NewHavenBIZ

26 n e w h a v e n B I Z | M a r c h 2 0 2 0 | n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m NEW HAVEN POWER 50 NANCY DUDCHIK PRESIDENT H A MDEN REGIONA L CH A MBER OF COMMERCE Residence: Branford College(s): Southern Connecticut State University, BS; Institute of Organizational Management, IOM Energetic, passionate, creative head of the Ham- den chamber (400 mem- bers) for 16 years. Never misses an oppor- tunity to find new ways to help business people make new and productive connections. What personal characteristic has most contributed to your professional success? Being creative, thinking outside the box, enthusiasm and optimism. I am passionate about the cham- ber profession and believe in its ability to connect people for business growth. My joy comes from seeing people make those connections. What advice would you give young up-and-coming business professionals? As much as technology and social media have their places, nothing beats the value of 'real' connections. Make face-to-face interactions a priority in building your network. It works more than a 'like' on social media. Something about you that most people don't know? When I'm not at the chamber, you can find me on a golf course. I'm a huge fan of the game, what it represents, the discipline behind it and life skills it provides. I love to grow the game for businesswomen and offer many opportunities at our chamber to empower ladies to pick up the game. My other hobby is designing Ukrainian Easter eggs. DANIEL FITZMAURICE EXECUTIV E DIRECTOR A RTS COUNCIL OF GREATER NEW H AV EN Residence: Orange College: Temple University, Bachelor of Music Ambitious arts advocate who just completed his third year at Arts Council helm. Pledged to put group "back on the map" both by broadening scope of arts to include culinary and digital ex- pressions and to make its mission more regional. Describe your role in your organiza- tion and its impact on region: e Arts Council is successful when our creative ecosystem and greater New Haven are thriving. Our be- lief that arts, culture and creativity are fundamental human rights motivates all of our work. What personal characteristic has most contributed to your profes- sional success? I excel in adaptive environments because I love solving complicated problems. I am always personally learning and growing, so I apply that same mindset into my professional circles. What advice would you give young people in the arts? I advise emerg- ing artists and arts administrators to move beyond networking and build meaningful, in-person rela- tionships — attend events, reach out to creatives you admire, invite others to collaborate. What about you don't most people know? My start in the arts was as a classically trained pianist. I don't have as much time to practice these days, but I'm always open to musical opportunities. JOHN FISHER EXECUTIV E DIRECTOR SHUBERT THEATRE & CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION FOR THE PERFORMING A RTS (CA PA) Residence: New Haven College(s): University of Utah, BA Fisher joined the Shubert in 1997 as its general manager when the theater was city-owned. He helped manage the transition to private ownership when Ohio-based CAPA acquired the theater in 2001. rough it all Fisher has been the steady, self-effacing hand at the wheel of the city's signature cultural institution.' Describe your role in your organization and its impact on the New Haven economy: I manage the historic and legendary Shubert eatre, which brings the arts to our community and provides an annual economic impact of $25 million for our hotels, restaurants and local businesses. What personal characteristic has most contributed to your professional success? Ability to work and partner with a wide variety of people and organizations in all phases and aspects of the arts, community, government and business worlds. What advice would you give to up-and-coming professionals? Work hard, learn, and listen! Treat people how you would like to be treated. What is an unusual characteristic about you most people don't know? My better half, Liz Fisher (co-director of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas) and I were married under the big top at the Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center, which we managed then. WILL GINSBERG PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIV E COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER NEW H AV EN Residence: New Haven College(s) & degree(s): Trinity College, BA; Columbia Law School, JD Entering his 21st year at the helm of the region's largest grantmaker, the 65-year-old Ginsberg is one of New Haven's most respected and influential leaders. With ample reason: e Community Foundation manages an endowment of $630 million, and its funding decisions can be make- or-break for area non-profits. What personal characteristic has most contributed to your professional success? In how I approach my work and my life I strive to be both realistic and optimistic. One cannot be successful without being ruthlessly self-aware and having a clear-eyed view of what is happening in the larger world. What advice would you give to rising professionals? Be honest with yourself about what you don't know, resist letting your ego interfere with your analysis, assess what you are hearing by reference to the credibility of your source, share information openly, and rely on people you trust who know more than you about the issues at hand. What is something unusual about you that most people don't know? I am passionately interested in antiquarian books and maps and my natural tendency is to see the world through an historical/ geographical lens. >> Higher Education/Non-Profit

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