Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/477247
www.HartfordBusiness.com July 21, 2014 • Hartford Business Journal 35 40 Under Forty 2014 Age: 35 Title at work/what I do: As a farm business consultant for Farm Credit East, I've been helping farmers and agriculturists, large and small, make their businesses run better since 2001. With a background in agricultural economics, my focus has been on benchmarking and profit- ability improvement because sustainability means econom- ics, too! Good management is about choices, prioritization, and decisions. It's my job to give them the focus they need to prepare and manage with a plan, make informed management decisions with confidence, and achieve the goals they've set for their operation. I lead Farm Credit East's Agricultural Retail Benchmarks pro- gram. I work with a group of 50 progressive agriculturists to analyze financial and operational metrics to set industry standards, and use that information to focus my clients' strategic business planning. At home, my family raises and markets Connecticut grown lamb and wool products. Each spring, we provide shearing services for sheep, llamas, and alpacas. Town where I work: Enfield Town where I live: West Granby College I attended: University of Connecticut My passion, hobby or special talent: I'm prob- ably the only sheep shearer you'll meet today! Twitter handle: @clementine43 No. of LinkedIn connections: 287 Favorite place to network: Behind-the-scenes tours Favorite drink at a networking event: Good local wine How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? I get out there and get to know people. I ask questions, and pay attention to the answers. I become involved. I serve locally on the Granby Agricultural Commission, on the Connecticut Farm Bureau Board of Directors, and nationally as the chief finan- cial officer for the American Society of Agri- cultural Consultants. I row for fun with the folks at Riverfront Recapture in Hartford, help run Open Farm Day in Granby, and coordinate Connecticut's Outstanding Young Farmer program. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? There's nothing like working with small family businesses, including your own! It's not uncommon to have six people around the table—and seven or eight directions in which they want to take the business. That's a chal- lenge every day when you work with people who are as passionate about what they do as I am! I wouldn't trade it for anything. What is the best advice I received? In the agricultural field, we often hear "If you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself." One of my mentors stopped me in my tracks one day when he said, "That's absolutely true. But there will be times when you're training someone new, and they can only handle 20 percent of what you need them to do. Just remember, that's 20 percent more than you would have been able to accomplish on your own." Training is short-term pain for long-term gain. If we make the time for it. What do I want my legacy to be? Agriculture is the oldest model of sustain- ability we have. A lot has changed in past 10 years. So we need to change with the world around us, and remember that sustainability means economics too. If my clients are suc- cessful at what they do – and they are still doing it in 20 years, then I will have done my part. 40 Under Forty 2014 Erin was featured on Martha Stewart's blog, after Erin sheared Martha's sheep. FUN FACT Erin Pirro Michelle M. Pandolfi Age: 38 Title at work/what I do: Director, Consulting Services at Qualidigm. I was inspired to work within long-term care because of my grandmother, who suffered from early-onset Alzheimer's disease, and because of my mother, who juggled a marriage, raising three teenagers, working full-time, and taking care of her aging parents. I don't remember my grandmother before her memory started failing, but I learned so much courage, compas- sion and empathy from her and my mom over those many years. I started working in the long-term care profession because I wanted to improve the experiences of the elders and their families, so they felt supported and achieved the highest quality of life possible. One of my proudest achievements has been serving as a founding member and active leader of the Connecticut Culture Change Coali- tion, an educational group and resource for improving the quality of life for both residents and staff within the nursing home. As a director at Qualidigm, I am able to continue my efforts to positively impact long-term care, both locally in Connecticut and nationally. Town where I work: Wethersfield Town where I live: Newington College I attended: Providence College (undergrad); UConn (graduate) My passion, hobby or special talent: My pas- sions are my family and friends and learning – anything and everything! My hobby is home improvement projects. Twitter handle: @MPando22 No. of LinkedIn connections: Over 175 Favorite place to network: Various healthcare professional events, both locally and beyond CT Favorite drink at a networking event: Who me? Drink at a networking event? Never! How do I create connections in my professional life? I create connections by being honest and genuine. Health care is a very large industry, yet everyone knows everyone, especially in long-term care. When I am just me, I am most authentic and that helps me create connec- tions and build trusting relationships – so far this has served me well both professionally and personally. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? I'm very passionate about what I do and I get personally invested in my projects and work. That passion has propelled me throughout my career and yet it can also be one of my biggest challenges. I work hard to not let my passions cloud my judgment nor let my emotions hijack my rational thinking – without losing my passion and dedication for my work. What is the best advice I received? I have received wonderful advice from a variety of leaders I admire and mentors of mine over the years – it's hard to choose! The best advice a mentor of mine gave me was: Don't let fear hold you back. She told me to cast aside any insecurities or self-doubt and just go for it. What do I want my legacy to be? A legacy – that's a lot of pressure! I would want my legacy to be that I made a positive impact, however small, on the long-term profession that benefits the elders (and their families) that we serve. And that I did it all with integrity and compassion. Michelle's MBA from UConn is in healthcare and international marketing. FUN FACT