Mendi Blue-Paca is President & CEO, Fairfield County Community Foundation where she leads the $275 million regional funder, capacity builder, placemaker, and philanthropic investment manager in partnering with the community to ensure that every county resident has an equitable opportunity to thrive. Her work brings together nonprofits, the business sector, elected and administrative officials, external constituent groups, and other grant makers to achieve positive systems-level change. She joined the Foundation in 2018 and previously served as the Chief Community Impact Officer and VP of Community Impact. In her previous roles, she led grant making, programs, policy advocacy, and major community leadership initiatives to close opportunity gaps in education, employment, housing and health. Mendi oversaw the Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence, $20M Fund for Women & Girls, Immigrant Success Fund and Thrive by 25 initiatives.

Jeffrey Currey is the Chief of Staff, House Majority Leader, CT General Assembly. At the start of the 2025 legislative session, Jeff began his new role as Chief of Staff to the House Majority Leader within the Connecticut General Assembly. Prior to this, and while overseeing Goodwin University’s SNAP Employment & Training Program, a partnership with CT DSS and the FDA that provides free certification and degree opportunities to those receiving SNAP benefit, Jeff served ten years as the State Representative for the 11th Assembly district. He had the honor and privilege of representing his hometown of East Hartford and his adopted community of Manchester while sitting as the House Chair of the General Assembly’s Education Committee while also serving on the Appropriations, Commerce, and Judiciary Committees. Prior to his time in the legislature, Jeff served as the Chairperson of the East Hartford Board of Education, served on EH Inland Wetland Commission, and was employed with the CT Department of Labor and Nevins & Nevins LLP.

Jeff is a current and past member of several area non-profits including The Little Theatre of Manchester, Lutz Children’s Museum, Friends of Wood Memorial Library, and many more. When politics and education aren’t all-consuming, Jeff finds joy in performing with the Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus – an ensemble that “serves as a catalyst to inspire, impact, and enrich the lives of members, patrons, and the community.” He hopes his work outside of the chorus provides the same.