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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | August 15, 2022 9 2022 | 40 UNDER FORTY Matt Heaphy recently became a manager in the Hartford office of Oliver Wyman, an international management consulting firm. Prior to that, he was a vice president and actuary working for Nassau Financial Group, where he held a variety of technical roles spanning product design and pricing, hedging, product management, financial reporting and data science. Heaphy led the data analytics team at Nassau, which is responsible for enterprise-wide reporting, actuarial experience studies and curation of the company's data warehouse. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? My passion for data-informed deci- sion-making and creative, technical solutions led to the creation of Nassau's data analytics team. Our team has worked to ensure that data is more available than ever and we've become a squad of experts that use modern tools to deliver better insights faster than ever. How are you involved in the community? I'm passionate about continuing education and giving back to my profession. I've given multiple talks at actuarial conferences, and I've volunteered with the Society of Actuaries' Predictive Analytics and Futurism section. Recently, I gave my first presentation at a data science conference in New York. What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy puzzles, spicy food, craft beer and bad puns. I spend a lot of time trying to teach myself new skills, whether practical or not. I often can be found running long distances in the morning while struggling to keep up with my podcast feeds. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Created and lead Nassau's enter- prise-wide data analytics team. • Brought modern data science tools and techniques to Nassau and continually trains and guides our actuarial staff on how to short circuit the path from data to insights. • Transformed and oversaw rapid expan- sion in the company's data catalogue and reporting capabilities. • Had significant impacts on the compa- ny's pricing, product management and hedging functions from prior roles. Kristen Gorski serves as economic devel- opment coordinator for the town of West Hartford. She is a leading force for eco- nomic development efforts and grand list growth. Gorski is responsible for business retention and expansion, new business attraction and small business, nonprofit and entrepreneurial support. She works to attract and spur commercial and multifamily development throughout town and has established herself as a key asset to the town as well as business owners, developers and property owners. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic was my biggest accomplishment. In particular, supporting the business and nonprofit community by providing time-sensitive communications, assistance with access to financial support, working as part of a larger team to implement an award-win- ning expanded outdoor dining program and advocating for resources to sustain a thriving local economy. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Served as a key advisor in attracting and facilitating more than $150 million worth of mixed-use and multifamily development investment projects over six years in West Hartford, with 2022 shaping up to be one of the town's largest investment years to date. • Currently serving second-year term as president of the Connecticut Economic Development Association, one of the youngest presidents to serves this prom- inent organization. • Instrumental in supporting business recruitment, retention and expansion efforts, facilitating commercial investment and aiding the creation of hundreds of jobs. • Supported recovery efforts during the pandemic and assisted the private sector with bringing commercial vacancies down to pre-pandemic rates. What do you like to do outside of work? My husband and I really enjoy traveling. We explore New England as much as possible and typically travel to at least one new country outside the U.S. every year. I am an avid hiker and skier, and love spending as much time outside as possible no matter the season. Will Herchel is the co-founder of Verogy, a vertically integrated developer and installer of distributed generation solar and solar plus storage for commercial and industrial projects and utility clients in the U.S. Herchel founded the company with five partners in the beginning of 2018, after he successfully aided his previous employer, also a solar developer, through an acquisi- tion in 2017. Verogy has grown from six to 30 employees in four-and-half years and has executed or is developing renewable energy projects across 10 states. What's been your biggest professional Before joining Access Health CT as its director of health equity and outreach in 2021, Tammy Hendricks' career spanned positions from pharmaceutical sales to marketing and business development. In her current role, she leads extensive com- munity outreach initiatives with more than 1,600 organizations in the state to increase awareness of and enrollment in health insur- ance plans in underserved communities. Within her first year at Access Health CT, she launched the Broker Academy, a no-cost broker training program. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Working with my co-founders to organize Verogy from the ground up is my biggest accomplishment. It was done from initial business plan through pre-seed investment to business growth and stabilization. How are you involved in the community? Through Verogy, I am able to provide renew- able energy projects for local municipalities that reduce municipal energy costs and give them the opportunity to invest in other social programs. Also, I am an active advocate for renewable energy and other climate change initiatives at the state-level. What do you like to do outside of work? My interests are spending time with family, spending time outside, tennis and platform tennis. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Served as President of 50-plus person company at the age of 30 (previous employer). • Founded a Harford-based company that has grown from six to 30 employees in four-and-a-half years (Verogy). • Advocate for CO2 reduction, climate change and agriculture/renewable energy cohabitation initiatives. Fun Fact During my senior year of undergraduate school, I spent a semester in Be ing at the University of International Business and Economics, where I studied the Chinese state and society along with the Chinese language. Theme Song "Alive" — Pearl Jam. accomplishment so far in your career? My biggest accomplishment would be launching the Broker Academy, and working with various teams throughout Access Health CT to build the program. Also, it's engaging with community organizations and residents from underserved areas to provide opportunities to those in need. How are you involved in the community? I am deeply committed to community service and as director of health equity and outreach for Access Health CT, I lead a team that works with more than 1,600 community and health organizations across the state to educate, inform, employ, economically develop and promote health equity to under- served communities, predominantly of color. What do you like to do outside of work? I love to travel with my daughter! This includes road trips, cruises and interna- tional travel. We both enjoy learning about and experiencing different cultures. I also have family in many different states and countries that we like to visit. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Serve as the first director of health equity and outreach for Access Health CT. • Developed the Broker Academy, a first-of- its-kind, no-cost training program for broker candidates recruited from underserved communities within a year of my hiring. • Am the youngest member of Access Health CT's senior leadership team. • Lead my team in helping communities of color navigate the enrollment and renewal process and better understand their insurance plans and the importance of preventive care. Kristen Gorski Age: 36 Company: Town of West Hartford Title: Economic Development Coordinator Number of years with current company: 6 Town where I live: Glastonbury Town where I work: West Hartford College: Westfield State University Highest degree: Bachelor's degree in geography and regional planning; criminal justice Tammy Hendricks Age: 33 Company: Access Health CT (AHCT) Title: Director of Health Equity and Outreach Number of years with current company: 1 Town where I live: New Britain Town where I work: Hartford College: University of Connecticut Highest degree: Master's of business administration Will Herchel Age: 35 Company: Verogy Title: CEO Number of years with current company: 4.5 Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: Stonehill College, University of Connecticut School of Law Highest degree: Juris Doctor of Law Matt Heaphy Age: 37 Company: Oliver Wyman (Hartford Office) Title: Manager Number of years with current company: Less than 1 Town where I live: Burlington Town where I work: Hartford College: University of Connecticut Highest degree: Bachelor's in mathematics and actuarial science