Hartford Business Journal

Women In Business | March 22, 2021 | Hartford Business Journal 9 M cGuire is the co-founder and CEO of Silver Fern Healthcare. Founded in 2013, she led Silver Fern from a startup idea to a multimillion-dollar revenue operation. Working with the executive team and Board of Advisors, McGuire sets the company's vision and strategy, ensuring its commitment to meeting its mission. With 40 years of business experience and an MBA from Harvard Business School, she has held senior profit-and-loss (P&L) leadership positions in large public financial service companies, consulted to CEOs, and as executive director, taught business strategy and ran the University of Connecticut's Graduate Business Learning Center. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far? Launching Silver Fern and getting this amazing research, now product, to the market. We took proven methodology from clinical studies, looked at treatment as usual and other market options, spoke to stakeholders, built what clinicians tell us is an amazing product and got it to market. What's the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally? We are improving quality of life for people and having a significant, positive impact on healthcare in the U.S. Going forward, we will take Silver Fern global. It is our responsibility and obligation to ensure that as many people as possible have access to the Silver Fern tool for improved health. What's one of the biggest professional challenges you've overcome? Getting through the bootstrapped phase of starting a company, also called, "the valley of despair." I've lived through it and come out the other side, and I'm proud that I accomplished it in an industry that was new to me, but in which I am passionate about making change. How has the COVID-19 pandemic forced you to adapt as a leader? It has been challenging! I believe one of the most vital parts of an organization is its culture. It's tough to build a company and a strong culture on Zoom. It has forced me to think even more proactively about team symbiosis and daily about the wellbeing of the team. What legacy do you want to leave after your career is over? I would like to be remembered as a Level-5 leader, most importantly, leading with compassion and being an effective champion of our mission. I would like to be remembered as having been someone who cares deeply about her people and someone who had tremendous positive human and societal impact. WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS 2021 Colleen McGuire Employer: Silver Fern Healthcare Title: Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer THANK YOU, COLLEEN, for being a thoughtful, committed leader. Under your leadership, we are improving healthcare and CHANGING THE WORLD. " Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." —Margaret Mead www.silverfernhealthcare.com Human understanding, unlocked N eha Nathwani has over 10 years of experience providing accounting, tax and strategic business planning for corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. She has worked exclusively with closely held businesses and their executives, owners and families. Her area of specialty lies in healthcare - small to mid-sized dental and medical private practices, multispecialty healthcare groups and surgical centers. She also specializes in foreign reporting and compliance for individuals living in the U.S. as well as expats. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far? While being promoted to principal at UHY Advisors Inc. within five months of joining the firm is a huge accomplishment, my clients unquestionably trusting in my professional expertise is the most rewarding. An illustration of this is my client asking his daughter to contact me for tax and financial guidance upon his passing, knowing that the family would be left in good hands with me. What's the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally? My short-term goal is to provide guidance to local businesses as they navigate through financial recovery from the pandemic. For the long term, I hope to teach and mentor young aspiring accountants, instill enthusiasm toward the field and show them the importance of strong client relations. What's one of the biggest professional challenges you've overcome? As I continued to work as a CPA, I pursued a master's degree in taxation to better serve my clients' needs. It was a great challenge to complete a rigorous two-year master's program while continuing to work full time. I am proud that I was able to balance my education with two busy tax seasons without compromising client service and quality of work. How has the COVID-19 pandemic forced you to adapt as a leader? The biggest change I've made is in my approach to maintaining team morale since we have migrated into a hybrid model work environment. I take the time to work diligently on communicating effectively with my team, as it is even more crucial in a time when we do not have the consistent, in-person interactions we normally have. I've also had to navigate how to manage personal challenges the pandemic has brought while not disrupting work. What do you like to do outside of work? I consider myself a food enthusiast and experiencing diverse cultures through different cuisines and restaurants is what I enjoy most. I have also tested my culinary skills through the pandemic, deepening my love for food. Whilst I may not be a chef, I would most certainly qualify as a sous chef! Neha Nathwani Employer: UHY Advisors Inc. Title: Principal

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