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Live, Work, Learn, or Pray in New Haven County - Join Today! Becoming a member is easy and comes with perks! • Low loan rates that are hard to beat • Free checking, online banking and bill pay • Mobile banking and remote capture deposit • Access to over 5,000 branches nationwide • Access to over 30,000 Surcharge-free ATMs CROSSPOINTFCU.ORG • 203.288.1695 • • All it takes is $5 in a Share Account to become a member. Bring in this page or a copy and we will GIVE YOU THE $5 so we can start helping you at life's crosspoints! For Every Crossroad, There's CrossPoint! W o m e n I n B u s i n e s s Lisa Miksis President Respond Systems Inc. Education: Boston College Highest degree: Bachelor of Science L isa Miksis started her career at Shore Publishing in the advertising depart- ment, was promoted to ad director, and then served as publisher of the com- munity media and marketing organization for seven years. She is president at Respond Systems Inc. in Branford, a company that manufactures and sells veterinary therapy devices world- wide. Miksis leads all aspects of the organiza- tion, positioning the 35-year old company as a leader in the veterinary therapy space. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far? What have been your major accomplishments in the last year? If I only can choose one professional ac- complishment to date, I would choose the design, development and launch of our new product, the Aurora Class 4 laser. is project culminated at the end of 2019 and involved internal and external experts to carry it from conception to completion. It involved consulting with a product-design company and engaging a team of electrical, mechanical and soware engineers to build the product from con- cept to market. In the last year, by far the biggest accom- plishment has been navigating Respond Systems successfully through the pandemic — from employee safety concerns to major disruptions in the supply chain. What are your keys to maintaining busi- ness success? Networking, listening, learning and pas- sion. I devour podcasts and business books on leadership and all the facets of business in addition to listening to my employees and customers. A leader is only as strong as the team she surrounds herself with, both in her own organization and her network. But passion rules it all and can inspire ac- complishments beyond what one can ever conceive would be possible. Fun Fact Any city I visit, I find a rooop bar or view deck to take it in from a different perspective. n Alisa Bowens-Mercado Owner & Brewmaster Rhythm Brewing Co. Education: Northeastern University A lisa Bowens-Mercado leads the first African-American, woman-owned beer brand in Connecticut, the fourth in the U.S. A professional dancer, she is also owner of Alisa's House of Salsa. Her story has been featured on Fox Soul, NBC Universal, ABC and over 75 news publications. GNL named the company one of the "Top 10 Breweries around the World owned by Women." Rhythm Brewing Co. products can be found at Whole Foods, Total Wine, Trader Joe's, Big Y and other locations. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far? My biggest accomplishment so far has been collaboration brewing with Samuel Adams and Two Roads. What are your keys to maintaining business success? You must maintain integrity and honesty within any industry you are involved in. Work ethic is key and the key to success is perseverance and persistence. Fun Fact I'm a drummer — well, I want to be a drummer — for a rock band. n Haley Nemeth Administrative Officer Jonal Laboratories Inc. Education: Mount Holyoke College Highest degree: Bachelor's H aley Nemeth is the administrative officer and third generation of Jonal Laboratories Inc., an elastomeric seal supplier for the aerospace industry. Nemeth graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a double major in psychology and education. Planning to pursue a master's in social work, her father and mentor convinced her to work at the family business, where she is also involved in business development. She realized that she could make a larger impact providing jobs as opposed to a career in social work. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far? What have been your major accomplishments in the last year? I have served on several committees and panels, most notably as a member of Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty's STEM Education Advisory Board from inception to completion. In 2015, I was a panelist at Hartford Job Corps Academy's Young Women's Leadership Symposium, where I shared my experiences as a businesswoman in leadership. In 2016, I traveled to Washington, D.C., with my father to receive President Obama's "E Award for Exports" on behalf of Jonal Laboratories. When the pandemic arrived, Jonal was designated as an essential business. Since then, I have been working closely with human resources and executive management to ensure that Jonal remains open and safe for employees. What are your keys to maintaining business success? For over 55 years, Jonal Laboratories has maintained business success by remaining focused on the customer's needs. I feel that it is essential for Jonal to remain a small, family-owned business. This allows us the flexibility to work intimately with the customers, giving them an advantage over their larger competitors. Fun Fact I am an avid dressage rider and spend all of my spare time at the stables. n n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 1 | n e w h a v e n B I Z | W o m e n I n B u s i n e s s 9

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