WOMEN UNITED’S
11TH ANNUAL POWER OF THE PURSE LUNCHEON AND SILENT AUCTION
PRESENTED BY KEYBANK KEY4WOMEN


June 16, 2022  
Silent Auction and Networking: 11:00 a.m. 
Main Event: 12:00 p.m. 

Program Book

Schedule of Events

Welcome 
Introduction by your 2022 Power of the Purse co-chairs:
Judy Casperson, KeyBank Key4Women
Jennifer Shanley, Robinson+Cole  

Words from a Local Leader 
Mayor Luke Bronin, City of Hartford  

A Story of Impact 
Tammy Dillard, TD Notary Signer, LLC
The Financial Opportunity Center Participant
Introduced by Analisha Gois Michanczyk, KeyBank Key4Women  

Keynote Speaker 
powered by The Hartford
The Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, Race and Gender Activist

Introduced by Amy Bartolotta, The Hartford 

Taking Action for ALICE 
Become a Member of Women United
Judy Casperson and Jennifer Shanley 

Leading the Charge. Inspiring the Change. 
Julia Johnson Brinson, Outgoing Chair, United Way Women United
Erica Dean, Incoming Chair, United Way Women United 

Looking Forward 
Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
Introduced by Vittoria Pace, Chair, United Way Board of Directors  

Thank You to our Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

KeyBank_K4W_UTRK_Stacked_RGB

Keynote Sponsor

Networking Sponsor

Silent Auction Sponsor

Media Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

HSB | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | Travelers

 

Silver Sponsors

Conning | Hartford Healthcare | Moses Tax Group | Talcott Resolution | The Village for Families & Children | Virtus Investment Partners

 

Bronze Sponsors

Aetna | Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology | CLA | Centreville Bank | Connecticut Wealth Management, LLC | Day Pitney LLP | Deloitte | Goings Family Law | Immediaship | Leading Culture Solutions | Marsh McLennan Agency | Prudential | Shipman & Goodwin | Untapped Potential

Presenting Sponsor: KeyBank | Key4Women

KeyBank has supported Power of the Purse since 2017; and, has increased their commitment as Presenting Sponsor. This marks their sixth year supporting Power of the Purse. KeyBank Key4Women has been helping entrepreneurial and professional women with a passion for business for more than 20 years by supporting financial progress and empowerment of businesswomen through advocacy and connections. Key4Women provides expert resources for financial advice + solutions, leadership skills, mentoring + networking, finding balance, and diversity + equity and inclusion. A huge thank you to KeyBank Key4Women for their dedication to local families and women’s financial security. 

Keynote Sponsor: The Hartford

The Hartford has supported the Power of the Purse as the Keynote Sponsor for ten years! The insurance company has positively impacted more than eight million lives in the past six years alone by prioritizing programs that address social equity emphasizing equitable access and distribution of resources. The Hartford is committed to their hometown neighborhood on Asylum Hill and focuses on programs that promote job readiness, housing stability and greater safety in the neighborhood. It doesn’t stop there! They teach children fire safety and make adaptive equipment for people with disabilities. The Hartford has increased their commitment to ALICE through sponsoring the ALICE Report, incorporating United Way 211 into their business operations in service of their clients. Thank you to The Hartford for empowering communities and your dedication to local neighborhoods.  

Meet your 2022 Power of the Purse Keynote Speaker sponsored by The Hartford 

Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu
Race & Gender Justice Activist

Rev. Tutu is the third child of Archbishop Desmond and Nomalizo Leah Tutu. She was born in South Africa and had the opportunity to live in many communities and countries. She was educated in Swaziland, the US and England, and has divided her adult life between South Africa and the US. Growing up the ‘daughter of …’ has offered Naomi Tutu many opportunities and challenges in her life. Perhaps one of the greatest challenges she has struggled with is the call to ministry. From early in her life she would say, “I have my father’s nose, I do not want his job!” Yet this call refused to be silenced. Even as she carried her passion for justice into other fields, the call to preach and serve as an ordained clergyperson continued to tug at her. Finally, in her 50’s she responded to the call and went to seminary.

Her professional experience ranges from being a development consultant in West Africa, to being program coordinator for programs on Race and Gender and Gender-based Violence in Education at the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town. In addition, Rev. Tutu has taught at the University of Hartford, University of Connecticut and Brevard College in North Carolina. She served as Program Coordinator for the historic Race Relations Institute at Fisk University, and was a part of the Institute’s delegation to the World Conference Against Racism in Durban.

Networking Sponsor: Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney marks their 11th sponsorship of Power of the Purse this year. The aerospace manufacturing company supports programs that inspire the next generation, emphasize innovation and technology, and empowers their employees to positively impact their communities. Pratt & Whitney has partnered with North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE) to provide funding to nonprofits engaged in E-STEM education programs through E-STEM Awards, a shared passion between our organizations. Thank you, Pratt & Whitney, for teaching students environmental literacy and supporting communities in innovative ways.  

Put the FUN in FUNdraising!
Share your experience at
#POP22

Silent Auction Sponsor: Robinson+Cole

Robinson + Cole has supported the Power of the Purse event for two years. Last year they supported the event as a Premier Sponsor and this year they are powering our silent auction as the Auction Sponsor. Robinson + Cole has followed their 175-year legacy of furthering a culture of collaboration and inclusion with their communities-at-large in New England, New York, the mid-Atlantic, Florida and California. Thank you Robinson + Cole for continuing to enrich the communities where we live and work. 

Shop our Silent Auction powered by Robinson+Cole. 

Special thanks to Silent Auction Donors!

A Pampered Woman
Anna LaPorte
ASANA Organics Spa
Back East Brewery
Be The Solution Fitness
Bella Blue Photography
Big Y West Hartford
Big Y Westfield
BK&CO
Blackledge Country Club
Blush Med Spa
Bodytalk
Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation
Bradford Renaissance Portraits
Broadzview Cartoons
Bronca
Café Aura
Candy Woolley
Capital Genealogy
Chesterfield Inn New Hampshire
Costco New Britain
Dear Beauty, Aida Deary
Donna Schilke
Doro Restaurant Group
Elisa Gorton
Elise Sinha

Elite Island Resorts
Erica Czajkowski Jana Bacon
Erica Dean
Excel Fitness
Feather & Bloom
Finding Strength Today, LLC
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Friends of United Way
Go Confidently Services
Gouveia Vineyards
Hartford Athletic
Hartford Flavor Company
Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Hartford Yard Goats
Hotel Viking
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
IRIS Photography
Isabela Piza Danielsen
Jennifer Shanley
Josh Mirer
Judy Casperson KeyBank
Julia Johnson Brinson
Julie DeLucca-Collins
Juliene Phelan
Kimberly Hatch Photography
Knockout Fitness

Kristin Herzog
Laura Pels
Laurie Palmer
Les Coeurs Sauvages
Linda Poltorali
Lyman Orchards Golf Club
Lynn Hartman
Marianne Downey
Maura Cook
Melissa O’Hara
Mia’s Medical Spa
Michelle DeCarlo
Michelle Hadley
Mind Body & Skin
Morneault’s Stackpole Moore Tryon
Myra Lee
Naomi Jewelry
Naomi Lerner Tussin
Neelam Arora
New England Air Museum
O’Hara Solutions Group
Pam Lawler
Pearl Chiarenza
Pond House Café & Banquets
Restaurant Equipment Paradise of East Hartford

Robin Allen
Sarah Laub
Spa 1670
Stanley Black & Decker
Stephanie Polzella
The Bushnell
The Preservation Society of Newport County
Thomas Byrne Associates
Thomas Hooker Brewing Co.
Tiana Hercules
Traci Vickie
Travelers
Victoria Anderson Advanced Aesthetics
Vittoria Pace
West Hartford CoWorking
White Silo Farm & Winery
Willow & Grey Co.
Women’s Successful Living
Wonita Parent

Special thanks to the 2022 Power of the Purse Silent Auction Committee!
Robin Allen
Michelle DeCarlo
Pam Lawler

Media Sponsor: Comcast

Comcast is the Media Sponsor for Power of the Purse 2022. Comcast focuses on making a positive impact in three areas: volunteerism and leadership development; expanding digital skills and technology access within their communities; and, igniting conversations about critical issues that shape the world. Thank you to Comcast for using your storytelling platform for social good and caring about your communities.  

Introducing: United Way Women of Tocqueville!

Women of Tocqueville is a transformative group of committed business, civic and philanthropic women leaders, who are dedicated to helping their neighbors in need and stabilizing families struggling to make ends meet. We do this through engagement opportunities that tackle challenges and create sustainable change for ALICE families.

Through involvement, members are afforded the chance to build strong bonds with other like-minded philanthropists, deepen their knowledge of community issues and support women and children by sharing their wisdom, service and generosity.

Membership in Women of Tocqueville is exclusive to women who donate a minimum of $10,000 or more annually through the United Way Campaign, of which a minimum of $5,000 is allocated to the Women of Tocqueville Fund.

Dollars invested in the Women of Tocqueville Fund will be allocated to programs aligned to United for ALICE with input from members.

Please contact Kim Reeves, Director of Leadership Giving, at kreeves@unitedwayinc.org for more information.

Special thanks to the 2022 Power of the Purse Steering Committee!

Judy Casperson, Co-Chair

Jen Shanley, Co-Chair

Robin Allen, Auction Co-Chair

Michelle DeCarlo, Auction Co-Chair

Laurie Palmer, Table Leader Co-Chair

Myra Lee, Table Leader Co-Chair

Elisa Gorton, Sponsorship Co-Chair

Prati Kaufman

Julia Johnson Brinson

Laura Pels

Isabela Danielsen

Erica Dean

Marianne Downie

Melissa O’Hara

Kristin Herzog

Elise Sinha

Special thanks to the 2022 Power of the Purse Table Leaders!

Lisa Cameron

Pete Collins

Janis Turner

Vittoria Pace

Susan Dunn

Maura Cook

Julia Johnson Brinson

Erica Dean

Julie DeLucca-Collins

Neelam Aurora

Beth Mercier

Marianne Downie

Laurie Palmer

Greg Todzlowski

Jocelyn DeMaio

Paula Gilberto

Marianne Spektor

Eric Harrison

Kristin Herzog

Jen Gifford

Julie Phelan

Karen Fitzgerald

Stephani Roman

Laura Post

Nancy Sinha

Liz Burton

Karmela Malone

Special thanks to the 2022 Women United Engagement Committee!

Neelam Arora, Engagement Co-Chair

Julie DeLucca-Collins, Engagement Co-Chair

Julia Johnson Brinson, WU Chair

Erica Dean, WU Vice Chair

Isabela Danielsen

Marianne Downie

Prati Kaufman

Heather Krisolofsky

Melissa O’Hara

Sandi Perillo-Simmons

Stephanie Polzella

Jennifer Shanley

Special thanks to the 2022 Women United Leadership Council!

Julia Johnson Brinson, Avangrid, Chair of Women United

Erica Dean, Comcast, Vice Chair

Neelam Arora, The Hartford

Isabela Denielsen, Pratt & Whitney

Julie DeLucca-Collins, Go Confidently Services

Marianne Downie, The Hartford

Karen Fitzgerald, The Hartford

Heather Krisolofsky, The Hartford

Brenda Jones, Otis

Karmela Malone, The Hartford

Vicky Pace, The Hartford

Laurie Palmer, Himco

Stefanie Polzella, The Hartford

Juliene Phelan, The Hartford

Tisa Rabun-Marshall, Nassau

Vi Smalley, Conning

Jan Turner, Travelers

Platinum Sponsor: Collins Aerospace

Collins Aerospace has supported Power of the Purse for two years. Collins Aerospace is committed to inspiring our youth by engaging with them through a pipeline of programs to help close the gender, race, and socioeconomic gaps in technology while driving progress toward parity. Collins Aerospace is using their innovative programs and ideas by fostering local projects that drive sustainability and responsibility to the environment. Thank you Collins Aerospace for showing commitment to your workforce in redefining futures. 

Platinum Sponsor: Sun Life

Sun Life has supported Power of the Purse for two years, this year as one of our Platinum Sponsors. Sun Life has been committed to diabetes prevention, awareness and care for the past ten years. More than $30 million has been dedicated to slowing the advance of diabetes with the aim to improve the health and wellness of the communities they serve – a shared passion between our organizations. With Sun Life’s You Give We Give Program, their employees chose which community they’d like to support. Thank you Sun Life for giving your employee’s the flexibility to support their passions and playing a role in bettering our communities.  

Gold Sponsors

LEADING THE CHARGE. INSPIRING THE CHANGE.

We Are Women United

We are a diverse, vibrant community, bound together by a powerful sense of belonging – to each other, to United Way’s mission and to the communities we call home. Our Women United is part of a global network of women leaders, more than 70,000 strong, in 165 communities in six countries.  

We Ignite Change

Financial struggles may affect families’ health and children’s education. Women United members empower each other to use our passions, our ideas, our expertise and resources to help women and families in our community achieve financial security.  

Our Impact

Women United raises awareness and funds to help ensure that women and families in our community are more financially secure. The programs we support identify financial goals, develop realistic budgets, reduce debt, build savings, increase income and assets and access career coaching. 

Last year, thanks to your support:

Family Financial Stability programs (including The Village for Families & Children): 
More than 1,000 individuals in job training programs improved their education and employment potential 
• More than 10,000 filed their 2021 tax returns at no cost through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites and MyFreeTaxes.com resulting in $27.5 million in federal refunds and credits 
• Nearly 1,000 people participated in financial management programs

Since 2011, proceeds from Power of the Purse have resulted in:
• More than 1,100 people served
139 women saving approximately $108,000 matched dollar-for-dollar by Women United for a total of nearly $208,000 in asset purchases
• Nearly 2,400 individuals received free tax preparation services returning to them $6.1 million in refunds and credits
Average match amount: $2,000
(max. match amount: $2,000; limit set by program)

Here’s What’s In it For You
Drive community change, locally and nationally
Invest in real economic empowerment for women and families 
Participate in volunteer projects that make a meaningful difference in our community
Network with women who have a passion for the community
 Develop your personal and professional skills 

Silver Sponsors

Why Your Support of Power of the Purse Matters

Power of the Purse provides annual funding for United Way-supported financial stability programs and initiatives, making a difference in the lives of hard-working women and families.  

In our region, one out of three households struggle to make ends meet. In Hartford, it’s two out of three households. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in additional economic consequences due to job loss or reduction.  

Each day, these families make difficult choices in meeting basic needs such as food, housing, health care, child care and transportation.  

United Way coined the acronym ALICE to describe these households: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.  

Visit alice.ct.unitedway.org to access the ALICE Report, a study of financial hardship in Connecticut.  

Bronze Sponsors

Special Thanks to the 2022 Power of the Purse United Way Staff Committee!

Maura Cook, Executive Sponsor

Lauren Pereira, Team Leader

Kate Blackburn

Kristin Brisbon

Rebekah Castagno

Diana Desnoyers

Tiauna Laing

Naomi Lerner

Gail Millerick

Karen Moran

Shirvani Piersa

Interns and Volunteers: 

Taylor Bennett 

Jordan Pita 

Featured Vendors