9 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | OCTOBER 4, 2021
What do you do in your current
job?
I lead the organization, which
serves 3,000 individuals and families
annually with direct multiservice
programs in education, employment,
housing, health and social justice.
I work collaboratively with the
National Urban League and my board
of directors to execute a strategic
plan that aligns the agency's mission
with community needs and funding
priorities. I also join with community
stakeholders, including legislators,
corporate and nonprofit partners and
community members to advocate
for racial equity and economic
empowerment.
What have been your biggest
professional accomplishments
over the past year?
Over the past year, my biggest
professional accomplishment has
been managing the organization
through COVID without having to
reduce staff and maintaining all our
programs and services. Not only that,
but also expanding existing programs
to further combat the impact of
COVID.
We were selected by the National
Urban League to be one of only four
out of the 90 affiliates nationally to
implement a community health equity
initiative. Also significant in 2020 was
being selected to be one of two Local
Initiatives Support Corporation's
Connecticut Financial Opportunity
Centers, providing integrated
services to help individuals improve
their personal financial positions.
In what ways are you involved in
the community?
Breaking down structural and
systemic barriers to equity is my
highest priority for the community,
so I am honored to serve on the
MetroHartford Alliance Racial
Equity & Economic Development
Committee, the Root Center for
Advanced Recovery Board of
Directors and the University of
Hartford Diversity Council.
David Hopkins
Urban League of Greater Hartford
President & CEO
Size of organization: $1.7
million
Education: MBA, The Wharton
School of Business
CATEGORY WINNER: CEO/PRESIDENT/
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
C-SUITE AWARDS 2021
In Person HBJ and NHB Event
FARMINGTON GARDENS
NOVEMBER 3RD | 7:45AM - 11:45AM
• A roundtable Discussion: Meet the states current producers
• The to do list. Getting your business up and running
• Hiring and Training employees
• Compliance as regulation evolves
• Addressing social and racial inequities
• Funding your cannabis business: Access to capital
SPEAKERS WILL DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
GO TO>> HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/EVENTS
CLICK ON BUILDING A CANNABIS BUSINESS IN THE NUTMEG STATE FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you are interested in sponsoring this event please contact Tom Curtin at
tcurtin@hartfordbusiness.com
CONGRATULATIONS,
ATHENA!
Thank you for your leadership
and commitment to our mission and
everyone we serve!
WheelerHealth.org
Athena Dellas, MBA
Chief Financial Officer