Leadership Reflections

Over the course of 2025, some of Connecticut’s remarkable business leaders joined the CBIA BizCast. These leaders have built successful teams, overcome challenges, and helped build a better Connecticut. They shared their stories of entrepreneurship and innovation, resilience and success. To close out 2025, we wanted to look back on some of their stories and words of wisdom. This episode features insights from: • Marietta Lee, President and CEO, The Lee Company • Dr. Albert Green, CEO, QuantumCT • Greg Barats, President and CEO, Hartford Steam Boiler • Siddartha Kalita, Principal, Mercer • Bryn Tindall and Sam Barrett, Rebellion Group • Lawrence Ward, President, University of Hartford • Dean Brenner, CEO, The Latimer Group • Nick Sentementes, Director of Development, Hall Neighborhood House • Chris Ulbrich, Board Chair, Ulbrich Stainless Steels and Special Metals • Grace Napolitano, Principal and Business Development Officer, The TAC Group • Paul Pescatello, CBIA • Rohan Freeman, President and CEO, Freeman Companies • Dustin Nord, Director, CBIA Foundation • Abul Islam and Tariq Islam, AI Engineers • Jacqueline Laramee and Melissa Sheffy, NDC Commercial Construction and Network Interiors Inc. • Nicholas Bokron, CEO, Omar Coffee Company • Elicia Pegues Spearman, CEO, Girl Scouts of Connecticut Thank you to all the leaders who joined us this past year. And a special thank you for listening to and watching the BizCast. We look forward to sharing more inspiring stories with you in 2026. The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts—we appreciate your support! If you have a story to tell, contact Amanda Marlow.