Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1543980
T H E 2 0 2 6 WOMEN IN BUSINESS H O N O R E E S HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | MARCH 23, 2026 B7 beatriz n. gutierrez President & CEO CONNSTEP Inc. What's the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally? To continue building CONNSTEP as a strong, sustainable organization, positioned for long-term success and solidifying its role as the trusted advisor to Connecticut manufac- turers — delivering the knowledge, resources and expertise they need, supported by a dedicated and diverse team committed to advancing the state's manufacturing future. What's one of the biggest professional challenges you've overcome? As a young mother of two, balancing career growth with parenting was a constant challenge. I often had to make difficult trade- offs between professional opportunities and family needs. That experience taught me that balance evolves daily — and that staying grounded in your values helps guide priorities through every stage of life. How are you involved in the community? I proudly serve on the boards of the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, World Affairs Council of Connecticut and Connecti- cut Museum of Culture and History. Through this work, I stay connected to community needs while supporting economic opportu- nity, education and cultural preservation. B eatriz N. Gutierrez, raised in Medellín, Colombia, immigrated to the U.S. to pursue her engi- neering education. As president and CEO of CONNSTEP, she oversees a team that works with manufac- turers on growth, operational issues and technology adoption. Appointed in 2020, she brings more than 30 years of local and global leadership in business manage- ment, product development and marketing. Previously, she served as executive director of business development at the state Depart- ment of Economic and Community Develop- ment. Gutierrez holds an MBA from Chicago Booth, an electrical engineering degree from Marquette, is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and a certified economic developer. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments so far? As a CEO, I am most proud to have guided CONNSTEP through the last year, a period of significant market and structural uncer- tainty, building a strong, resilient team, keeping a pulse on the organization, and advancing growth opportunities. I've strengthened the organization's mission, ensured relevance in a complex environment, and continued delivering unmatched service to our clients. sHannon Healy Partner/Director of Finance Parker Benjamin Real Estate grow Parker Benjamin's real estate port- folio by expanding our relationships with both capital partners and local communi- ties, to help drive sustainable growth and historical preservation across more of Connecticut. Through this work, I aim to create projects that are both economically sound and genuinely beneficial to the neighborhoods they're part of. What's one of the biggest professional challenges you've overcome? One of my biggest challenges was transi- tioning from private equity into hands-on real estate development. I quickly had to master regulatory processes, construction and public-sector coordination while staying on track with schedules and budgets, ultimately building a new skill set needed to manage these complex historical restoration projects from acquisition through completion. How are you involved in the community? I collaborate closely with town and state officials, community members and historic preservation officials to identify development opportunities that align with each community's needs. Together, we determine the type of projects that are the best fit and work with municipalities to ensure the development reflects their vision, preserving historic character while delivering housing and economic value. S hannon Healy is a partner at Parker Benjamin, a real estate development firm specializing in the adaptive reuse and restoration of historic buildings. With a background in private equity and finance, Healy transitioned into real estate development in 2021. She oversees projects from acquisition through budgeting and capital raising, construction and leasing. To date, Healy has worked on 17 develop- ment projects totaling $164.4 million, all of which have been successfully listed on both the state and national historic registers, helping activate underutilized properties and deliver new housing across Connecticut. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments so far? My biggest accomplishments include helping source and lead 17 adaptive reuse develop- ment projects, securing state and national historic registry listings, raising capital for complex deals, and managing projects through entitlement, financing, construction management and leasing/stabilization. My work has helped breathe new life into underuti- lized buildings while delivering housing and economic opportunities across Connecticut. What's the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally? My next professional goal is to continue to S arah Jayne is the retail regional sales manager for M&T Bank's Farmington Valley Region, where she leads sales performance, develops branch leaders, drives deposit and loan growth, and ensures excellent customer experience. She began her banking career in 2008 with People's United Bank, advancing through market leadership roles prior to M&T Bank's acquisition. She has served in a regional leadership role since September 2022, after 10 years in retail. Jayne earned a bachelor's degree in liberal studies from Southern Connecticut State University, completed the Connecticut School of Finance and Management in 2020, and is enrolled in the Consumer Bankers Association's Executive Banking School program. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments so far? I led regional teams through multiple acquisitions, including system conversion readiness and operational integration. I supported and prepared branch managers through complex change initiatives, ensuring smooth transitions with minimal disruption. I built a strong, high-performing branch manager culture grounded in collaboration, accountability and leadership development. saraH Jayne Senior Vice President, Retail Regional Sales Manager Farmington Valley Region, M&T Bank Sarah Jayne Retail Regional Sales Manager Equal Housing Lender. ©2026 M&T Bank. Member FDIC. AMP-10555 260227 VF mtb.com Congratulations to Sarah and all of this year's honorees, from your friends at M&T Bank. Hartford Business Journal's Women in Business Awards What's the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally? My next major accomplishment in my current role is building a scalable regional operat- ing model that delivers consistent results through system and organizational change. I aim to elevate branch manager performance, strengthen leadership accountability, and make my region a benchmark for execution, engagement and stability. What's one of the biggest professional challenges you've overcome? One of the biggest professional challenges I've overcome was transitioning from a hands-on leader to a people-focused leader. Stepping away from direct execu- tion required trusting my team, shifting my focus to development and accountability, and leading through influence. This shift strengthened my leadership impact and elevated overall team performance. How are you involved in the community? I actively support the communities where I live and work by volunteering several times throughout the year with organizations including the United Way, American Heart Association, Girl Scouts, Easterseals and local food pantries. I am committed to giving back and strengthening local communities.