Hartford Business Journal

18 Hartford Business Journal • July 20, 2015 www.HartfordBusiness.com 40 Under Forty 2015 40 Under Forty 2015 Michael Byrne Jr. Megan Carannante A s associate director for UBS Global Asset Management, Global Real Estate — US, Michael Byrne is a member of the portfolio management team serving as an investment analyst. His primary responsibil- ity is working on the firm's largest open-end real estate investment fund, supporting property acquisitions, financing, account operations and client reporting. In addition to Byrne's real estate invest- ment career, he is also heavily engaged in the community. He serves as co-chair for the United Way Emerging Leaders Society (ELS) and is a board member for the United Way of Central and Northeast Connecticut. His work with ELS is focused on inner city youth education programs, partnering with community schools to bolster lit- eracy, eliminate summer learning loss, and provide the necessary resources for young students to succeed. ELS formed in 2012 and currently has more than 460 members offering volunteering, networking, leader- ship and fundraising opportunities. Byrne enjoys living in West Hartford with his wife, Rebecca, and their two-year- old son, Michael. Q&A If there is one person whose life and career you want to imitate, who would it be? Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks (I am a diehard fan). More than just the business ventures and financial gain, I watch how he conducts himself in his position of power. The Mavericks are wildly successful thanks to Cuban, routinely in the playoffs and most recently winning the NBA Championship in 2011. All along the way, Cuban is in jeans and T-shirt side-by-side fans rooting for his team (not the customary bespoke suit and luxury box seat for an owner). He is direct and challenges the status quo — character traits seemingly rare in this age of political positioning and media scrutiny. Success, money and fame have undoubtedly provided many opportunities and a lavish lifestyle, but he doesn't seem to be changed by it. If you could climb Mount Everest, win a Nobel prize, or have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which would you pick? Mount Everest because it's a chance to actually be on top of the world. There is siginificant preparation, time and care that goes into an attempt to summit this mountain; the feat is more the journey along the way than the few seconds at the peak. This undertaking would be more than just an athletic achievement; it would be an opportunity to learn more about yourself as a person. Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about…My family, friends, community and rugby What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? New York City Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Africa on safari Favorite Connecticut destination: Compo Beach in Westport Time Travel: My dream car is a DeLorean DMC-12, complete with flux capacitor M egan Carannante is an attorney at Pullman & Comley LLC. Her practice includes counseling on and litigating business, construction and employment disputes. She has represented a wide range of clients from small business owners to Fortune 500 companies in state and federal court, mediation and arbitra- tion. Carannante also regularly trains employers to ensure they are in compliance with state and federal law and assists them in navigating and resolving complicated personnel issues. Carannante serves on the state board of directors of the March of Dimes Founda- tion. She has volunteered for the Junior League of Hartford for the past seven years. She served as chair of the Junior League's backpack committee and was involved in developing the nonprofit's current com- munity service project, JA Career Connec- tions for Young Women (a collaboration with Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, focusing on career development of young women). Carannante is an active member of Pullman & Comley's Women's Leadership Initiative, Diversity committee, and Recruiting and Orientation commit- tees. She particularly enjoys mentoring and is chair of the firm's Associates' Marketing Committee. Carannante has three sisters and grew up in Litchfield. She lives in West Hartford with her husband, Vincenzo, and their daughter, Isabella. Q&A What three factors contributed to your suc- cess today? (1) A supportive husband and family who believe in me and pick up the slack when I cannot be everywhere at the same time. (2) Incredible mentors who have taught me their craft and encouraged me to challenge myself and have confidence in my abilities. (3) A strong work ethic and com- mitment to the team concept. I prepare for the unexpected in life by… Surrounding myself with people who know what they are doing. If you could design a bumper sticker with your advice to the world, what would it say? My bumper sticker would say, "Help others succeed and you will succeed yourself." I have been very fortunate to have incredible mentors throughout my life. Without them, I would not have accomplished what I have accomplished today. I believe in paying it forward and, as such, always take the time to help others so that they may also climb the ladder and bring others up behind them. Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about….Exploring new places with my family What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Russia Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? The Great Pyramids Favorite Connecticut destination: Litchfield Byrne, with his wife Rebecca, at the most visited natural attraction in Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher. Age: 32 Title: Associate Director, Portfolio Management Company: UBS Global Asset Management, Global Real Estate - US Location: Hartford Hometown: West Hartford College: La Salle Univ., Univ. of Hartford (MBA) Age: 34 Title: Attorney Company: Pullman & Comley LLC Location: Hartford Hometown: West Hartford College: Emory University & Boston College Law School Byrne is past president of the Hartford Wanderers Rugby Football Club. The destination that most shaped Carannante is London, where she studied abroad. Carannante with her sister at the Kremlin in Moscow.

• Cover