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12 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | August 15, 2022 40 UNDER FORTY | 2022 Nasir Mannan is an engineering professional with more than 18 years of experience in advanced engineering software, robotics, manufacturing, machine learning, computer vision and inspection technologies for mili- tary, aerospace and commercial applications. Mannan is the principal engineer for CCAT's Advanced Design Automation and Metrology lab and primarily leads the development and integration of Industry 4.0 technologies at manufacturing companies to help advance the U.S. supply chain. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Toral Maher brings more than 10 years of experience in foundation leadership and administration, community development and volunteer program management to her role as executive director of Liberty Bank's Foundation. She works closely with leaders across the bank to enhance Liberty's impact on communities; align the work of the foundation to pursue the bank's social responsibility objectives; advance diversity, equity and inclusion; and build new programs to bring Liberty Bank's Be Community Kind brand to life. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Zack Malet is ESPN's director of business development and innovation. He negotiates and manages ESPN's third-party business agreements with a focus on strategic inno- vation and technology partnerships. Since joining ESPN in 2012, he has worked in Disney Platform Distribution where he managed distribution of Disney properties with cable and streaming partners and in ESPN's programming and acquisitions' content strategy and college sports groups. Prior to ESPN, he worked for sports agency, Shapiro Negotiations Institute. My biggest accomplishment is the develop- ment of cost-effective, high-accuracy, automated structured light scanning systems, advanced mesh processing, feature detection and deviation analysis algorithms that have helped medical research organizations conduct studies on genetic defects, humanitarian groups for offering limb scanning for 3D-printed prosthetics and manufacturing companies for streamlining inspection. How are you involved in the community? My involvement includes helping man- ufacturing companies identify, validate and adopt Industry 4.0 technologies that drive efficiencies, improve quality and increase profitability through state and federal programs. This includes assistance in applying for voucher programs that are administered by CCAT. I've also served in various capacities within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Pioneered the creation of CCAT's original Metrology lab, now the ADAM lab that has maintained funding for 14 years through state and federal programs. • Established a Connecticut business that creates affordable 3D scanning technolo- gies that are used across many industries. • Is a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and has served in various capacities including principal for chil- dren's spiritual academy. • Has convened humanitarian groups to support humanitarian crisis using 3D scanning and 3D printing technologies. My greatest professional accomplishment so far is the relationships I have developed across the state in the community and nonprofit/philanthropic sector. How are you involved in the community? I am involved in the community through my day-to-day work but also as a board member for The Fund for Greater Hartford. What do you like to do outside of work? I like to spend time at the beach with my kids. We are outside every day, all year long. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Co-chaired Community Pillar of Liberty's DEI Strategy, reinforcing our commitment to serve as a strong community partner serving the diverse needs of our commu- nities through inclusive banking services, corporate giving, sponsorships, and employee volunteerism. • Played an instrumental role in growing the bank's volunteer program. • Chaired Middlesex United Way's campaign with three other young professionals over two consecutive years; a founding member of the Young Leaders Society. • Oversee our foundation's grantmaking portfolio, which supports hundreds of nonprofits annually. Fun Fact I was born in London, England. Theme Song "I Ain't Worried" — OneRepublic Bucket List: What are two things that you would like to achieve before you turn 40? I'd like to earn an additional certification or degree and learn to paddleboard. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? I championed a collaboration between Doc Wayne Youth Services, ESPN and The Village formed in 2021. Doc Wayne is a nonprofit whose youth-focused, sport-infused thera- pies improve mental health. ESPN supports this Doc Wayne-Village collaboration that has already touched hundreds of Hartford area youth. The initiative served as a key early success, expanding to reach 500,000 youth in 25 countries in the past 18 months. How are you involved in the community? In addition to serving on the board at The Village, I've volunteered at Fetching Hearts, Double Dog Rescue, and, through ESPN, worked with Connecticut Special Olympics, NYC Marathon, Peace Players International and the Boys & Girls Clubs. I'm a proud member of Phatback Athletics, a mento- ring/track program in Philadelphia. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Championed a collaboration between Doc Wayne, ESPN and The Village to improve Great Hartford area youth mental health. • Elected board member of the Village focused on giving back to and improving the greater Hartford area. • Elected to Disney and ESPN Diversity Equity and Inclusion councils. • Helped launch ESPN's Fifty/50 World, an interactive and shared 3D world built to inspire, educate and reflect on 50 years of Title IX. Fun Fact I've thrown a first pitch at Dunkin' (it was high and outside). Go Goats! Gina Luari is CEO and founder of The Statement Group (TSG) — the only female- only owned and led restaurant group in Connecticut — and The Place 2 Be, the popular brunch-all-day restaurant with multiple locations. In 2020, when many restaurants were shutting down because of the pandemic, Luari grew the business from $3 million in annual revenue to $10 million and has continued to grow it since. She recently launched TSG, which houses multiple bold restaurant concepts and focuses on developing inspired culinary programs and guest experience design. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? At this point, both launching The Statement Group and opening our first location of The Place 2 Be (TP2B) across state lines are my biggest professional accomplishments. With what will be five TP2B locations this year and three new concepts in the works, establishing our restaurant group was the logical next step in our expansion. How are you involved in the community? We continuously support different community events by donating our food, time and our gift cards. I also participate in events that encourage young entrepreneurs and women to keep working to achieve their dreams. A particular passion of mine that I am cur- rently working on is to create pathways for young professionals in the culinary industry to where they see it as a viable long-term career. What do you like to do outside of work? There is no free time when you're building a restaurant group! I love what I do and it's so dynamic, that every day is a full, active day. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Founded a restaurant brand that has skyrocketed in popularity (thanks to our keen use of marketing, social media, décor, and presentation) and contin- uously grown every consecutive year, having experienced exponential growth during the pandemic. • Established and leads the only female- only founded and directed restaurant group in Connecticut and created hun- dreds of jobs. • Helping to create attention for Hartford as a culinary destination. Gina Luari Age: 30 Company: The Statement Group/The Place 2 Be Title: CEO and Founder Number of years with current company: 6 Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: Central Connecticut State University Highest degree: Bachelor's in business administration Toral Maher Age: 36 Company: Liberty Bank Title: Vice President, Foundation Manager, Executive Director Number of years with current company: 17 Town where I live: Old Saybrook Town where I work: Middletown College: Quinnipiac University, University of New Haven Highest degree: Master's in education Zack Malet Age: 34 Company: ESPN and The Village Title: Director, Sports Business Develop- ment and Innovation and Board of Direc- tors, The Village for Families and Children Number of years with current company: 10 Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: Bristol College: Brown University, Georgetown University Highest degree: Master's in sports indus- try management Nasir Mannan Age: 38 Company: Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Title: Principal Engineer Number of years with current company: 15 Town where I live: Higganum Town where I work: East Hartford College: University of Connecticut, Rens- selaer Polytechnic Institute Highest degree: Master's in mechanical and software engineering