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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | August 15, 2022 19 2022 | 40 UNDER FORTY Maria Shimer oversees the programmatic development and expansion of the cen- ters that treat the nation's most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis. Working alongside the Institute's talented physician leaders, Shimer facilitated the Chase Family Movement Disorders Center and Multiple Sclerosis Center in achieving nationally-rec- ognized 'Center of Excellence' designations. Shimer is also dedicated to developing the next generation of healthcare leaders and serves as the co-director of the Institute's top-rated administrative fellowship program. After completing his administrative fel- lowship at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, James Shimer joined the Hartford HealthCare (HHC) strategy team in 2014. Shimer plays a critical role in developing and cascading the strategic direction of HHC. He oversees strategic planning for HHC's regions, networks, institutes and service lines. He has led HHC's business planning process, directed the creation of HHC's annual stra- tegic assessment, and helped launch new services for HHC's patients and communities. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Nothing gives me more purpose than bringing critical services to communities. In my first role in health care, I worked for the govern- ment to award physicians loan repayment for practicing in underserved areas. More recently, I was involved in implementing the region's first Movement Disorders Spanish Clinic to address disparities this population faces when seeking care. What do you like to do outside of work? I rarely say no to a new adventure, from zip lining in Costa Rica, skiing in Switzerland, finding my 'center' in Bali and camping in the Colombian jungle. More recently, I've leaned into moth- erhood, experiencing life's simpler pleasures through the eyes of my two-year-old daughter, Alessa. She's arguably my greatest adventure yet. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Accomplished leader with a talent for execution, partnering with physicians to achieve two national designations in three years and expanding specialty services across the state. • Committed advocate for community resources, serving in a lead role for the 2022 HHC Parkinson's Fundraiser that received over $84,000 in philanthropic support. • Devoted coach and adviser to the next generation of healthcare leaders, each year serving in a mentorship capacity over three students. • Avid volunteer holding two community board seats and was a founding member that brought the George Washington University Alumni Network to Connecticut. During the onset of COVID-19, as healthcare workers took on new responsibilities to combat the pandemic, I worked with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) analytics team to develop COVID-19 projections. Our projections were used by both HHC and the state to inform planning efforts for capacity management, staffing, resources and operational decision-making. What do you like to do outside of work? I love spending every moment with my wife Maria and beautiful two-year-old daughter Alessa. I have enjoyed traveling the world with Maria, including New Zealand, Colombia, and Switzerland, golfing/relaxing with friends and family in Vermont, and watching Alessa chase our Sheltie Fern. I am also a sports fanatic, who loyally supports Boston- based sports teams – let's go Title Town! Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Developed and informed hundreds of implemented business plans that have positively impacted the patients and communities HHC serves. • Was the youngest member of HHC's central region executive leadership team when the region improved from a loss position into one of HHC's leading contributors. Evolved HHC's stra- tegic planning model to support its vast ecosystem, including the health system's institutes, regions and networks. Dedicated mentor devoted to supporting early careerists within health care and beyond. How are you involved in the community? I have served in a variety of roles for Kim Spagnulo leads LAZ Parking's national marketing and communications initiatives and is responsible for developing and exe- cuting the company's marketing strategy. She utilizes a variety of methods to support LAZ's marketing efforts such as content and email marketing, digital advertising, public relations and she is responsible for enhancing the company's social media presence and overall brand. Spagnulo has experience in multiple industries including finance, transportation, government, healthcare, hospitality and technology. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? One of my biggest professional accom- plishments is helping to develop the strategic vision for our internal women's leadership group, Amplify. Amplify provides a supportive community that inspires con- nection, mentorship and amplifies women's voices. We've created learning and devel- opment resources, a mentorship program, networking opportunities and more. How are you involved in the community? I am involved with various charitable orga- nizations in my community and surrounding areas. I spent a few years as a volunteer cheer coach in both Durham and Middletown and I am currently a board member for the East Hampton Youth Soccer Club. What do you like to do outside of work? I love spending time with my husband Shawn and our two boys, Lorenzo and Matteo. We enjoy going to the beach, camping, baseball games or simply hanging out in our backyard. I have a new love for gardening and thanks to Google, I'm learning how to keep my plants alive! Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Responsible for creating and imple- menting LAZ national marketing and communication strategy. • Leads our business segments, tailoring marketing strategies to a wide variety of industries and clientele. • Grew LAZ LinkedIn account by 14.2 percent followers organically and 232 percent followers organically on Instagram in less than six months. • Serve as board member for East Hampton Soccer Club Jason Simms is founder and principal of Theirsay (formerly Simms PR), a public rela- tions firm specializing in meaningful press coverage that adds depth to the media con- versation on topics of importance to clients. Theirsay represents some of the largest pro- fessional services firms in Connecticut as well as category leaders from other states. Prior to moving to Connecticut in 2012, Simms was a journalist in Portland, Oregon, for outlets such as The Oregonian, Spin and Seattle Weekly. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Building a business from scratch to the caliber of clients we have today is definitely my greatest professional accomplishment. Theirsay clients rank in the top five on the HBJ lists of largest Hartford-area law, accounting, architecture, investment man- agement and IT firms. I learn so much from these outstanding organizations. How are you involved in the community? I helped launch and continue to be involved with Play Well Africa, a nonprofit that brings used LEGOs from the developed world to families and schools in rural Uganda. I've also promoted (and twice hosted) SIP Sessions, a thought-provoking event series put on by my friends at Fathom. What do you like to do outside of work? When not wrangling one-year-old twins and a five-year-old, I enjoy stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking on Connecticut's many bodies of water. My wife Jillian and I have also been known to perform plays with the New Haven Gaelic Players at the Irish American Community Center in East Haven. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Trusted by some of Connecticut's largest and most-respected professional services firms to provide strategic guidance and implementation on PR and communications. • Frequently places Connecticut compa- nies in national media such as CNBC, Forbes and The New York Times. • Designed and executed PR campaign that led to $11 million in Series B funding for The Dyrt, the No. 1 camping app in the app stores. • Writes about PR and marketing for Entrepreneur and other outlets. Kim Spagnulo Age: 34 Company: LAZ Parking Title: Director, Marketing & Communications Number of years with current company: 4 ½ Town where I live: East Hampton Town where I work: Hartford College: Mitchell College Highest degree: Bachelor's in business administration Maria Shimer Age: 33 Company: Hartford HealthCare Title: Director, Ayer Neuroscience Institute Specialty Programs Number of years with current company: 9 Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: The George Washington University, University of Pittsburgh Highest degree: Master's in health administration James Shimer Age: 35 Company: Hartford HealthCare Title: Senior Director, Strategy & Planning Number of years with current company: 8 Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: Elon University, The George Washington University Highest degree: Master's in health administration Jason Simms Age: 38 Company: Theirsay Title: Principal Number of years with current company: 9 Town where I live: Deep River Town where I work: Deep River College: Lewis & Clark College Highest degree: Bachelor's in English