them amplify their message. • I'm the trusted thought partner and leader that supports Comcast in driving action to deliver on the company's core value of giving back to the community, which helps posi- tion Comcast as an industry leader. Fun Fact The same priest who married my parents also married my wife and I. Kate C. Farrar 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 Brad Palazzo Age: 35 Company: Comcast Title: Director, Community Impact No. of years with current company: 13 years Town where I live: Glastonbury Town where I work: Berlin College: Quinnipiac University Highest degree: Bachelor's degree in business management 40 UNDER FORTY 2018