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24 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | FEBRUARY 23, 2026 Movers & Shakers Powering Your Next Opportunity Whether you need working capital for your business or a smart way to buy a home, extra hassles shouldn't stand in your way. Count on TSB for personalized lending, fast local decision-making, and hands-on support from experts who live and work in your community. TorringtonSavings.Bank (860) 496-2152 EQUAL HOUSING LENDER | MEMBER | NMLS #404919 Explore options and connect with a local lender. Norwalk-based online travel search company Kayak has named Peer Bueller chief executive officer. Co-founder Steve Hafner will transition to executive chair after 22 years leading the company. Bueller joined Kayak in 2016 as chief financial officer and added chief operating officer responsibilities in 2021. Hafner will take on a new role at parent company Booking Hold- ings focused on advancing artificial intelligence initiatives. Two Connecticut lobbying firms have added veteran Capitol insiders ahead of the 2026 legislative session. Przybysz + Asso- ciates Government Affairs has hired Maureen Magnan as director of client and government relations and Mary Kate Mason as director of commu- nications and strategy. Separately, Paul Pescatello has joined Avon-based Statehouse Partners after previ- ously serving in senior roles at the Connecticut Business & Industry Association and the Connecticut Bioscience Growth Council. DR Bank and has held multiple senior finance roles at the bank during the past eight years. She previously worked at Deloitte auditing financial services clients. Sunna is chief communications officer for the U.S. business of Philip Morris International. She joined the company in 2018 and previously led the New York office and consumer marketing practice at Havas PR North America. Peter A. Heard has been elected to the board of directors of First Tee – Connecticut, a nonprofit that provides golf-based youth programs across the state. Heard retired from Travelers in April after a 40-year career, most recently serving as executive vice president of enterprise distribution and agency engagement. Lawyers for Children America has elected a new slate of board officers and added two new members to its board of directors. Former Connecticut Supreme Court justice Joette Katz has been elected board president. Katz is a partner at Shipman & Goodwin and previously served as commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Children Construx Co. has appointed Steph- anie Caruso as senior project manager. Caruso began her construction career in demolition and later moved into operations and project manage- ment. She has led commercial and industrial projects across Connecticut and previously held leadership roles at Fortunato Construction Group, Loureiro Building Construction, CENTURY 21 AllPoints Realty and Zarrella Demolition LLC. The Women's Business Develop- ment Council has appointed Tal Kadar, Leidy Nunez and Jody Sunna to its board of directors. Kadar is senior HR and employment counsel at Linde, where she advises on employment law matters including hiring, workplace investi- gations, employee discipline, wage and hour compliance, and leave and accommo- dation requirements. She previously served as director of policy and procedure and employment counsel at Guggenheim Partners. Nunez is chief financial officer of and Families. Joanne Boucher, director of strategic projects at UConn Health, was elected vice president; Khadija Poitras-Rhea, associate vice presi- dent of population health at UConn Health, was elected secretary; Rick Harris, a retired attorney formerly with Day Pitney, was elected treasurer; and Allen Sabins, co-founder and managing partner of CSW Energy, was elected assistant treasurer. Marti Ossias, chief people and experience officer at Vibrant Emotional Health, and April Smolski, a licensed marriage and family therapist with UConn Health, were elected as new board members. Dr. Robert Roose, president of community hospitals for Trinity Health Of New England, has been appointed as an at-large delegate to the Amer- ican Hospital Associ- ation's Regional Policy Board 1. In his current role, Roose oversees opera- tions at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Mass.; Johnson Memo- rial Hospital in Stafford; and St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury. The Regional Policy Boards advise the American Hospital Association's board on health policy issues affecting hospitals and health systems. Maureen Magnan Tal Kadar Peter Heard Robert Roose Mary Kate Mason Paul Pescatello Leidy Nunez Jody Sunna NOMINATION DEADLINE: MAY 15, 2026 SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE & NOMINATE OR VISIT HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/HBJ-EVENTS PROUDLY PRESENTED BY O N M I N A T E NOMINATIONS FOR 2026 NOW OPEN! SUPPORTING SPONSOR These individuals exemplify exceptional leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and community engagement, serving as role models for their peers and inspiring future generations. By recognizing their achievements, we not only celebrate their hard work and dedication but also encourage a culture of excellence and collaboration within our industries. NOMINATE TODAY!