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24 40 UNDER FORTY | 2025 AWARDS HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 11, 2025 Max Reiss has been making a dierence for residents across Connecticut and beyond for many years. Congratulations to Max, our Vice President of Strategic Communications and Chief Communications Ocer, for being named one of Hartford Business Journal's 40 Under Forty. From News, to Government, to Business and Industry, Austin Potter is a healthcare leader with more than 15 years of experience in hospital operations, strategy, finance and ambulatory network development. As executive director of the office of strategy management at Yale New Haven Health, Potter oversees enter- prise-wide strategic initiatives, system integration, organizational development and continuous improvement. Max Reiss leads all communications for Eversource Energy in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Eversource is New England's largest utility company, delivering electricity, natural gas and water to more than 4 million customers. His department manages all internal and external communications based out of its Berlin office. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing operational excellence across one of the nation's leading health systems. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? In 2024, I led an operational improve- ment framework for Yale New Haven Health System resulting in $430 million of operating margin improvement. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Committed to both the organization I lead and the community I serve as a board-certified healthcare executive. • Demonstrated an ability to bridge strategy with real-world impact, from helping design more accessible ambu- latory networks in underserved regions to driving system-wide improvement across Yale New Haven Health. • Dedicated to creating lasting, positive change whether it's mentoring young professionals, supporting vulnerable populations through Project Access or guiding the next generation of healthcare leaders as a university guest lecturer. How are you involved in the community? I currently serve as president of the Connecticut Association of Healthcare Executives (CTAHE), sit on the board of Project Access of New Haven and reg- ularly lecture at Quinnipiac University's School of Business and Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine. Reiss also serves as chief communica- tions officer during major storm events when customers rely on the company for up-to-date information. What's been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? During my time serving in state government under Gov. Ned Lamont, I crafted and executed the state of Connecticut's communications strategy for managing the COVID-19 pandemic, including leading campaigns for encouraging both testing and vacci - nations. That critical work in public service shaped me personally and professionally and informs my work at Eversource each day. Why do you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty? • Youngest executive at Eversource Energy, a company of 11,000 employees across Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. • Been a prominent voice in Hartford and across Connecticut for more than a decade with career stops as a polit- ical journalist and host, and as Gov. Lamont's director of communications. • Prioritized bill transparency and education for all customers with a goal of helping them understand their energy usage and what drives their costs on a monthly and annual basis, while providing tips on how to save. Austin B. Potter Company: Yale New Haven Health Title: Executive Director, Office of Strategy Management Number of years with current company: 3 Town where I live: Cheshire Town where I work: New Haven College: Assumption University Highest degree: Master's degree in business administration in healthcare management, Quinnipiac University Age: 37 Max Reiss Company: Eversource Energy Title: Vice President of Strategic Communications & Chief Communications Officer Number of years with current company: 2 Town where I live: West Hartford Town where I work: Berlin College: University of Missouri Highest degree: Bachelor's degree in journalism, University of Missouri Age: 39