Hartford Business Journal

16 Hartford Business Journal • July 20, 2015 www.HartfordBusiness.com 40 Under Forty 2015 40 Under Forty 2015 Julianne Avallone J ulianne Avallone has a unique blend of corporate, not-for-profit, municipal and small business experience. Currently, Avallone is a corporate transactions and commercial real estate attorney with the firm of Ford & Paulekas LLP. Before enter- ing private practice, Avallone was senior project manager for the city of Hartford's Development Services Department. In this role, Avallone managed large-scale real estate projects from concept through construction. She has extensive experience in residen- tial and commercial development, construc- tion finance and management, property management, grant writing, and community and government relations. Prior to joining the city, Avallone was the program director for Northside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance, a community devel- opment corporation. Previously she worked at some of Hartford's largest corporations including The Hartford and ING. Her active board service includes the Greater Hartford Arts Council, Connecticut Economic Development Association and Greater Hartford Junior League. Avallone has an MBA and law degree and is a Leadership Greater Hartford Quest graduate. She lives in Hartford and is mother to 3-month-old Joseph. Q&A Where do you get your motivation to succeed? As a lifelong Hartford resident, I am pas- sionate about shaping the built environment in my hometown. I have been blessed with a career that has largely been dedicated to the development and revitalization of Hartford's neighborhoods. Working in real estate development is incredibly rewarding. At the end of the day, you have something tangible that validates your efforts; a structure that represents new job opportunities or a new family home. My volunteer and consulting work is driven by my need to continuously further my education and impact my communi- ty. Success is defined by the positive impact on the clients and communities I serve. The most important journey I have ever taken is….. Marriage and motherhood. I believe you learn most about yourself when viewed through the eyes of a partner and child. If you could place one item in a time capsule to be opened 500 years from now, what would it be? I would include a full set of the Encyclo- pedia Britannica with a treasure map drawn inside the cover of each book. This way whoever opens the capsule will have an ad- venture finding all the hidden goodies while equipped with the decoder books to explain that CDs aren't coasters. Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about….Hiking, movies and playing with my son What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Vienna, Austria Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Alaska Favorite Connecticut destination: Bear Moun- tain in Salisbury Preferred mode of transportation: Train Avallone climbs down to Bish Bash Falls in Massachusetts. Age: 33 Title: Attorney Company: Ford & Paulekas LLP Location: Hartford Hometown: Hartford College: University of Connecticut Stephanie Higgins Bealing S ince founding Replacement Lens Express (RLE) in 2010, Stephanie Higgins Bealing has grown her award- winning prescription eyeglass lens replace- ment company extnesively on the web, with last year's sales exceeding $425,000 and deliv- ering to customers in 55 countries. In her role, she has designed RLE's unique supply chain initiatives to allow the business to sell its name-brand products at significantly reduced prices, helping consumers save hundreds of dollars a year. She is an active participant in the local small business community, serving as an advisory board member for the Visco- gliosi Entrepreneurship Center and guest lecturing around Connecticut. Prior to founding her company, Bealing travelled to Antarctica to conduct a geo- chronological survey and held positions as a fuel cell engineer, where she presented her scientific results at international events. She worked as a strategic sourcing manager at several Fortune 500 companies. She holds two U.S. patents and is a regular judge at the Connecticut Invention Convention. Bealing promotes financial literacy as well as women in business and science at Miss Porter's School, where she serves as an executive member of the Alumnae Board. Bealing lives with her husband and daughter. Q&A Who gave you your best career advice? My father taught me to be bold. "Never give up" and "Ask for forgiveness, not permission" were common sayings in our household. I prepare for the unexpected in life by... Be- ing agile and flexible. I am an opportunist and enjoy the thrill of unexpected challeng- es. I rarely say no to a new opportunity. If you could climb Mount Everest, win a Nobel prize, or have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which would you pick? I have absolutely no interest in having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. However, I am torn between winning a Nobel Prize and climbing Mount Everest. Although it would be amazing to be able to give back to society by accomplishing something worthy of the Nobel Prize, I would gain more personal satisfaction from climbing Mount Everest. Not because it is something that is difficult to accomplish, but because the journey would be breathtaking. Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about... Making my baby laugh What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Tanzania Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Machu Picchu Favorite Connecticut destination: Groton Long Point Bealing's travels have taken her to many continents, including Antartica (above), Australia, Africa and Europe. Age: 33 Title: President Company: Replacement Lens Express Location: East Hartford Hometown: West Hartford College: Hamilton College Bealing found her independence and became the person she is today while living in London. Avallone's bachelor's degree is in international business management. Bealing at the most exciting destination she has ever traveled to, Tanzania.

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