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www.HartfordBusiness.com July 25, 2016 • Hartford Business Journal 11 Clarke has studied music since age 7, and has played in many churches since. He's shown (above) at First Cathedral. (Right) Clarke at the 2015 Man Up con- ference, which promotes men's health. Age: 35 Company: City of Hartford; Office of U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy Title: Council President; Special Initiatives Coordinator Town where I live: Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: DeVry University (Bachelor's), Salem University (MBA) Q&A: What do you do and what are your goals in your current job? In my current job as a council president I work with the mayor and the entire council to create sound policy and be the voice of the residents and taxpayers of Hartford. In my role in the U.S. Senate, I coordinate outreach activities in the urban centers of the state. What are your goals for your community involvement? Goals for my community are to experience an urban renaissance, which involves the alliance of businesses and com- munities working together. Neighborhood revitalization is another goal, which includes quality of life for all residents and equitable education. I would like to see small business and economic development flourish. What's your biggest passion? My biggest pas- sion is to continue to strive for achievement. This is important to me because there are many goals and dreams that I have yet to accomplish. What I have achieved is just the tip of the iceberg. The best is yet to come! What are your future aspirations? My future aspiration is to one day be the president/CEO of my own political and community develop- ment consulting firm, providing quality ser- vices to political candidates and also provid- ing technical assistance to organizations that seek to redevelop their communities. I would also like to serve in the U.S. Congress. What role can young leaders play in shaping Hartford's future? Young leaders can play a very vital role in shaping Hartford's future by becoming volunteers to various com- munity organizations and being involved in boards and commissions. Starting out early can prove to be beneficial later on in a young leaders' career. Their experience will be invaluable. The role I can play is becoming a mentor to a young leader and providing them with guidance on how to navigate through difficult circumstances and balance their personal life while doing things for their community. List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: 1) Was named the youngest councilman elected as president for the court of common council. 2) Co-founded an organization that helped resurrect the African American Day Parade in 2015. 3) Is a board member of Blue Hills Civic Association and Upper Albany Main Street. 4) Devotes time volunteering with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated for vari- ous community initiatives and projects. Time Tested: What personal possession in your life has with- stood the test of time? My father's gold chain has been in my possession since his death and it has brought about the sense of connection and strength to strive hard, be persistent and to be an overcomer. What hobby did you develop at a young age that you still enjoy today? Playing the organ and keyboard/piano 20 years ago, what did you envision as your future profession? A judge Who do you consider your mentor? My mentor was my deceased father, Thomas J. Clarke I. Since my fa- ther's passing, Dr. Marichal B. Monts, pastor of The Citadel of Love, has served as my mentor. Thomas J. "TJ" Clarke II What I have achieved is just the tip of the iceberg. The best is yet to come! Conway hanging out with RiseUP Scholars during a trip to UConn's annual HuskyTHON fundraiser, an 18-hour dance marathon to raise money for the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Conway speaks at a Prevention Partnership press conference with a RiseUP Scholar, Ronnie, about the positive impact mentoring can have on youth. Q&A: What do you do and what are your goals in your current job? I lead and execute stra- tegic projects that help to drive efficiency, improve gross margin, improve patient care, and improve relationships with our network of healthcare providers through data analyt- ics and market knowledge. What are your goals for your community involvement? I want to improve education and access to opportunities for youth in Hartford by providing direct service and men- toring to youth and families. My goal is also to bring visibility to systematic and institutional challenges facing our urban communities to bring sustainable change. What's your biggest passion? Education and health care have a direct correlation to qual- ity of life and life expectancy. There shouldn't be disparities in the quality of education and health care someone receives based on income. I'm passionate about improving both of these to help eliminate the inequalities our society (and city) faces. What are your future aspirations? Leaving an impact by building a healthier and more equal society. What needs to happen for Hartford to become a more vibrant city where people work, live and play? Regionalization between Hartford and the surrounding towns will help create a fiscally stronger government that can provide more services to people by sharing resources more freely. One example could be a partner- ship between East Hartford and Hartford for parking when UConn comes to down- town Hartford. There are several parking lots, garages and street parking on the East Hartford side of the Founders Bridge that UConn could utilize for student parking that would instantly create a connection between the two cities while lowering the parking gridlock more transient traffic will create. List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty:1) I founded the nonprofit, The RiseUP Group, which has worked since 2012 to empower Hartford youth. 2) Youngest member of network management's senior leadership team at CareCentrix. 3) Found- ing partner and member of the board/design team for Community First School, a youth development model school working with the Hartford community. 4) I quit my job at GE Capital in Dallas and moved back to Hartford specifically to continue building RiseUP and mentoring my scholars. Time Tested: What personal possession in your life has with- stood the test of time? Community service What hobby did you develop at a young age that you still enjoy today? Exercising 20 years ago, what did you envision as your future profession? I was 7, so professional athlete of course! Who do you consider your mentor? Phil Barr, Vice President, Clover Healthcare Age: 27 Company: CareCentrix Title: Senior Manager, Provider Strategic Initiatives Town where I live: East Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: UConn This isn't very original, but I love to travel both in the USA and internationally. My favorite part about traveling is the different people you meet along the way, many becoming life-long friends. Matt Conway 40 Under Forty 2016 40 Under Forty 2016