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T H E 2 0 2 4 WOMEN IN BUSINESS H O N O R E E S B14 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | APRIL 1, 2024 Anne Littlefield Partner and General Counsel Shipman & Goodwin LLP A nne Littlefield is a partner and general counsel at law firm Ship- man & Goodwin in Hartford. She represents schools in labor relations, employment and education law, including collective bargaining, personnel policies and practices, constitutional law, special education, student discipline, freedom of information and education policies. Littlefield also serves as general counsel to Shipman & Goodwin itself, and is the first woman to serve in that role in the firm's 105-year history. She oversees risk management, legal ethics, corporate governance and professional responsibility for Shipman's nearly 300 lawyers and administrative personnel. What's the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally? My goal is to ensure that we are consistently and consciously inclusive when making hiring, promotion and other critical organizational and business decisions. I am proud of how far we have come, and I aim to continue to champion a more inclusive legal community. What's one of the biggest professional challenges you've overcome? One of my priorities over the years has been to share my knowledge and experience — as well as my friendship and support — with my younger colleagues. Leading through the pandemic has been a challenge as we've tried to balance mentor- ship and leadership with an increasingly distant and hybrid workforce. How are you involved in the community? I am currently serving as a board member for the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, on the planning and zoning commission and open space committee of my hometown of Lyme, and as vestry clerk for St. John's Episcopal Church in Essex. I previously served as vice-chair of the Connecticut Bar Association's education law committee, as president of the Connecticut School Attorneys Council, and on the board of directors of the National School Boards' Association Council of School Attorneys. Susan Martinelli Hartford Office Leader and Assurance Partner RSM US LLP S usan Martinelli leads the Hartford office and is an assurance partner primarily focused on the financial services practice with RSM US LLP, a provider of assurance, tax and consulting services. Since joining RSM in 2000, she has focused on being a trusted advisor and serving a diversified client base focused on both public and private global middle-market companies. Martinelli leads and actively participates in various firm local and national leadership activities, panels and mentoring programs, and enjoys coaching others across the firm. For example, she currently leads the national assurance inclusion committee and is a member of RSM US Foundation's Junior Achievement committee. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments? Becoming the first female partner in my office and a year later, becoming our office leader, while raising two young boys. I learned many lessons and continue to during this journey, which stretch my skills to adapt and be a better role model and leader. What's the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally? I am passionate about focusing on the devel- opment and success of our next generation of diverse leaders, not only by being a positive role model, mentor and coach, but by also encouraging them to own their careers, go outside of their comfort zones, and seek growth opportunities. What's one of the biggest professional challenges you've overcome? Realizing my path and definition of success can be different from others, and that I do not have to have it all figured out. It took me several years to realize this, and some of the best advice came from my network, both internal and external. How are you involved in the community? Past president of the Connecticut Society of CPAs (CTCPA) board. Currently I represent the CTCPA on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants governance council; Junior Achievement of Southwest New England Hartford board of directors. RSM US LLP is the U.S. member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent assurance, tax and consulting firms. Visit rsmus.com/aboutus for more information regarding RSM US LLP and RSM International. RSM is pleased to recognize Susan Martinelli as a Top 25 Women in Business award honoree, and congratulate all of the other distinguished women for achieving this milestone. rsm us.com Congratulations, Susan Martinelli