Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com July 17, 2017 • Hartford Business Journal 41 Adwoa Dadzie Q&A: What do you do in your current job? As vice president of human resources, I am responsible for all aspects of the employee experience and leadership develop- ment for 1,700 employees. I lead, coach and develop a team of inspiring leaders who are committed to ensuring Comcast is a place where every employee is appreciated, respected and continuously developing. What are your goals in your current job? My goals are to attract top talent with a best-in-class candidate experience; continuously enhance the engagement of the employees in the region at all levels; and foster a peak/high performance culture What's your biggest passion? My biggest passion is teaching people skills and mindset shifts that allow them to tap into their natural strengths. I find so much personal fulfillment in helping people improve their personal situation by uncovering what was already there to begin with. Touching one person's life has a ripple effect that can absolutely impact the rest of the world. What are your future professional aspirations? I expect to continue to develop my career at Comcast and con- tinue to positively impact peoples' careers and lives as an executive in the human resources field to help shape the strategy for our future workforce. How are you involved in the community? I serve on the board of the Urban League of Southern Connecticut and am passionate about supporting women leaders. I mentor young professionals interested in growing their careers and have actively supported Make-a- Wish chapters across the country to support the wish granting of critically ill children. If you had one wish to brighten Greater Hartford's economic future what would it be? My wish is that Hartford be seen as a thriving cultural and technol- ogy hub where large and small businesses want to make their home. The city has an incredible history, a diverse community and a prime location with proxim- ity to vendors and metropolitan cities. I'm excited by the recent developments such as the Dunkin' Donuts Park and the renovation of the Goodwin Hotel. Earlier this year, my company, Comcast, celebrated the completion of a multimillion dollar network expan- sion, which will help attract and benefit downtown businesses and residents to the area. If more compa- nies invest in Hartford, I believe everyone will benefit. List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: I'm a role model to young women who aspire for corporate leadership roles but don't see diverse repre- sentation. I'm fearless about innovating the workplace while still maintaining an environment where people are inspired to excel, as shown by my championing of "The Energy Project" into our local office. My pas- sion for excellence continues outside of work, where I founded a career blog for young women who aspire to be leaders at work. I'm passionate about inspiring students on the importance of education as seen by my volunteer efforts with Trinity College seniors. I love painting abstract art as a way to relax and inspire my creativity. Age: 34 Company: Comcast Title: Vice President, Human Resources Town where I live: New Haven Town where I work: Berlin College: Trinity College FUN FACT Jamie Daniel Q&A: What do you do in your current job? As the director of programming at The Connecticut Forum I program, produce and execute high-profile panel discussions and speaker events on a wide variety of topics. I also work to proactively identify new audiences through strate- gic partnerships and creative marketing and expand opportunities to leverage programs however possible. What are your goals in your current job? My goal is to envision new programming that adds cultural vitality and a spirit of curiosity and learning to the Greater Hartford community. I strive to continue the organiza- tion's legacy of bringing exciting leaders, thinkers and artists, as well as new discoveries, to our community. What's your biggest passion? I feel passionate about pushing myself to keep learning and considering new viewpoints and about creating opportunities for other people to do the same. I think too many people shut off that part of themselves as they move through their careers. (It helps that I have a two year old at home who reminds me to always ask 'why?') I try to approach each Forum topic as a mini-class and an opportunity to learn. What are your future professional aspirations? Hon- estly, I just want to remain open to possibility without over-planning for what comes next. I get to meet amazing, accomplished people as a part of The Con- necticut Forum, and one of the things that has struck me is how many of them have come to do interesting things by embracing openness and possibility and forgoing rigid plans. I want to follow my curiosity and enjoy where I am now. How are you involved in the community? This year I was a founding member and fundraiser for the Hart- ford Area Neighbor Alliance (HANA), a grassroots organization that supports refugee families in their process of resettling in the Hartford area. We are currently helping a wonderful Syrian family with five children get acclimated in West Hartford. If you were governor of Connecticut for a day what is one policy you'd push to improve the state's future? I would advocate for regionalism. I think we would be better suited to address economic, governmental and social issues if we were able to approach them using all of the strengths we have as a region, rather than divid- ing ourselves arbitrarily into smaller towns and cities. List four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty: In my first year as director of programming, I developed a season that featured sellout crowds for substantive, issue-driven topics like Racism and The Science of Our Minds. I secured a sitting Supreme Court Justice for our upcoming season. I helped launch and build Forum Event Consulting, which has worked with clients like Travelers, Goodwin College, Prudential and others on community conversations, conferences and other speaker events. I frequently moderate "brainstorming" sessions and conversa- tions, both in-house and on-site at schools, com- munity organizations and workplaces to engage the community and gather input about Forum topics and important community issues. I spent a semester abroad working at a London pub, and it was one of the most fun times of my life. Age: 34 Company: The Connecticut Forum Title: Director of Programming Town where I live: South Windsor Town where I work: Hartford College: Stonehill College, UConn FUN FACT 40 Under Forty 2017 P H O T O | C O N T R I B U T E D P H O T O | C O N T R I B U T E D

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