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A8 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 21, 2023 40 UNDER FORTY | 2023 Jason Ellis is a certified financial planner and works as a financial consultant with Fidelity Investments. He has over 10 years of experience in finance, having earned five other designations including Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, Accredited Wealth Management Advisor, Accredited Asset Management Specialist and Equity Compensation Associate. He helps families develop financial plans to achieve their investment and retire- ment goals. Ellis also teaches business management and finance courses as an adjunct professor. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? My biggest professional accomplishment was becoming a certified financial planner professional. This was a goal when I started working in finance back in 2012. Although there are around 96,000 certified financial planner professionals, less than 2% are African-American. Representation matters, and it feels great to help push this profession forward. How are you involved in the community? I serve as treasurer of the Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance, a minority-led, community-based nonprofit at the forefront of the response to the opioid epidemic in Connecticut. I also volunteer as an instructor with the University of People, the first nonprofit, tuition-free, American, accredited, online university. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Completed Aspire to Lead development program designed to empower Black and Latinx associates and their managers through Fidelity Investments. • Awarded as a Top 50 Under 50 Financial Advisors in 2022 by the Association of African American Financial Advisors. • Volunteered and worked with local nonprofits, Habitat for Humanity, Urban League of Greater Hartford and Plant a Row for the Hungry. • Co-Created "Where the Money Resides," a panel discussion series about the reali- ties and success stories of UConn alumni entrepreneurs. Heather Flannery is the chief operating officer at Interval House, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting victims of domestic violence in Hartford and 23 surrounding communities. She manages the oversight and logistics of program operations as well as coordinating grant compliance, reporting, data, strategic planning and community partnership efforts. Flannery is delighted to be in a role where she can support, encourage and grow programming that elevates the profession- alism and impact of nonprofit work. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? I am proud to have steered a 24/7 essential service program and safe house shelter through the pandemic without compromising the health and safety of clients or staff. It was both a challenge and a privilege to work alongside government partners, funders and community providers to meet tremendous demand. How are you involved in the community? I sit on leadership committees within the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Greater Hartford Coordinated Access Network as part of my work. I'm a former member of the Holy Cross Alumni Association Youth Board and am currently involved with the Wethersfield Moms Group. What do you like to do outside of work? I love spending time with my husband Bryan and our toddler son, Jacob. Making them laugh and pose for pictures is my favorite pastime. A combination of reading, baking, knitting and online scrolling for recipes and vacation destinations fills the rest of my days. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Serve as Interval House's first COO, after collaborating on a strategic reorganization that reflects modern practices and professionalism. • Advocated for personnel policies that promote competitive and equitable com- pensation, encourage employee retention and attract future talent. • Committed to demonstrating that nonprofit work is a viable and inspiring career path via mentorship and collaboration. • Prior to joining Interval House, spent over a decade providing case management to women and families experiencing home- lessness in Hartford. Heather Flannery Age: 39 Company: Interval House Title: Chief Operating Officer No. of years with current company: 5 Town where I live: Wethersfield Town where I work: Hartford College: College of the Holy Cross Highest degree: Bachelor's degree in economics Alfredo Fernández is a partner at Shipman & Goodwin, advising manufacturing, technology, education and real estate organizations on environmental and inter- national trade matters. He serves as the chair of the firm's manu- facturing team and of the diversity, equity and inclusion committee. He advises cli- ents across industries on environmental, health and safety issues in all areas of business operations and leads the firm's international trade practice. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? It's a tie: Making partner at Shipman, where even a job offer felt out of reach in law school, and serving as president of the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association, where we were able to help amend the practice book and allow work-authorized law graduates to practice law in the state. How are you involved in the community? In addition to an intentional commitment to mentoring young lawyers, law students and college students, I have served on nonprofit boards of directors, such as COMPASS Youth Collaborative, to bring my skill set and energy to help advance their important missions. What do you like to do outside of work? I like getting outside as much as possible with my wife and two young kids to explore Hartford, West Hartford and surrounding towns, enjoying parks, pools, playgrounds, gardens, farms, shops and restaurants. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Chair both the firm's DE&I committee and manufacturing industry team. • Deeply committed to pro bono service, with extensive experience covering housing issues. • Serves on the board of CONNSTEP. • Past president of the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association. Fun Fact Before I was a lawyer, I was an aerospace engineer and I stalled engines (intentionally)! Believe. Achieve. Inspire. Congratulations to our colleague Alfredo G. Fernández, winner of Hartford Business Journal's 2023 40 Under Forty. Alfredo is a lawyer and partner in our Environmental practice and he chairs our Manufacturing and International Trade groups. Leander A. Dolphin, Managing Partner | (860) 251-5000 Facebook "f " Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook "f " Logo CMYK / .eps Shipman & Goodwin LLP TM w w w . s h i p m a n g o o d w i n . c o m | C O N N E C T I C U T | N E W Y O R K Alfredo G. Fernández Age: 37 Company: Shipman & Goodwin Title: Partner No. of years with current company: 11 Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: University of Michigan Highest degree: Juris Doctor Law, University of Connecticut Jason Ellis Age: 38 Company: Fidelity Investments Title: Financial Consultant No. of years with current company: 3 Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: New England Region College: University of Connecticut, Western Governors University, Walden University Highest degree: Doctor of Business and Admin., International Business, Walden University