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n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 3 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 21 to lead its entrepreneurship and innova- tion efforts. Yale Ventures helps faculty, students and the broader entrepreneurial ecosys- tem launch new innovations and startups that are tackling the biggest challenges facing society, from climate change to diseases. It provides assistance with patenting, licensing, training programs, developing business concepts, corporate partnerships and more. Yale University has been averaging about 10 new startups per year over the last several years, and Geballe says he is optimistic that this number will only grow. Geballe has played a key role in the formation of the Yale-backed climate tech incubator and makerspace ClimateHav- en, a new nonprofit organization in New Haven. Organizers say it will be a center where entrepreneurs, innovators, academics, corporate sponsors and investors can work together toward a common goal: to create technology and new ventures that will help reverse and adapt to climate change. Plans are for it to launch in 2023. ClimateHaven will provide space for these startups and help them as they develop climate technologies and grow. According to Geballe, the hope is that New Haven will become a hub for cli- mate-related technology, a place where several companies are working toward a cleaner future for the planet. Previously, Geballe worked in Gov. Ned Lamont's administration, serving in roles such as chief operating officer and commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services. Geballe spent roughly 17 years in the technology sector, most recently at ermo Fisher Scientific. He joined that company aer it acquired Branford-based soware firm Core Informatics LLC in 2017, where Geballe had been CEO since 2013. Geballe's business background also includes an 11-year stint with IBM. Geballe also works closely with the Tsai Center for Innovative inking at Yale, which helps the university's student entrepreneurs. Ilona Somogyi, Co- founder & President, Ball & Socket Arts As a co-founder and president of the nonprofit Ball & Socket Arts, Ilona Somogyi is leading efforts to transform a for- mer button factory site in Cheshire into the Ball & Socket Arts complex. Somogyi, a Cheshire resident since early childhood, has been working with local and state officials to revitalize the factory site and help draw visitors to the town. e state Department of Eco- nomic and Community Development gave the project an initial boost with a commitment of more than $2 million toward transforming it into a bustling arts-centered complex. In January, offi- cials announced they had secured more state and federal funding to use toward making the project a reality. In August 2022, the complex wel- comed its first tenant, Sweet Claude's Ice Cream. ere are multiple buildings on the site in the midst of a major renovation, one officials hope will revitalize the entire West Main Street and Farmington Canal Heritage Trail corridor. e entire site contains 65,000 square feet of developable space, set on 3 acres. Plans include office space, an art gallery, and room for creative retailers and art-focused organizations and business- es. Organizers also anticipate it will have educational space, a museum and food vendors. Officials have estimated it will take three to five years to fully build out the complex and complete the transforma- tion of the site, where the first factory opened back in 1850. Somogyi is also a faculty member in the design department at the Yale School of Drama. During her career, she has worked as a professional costume designer at theaters in New York City, around the United States and in Europe. Somogyi has collaborated at non- profit theaters of various sizes, such as Hartford Stage, Westport Country Playhouse, Long Wharf eatre, Yale Repertory eatre and Williamstown eatre Festival. She also has designed costumes for productions like Anything Goes and Oklahoma! Janti Soeripto, President & CEO, Save the Children U.S. Janti Soeripto is working to improve the lives of children as they face chal- lenges like poverty and lack of access to education and medicine. Soeripto took over as president and chief execu- tive officer of the Fairfield-based Save the Children U.S. in January 2020, succeeding Carolyn Miles. Soeripto previously served as its president and chief operating officer. Soeripto speaks Dutch, English, Ger- man and Indonesian. Before she joined Save the Children U.S., she worked for eight years as deputy CEO of Save the Children International, based in London. From there, she led the organi- zation's operations in 60 countries. She was responsible for market growth and development, global strategy devel- opment, communication and venture partnerships. Her background before she joined the nonprofit Save the Children included two decades working for corporations such as Kimberly-Clark and Unilever. When Soeripto took over her current role, she called it a "remarkable priv- ilege," and indicated that she plans to reach even more children. e organization already serves mil- lions of children worldwide. It helped 134 million children through its global network in 2018 alone, according to its website. e organization pairs sponsors with children around the world. Sponsors pay a monthly amount and develop a rela- tionship with their sponsored children through letters and regular updates. According to Save the Children, in the United States, many children suffer from hunger and problems such as dropping out of school and teen pregnancy. e organization combats these problems and works to make sure children get access to quality education. Around the world, the organization helps children and their families who have experienced poverty, food and climate-related crises. Its emergency relief helps with health and nutrition, education and protection programs. Its workers are active in conflict zones, helping children suffering due to war. It is also among the first to respond to help children during natural disasters. Leander Dolphin, Managing Partner, Shipman & Goodwin When Leander Dolphin isn't leading one of the state's largest law firms, she is helping find the state's new judges. Dolphin is managing partner of Shipman & Goodwin, a role she took over in January 2022. e firm has an office on Church Street in New Haven, along with locations in Hartford, Old Lyme, Stamford, Green- wich, Lakeville and New York. Gov. Ned Lamont in October ap- pointed Dolphin to serve as a member of the Connecticut Judicial Selection Commission. It recommends qualified candidates for nomination as judges for the Superior Court, Appellate Court and Supreme Court. e 12-member com- mission also evaluates incumbent judges who seek reappointment. Dolphin is the commission's chairperson. When she was nominated, Dolphin pledged to oversee the commission's evaluation of judicial candidates while also considering diversity in recommen- dations. e National Legal Aid & Defender Association Racial Equity Initiative also recently recognized Dolphin as one of its 2022 Courageous Leader Award recipients. e award is given to leaders who are advancing anti-racist values. Dolphin is the first African American woman to serve as her firm's managing partner. In her practice, Dolphin is a partner in the firm's School Law Practice Group. She regularly advises universities, colleges, public school districts, inde- pendent schools and other clients on a variety of education and employment matters. ese range from special education disputes to claims of sexual harassment to policies involving the Americans with Disabilities Act. Dolphin originally joined Shipman in 2004. Prior to becoming managing partner, she served for three years on the firm's management committee and later as a co-managing partner. Dolphin also has taught education law as an adjunct professor at Quinnipiac University School of Law. Anne-Marie Knight, Executive Director, Black Business Alliance Anne-Marie Knight serves as execu- tive director of the Black Business Alli- ance, which works to support Black business owners. e nonprofit organization offers an array of ser- vices, such as busi- ness training, tech- nical assistance and online marketing. It helps businesses network, strengthen their brand and access funding. e alliance helps people fill out appli- cations and business plans, for example. Ultimately, Knight says the alliance is helping people fulfill their dreams of being successful in business. In February 2022, the organization opened its new headquarters at the Con- necticut Post Mall in Milford, a space for training, networking and showcasing products. It has a lounge area, work- stations and a retail space spotlighting African jewelry and clothing by local designers. According to Knight, the retail space aims to "showcase Black excellence on every level." e alliance has more than 200 mem- bers and hundreds more on its contact list. It regularly puts out a newsletter aimed at helping its membership. Knight said the alliance builds a com- munity, encouraging Black businesses to get to know each other, do business with each other and provide support. New Haven business leader Howard K. Hill founded the alliance in 2014. Knight has been involved in the alli- ance since the beginning, and she rose to leadership in March 2020, aer seeing the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black enterprises. According to Knight, budding entre- preneurs can face challenges with startup costs and finding adequate funding. e alliance has launched a "funding super- highway" program that involves banks, economic development groups and other organizations, with a goal of getting needed capital in entrepreneurs' hands. Several area Black business leaders have credited the alliance with helping P o w e r 2 5 G r e a t e r N e w H a v e n Continued on next page

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