Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com July 20, 2015 • Hartford Business Journal 19 40 Under Forty 2015 40 Under Forty 2015 Aidan Charles A s the executive director of the non- profit Connecticut Cycling Advance- ment Program (CCAP), Aidan Charles takes the leading role in promoting and granting hundreds of kids access to the sport of cycling. CCAP has organized and funded over 20 high school teams around the state, while also hosting a junior travel team that attends races around New England. In addition to running the CCAP, Charles runs Charles Coaching and Nutrition Ser- vices (CCNS), a coaching service that has led various athletes to numerous athletic titles. Charles graduated Mary Washington University in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in biology and concentrations in nutrition and exercise physiology. Before becom- ing the founder of the CCNS Performance Center, he raced for the NERAC Pro Cycling Team and the USA National Road Team. As the founder of CCNS, Charles helps endur- ance athletes of all levels and sports achieve their athletic goals. Q&A Where do you get your motivation to succeed? I get my motivation to succeed by seeing others fall in love with the sport of cycling just as I once did. As the sport did so much for me in my life, every time I see a new kid introduced to cycling I feel an overwhelm- ing sense of satisfaction. Seeing kids suc- ceed and be affected by cycling motivates me more than any personal successes ever could. I prepare for the unexpected in life by….. Maintaining an appreciation for adventure. Life is full of surprises. The only way to truly enjoy it is not to fight them, but to embrace them and become excited about where they may lead. If you could design a bumper sticker with your advice to the world, what would it say? To quote Mark Twain (partially): "Get a bicycle. You will not regret it…" Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about…. Cycling, photography What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Florence, Italy Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? New Zealand Favorite Connecticut destination: Cornwall Covered Bridge Number of countries visited: 11 Charles jumps over the glass pyramid at Paris' famous art museum, The Louvre. Age: 31 Title: Executive Director Company: Charles Coaching and Nutrition Services/ CT Cycling Advancement Program Location: Middletown Hometown: New Haven College: Mary Washington University Rebekah Castagno A s a valued member of the develop- ment team at The Village for Fami- lies & Children, Rebekah Castagno manages corporate fundraising, volunteer engagement and in-kind drives. For 13 years, Castagno focused on advancing her corporate career, but developed a new level of commitment to helping underserved populations after a mission trip to Haiti. She discovered Encore!Hartford: the catalyst in her 2011 transition to a nonprofit environment. Four years later, Castagno has increased volunteer engagement at The Village by 80 percent and oversees growth of the corporate and foundation grant portfolio. Castagno single-handedly coordinates the efforts of donors, corporations and 100 volunteers to ensure 2,300 children receive holiday gifts, and 1,000 Hartford children return to school with necessary supplies. Castagno is a founding member of United Way's Emerging Leaders Society and chair of the communications subcommit- tee. She loves working with talented young professionals to create campaigns advanc- ing community goals. Recent mission trips to South Africa influenced Castagno's volunteerism with young women and girls at The Village's Ali- son Gill Lodge and the women's prison. Q&A What three factors contributed to your success today? I give full credit to God for any and all success I have experienced. His faithfulness in walking with me is the primary source of strength and stability in my life. Perseverance, honesty and gratitude have been significant in my journey. What would the title of your autobiography be? I grew up with two younger brothers and parents who were happily married. We lived modest, but full lives, and I recall feeling grateful at a young age. When I was seven, my 33-year-old father suffered a stroke that almost took his life. Over the next several years, my father made a miraculous recovery but was left with paralysis on his right side. My mom worked two jobs while my father tried desperately to secure a job in the face of discrimination due to his physical disability. I would title my autobiography "Silver Linings" symbolizing the hope at work even in the most impossible situations. Today, I see the reality of my mother doing whatever it took to help my father in his recovery, getting three kids on the bus, and stepping in as financial provider. Never do I recall a single word of complaint or self-pity. My father continued submitting applications day after day in the midst of indescribable physical pain. Seven years later he found a job he loves and still works full time. Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about…. Family time and volunteer/mission work What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? South Africa Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Greece Favorite Connecticut destinations: Elizabeth Park and Talcott Mountain Number of countries visited: 11 On her most exciting trip, Castagno volunteered with young children in South Africa. Age: 36 Title: Development Coordinator Company: The Village for Families & Children Location: Hartford Hometown: West Hartford College: Institute for Integrative Nutrition Charles is trying to change the way Americans view cycling. Charles here is roughly two kilometers from the finish of the Tour de France at the Champs-Élysées. Castagno reversed course on her corpo- rate career following a mission to Haiti.

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