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40 UNDER FORTY | 2024 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 19, 2024 17 Jen Pedevillano is an experienced litigator concentrating on complex com- mercial and corporate litigation matters and labor and employment disputes. She has successfully litigated a number of cases, both in arbitration and court. Pedevillano regularly presents at local, regional and international seminars. One of the youngest partners at Halloran Sage, she serves as the chair of the associates committee, co-chair of the Women's Legal Network, and was elected to the firm's management committee. Martha Prou serves as vice president at Phoenix Manufacturing Inc., a privately held, woman-owned aerospace component manufacturer in Enfield. Prou originally intended a career in Washington, D. C., but the unexpected passing of her father and Phoenix Manufacturing's founder, Lech Paluch, in 2009, accelerated her return to the family business. Since her return in 2010, she has worked in various roles to learn the ins and outs of the business. Looking forward, Prou and her brother, Peter Paluch, will serve as sec- ond-generation ownership with a strategic In her role as a VP regional manager for PeoplesBank, Romika Odedra-Roma leads the Connecticut branch network and is responsible for sales and opera- tions. She has grown the team from four to 26 associates. Odedra-Roma is passionate about small businesses and community involvement. She leads her team to focus on devel- oping and contributing to the community. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? I advocated for flexible policies and led others by example, demonstrating that it is more than possible to be a suc- cessful attorney, firm leader and parent. When COVID changed the practice of law, I shared with others how to use technology to advocate efficiently and effectively on behalf of clients. How are you involved in the community? I mentor both associates and summer associates. I also mentored a high school student through the Marian Work Study Program at Kolbe Cathedral High School during the 2023-2024 academic year, and am doing so again this year. I also coach my son's basketball team and chaperone school field trips. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Coordinated the firm's first diversity survey, mentor associates, co-chair the Women's Legal Network and advo- cate for work-life balance to better the mental health of attorneys. • Was named a partner at Halloran Sage at the age of 33, and was named chair of the associates committee and elected to the Management Committee. • I am the program chair of ALFA International's Business Litigation Practice Group. vision for the future. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Spending the last 14 years at Phoenix Manufacturing Inc., I have grown under the wing of my mother and mentor, Krystyna Paluch (CEO), turning the business into a formidable force recognized by the industry. What do you like to do outside of work? Outside of work, I am family-oriented and enjoy spending time with my hus- band and daughters (ages 8 and 10). As a family, we enjoy traveling and skiing. I also enjoy running outside, Peloton workouts, and am learning to play golf. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Honor of nomination: Appreciation for the recognition of a colleague who sought acknowledgment of my commitment to bettering our company, community and industry. • Commitment to business in Connecticut: Dedicated to running, sus- taining and growing the family business in Connecticut's Aerospace Alley. • Workforce development: Phoenix Manufacturing frequently participates in industry initiatives to support workforce development such as hosting student tours of its facility and partnering with local secondary and post-secondary schools to hire students for internships. Over the last three years, I have led the expansion of the Connecticut market to six banking centers, which has resulted in record-breaking sales and deposit growth. How are you involved in the community? I am a board member of the West Hartford Chamber and committee co-chair for the business resource committee. I am a board member of the Betty Knox Foundation. I also serve as a treasurer for the Salvation Army Hartford. What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy traveling and spending time with my lovely family. My daughter and I enjoy our shopping time. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • My involvement and dedication in the community I work and serve in. I am on three different nonprofit boards and two committees. I serve to help small businesses grow in the community. • Over the last three years, I have led PeoplesBank's CT market expansion to six banking centers. • I have also helped lead record- breaking sales and deposit growth in the CT market. Fun Fact I speak five different languages. Michelle Rakebrand is currently the assistant vice president of government affairs at ConnectiCare, and for the EmblemHealth Family of Companies. After graduating from law school and briefly practicing law, she decided to pursue a career in government affairs. Rakebrand worked in the public sector as an attorney for the U.S. House of Representatives and the Legislative Commissioners' Office in Hartford. She also worked at the state's largest business association before taking the position at ConnectiCare. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? I did not set out to work in government affairs. After only a few years of practicing family law, I decided to try something new. Breaking into a different industry that was public-facing and required subject-matter expertise was challenging, but it was also one of my biggest accomplishments. How are you involved in the community? ConnectiCare takes great pride in being the only local health insurance carrier in the state. I often engage in community service projects with my colleagues at ConnectiCare, including Habitat for Humanity, Foodshare and Yoga in our City. What do you do outside of work? When I am not at the Capitol building, I can be found in the backyard with my husband attempting to make pizzas (and often impromptu calzones) with our commercial-grade pizza oven. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Represents one of the largest not-for- profit health plans in the country. • Leads external coalition-building efforts for the company. • Mentors students interested in law school who want to pursue an alter- native legal career. Romika Odedra-Roma AGE: 38 COMPANY: PeoplesBank TITLE: Vice President, Regional Manager NO. OF YEARS WITH CURRENT COMPANY: 3 WHERE I LIVE: Westbrook WHERE I WORK: CT Market COLLEGE: Central Connecticut State University HIGHEST DEGREE: Bachelor's in Criminal Justice and two years completion of Connecticut School Finance & Management Jennifer A. Pedevillano AGE: 38 COMPANY: Halloran Sage TITLE: Partner NO. OF YEARS WITH CURRENT COMPANY: 13 WHERE I LIVE: Guilford WHERE I WORK: New Haven COLLEGE: DeSales University HIGHEST DEGREE: Juris Doctor, Quinnipiac University School of Law Martha Prou AGE: 38 COMPANY: Phoenix Manufacturing Inc. TITLE: Vice President, Administration & Compliance NO. OF YEARS WITH CURRENT COMPANY: 14 WHERE I LIVE: Bloomfield WHERE I WORK: Enfield COLLEGE: Johns Hopkins University HIGHEST DEGREE: Bachelor's in International Studies, Johns Hopkins University Michelle Rakebrand AGE: 35 COMPANY: ConnectiCare TITLE: Assistant Vice President, Government Affairs NO. OF YEARS WITH CURRENT COMPANY: 4 WHERE I LIVE: Farmington WHERE I WORK: Farmington COLLEGE: Fairfield University HIGHEST DEGREE: Juris Doctor, Pace University School of Law