Hartford Business Journal

46 Hartford Business Journal • August 5, 2019 • www.HartfordBusiness.com 40 UNDER FORTY 2019 S hannon Mumley experimented with different career fields around Connecticut after she graduated from ECSU. It was when she landed at the University of Hartford she found her true passion, working with college-age students within Greater Hartford. At the University of Hartford she was the associate director of the Women's Advancement Initiative program focused on undergraduate female students ensuring they are po- sitioned for academic and career suc- cess. She is now at Cigna managing the enterprise internship program. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Creating programing and events that focus on the community of Hartford while at the University of Hartford. Pull- ing in Hartford's culture and teaching it to the students in aspects that reso- nated with them individually. I'm now implementing similar techniques and programs at Cigna to engage interns in the communities where they work. How are you involved in the commu- nity? I am the founding member of the East Side Civic Association, where a group of residents and I are work- ing to remove the negative stigma of our Hartford neighborhood and make people aware of the uniqueness it brings to the greater community. Also, very active with Achieve Hart- ford, Leadership Greater Hartford, and actively gardening at KNOX. What do you like to do outside of work? I live life to the fullest with a jam- packed schedule, including walks with my dog, Yard Goats games, cycling with my partner Joey, and I am an active member of Club Waka Kickball. I always have time for my large active family and friends. Four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: • Alum of the Leadership Greater Hartford Quest Program and now a committee member who is actively involved in retaining alumni connections to strengthen connections to the city. • Founding member of the East Side Civic Association bringing aware- ness to Hartford's culturally rich neighborhoods through fun events and collaboration initiatives. • Self-starter — within months of being at Cigna started a young professionals network. • I constantly push myself past my boundaries. My next goal is to join a nonprofit board of directors that meets my values and that would be impacted positively by my skills and personality. FUN FACT Dog mom, novice at Knox garden, and seriously contemplating the Hart- ford skyline as my next tattoo. B en Roberts is the creative direc- tor for Ryan Marketing, a fully integrated marketing firm in West Hartford. Roberts graduated from CCSU with a bachelor's degree in graphic and information design, all while working full time as a business owner and home renovation profes- sional. He quickly hit the ground run- ning in the design world right out of college and worked for two Connecticut marketing agencies before joining Ryan Marketing in 2012. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Since joining Ryan Marketing in 2012 the company has grown from four employees to 12. How are you involved in the commu- nity? In 2014 and 2015 I organized a golf tournament for SIDS research. A portion of the funds were donated to Connecticut Children's Medical Cen- ter. Since then, I've shifted my philan- thropic efforts to ALS and created a golf tournament called the It's O'Kay Classic, named after my mother, Kay, who lost her battle with ALS in 2017. What do you like to do outside of work? I love to spend time with my wife Megan and our really long dog Gus (Follow him — @GusOnTheGram). I also enjoy playing golf, woodworking, and fixing up houses. Four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: • I produce quality creative market- ing campaigns for 40-plus clients on a yearly basis. • I have helped strategically grow Ryan Marketing from four employ- ees to 12. • I help spearhead golf tourna- ments to raise funds for causes that mean the world to me and my family. • My creative work is award win- ning, including Connecticut Art Directors Club and Davey awards. FUN FACT I'm terrified of squirrels and my dog Gus is the longest dog you'll ever see. Shannon Mumley Internship Program Administrator, Cigna Age: 31 No. of years with current company: 11 months Town where I live: Hartford Town where I work: Bloomfield College: Eastern CT State University and University of Hartford Highest degree: Master's degree in organization psychology Who is your favorite superhero? Jean Grey Ben Roberts Creative Director, Ryan Marketing Age: 39 No. of years with current company: 7 Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: West Hartford College: Central Connecticut State University Highest Degree: Bachelor's degree in graphic and information design Who is your favorite Superhero? Ironman

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