Hartford Business Journal

22 Hartford Business Journal • July 20, 2015 www.HartfordBusiness.com 40 Under Forty 2015 David Elder A s an employee in the Connecticut Department of Transportation's Office of Strategic Planning and Projects, David Elder is a key member of a new team that oversees, develops and implements federal and state transportation policy, the state's strategic transportation plan, transit-oriented development planning and a new sustainability program. Elder is part of a retooled effort, both nationally and at the state level to link transportation investment with economic development, environmental stewardship and quality of life. Increasingly, the relationship between transportation policy is one that requires close coordination among state, federal and local agencies to ensure that transportation investments are leveraging investments into housing, energy, business development and sustainable communities. For Connecticut, creating these compat- ible relationships among the rural Litch- field hills, northeast quiet corner, Fairfield County's hustle and bustle and the seaport industries of southeast Connecticut is both challenging and rewarding. Connecticut has a unique geography with a myriad of people and communities — all of which depend on an efficient system of roads, bridges, trains and buses. Q&A At what age did you decide what you wanted to do with your career? Believe it or not — I wanted to be a trash collector (garbage man) because they used to hang off the back of the trucks. I chose a career in public policy due to a general fascina- tion of people, places and civilizations. As an undergraduate anthropology student, I studied many cultures and civilizations. I am still fascinated in the way we choose to live and the values we promote as a society. A career in public policy interests me because it is directly related to how human civilizations interact with their environment. I prepare for the unexpected in life by… Pre- paring for the unexpected. One thing living in the outdoors teaches you is the value of preparation and planning. I am routinely teased by friends and family for over-think- ing decisions. This is the result from years of training to plan for the unexpected and account for unknown scenarios. Once you shove off to sea, or set off into the wild, you just better be ready. What would the title of your autobiography be? "Undeclared," or "Say What?!" Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about….Going on adventures, both near and far What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Bangkok, Thailand Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Chile (Andes Mountains) Best foreign meal? Katmandu, pizza after 30 days on the trail Favorite Connecticut destination: Canoeing on the Farmington River Elder climbing the Eastern Alaska Range, which includes North America's tallest mountain, Mount McKinley. Age: 38 Title: Supervising Transportation Planner Company: Connecticut Depart- ment of Transportation, Office of Strategic Planning & Projects Location: Newington Hometown: Farmington College: University of Pittsburgh (Undergraduate), Central Connecti- cut State University (Graduate) Elder's trip to east Africa gave him a new appreciation for grocery stores and running water. Stephanie Dumont S tephanie Dumont's personal and professional journey thus far can be summed up by the word "drive." From making bagels at a bagel shop when she was 14 to managing marketing for Comcast's fastest-growing brand, Comcast Business, she strives for greatness. Since joining Comcast in 2007, Dumont's creativity and desire to learn has helped her navigate many roles. She is a master connector who cultivates relationships with and between business-to-business organizations. While working full-time and completing her MBA at UConn, Dumont continued to explore her potential and push boundaries in the community, successfully raising more than $55,000 for the Make-A-Wish Founda- tion in two years. She quickly discovered that helping others succeed and giving back are the most fulfilling adventures of all. Her diverse voluntary expertise includes serving on the Women in Cable Telecommunications board of directors as well as the Comcast Veterans Network Committe. Dumont lives in Farmington with her two travel companions, husband Matt and labradoodle Rhody. Q&A What three factors contributed to your suc- cess today? 1. My upbringing. I'm an only child and my parents divorced when I was only three. That made me extremely inde- pendent and self-reliant. I knew from an early age that whatever I wanted out of life was up to me to get. I've always had a much deeper appreciation for everything I have, because I can look back and say, 'I worked really hard for that.' 2. I'm addicted to creativity and being busy, too. Challenges make me thrive. One of my favorite quotes from the great Leo Burnett says, 'Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.' 3. Human connection. Over the past 10 years of my career, I have met so many extraordinary people that have taken the time to mentor me, believed in me, and push me past my boundaries. I enjoy taking what I've learned and mentoring others. There's nothing more gratifying than seeing some- one else succeed. If you could have four traveling companions (alive or dead, real or fictional) throughout your life's journey, who would you pick? 1. My husband, Matt, who makes life worth exploring. 2. Oprah, to keep me grounded and motivated. 3. David Guttenfelder, Time magazine Instagram photographer of the year, who can help me capture life's mo- ments. 4. Larry David. I mean, who doesn't want to laugh their way through life? At the end of the day, it's all about having fun! Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about… Learning, whether it's calligraphy or a new computer program What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Culebra island in Puerto Rico Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Italy, the Amalfi Coast and Capri Favorite Connecticut destinations: Mystic and Stonington Dumont (left) after hiking El Yunque in Puerto Rico, her most exciting destination. Age: 32 Title: Marketing Manager Company: Comcast Business Location: Berlin Hometown: Farmington Colleges: Eastern Connecticut State University and UConn (MBA) If Dumont could live anywhere in the world, she would choose Narragansett, R.I. 40 Under Forty 2015

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