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T H E 2 0 2 5 WOMEN IN BUSINESS H O N O R E E S HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | MARCH 10, 2025 B11 hub, serving over 1,200 residents per year fostering skills-based develop- ment, entrepreneurship and economic opportunity for all. What's the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally? My next big goal is funding the expan- sion of MakerspaceCT to include an AI & Robotics Innovation Center for high school students. At MakerspaceCT, we train people for jobs that don't exist yet. Connecticut's manufacturing industry requires future workers trained in robotics and AI, and our local students need to get out in front of the curve. How are you involved in the community? In addition to supporting my nonprofit MakerspaceCT, my commitment to inno- vation extends to community involve- ment, where I have recently participated in the following: • Governor's Workforce Council member (2021 to present) • Forge Advisory Council member (2023 to present) • Mentor for Techstars Accelerator (2019 to 2021) • Active ManufactureCT member • Rotary International, ex-officio president. devra sisitsKy Founder/Executive Director MakerspaceCT D evra Sisitsky is an entrepreneur and innovation leader with over 20 years of experience in strate- gic development, workforce empower- ment and community engagement. As the founder and executive director of MakerspaceCT, she provides public access to advanced technologies, fostering skills development and entre- preneurship. Her career spans health- care innovation, media and construction, consistently driving growth and impact. A dedicated mentor and advocate, she serves on multiple advisory boards, championing workforce development and economic stability. Recognized for her leadership, Sisitsky continues to inspire and build opportunities that transform lives through innovation and making. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments so far? I founded MakerspaceCT to support the innovation community and empower Hartford's underserved by merging technology access with workforce devel- opment. Amid COVID, I swiftly pivoted to personal protective equipment produc- tion, later transforming our model into a sustainable, education-driven resource. Through strategic leadership, I've taken a concept and built a thriving innovation aggressively accelerate the path to health authority approval. Ultimately, these approaches are adaptive and allow for efficient development of medicines focused on the right path- way, data and plan. Value is created through focusing on the greatest unmet needs and oppor- tunities for patients, while significantly reducing drug cycle timelines and cost. A key example occurred during our development of Ultomiris in life-transforming rare diseases at Alexion. The model and prioritized planning approach for Ultomiris was unprecedented in speed and delivery. This enabled the team to significantly reduce development timelines to approval 50% faster than industry benchmarks. My experience in a range of opera- tional roles from large biopharma- ceutical companies to midsize and startup biotechs has given me a unique perspective on what is possible and how to partner with R&D, commercial and administrative colleagues and teams to ensure robust plans that rapidly deliver therapeutic opportuni- ties to key milestones and ultimately to patients. lisa sinclair Senior Vice President of Corporate Operations Arvinas Inc. L isa Sinclair is the senior vice president of corporate operations at Arvinas Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company in targeted protein degradation therapeutics in oncology and neurosciences. In this role, Sinclar leads corporate oper- ating model planning and is accountable for strategic sourcing and management; technical operations; quality, environmental health and safety; IT and security; and facilities management. She has more than 25 years of biopharmaceutical experience, specializing in strategic operations, portfo- lio management, and new product develop- ment planning from preclinical to launch. Before joining Arvinas, Sinclair served in operational and strategic roles of increas- ing responsibility in biopharmaceutical and rare disease biotech companies. What have been your biggest profes- sional accomplishments so far? One of my biggest accomplishments is building and implementing team and governance operating models that optimize the value of new innovative medicines. These models enable cross-functional collaboration and integrate insights inside and outside of the business to What's the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally? My next big goal is to shift decision-makers' mindsets on allocating resources to grass- roots organizations. By cultivating a deeper understanding of poverty's complexities, I aim to ensure those closest to the commu- nity receive support, empowering not just my work but also other small organizations striving to expand their impact. What's one of the biggest professional challenges you've overcome? One of my biggest professional challenges has been staying true to my authentic self while navigating judgment and external expectations. I've overcome this by relent- lessly pursuing knowledge, fact-checking and remaining humble and committed. I learn not only from CEOs, but also from the homeless grandmother I feed on the street. How are you involved in the community? My life's work is dedicated to the commu- nity. As CEO of Angel of Edgewood, I provide critical resources, food, housing support, education and advocacy to under- served families. I build bridges between grassroots efforts and policymakers, ensur- ing real change. My leadership transforms lives, strengthening resilience, equity and opportunity across Greater Hartford. Jendayi scott-Miller Founder & CEO Angel of Edgewood J endayi Scott-Miller is the founder and CEO of Angel of Edgewood, a grassroots, minority woman-owned nonprofit dedicated to eradicating food insecurity and providing critical resources to underserved communities. Over five years, she independently raised over $2.5 million to establish a community hub, forging strong bipartisan partner- ships with key stakeholders. With decades of experience working in public schools, shelters, nonprofits and churches, she has also served as a therapeutic foster parent. Early in her career, she participated in community-based, work-study programs that shaped her passion for service. Her unwav- ering commitment continues to transform lives across Greater Hartford and beyond. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments so far? My greatest professional accomplish- ments have been independently raising over $2.5 million in five years as CEO of a grassroots, minority woman-owned organization to acquire a community hub providing vital services to communities of color. I've also built strong, bipartisan relationships with stakeholders by immers- ing them in our work, fostering trust and demonstrating real impact.