It is important to spotlight the accomplishments of young professionals in Connecticut. Each year the Hartford Business Journal (HBJ) highlights 40 Under Forty, and this year is no different. Though COVID-19 impacted the yearly photo shoot for this year’s class, HBJ made sure that they continued to “…show others that starting and making a career here can pay dividends, both professional and personally.” HBJ announced their 2020 class earlier this week, and has been profiling this year’s forty on social media and their website.

The Department of Public Policy (DPP) is happy to announce that one of this year’s forty is one of our own. Larisa Kottke received her Master of Public Administration (MPA) in 2013 and currently serves as the President of the DPP Alumni Council. Kottke notes this role as one of her responses to “Four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under forty”. The DPP Alumni Council works to help current and future DPP students see the wide variety of careers our graduates embark on, and to help DPP alumni stay connected with their former classmates.

Kottke serves as the Vice President of Finance & Operations for Leadership Greater Hartford where she oversees business operations. Most recently she helped with the implementation and adaption of virtual platforms in response to COVID-19. In her HBJ profile, Kottke notes that her biggest professional accomplishment is her promotion to VP which she believes displays growth, positive impact and an evolving future.

Congratulations to Larisa and the HBJ 40 Under Forty Class of 2020!