Hartford Business Journal

B12 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | MARCH 23, 2026 T H E 2 0 2 6 WOMEN IN BUSINESS H O N O R E E S MoniCa obrebsKi Chief Engagement & Impact Officer Connecticut Foodshare accomplish professionally? Professionally, I want to continue grow- ing as a leader, mentoring emerging talent, fostering a culture of collab- oration and guiding the organization toward even greater statewide impact. What's one of the biggest professional challenges you've overcome? Working in hunger relief means constant urgency. Leading through periods of uncertainty requires adaptability and steady leadership. I learned to stay grounded in our mission and focused on strategies that support both immediate impact and lasting change. How are you involved in the community? I am grateful that my work each day supports communities across the state. When I step away from my day-to-day responsibilities, volun- teering at the food bank is especially rewarding. I am a proud graduate of Leadership Greater Hartford's Quest Program and Executive Orientation Program, and I was recently appointed to the board of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. M onica Obrebski serves as chief engagement and impact officer at Connecticut Foodshare, leading fundraising, communications and marketing. A member of the execu- tive leadership team, she helps build sustainable revenue, strengthen donor and stakeholder relationships, and elevate statewide visibility in support of ending hunger. With extensive nonprofit experi- ence, she brings a collaborative, data-informed approach to her work. Through strategic leadership and relationship-building, she works with supporters, volunteers and partners to support efforts aimed at reducing hunger across Connecticut. What have been your biggest profes- sional accomplishments so far? Over the past five years, I led the rebrand of Connecticut Foodshare, significantly strengthening brand awareness and name recognition while deepening partnerships with key stakeholders. This work elevated our visibility, unified our voice and expanded our impact statewide. What's the next big goal you want to D awn O'Shaughnessy leads Lockton's Connecticut People Solutions Practice, overseeing the statewide consulting team and serv- ing on the Lockton Northeast Executive Operating Committee. She works with employers on health care cost management, employee benefit strategy and workforce-related initiatives. She also serves on the Women in Lock- ton Steering Committee and mentors employees within the organization. Prior to joining Lockton, she spent 25 years at Mercer, where she led the Hartford health and benefits team. During her career, she has advised employers, including Northeast health systems, on workforce and health benefit strategies. What have been your biggest profes- sional accomplishments so far? I'm most proud of building high-perform- ing teams — developing 50-plus consul- tants, improving client outcomes and delivering strategies that reduce medical trend by two to four points, cut pharmacy spend by up to 15% and boost engage- ment by 20%. That foundation enables me to lead Lockton's fast-growing Connecti- cut People Solutions Practice and expand our regional impact. What's the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally? In my role as Connecticut People Solutions Practice Leader at Lockton, my next goal is to grow our practice into the Northeast's most trusted, innovative consulting partner by expanding client impact, developing exceptional talent and delivering people risk strategies that set a new industry standard. What's one of the biggest professional challenges you've overcome? Balancing motherhood as a mom of four teenage boys while leading a high-perform- ing consulting practice has been one of my biggest challenges. Managing a growing team, driving client strategy and stepping into major leadership roles while raising my family has strength- ened my resilience, clarified my boundaries and reshaped my definition of success. How are you involved in the community? I'm committed to giving back to my community. I have been a long-time teacher of Faith Formation at St. Peter Claver Church and have volunteered for years at Northwest Catholic High School, serving on several Safe Grad committees. Supporting my parish and local schools is deeply meaningful to me. dawn o'sHaugHnessy Sr. Vice President, CT People Solutions Leader lockton Talcott extends a sincere congratulations to Lisa Proch, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, on receiving a Women in Business award from the Hartford Business Journal. Congratulations LISA

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