Worcester Business Journal

10 Worcester Business Journal | August 19, 2019 | wbjournal.com 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y 2 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y Having immigrated to the U.S. at 14 with her family from Albania, Kristo finding business success would be inspiring enough. Kristo has that part down, leaving her job as a lead sales representative at Liberty Mutual Insurance in 2014 to start Horizon Insurance, which has tallied $4 million in sales and a client list of 3,000 households across Massachusetts, as one of few female owners in the male- dominated insurance industry. Kristo plans to move into a new office on Park Avenue before the end of the summer and was recognized this year by the U.S. Small Business Administration as one of its success stories. The mother of two finds a broader purpose by giving back to Worcester's Albanian community – one of the city's largest immigrant groups – as a donor and volunteer, including as a main sponsor of Worcester's Albanian Festival and Toys for Tots. The Albanian community makes up roughly 60% of Horizon Insurance's clientele. Kristo supports her local Greek Orthodox Church, the Worcester childhood cancer nonprofit Why Me & Sherry's House, and Abby's House, a Worcester shelter and advocacy group for women and children. – G.W. What movie character are you most like? Katniss Everdeen from "Hunger Games" has strength, courage and independence, fights for what is right, and at the same time is very compassionate. What's the hidden gem of Central Mass.? The Cascades in Worcester have miles and miles of hiking trails. What would you say to an intern entering the insurance field? Don't be afraid of the word "no," be consistent, and ask many questions. Be yourself and strive to help people. Don't just see numbers. Even if Becker's 1,800 students or prospective ones wouldn't recognize O'Connell, they've seen the results of her strengthened recruitment initiatives, which include a student ambassador program for tour guides. After obtaining her master's degree in higher education administration from Syracuse, O'Connell worked as a residence director at two New York schools, Le Moyne College and Siena College. She left Siena, after becoming the assistant director for campus programs and student activities, to return to Worcester in 2012 as associate director of campus activities and leadership development at Becker. She's worked her way up since, becoming an adjunct faculty member, an advisor and instructor for first-year students, and later the director of campus activities and student leadership. She was promoted to dean in July 2018, helping to oversee admissions and coordinate enrollment management. O'Connell is active as a member of a parent-and- patient advisory council for UMass Memorial Medical Center's neonatal intensive care unit, where her newborn spent time. Her family has sponsored a March for Babies annual walk to raise money in her son's name. – G.W. What is the one meal you would eat for the rest of your life? Donuts. Do they count as a meal?! Favorite Central Mass. tourist attraction? Davis Farmland in Sterling. Our family loves interacting with the animals, taking a tractor ride, playing pretend in the little town, climbing play structures/inflatables, and splashing in the water on a hot day! What is the highest compliment anyone could give you? If someone shares something I've done that made a difference to them, this is an amazing compliment. Danielle O'Connell, 34 Dean of admissions Becker College, Worcester Residence: Auburn Birthplace: Springfield Colleges: Assumption College & Syracuse University Orieta Kristo, 38 Founder & CEO Horizon Insurance Inc., Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Tirana, Albania Colleges: Worcester State University & American College of Financial Services The College of the Holy Cross, Worcester

• Cover