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4 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 23, 2021 Jaria C. Aljoe Fallon DePina Banks Age: 35 Company: University of Bridgeport Title: Assistant Provost for Student Management No. of years with current company: 1 Town where I live: Windsor Town where I work: Bridgeport College: Central Connecticut State University Highest degree: Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership J aria C. Aljoe is an author, educator, leader, and mentor. She has over 10 years of experience in post-secondary education serving as an instructor, academic advisor, director of academic advising, and assistant dean of students at Goodwin University. She was recently appointed assistant provost for student management at the University of Bridgeport. Aljoe's focus of study is helping students identify career and major alignment to meet their academic, personal, and educational goals. Four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: 1. Developed an institutional advising model that helped increase retention rates by 3% annually over three years 2. Coordinated wellness outreach efforts each semester for all enrolled students by university staff from spring 2020 until present 3. Was a co-writer and program developer for a multi-million dollar institutional grant. 4. Completed my doctoral degree while simultaneously publishing my first book and starting a business in 2020. What's been your biggest professional/work accomplishment so far in your career? I developed an advising model for Goodwin University and began implementation in 2017. Since implementation of the new advising model and other strategies, student retention rates have increased by 3% annually. My model also helped secure a multi-million dollar grant to continue retention efforts at Goodwin University. Age: 38 Company: UnitedHealth Group Title: Deputy General Counsel No. of years with current company: 6 Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: Northeastern University Law School: University of Connecticut School of Law Highest degree: Juris Doctor F allon DePina Banks serves as Deputy General Counsel at UnitedHealth Group, the largest health insurer in the world. Her practice focuses on privacy and cybersecurity. She is a proven leader of Fortune 10 privacy programs, driving data use strategy and ensuring enterprise compliance amid complex regulatory regimes. She chairs UnitedHealth Group's Culture, Inclusion, and Diversity Council, where she advances workplace equity. Fallon formerly served as Privacy Counsel at Aetna and an Associate at Wiggin and Dana. Four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: 1. A privacy leader at the world's largest health insurer, managing data at the intersection of health and technology. 2. Expanded opportunities for underrepresented groups within my organization. 3. Provides resources and legal counsel to organizations that help Connecticut's most vulnerable citizens. 4. Helped establish the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association Endowment at UConn Law School to give back to underrepresented students. What's been your biggest professional/work accomplishment so far in your career? My proudest professional accomplishment was supporting myriad UnitedHealth Group initiatives that were put in place to quickly combat the spread of COVID-19 — including research studies, insurtech innovations and employee support programs. Career focused Flexible Supportive One Riverside Drive East Hartford, Connecticut www.goodwin.edu Congratulations to Jaria Aljoe on being named a 40 Under Forty honoree for 2021. Your care for Goodwin's students, expertise in student retention, and leadership in developing our wellness calls program have made us a happier and healthier community. We watch now with pride and excitement as you move on to your new position as assistant provost at the University of Bridgeport. 40 UNDER FORTY | TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY | 2021