Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1547131
2026 C-SUITE AWARDS HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | OCTOBER 19, 2026 B7 WINNER CATEGORY | CEO, SMALL NONPROFIT, FEWER THAN 75 EMPLOYEES D evra Sisitsky has more than 40 years of experience in strategy and workforce development. As founder and executive director of MakerspaceCT in Hartford, she oversees project-based training in technologies including 3D printing, artificial intelli- gence, robotics, the internet of things and virtual and augmented reality. The programs help students and entre- preneurs develop skills for careers in advanced manufacturing and technology and prepare for further education. Sisitsky also mentors founders and startups. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year? My biggest accomplishment this past year has been positioning Maker- spaceCT for its next stage of growth. Working with local manufacturers, our strategic partners and the City of Hart- ford, I helped advance plans for the first Hartford Innovation Center while developing a dynamic strategic plan. We're closing the information loop by delivering education on emerging tech- nology as it applies to manufacturing — launching Build Smarter: Engineer First – AI Second, teaching high school students parametric CAD and AI-native design tools. By advancing technology program- ming in robotics and automation, alongside our manufacturing part- ners, we've deepened Makerspa- ceCT's standing with city and state leaders and secured a foundation for sustainable, long-term growth. On The Job Guiding business principle: Do the right thing for all involved, efficiently, effectively and relentlessly. Then get it done! WINNER CATEGORY | CEO, SMALL COMPANY, FEWER THAN 75 EMPLOYEES E d Rodham is president of Systems Integration Inc. (SII), a technology and managed services company serving orga- nizations across Connecticut and the Northeast. He oversees the company's strategy, growth, operations and organizational development. His work includes staff development, client relationships and expanding SII's services in cybersecurity, compliance, artificial intelligence and technology planning. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year? Over the past year, I'm most proud of how we have continued to evolve SII while investing in our people. We've added talented professionals, expanded leadership opportunities and strengthened our capabilities in cybersecurity, compliance, cloud and emerging technologies such as AI. We have also become increasingly strategic in how we help clients — moving beyond simply supporting technology to helping organizations manage risk, improve operations and prepare for what's next. Building a stronger company while creating opportunities for our employees and helping our clients become more secure, productive and competi- tive has been the most rewarding accomplishment of the year. In what ways are you involved in the community? I volunteer annually with Connecticut Foodshare and spend a significant amount of my time coaching girls ice hockey. Coaching gives me an opportunity to mentor young athletes, help them develop confidence and leader- ship skills, and contribute to the continued growth of girls hockey in Connecticut. WINNER CATEGORY | C E O, M E D I U M C O M PA N Y, 76-199 E M P LOY E E S J. Forrest West Founder & CEO FlexWork Sports Management Employees: 62 full-time; 50 part-time Education: Bachelor's degree, North Carolina State University F orrest West is founder and CEO of FlexWork Sports, a company that organizes youth sports camps led by professional and college athletes. The company holds hundreds of camps annually, featuring athletes from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and NCAA programs. Its events have served hundreds of thousands of children and families. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year? Over the past year, I led FlexWork Sports through its most significant growth yet by scaling to more than 350 events in 2026, while expanding our foot- print to 49 states and 15-plus countries. I signed and activated over 300 elite athletes across the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS and NCAA, and orchestrated marquee events with stars like Saquon Barkley, Karl-Anthony Towns and the company's first official Brand Ambas- sador Vladimir Guerrero Jr. This year I also achieved a major milestone by acquiring ProCamps and G3 Marketing, a move that cemented FlexWork as the most comprehensive platform in youth sports experiences. In what ways are you involved in the community? I've made hundreds of our events free for kids in their communities, and partnered with dozens of brands to generate millions of dollars in scholarships for families who couldn't otherwise afford to attend, which is reflective of my belief that profitable growth carries a responsi- bility to prioritize equity and access. On The Job Guiding business principle: Keep the focus on growth, and we'll figure everything else out. Best way to keep your competitive edge: View everything and everyone as competition. It's the same way I viewed things when I played football, and now it drives me and our Flex- Work Sports team. Best business decision: Pivoting the company from originally being a sports marketing agency into the amazing platform we have built today. WINNER CATEGORY | C E O, M E D I U M N O N P R O F I T, 76-199 E M P LOY E E S Bridget E. Quinn President & CEO Hartford Public Library Size of Organization: $14.6 million Employees: 95 full-time; 52 part-time Education: MBA, St. John's Univer- sity, Tobin School of Business; Master's degree, library science, St. John's University B ridget E. Quinn is president and CEO of Hartford Public Library, where she oversees operations, development and capital projects across nine service locations and a mobile library. Her work includes fundraising, strategic partnerships, planning and programs that support access to information and education. Before joining the library in 2016, Quinn served as executive vice president and chief operating officer and interim president and CEO of Queens Public Library, and as executive director of Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. She has held leadership and librarian roles in Connecticut, Iowa and New York. What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year? Completing the repairs and reno- vation of the Downtown Library after the catastrophic flood in December 2022 and reopening on June 1 was a tremendous accomplishment. While it was a challenge for the community and employees during the closure and construction, we were able to deliver transformed and inspiring spaces for the community, including HPL Studios, a state-of-the-art recording and film production division of HPL; and Garmany Hall, a 100-seat auditorium and event space. In the past year, we broke ground on a new 16,000-square-foot library building on Barbour Street, which is scheduled to be completed in early 2028. I led discussions that resulted in $3 million in new funds contributed to the HPL endowment. In what ways are you involved in the community? I serve on the board of Capital Workforce Partners and the board of the Essex Library Association. I am a member of the Irish American Home Society, and was honored to be selected the 2025 Person of the Year for the Greater Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade. Devra Lee Sisitsky Founder & Executive Director MakerspaceCT Size of Organization: $1.5M Employees: 7 full-time; 15 part-time Education: Bachelor's degree, Hampshire College Ed Rodham President Systems Integration Inc. Employees: 55 Education: Merrimack College