Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/706404
24 Hartford Business Journal • July 25, 2016 www.HartfordBusiness.com Q&A: What do you do and what are your goals in your current job? I manage Gilbane's field operations, serving as the construction prin- cipal-in-charge for a portfolio of $220 million in construction contracts. I'm responsible for coordinating and developing our teams, setting expectations and goals, and monitor- ing our progress. What are your goals for your community involvement? I strive to create a synergy between youth, education and the construc- tion industry. I try to introduce and inspire people of all ages to see the opportunities that are available in construction. My hope is that through these connections I can help young people find a passion for building like I did. What's your biggest passion? My biggest passion is being on a team. I love being with people and helping them achieve a greater cause. Being a collaborator and integral team member on many complex projects is what has driven my career thus far. What are your future aspirations? I plan to continue to lead Gilbane's extremely talented construction teams in any capacity needed. I plan to be a collaborator on some of Connecticut's future landmark projects. I will teach the young people of my industry all that I know so they can become master builders themselves. If you had one wish to brighten Hartford's economic future what would it be? One wish for the future of Hartford as well as the state of Connecticut is a communication of positivity. The saying 'perception is reality' couldn't be more true today in how we com- municate about our home. There is so much negativity that bombards the masses about the state of the state, it is very easy to join in commiserating the troubles we face as a community and the hard decisions that have to be made only pointing to the negatives. The only way to rise above that negative stigma is with the power of positivity. There are great things going on here, we need to talk about them! List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: 1) I am one of the youngest vice presidents within my company. 2) I was the first and youngest woman to be named operations manager in my company's New England region. 3) I dedicate myself 110 percent to leading high-performance teams for extraordinary and profitable outcomes. 4) I balance my work success with raising my beautiful family. They are both my life's greatest accomplishments. Time Tested: What personal possession in your life has withstood the test of time? I have a beautiful pearl necklace that my mother gave to me on my wedding day. I wear it whenever I need strength to get through a tough day. What hobby did you develop at a young age that you still enjoy today? Sailing with my grandfa- ther and dad 20 years ago, what did you envision as your future profession? I thought I would be a stay-at- home Mom. Who do you consider your mentor? Steven Konon- chik, Gilbane Building Company, retired Vice President, District Manager I'm very creative, I enjoy sewing and am an award- winning quilter. Age: 37 Company: Gilbane Building Company Title: Vice President, Connecticut Operations Manager Town where I live: Westbrook Town where I work: Glastonbury College: New England Institute of Technology (Above) Kratz coaches one of Gilbane's younger engineers at a construction site. (Right) Kratz describes sailing on the ocean as her "happy place." Karrie Kratz Q&A: What do you do and what are your goals in your current job? I design research-based youth development and community pro- grams, and train staff that work in these fields. My goal is to change the way we design youth programs so that they are more dynamic, more culturally relevant, and bet- ter grounded in social science. What are your goals for your community involvement? My goal is to create opportuni- ties for people in the community to realize their voice, power and passion. In the next year or two I hope that my business Script- Flip! can establish a grant-making program for youth and artists to do community- action work. What's your biggest passion? I love coaching and teaching because there is nothing like watching an 'ah-ha' moment come across someone's face as they realize something for the first time. What are your future aspirations? My biggest goal for the future is to work with school sys- tems to help establish more Positive Youth Development practice inside of schools. Currently, schools have youth programs, but schools need to be run within a Positive Youth Development framework. How can Hartford become a more vibrant city? We need to strengthen our public schools. I feel strongly that there is a direct rela- tionship between the status of our school system, and the vibrancy of our community. I think there are two Hartford's, the one where professionals 'live, work, and play,' and the one where youth are disengaged, underserved and looking for answers. I've lived in both. Hartford will become a more vibrant city when all stakeholders have a place to participate in Hartford's resources. Then it will be a place where people want to stay, raise a family and invest their time, energy and money in. List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: 1) Founded ScriptFlip! in 2013, a social enterprise designed to change social narratives about urban youth. We have clients in five states. 2) As a teen mom of two I had a 1 percent chance of getting a bach- elor's degree before age 30. At 31, I was in a Ph.D. program and an assistant professor. 3) I ran a teen-mom program that I had been a client in 10 years earlier. 4) I'm a regularly requested speaker, advisor, presenter and panelist for community initiatives. Time Tested: What personal possession in your life has with- stood the test of time? Childhood Judo Gi What hobby did you develop at a young age that you still enjoy today? Singing 20 years ago, what did you envision as your future profession? Hip-hop artist Who do you consider your mentor? Madeline Perez, Professor and Director of Latino Community Practice, University of St. Joseph I love coaching and teaching because there is nothing like watching an ah-ha moment come across someone's face as they realize something for the first time. Lebron playing piano and posing with students from Hartford Job Corps after training on personal exploration and leadership. Age: 34 Company: ScriptFlip! LLC; Billings Forge Community Works Title: Founder; Associate Director of Community & Youth Programs Town where I live: East Hartford Town where I work: Hartford College: Charter Oak State College (undergraduate), Walden University (graduate) Trudi Lebron 40 Under Forty 2016 40 Under Forty 2016