Hartford Business Journal

30 Hartford Business Journal • July 20, 2015 www.HartfordBusiness.com 40 Under Forty 2015 40 Under Forty 2015 Kristina Miner K ristinaMiner is employed as a treaty underwriter but has also pursued a passion for community involvement. After initiating and organizing commu- nity involvement opportunities as a way to promote cross-division networking, in 2014 Miner accepted a voluntary secondary appointment as Hartford Steam Boiler's corporate charitable contributions contact. As treaty underwriter, Miner's responsi- bilities include portfolio monitoring, pricing and underwriting actions for 47 companies across different products. Companies vary in complexity, with pre- miums ranging from $30,000 to $10.5 million per client. Miner's role is to manage profitabil- ity for each company. As charitable contributions contact, Miner manages the process of requests from nonprofit organizations looking for support from HSB. Responsibilities include researching, assessing relevancy, vetting for approvals and processing benefits. Miner focuses on road racing and volunteerism. She competes with Manchester Running Co. and is a member of Team HMF. Miner won the Greatest Community Impact Award for individual volunteerism within the Hart- ford Young Professionals & Entreprenuers Cup program four consecutive years. Q&A Who gave you your best career advice? 'My father said 'Keep your head down, do your job to the best of your ability and be patient. The people who need to know the extra contributions you make already know, other opinions do not matter — stay focused, this is a marathon not a sprint.' Which destination has most shaped who you are in business and life today? The track. Years were spent developing myself on the track, from physical to mental, being part of a team while holding myself responsible for individual performance. My collegiate junior year, I was in a pedestrian vs. car accident that left me with both legs broken and a traumatic brain injury. With the compassion- ate guidance of doctors, and encouragement of coaches, family and even competitors, I pushed to get back on track literally, with a focus on making it back to the collegiate na- tional level. I failed this outcome but learned much greater life lessons pertaining to the appreciation of community and the positive impact one can make even when things do not go as planned. In 2006, I was awarded the Bob Casey Courage Award from the Con- necticut Sportswriters Alliance — awarded for perseverance in the face of adversity. If society got together 100 years from now to build a statue of you, what would the plaque say? 'One comment, one event, one person can make a world of difference to another.' Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about…. Running What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Iceland Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Galapagos Islands Favorite Connecticut destination: Kent Falls Miner taking it all in at Iceland, the most exciting destination she has ever traveled to. Age: 30 Title: Treaty Underwriter Company: Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Co. Location: Hartford Hometown: Newington College: Trinity College Miner's favorite mode of transportation is her so-called Heel-Toe Express, meaning to run or walk everywhere. Michelle McDade D r. Michelle McDade graduated from the University of Oregon with both a bachelor's degree and a teaching degree. She then graduated with her medical degree from Oregon Health and Sciences University and completed her residency at The University of Connecticut. As an emergency medicine physician, McDade is passionate about melding current, cutting- edge care with a patient-centered focus. She started her career early as chief resident receiving the Senior Leadership Award, the Distinguished Senior Award, and the Resident Teaching Award. Over the past several years, she has expanded her focus more towards teaching. She is the medical director for New Britain EMS Academy, where she teaches and mentors paramedic students. In 2014 and 2015, McDade was the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching in Emergency Medicine Award from the UConn internal medicine residents. McDade has been the recipient of several distinguished awards including Physician of the Year in 2008 and The Physician Humani- tarian Award in 2014. When not working, McDade is an avid endurance athlete, completing two half- ironman races, four marathons and count- less shorter races. She is married and has two daughters. Q&A Who gave you your best career advice? My best career advice came from my college academic advisor. I remember deciding to go to medical school, and I went to see her for advice. After reviewing my fresh- man year report card (wholly reflective of someone having more fun than they should) she told me it was unlikely I would make it to medical school and should focus on a more realistic goal. My grades were improving significantly as I adjusted to college life, but she told me it was too late. I left that meeting completely disheartened. I couldn't accept that one less-than-stellar year would forever change my life. That feeling did not last long, and soon that sadness changed to anger and that anger to determination. How will you change the world? One patient at a time. I have the unique opportunity to connect with people during the most stress- ful times of their lives. This connection is a gift and a privilege that I work hard to meet with caring and humanity. I have saved the lives of someone's husband, someone's daughter, someone's child, and the emo- tional rewards are vast and humbling. Every person whose life I have touched has made me a better, more grounded person. If you could only have five stamps in your life passport, what would they be? Complete the Ironman; qualify for Boston Marathon; run a race requiring a passport; raise two amazing kids; travel to all 50 states Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about... Triathlon training What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Italy Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Australia Favorite Connecticut destination: Mohegan Sun McDade, after completing the 2014 Hartford Marathon. Age: 39 Title: Emergency Medicine Physician Company: The Hospital of Central Connecticut Location: New Britain Hometown: Farmington College: University of Oregon. Oregon Health and Sciences University The tourist destination McDade has traveled to the most is Orlando because with two young children, it's a must.

• Cover