Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1539219
B14 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 Congratulations to the HBJ Winners! Meghan Rickard meghan@compumail.net 860-628-2770 298 Captain Lewis Dr. Southington, CT 06489 compumail.net C-SUITE | 2025 AWARDS A ndre Santiago, vice president and chief program officer, oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of all programs at Leadership Greater Hartford (LGH) as well as the organi- zation's extensive consulting and training services. From research and design to facilitation and community organizing, Santiago leads change and transformation through the application of leadership development. Empowering staff, consul- tants and community part- nerships, especially within the nonprofit sector, he uses heart-centered practices to connect and convene talent within the region. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year? Navigating staffing transitions has been a top priority this past year. Directors have retired, moved or accepted new challenges, which means I have to fill in the gaps whenever and wherever needed. With nearly 18 years of experience at LGH, I bring institutional and histori- cal context to conversations, and help launch new partnerships and collabora- tions. I've thoroughly enjoyed all of the times when I personally facilitated consulting and training services. Seeing individuals and teams advance from ordinary to extraordinary encourages my heart, and I am honored to be at the helm of that learning. In what ways are you involved in the community? I have extensive train- ing in board governance, and currently serve on the board of directors for Hartford's Camp Courant, the East Hartford Alumni Association and Education Foundation, and am a city of Hartford commissioner. I am also the current chair- man of the national board of directors of the Association of Leadership Programs. On the Job Guiding business principle: Mahatma Gandhi's quote, 'e best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,' emphasizes the importance of selflessness and the transformative power of service. Best way to keep your competitive edge: ere is something to learn from every human and every experience. Take time to reflect and put the learning into action. Andre Santiago Vice President & Chief Program Officer LEADERSHIP GREATER HARTFORD Size of organization: $1M in revenue Employees: 8 Education: Master's degree in organizational leadership, Goodwin University WINNER CATEGORY | NONPROFIT CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Congratulations to the HBJ Winners! Meghan Rickard meghan@compumail.net 860-628-2770 298 Captain Lewis Dr. Southington, CT 06489 compumail.net Join us Thursday November 6 to celebrate and recognize the 2025 Health Care Heroes Honorees! Honorees will be announced in our special supplement on October 6, in print and online. PRESENTED BY TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW! EVENT SPONSORS VISIT HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/HBJ-EVENTS OR SCAN HERE FOR TICKETS