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18 Hartford Business Journal | April 11, 2022 | Women In Business W heatley Wentzell has over 20 years of experience in health care. She works closely with physician and system leadership to establish Hartford HealthCare's Heart & Vascular Institute (HVI) as a statewide and national leader. Today, the HVI team provides world- class care to communities across Connecticut and southwestern Rhode Island. Under Wentzell's leadership, the institute's reputation has grown, with many accolades each year from national societies and associations. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far? I am most proud of developing our team members and helping them reach for their full potential. I was recently able to promote seven colleagues to roles where they can further grow and thrive. I am privileged to have an extraordinary mentor and am grateful for the opportunity to serve in that role for our team. What's the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally? Healthcare organizations have a tremendous responsibility to our communities we serve and in particular, ensuring we reach the most vulnerable populations. I want to continue working toward achieving our vision of providing world-class care for patients near and far, focusing on how we can increase access while making health care more affordable. What's one of the biggest professional challenges you've overcome? Managing teams spread across the state comes with its challenges, particularly because being visible and present is important to me. The pandemic made that even more difficult, but I was able to find new strategies to stay connected. How has the COVID-19 pandemic forced you to adapt as a leader? Staying focused on organizational goals and normal business operations during the pandemic was no small feat for any leader. Ensuring our team was not burning out was critical to me. The pandemic renewed my focus on wellness and equity, and helped me learn how to best support my colleagues. What are your keys to maintaining business success? I believe it's about relationships and showing up for people – at all levels. Building trust, understanding how your colleagues think and feel, and focusing on mentorship are skills I've developed over the course of my career. My own personal mentor has taught me this lesson best. Women In Business Awards 2022 B onnie Stewart leads a dynamic team of professionals at the Connecticut Society of CPAs (CTCPA), which represents 6,000 accounting and finance professionals in areas such as public practice, business, industry and government. Stewart works with the board of directors to engage, empower and advance its members, the profession and future CPAs. Under her leadership, CTCPA has implemented a broad range of strategic initiatives to steer the organization. She also serves as a director of Dime Bank. Stewart previously served as vice president of government and public affairs and general counsel for CBIA and worked for the Connecticut Attorney General's Office. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far? I'm a people person with a knack for seeing the big picture. Throughout my career, both at the state Capitol and beyond, I have brought together people with diverse backgrounds, strengths and interests to build successful coalitions, committees and teams that are highly effective in bringing about meaningful change. What's the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally? My top goal is to help our members continue to grow and thrive in a rapidly evolving environment. From emerging practice areas like environmental, social and governance (ESG) to technology efficiencies that allow for a move to higher-level strategic services, there have never been more opportunities to grow. What's one of the biggest professional challenges you've overcome? The COVID pandemic created uncertainty everywhere and fell during our primary revenue-generating period in our fiscal year. My team and I had to adapt and make the correct major decisions when we were the most vulnerable. How has the COVID-19 pandemic forced you to adapt as a leader? My team is my most valuable asset. COVID made me more aware of the individual challenges they faced at home. Accordingly, every member was provided with both the flexibility and support they needed. What do you like to do outside of work? I love to travel, which is an outgrowth of visiting all 50 states with my family while growing up – exploring national parks, striking up conversations with locals and fellow travelers along the way. Bonnie Stewart Employer: Connecticut Society of CPAs Title: Executive Director Wheatley Wentzell Employer: Hartford HealthCare's Heart & Vascular Institute Title: Senior Vice President of Operations Congratulations to Connecticut Society of CPAs (CTCPA) Executive Director & CEO Bonnie Stewart for being named a Hartford Business Journal Women in Business Awards honoree. Under Bonnie's leadership, the CTCPA is committed to engaging and empowering our 6,000 members, including a diverse group of female CPAs and accounting professionals providing their expertise as CFOs, partners, managers, staff, and more at organizations throughout Connecticut and beyond. www.ctcpas.org • 860-258-4800 Keep up with the top Connecticut business news delivered to your inbox daily! Our latest Greater Hartford business news delivered at noon each weekday << SIGN UP TODAY >> GO TO HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/ENEWSLETTERS