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20 Hartford Business Journal • July 20, 2015 www.HartfordBusiness.com 40 Under Forty 2015 40 Under Forty 2015 Dan Clark Endia M. DeCordova I n 2014, after spending just over 10 years in the insurance industry, Dan Clark co-founded Clark Insurance on Lewis Street in downtown Hartford with his father Tom Clark. The property and casualty firm focuses on home, auto and small business insurance, and is a member of the Acorn Insurance Alliance. The firm has seven employees and is one of the fastest growing independent agencies in Hartford. For the last six years, Clark has been a producer at May, Bonee & Walsh focusing on employee benefits and life insurance. Clark continues in his role as a benefits producer at May Bonee & Walsh. With the ability to service the property and casualty needs of his clients through Clark Insurance, and the life and health needs of his clients through May, Bonee & Walsh, Clark can provide a comprehensive level of service. In 2010, Clark and his wife, Kelly, cofounded Johnny's Jog for Charity, with another couple. This nonprofit is heading into its sixth year and has raised more than $150,000 for local children's' charities. Clark is also on the board of directors of Covenant Preparatory School in Hartford. The Clarks are raising their two boys in West Hartford, where Dan and his wife met in the seventh grade. Q&A Who gave you your best career advice? My Dad: "If you want a rainbow, you have to put up with the rain." In 30 years, why should Hartford Business Journal give you a Lifetime Achievement award? I owe a lot of people who have been staples in Hartford, and care deeply about it. I feel an obligation to pay forward what they have done for me and help promote the place that has been so good to the people I care about. If I always keep that in mind, I won't go wrong. If you could only have five stamps in your life passport, what would they be? Raised good kids Was resilient Helped others Never stopped trying to improve himself Had a great time doing it Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about…My wife and kids What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Hawaii Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Yellowstone Park Favorite Connecticut destination: Collinsville Where was your best foreign meal? Madame Jeanette's in Aruba E ndia DeCordova is the dean of Institutional Advancement and Com- munity Engagement for Manchester Community College (MCC). She provides overall leadership and management of the college's comprehensive fundraising and development programs, community engage- ment and public relations, special events management, alumni relations, scholar- ships and economic business development. DeCordova manages the MCC Founda- tion and provides leadership to a team successful in stewarding more than $2 million in funding to support its $5.2 million endowment. Under DeCordova's leadership the MCC Foundation's major fundraising gala, Evening of Fine Wines, increased its annual goal to exceed $260,000. DeCordova is the chairwoman for the CT American Council on Education (ACE) Women's Network. She also serves as a member of the board of directors for the National Council on Black American Affairs (NCBAA) and Northeast Region Board for the American Association of Community Colleges. She is a member of the board of directors for the East Hartford Chamber of Commerce and a corporator for Eastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN). DeCordova is the recipient of the 2015 MCC African-American History Month Employee Leadership Award. Q&A Who gave you your best career advice? The best career advice I received was from Veronica Leonard, former vice president of human resources for Fleet Bank now Bank of America. She passed away a few years ago and was my very first boss and mentor. She was the first African-American woman I saw in a leadership positon and my role model. She stated, "We each have to find our unique purpose, there will be setbacks, but pick yourself up and move on. Never make someone else's opinion of you more important than your good opinion of yourself; stay open to new opportunities and don't be afraid to take risks." Which destination has most shaped who you are in business and life today? Jamaica. My family is from Jamaica and I take great pride to see how hard my parents worked and the sacrifices they made to get me and my family where we are today. Education has always been an important part of who we are. My passion for helping others see their potential through education has a di- rect link to my family and our upbringing. I have learned that no one makes it on their own. The journey can be difficult, but the key is to surround yourself with a support- ive team, seek information that strengthens you and encourage growth. Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about... Mentoring young people to become leaders in our community, exploring and finding their passion and living out their dreams What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? St. Maarten Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? South Africa Favorite destination: Miami Favorite Connecticut destinations: Mystic and my hometown, Bloomfield Clark and his wife, Kelly, at the most exciting destination he has ever traveled to, Hawaii. DeCordova travels the Manoa Falls Trail in Hawaii. Age: 35 Title: Partner Company: Clark Insurance/ May, Bonee & Co. Location: Hartford Hometown: West Hartford College: College of the Holy Cross Age: 37 Title: Dean of Institutional Advance- ment and Community Engagement Company: Manchester Community College Location: Manchester Hometown: Windsor College: University of Hartford (MBA); Morgan State University, Baltimore (undergraduate) Clark's charity, Johnny's Jog for Charity, is a 5K run for families, inspired by Johnny Moran, a young child battling a neuromuscular condition. DeCordova has raised $7 million toward MCC's first ever capital campaign.