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n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 19 BEN BERKOWITZ FOUNDER & CEO SEECLICKFIX INC., NEW H AV EN Residence: New Haven College(s): George Washington University, BA Berkowitz and three co- conspirators created SeeClickFix — a website and app that allows users to communicate non-emergency problems to local government entities — in 2008. e company's success as poster boy of the new New Haven tech economy has made him famous (if not necessarily rich) and a model for Millennials plotting to pursue his entrepreneurial path. Describe your organization's impact: As a leading consumer- facing soware platform we have helped put New Haven on the map as a location for soware development and venture investment. As an employer we hire almost entirely locally and encourage employees to take public transit or live within walking/biking/skateboarding distance of the office. SeeClickFix has given a voice to residents to improve quality of life in New Haven. How do you give back to the community? I am currently a board member at MakeHaven, a 300-member makerspace downtown. I am also co-chair of the Could Be Fund, responsible for allocating $150,000 in matching funds to projects that can activate spaces that currently divide neighborhoods. What advice would you give to young professionals? Stay young and don't take yourself too seriously. Wheeler dealer: I turned 40 last month and I still skateboard every day. SONJA LaBARBERA PRESIDENT & CEO GAYLOR D SPECIA LTY HEA LTHCA RE, WA LLINGFOR D Residence: Wallingford College(s): State University of New York/Fredonia, BS, MS; Quinnipiac University, MS Before being named chief executive Jan. 1, LaBarbera worked at Gaylord for 14 years in positions of increasing scope and responsibility, most recently as COO. Gaylord was born of the quest of a New Haven physician who created the New Haven Anti-Tuberculosis Society, which established Gaylord in 1902 to battle the TB scourge. Today Gaylord provides pulmonary, stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury and medically complex care on both inpatient and outpatient bases. Gaylord is also a significant employer of area residents and a significant economic engine. How do you give back to the community? One of the ways we give back to the community is through our adaptive sports program, the Sports Association, for people with physical and visual impairment. inkFirst is an injury prevention program offered free to schools and community groups. Gaylord also hosts 15 support groups. What advice would you give to young professionals? Don't be afraid to try and fail, as long as you learn from the experience. Be visible, stay connected and never forget your customer needs to be at the heart of every decision you make. Of note(s): I used to be a church organist, so I know the healing power of music. LYNN WARD PRESIDENT & CEO WATERBURY REGIONA L CH A MBER CO-OW NER REWA R D TECHNOLOGIES, WA LLINGFOR D Residence: Wolcott College(s): Western New England College As chief executive of a major Connecticut chamber of commerce — one that traces its roots to 1890 and serves businesses in 14 commu- nities — Ward has plenty on her hands. But she doubled down as a business leader when she and her husband Fraser in February took the entrepreneurial leap to acquire SoTel Systems in Wallingford aer the telecom repair firm's Missouri parent had decided to hang up on the business for good. How do you give back to the com- munity? By supporting numerous non-profit organizations in the greater Waterbury region in- cluding the Leavenworth Society of the United Way of Greater Waterbury. What advice would you give to up- and-coming business profession- als? Believe in yourself and don't give up, even when things are not happening as fast as you would like them to. Mean what you say and say what you mean. Observe and listen before you judge. Model the behavior of successful people around you and dress for the role you want. And always consider — then reconsider — your social media posts! And when not working...: My fa- vorite place to go is Culinary In- stitute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. I love to take cooking classes to entertain family, friends and colleagues. And cheesecake is my specialty! CARTER WINSTANLEY PA RTNER WINSTA NLEY ENTERPRISES, LLC Residence: Concord, Mass. College(s): Colgate University, BA For more than two decades Winstan- ley has taken on the most complex and nettlesome de- velopment challenges, spin- ning economically distressed properties — Science Park, 300 George Street — into gold. He also helped to conceive the Downtown Crossing project, which deconstructed Rt. 34 and created 12 acres of prime developable land, and devel- oped the first phase in 100 College St. How do you give back to the community? In addition to creating over 1,000 jobs in the city, Winstanley has created a network of incubator spaces for young companies. ese spaces have been located in close proximity to key col- laborative partners like Yale New Haven Hospital, Gateway Community College and Yale University. What advice would you give to up-and-coming profession- als? Find a partner and start something new and innovative. e partner is to help pull you through the challenging days. And, do it in New Haven! e cost of living and availability of space and labor is becoming cost-prohibitive in other East Coast cities. New Haven has all the benefits of a big city with museums, nightlife, theaters, restaurants and diversity with- in a manageable size. Little-known fact: I am an avid bird watcher. It is a little weird, but I love migration. NEW HAVEN: POWER 50 >> Health Care & Technology >> Economic Development

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