Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1416209
C-SUITE AWARDS 2021 For 3 generations and 75 years, Munson's Chocolates has been the leader in the confectionary industry. We are proud that HBJ recognized our President, Karen Munson, for the C-Suite Award in recognition of her leadership, inspired consumer engagement and contributions to the Connecticut business community. www.munsonschocolates.com What do you do in your current job? I oversee all of Wheeler's finance, accounting, purchasing, revenue cycle, practice management and facilities functions, while ensuring compliance with all regulations concerning the management and expenditure of federal and state funds. I guide the financial management of vital healthcare services for more than 50,000 individuals and families annually, as well as the customer What do you do in your current job? I am responsible for the oversight of two acute care hospitals: The Hospital of Central Connecticut New Britain and Bradley campuses, as well as MidState Medical Center in Meriden. I am also responsible for the Hartford HealthCare Emergency Medical Services programs, including What do you do in your current job? My daily focus is on leading my company with purpose and vision. More specifically, I am the creative director of product development and oversee the implementation of all products with a goal of driving growth and revenue across all platforms. I am passionate about cultivating talent and creating a culture that shares the company's unwavering commitment to excellence. I ensure that we incorporate locally sourced ingredients to our product service experiences of every person who calls, emails or visits one of Wheeler's three-dozen locations statewide. All things health care, including financials and service delivery, continue to evolve, and that's my focus every day. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year? It's hard to overstate how much COVID made us change our work. Our team went above and beyond responding to testing and then vaccination needs, while still providing core, whole-person health care. From a financial and programming perspective, it was satisfying to open two new centers, opening on time and on budget. In what ways are you involved in the community? While I am not currently involved directly with community volunteering or service, I have a sense of accomplishment from the contributions I make here at Wheeler to ensure financial stability and continued growth in serving our patients, families and communities. What's your guiding business principle? To be aware of how my decisions have an impact and choose a course that delivers the best possible outcome. the oversight of our newly acquired entity, Hunter's Ambulance. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year? In the past year, my most valuable accomplishment was my involvement in the oversight and leadership of our acute care hospitals as we planned for, responded to and recovered from the COVID-19 global pandemic. Our leadership team and frontline colleagues worked incredibly well in the most uncertain of times and I could not be more proud of the team. I am humbled by the experience and it has certainly helped me to become a better leader and a better person. In what ways are you involved in the community? I serve on the Connecticut Hospital Association Diversified Network Services board and the University of New Haven, School of Health Sciences Dean's Advisory board. I am a corporator at the Boys & Girls Club of New Britain, a member of the New Britain Recovers Committee, and a board member of the Connecticut Association of Healthcare Executives. What's your guiding business principle? I believe in integrity, transparency, trust and passive persistence line and co-brand with local suppliers whenever possible. I embrace daily challenges with a pro-active attitude, entrepreneurial spirit and a work ethic that would (hopefully) make my grandparents and father proud. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year? The pandemic came right before our largest holiday, Easter. Critical actions included focusing on e-commerce and launching a curb-side sales model, as well as ensuring products we could no longer sell were given to first responders, hospitals and front-line workers. Reopening right after the ban was lifted, we retained 100% of our workforce. In what ways are you involved in the community? Selling exclusive products to benefit specific charities engages our entire team. One example is our Camo Bunny. We handcraft rabbits and decorate them in chocolate camouflage with a percentage of proceeds going to Wounded Warriors and Blue Star Families. Guiding business principle: We are a legacy brand that we treat like a startup. We are fiercely committed to balancing Old-World craftsmanship and cutting-edge innovation. Athena Dellas Szczesniak Wheeler Clinic Inc. Chief Financial Officer Size of organization: $92 million in budgeted revenue Education: MBA, Southern New Hampshire University Gary Havican Hartford HealthCare Senior Vice President, Hartford HealthCare & President, The Hospital of Central Connecticut and MidState Medical Center Size of organization: Hartford HealthCare, $4.3 billion. Education: MBA, University of New Haven Karen Munson Munson's Chocolates President Size of organization: 150 employees Education: Master's, Industrial Organizational Psychology, University of New Haven CATEGORY WINNER: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CATEGORY WINNER: CEO/PRESIDENT CATEGORY WINNER: CEO/PRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR