Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/477247
www.HartfordBusiness.com July 21, 2014 • Hartford Business Journal 17 McKinley Albert 40 Under Forty 2014 Age: 31 Title at work/what I do: Director of development at Hartford's Camp Courant, the oldest and largest free summer day camp in the country. I provide strategic leadership in the development of philan- thropic relationships throughout Greater Hartford. In addition to my role with Hartford's Camp Courant, I serve as the chair for Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE) and sit on the boards for the Hartford Preservation Alliance and Leadership Greater Hartford. I am heading up the public relations committee for the Junior League Showhouse committee. Town where I work: Hartford Town where I live: Avon College I attended: University of Pittsburgh (un- dergrad); Central Connecticut State University (master's degree) My passion, hobby or special talent: Traveling and trying LOTS of different kinds of foods Twitter handle: @hautehistorian No. of LinkedIn connections: 500+ Favorite place to network: HYPE and Metro Hartford Alliance events Favorite drink at networking event: Wine How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? Being a transplant to this region was initially very difficult for me, as I only knew one person (excluding my husband) when I came here from Pennsylvania. However, I knew that Hartford was full of great peo- ple, and all I needed to do was put myself out there, whether it was to attend a net- working event or support a special event hosted by one of this regions amazing nonprofits. I joined organizations such as HYPE and Leadership Greater Hartford, and I was able to meet so many influen- tial individuals that encouraged me to get further engaged in the Greater Hartford community. By becoming more involved, I have not only made some really fantastic friends, but I have met many people who have had a profound impact on my profes- sional growth. I truly feel that this region wants its young people to succeed, and I am so grateful to everyone who has made Hartford feel like home to me. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? I moved to Connecticut with ZERO net- work, and I began my first development job in 2009… right during the economic meltdown. Not knowing what the heck I was doing, cou- pled with the worst economy in decades, cer- tainly did not make me confident as I began navigating the development waters. Five years ago, I looked closer to 16 rather than 26, so sometimes it was hard to get people to talk to me since the reaction I would get was, 'Are you a student?' Oh, what I would not give for someone to mistake me for a student now. What is the best advice I received? Don't be afraid to fail. You will fail… LOTS! And if you think you won't, you are just setting yourself up for disappointment. What do I want my legacy to be? I'm not quite sure I will leave behind any kind of legacy, but I hope that when people meet me and talk to me about this region and my work, they walk away saying, "Wow…she must really love what she does." On Twitter, McKinley follows fellow #HBJ40U40 winner Alison Morris and is followed by winner Adam McLaughlin. FUN FACT 40 Under Forty 2014 Keshia speaks Manadarian Chinese. FUN FACT Keshia Ashe Age: 28 Title at work/what I do: Co-founder and CEO of ManyMentors, a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) mentoring organization. ManyMentors focuses on providing underrepresented students with inspiring, encouraging, and supporting mentors and role models through mobile, online, and onsite mentoring. I am also a Ph.D. candidate in chemical engineering at the University of Connecticut within the Institute for Regenerative Engineering. Town where I work: Hartford Town where I live: Newington College I attended: University of Virginia (under- grad); current Ph.D. student at University of Connecticut My passion, hobby or special talent: I am passionate about youth engagement and development, particularly within the science, technology, engineering, and math fields! Twitter handle: @manymentors_org (no personal account) No. of LinkedIn connections: 500+ Favorite place to network: Happy Hour Favorite drink at a networking event: Prosecco How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? Many of the most valuable connections I've made happen when I can find value in helping someone else. I gain immensely by being able to help someone with my insight, expertise, or connections. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? My biggest challenge professionally is keeping in contact with all the amazing peo- ple I have the opportunity to meet! What is the best advice I received? As long as you pursue your passions, you will always be successful. What do I want my legacy to be? I want to inspire people to make positive changes in the world around them and be active members of our global society. "I gain immensely by being able to help someone with my insight, expertise, or connections."