Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1463910
4 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | April 11, 2022 Pipeline Building With new partnership, added office space, and future expansion in mind, Girls For Technology to play bigger workforce development role By Robert Storace rstorace@hartfordbusiness.com W hile workforce diversity, equity and inclusion has received heightened attention since 2020, it was on Sabrina Tucker-Barrett's mind years earlier. Shortly after moving to the Greater Hartford area, Tucker-Barrett said she saw a need to help encourage, mentor and influence young girls and women of color, especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. So in 2015 — with more than a decade of public and private sector leadership experience under her belt, primarily in healthcare administration, and with the support of her husband Anthony Barrett, who had a background with several nonprofits — Tucker-Barrett co-founded Hartford-based Girls For Technology, a nonprofit that helps girls and young women gain interest in STEM careers and entrepreneurship. "I had worked in the insurance industry for a while, but I was not moving up the corporate ladder as I had envisioned as a woman of color," said the 41-year-old Tucker- Barrett, who previously worked for ConnectiCare and UnitedHealth Group. "I wanted to do something after moving into the Hartford region that was impactful. I really started seeing a lot of inequities in the Hartford region that I did not see in the New London/Waterford area where I was from. I wanted to be able to have an impact within education and I have a love for technology." Since its inception, the nonprofit has helped more than 3,000 girls and women by offering STEM- based skills training programs and other support, and attracted strong financial backing from the state, city of Hartford and more than 20 corporate sponsors. Now the nonprofit is focusing on major growth initiatives, including launching operations in other states. Locally, it recently formed a high-profile partnership with IT firm GalaxE.Solutions, through which it will help train dozens of local residents in underserved communities for Hartford-based tech jobs. And at a time when many Hartford employers are downsizing space, Girls For Technology is preparing to add square footage downtown when it moves later this year from its current 2,220-square-foot location at 750 Main St., to 10,000 square feet in the Stilts Building, at 20 Church St. The space will be used for training, administrative offices and programming. The nonprofit is also planning a presence in the ambitious Parkville Arts & Innovation District Corner Office AT A GLANCE Organization: Girls For Technology Industry: Workforce development nonprofit Top Executive: Sabrina Tucker-Barrett, CEO HQ: 750 Main St., Hartford Website: https://www.girlsfortechnology.org/ Contact: 860-501-0000 Expert guidance from experienced business minds. rtrivella@centrevillebank.com 860.928.6501 x3072 EQUAL HOUSING LENDER | NMLS#402947 | MEMBER FDIC Robert Trivella Senior Vice President Senior Commercial Loan Officer Centreville-38222 Revised ad_HBJ_10x325_Robert Trivella.indd 1 Centreville-38222 Revised ad_HBJ_10x325_Robert Trivella.indd 1 11/9/21 1:39 PM 11/9/21 1:39 PM Girls For Technology CEO Sabrina Tucker-Barrett wants to expand her Hartford-based workforce development nonprofit nationally. HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER