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APRIL 3, 2023 | HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | WOMEN IN BUSINESS B 17 Kristine Schlichting CEO Hopewell Health Solutions Inc. K ristine Schlichting, Ph.D., is the CEO of Hopewell Health Solutions, a private mental health group practice. Schlichting founded the company 12 years ago in a small office in south Glastonbury. The company has grown to more than 25 doctors, nurses, medical providers and therapists, as well as four locations in central Connecticut. Hopewell Health Solutions provides mental health counseling, psychiatric care and inten- sive outpatient programs in a privately-owned mental health practice. Hopewell Health provides a collaborative team model to mental health treatment. What have been your biggest accomplishments so far? My biggest accomplishment has been overcoming the enormous hurdle of opening a privately-owned intensive outpatient program. The timeline was supposed to be three months and it took 11 months and blood, sweat, tears and cash to make it happen. The two important people who pushed this accomplishment have been my office manager, Colleen Callaway, and my husband, Dan Zak. The passion for continuing to pursue the program was knowing that adolescents needed a community of healing and we had the resources to provide that. What's the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally? The next goal we are currently on is the development of other specialty intensive outpatient programs for addiction, eating disorders and trauma. We are also opening up a few more locations in Connecticut because the need for excellent mental health services in this state is great. What legacy do you want to leave after your career is over? Well, I hope my career is never over because this career is my soul's calling. I get more than I receive every day and I can't imagine not being a healer. However, I will eventually not work 80 hours a week and I want to leave a legacy of effective systems for the delivery of mental health. Also, I am a perfectionist and like control. Tara N. Spain Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Travelers Foundation Assistant Vice President, Community Relations, Travelers T ara N. Spain is vice president and chief operating officer of the Trav- elers Foundation and assistant vice president of community relations at Travelers. She is responsible for the strategy and opera- tions of the company's philanthropic activities, overseeing data, analytics and finances, as well as key national partnerships focused on economic empowerment and inclusion. Spain is also highly engaged in the community, sitting on the boards of directors for ReSET and Usher's New Look, as well as serving as an advisor for the MetroHartford Alliance's racial equity and economic development committee and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment so far? My biggest accomplishment and a highlight of my career has been launching an innovative talent pipeline at Travelers called Travelers EDGE. This program, now in its 15th year, has helped more than 300 underrepresented students gain access to higher education and prepare them for careers in the insurance and financial services industries. What's the next big goal that you want to accomplish professionally? I try not to set my sights on one major goal and instead keep my options open and fluid. That said, if I had to narrow it down, I would say that I'd like to focus more on helping other women realize their potential, preferably in the corporate citizenship space. What's one of the biggest professional challenges you've overcome? I tend to take on a lot of responsibility, and at times, it can feel overwhelming. I'm learning to prioritize, focus on self-care and set bound- aries, all of which are helping me balance my time at work and home. Who has been your most important mentor, and why? My most important mentor has been my manager, Marlene Ibsen. I've worked with Marlene for nearly 20 years and have known her throughout my entire career. I've learned so much from her leadership style. She's taught me to trust my instincts, take risks and give myself space to make mistakes. Your dedication inspires us all. travelers.com/community The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates. One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183 © 2023 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. M-18629 Rev. 3-23 Extraordinary leadership has its rewards. Congratulations to Tara Spain for being a Women in Business honoree. THE 2023 WOMEN IN BUSINESS HONOREES