Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com July 20, 2015 • Hartford Business Journal 27 40 Under Forty 2015 40 Under Forty 2015 Elizabeth Johnson A s the dean for the School of Arts & Sciences at Post University, Elizabeth Johnson is responsible for administra- tion of the school's courses and degrees, over- sight of program/curriculum development, and supervision of 21 full-time faculty and 7 staff members. Johnson has recently taken on leading roles in Post's 10-year NEASC reaccreditation, the design and implemen- tation of the General Education Student Learning Outcomes assessment process, and the expansion of Post's science, technology, engineering and math programming. Johnson is a Cheshire Land Trust board member and was recently elected co-director of the Trust's outreach committee. In addi- tion, she is a member of development and environment committees for the Connecticut Community Foundation in Waterbury, and a member of ocean conservation nonprofit Crew3000. Johnson enjoys cycling with her husband and two children, hiking in the woods, gardening and scuba diving. She grew up in Clifton Park, N.Y. Q&A What is the best thing someone would say about your career thus far? I have inspired students to push themselves beyond their preconceived boundaries and into their true capabilities both in and out of the class- room. I am incredibly fortunate, as I was given this exact honor during Post's 2015 commencement. In her speech, our main campus valedictorian referenced a conversa- tion she and I had shared when she was a freshman as a turning point in her college experience. The truth is, by most standards, the conversation was not particularly memo- rable. We talked about the importance of expanding your college experience beyond academics, and how she had the potential to grow just as much personally as intellectu- ally during her tenure at Post. In essence, I suggested she enjoy the journey. The most important journey I have ever taken is….. Allowing myself to move past the 'mom guilt' of working full time. It has been a tear- ful, heart-wrenching journey and there are days when the finish line feels so far off. This is not a journey I could have embarked on alone. My husband, Tim, completely under- stands what a household with two working parents needs to look like to be effective. He takes on an equal share of the parenting and household chores. More so than that, he repeatedly reminds me that I am a role model for our children, particularly our daughter. Although the journey is mine to complete, having Tim next to me holding my hand keeps me moving forward. Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about…. Spending time with my family What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Venice, Italy Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Great Barrier Reef, Australia Favorite vacation activity? Scuba dive and ski Favorite Connecticut destination: Sleeping Giant State Park and Hammonasset State Park Johnson with her husband, Tim Johnson, in Florence, Italy. Age: 38 Title: Dean of the School of Arts & Science Company: Post University Location: Waterbury Hometown: Cheshire College: Lehigh University Before joining Post, Johnson worked as a wetland delineator and soil conservationist. Jonathan A. Kaplan A s a commercial litigator at Pullman & Comley LLC, Jonathan A. Kaplan regularly appears in state and fed- eral, bankruptcy and appellate courts. He handles complex litigation involving business disputes in a variety of fields and industries. He represents clients in con- tract disputes, business torts, commercial landlord-tenant litigation, commercial foreclosures and business bankruptcies. He has been named a Super Lawyers' Connecticut Rising Star in the field of busi- ness litigation every year since 2013. He is a member of the firm's diversity commit- tee, focusing on making the firm as well as the entire legal industry more diverse and inclusive. Kaplan is on the board of the Con- necticut Turnaround Management Associa- tion, an organization of restructuring and turnaround professionals. Last year, Kaplan participated in Leader- ship Greater Hartford's Quest Program. His taskforce focused on increasing employ- ment opportunities for developmentally disabled adults. Born and raised in West Hartford, Kaplan resides in his hometown with his wife and their two ill-behaved dogs. Q&A What is the best thing someone would say about your career thus far? I've ended up at the right place for me. I've worked at differ- ent size employers from Hartford to New York City. I now work at a place where I'm challenged every day, provided with oppor- tunities to grow as a lawyer, encouraged to support my community, and where my colleagues inspire me and my contributions are respected and valued. Having endured through some challenging and difficult times, I truly appreciate being at such a unique place. Who gave you your best career advice? First, 'God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason.' I used to focus more on what I was going to say next as opposed to truly listening to the speaker. Listening is the most important thing that I do, which helps me not only as an attorney, but in every phase of my life. A second piece of advice focuses on the fact that my generation expects everything to happen overnight but it is important to be patient. If you work hard and treat other people with respect, things tend to work out in your favor in the long run. What would the title of your autobiography be? "The Grass Isn't Greener." Following law school in Hartford, I felt that success required me to go to New York City and work at an international law firm. After a brief stint there, I realized that Hartford had everything that I wanted and was the perfect place all along. Life's Journey: During my off time, I am most passionate about…. Cooking, BBQ and making homemade bacon What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Red Square in Moscow Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Morocco Favorite Connecticut destination: West Hart- ford Reservoir overlooking downtown Hartford Kaplan skydiving in Danielson, CT. Age: 35 Title: Attorney Company: Pullman & Comley Location: Hartford Hometown: West Hartford College: Cornell University, UConn Law School Kaplan has visited 24 countries and 23 states. Kaplan, with his wife Julie Krug, on the water- front in Honfleur, France.

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