Pulse of the Region

This week on Pulse of the Region, we’re joined by Leadership Advisor, Speaker, and Coach Andi Campbell. Andi also recently founded SELENE, a women's leadership collective for experienced women leaders in Connecticut.In this episode, Andi breaks down the concept of imposter syndrome, a topic she has been researching for her upcoming book set to be released this fall. She explores how imposter feelings often take root early in life, shares practical strategies for managing them, and explains how confronting imposter syndrome can ultimately lead to meaningful personal growth.Visit Andi's website: andi-campbell.comPulse of the Region is recorded at The Swift Factory and produced in partnership with the North End Partnership.

This week on Pulse of the Region, we’re joined by KeyBank's Michael Astorino, Home Lending Leader, CT/MA, and Elona Shape, Retail Leader, CT/MA.Michael and Elona discuss consumer sentiment and the results of KeyBank's financial mobility survey, how economic realities are impacting homebuyers, and tips on how to navigate finances and buying a home in an uncertain economy.Pulse of the Region is recorded at The Swift Factory and produced in partnership with the North End Partnership.

This week on Pulse of the Region, we’re taking a look behind the curtain with two of Hartford’s most influential creative forces: Melia Bensussen, Artistic Director at Hartford Stage, and Rob Ruggiero, Artistic Director at TheaterWorks Hartford.Melia and Rob will take us inside their upcoming spring productions—Circus Fire at TheaterWorks and Native Gardens at Hartford Stage—revealing the stories, themes, and artistic sparks driving each show.We’ll also explore an unprecedented collaboration between the two theaters as they join creative forces to stage a bold, intimate chamber production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, coming June 5 – July 5, 2026. This is a conversation about artistry, community, and the power of partnership in Hartford’s performing arts scene.Information & Tickets: Circus Fire at TheaterWorks HartfordInformation & Tickets: Native Gardens at Hartford StageInformation & Tickets: Sweeney ToddPulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Swift Factory ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ North End Partnership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This week on the MetroHartford Alliance's Pulse of the Region Cast, we're exploring the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) and how they're celebrating 60 years of providing high-quality, integrated education for all students. We're joined by Executive Director Desi Nesmith and Superintendent of CREC Schools, Sasha Douglas.Learn more about The CREC FoundationLearn more about CREC's advocacy effortsPulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Swift Factory ⁠⁠⁠⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠⁠⁠⁠ North End Partnership⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This week on Pulse of the Region, we're welcoming two women-owned businesses operating here in our capital city. Emily Walsh, Co-Owner of the first and only btone FITNESS in Connecticut, Emily Munoz, btone FITNESS instructor, and Chantell Boissiere Kelly, Owner, Capital Ice Cream. We discuss how these unique businesses have grown from their initial inception and how both entrepreneurs are creating community-driven spaces. 

This week on Pulse of the Region, we're discussing 860Gives, a 48-hour community-wide fundraising campaign powered by United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. Here to discuss 860Gives are Eric Harrison, President and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, Corrianne Chipello, CEO of Hartford's Camp Courant, and Carolyn Jasper, Chief Development Officer of Prudence Crandall Center. 860Gives kicks off at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, and concludes at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 2. Find out more about 860Gives and over 140 nonprofits that are participating in the giving campaign this year by visiting https://www.860gives.org/.Pulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠⁠⁠The Swift Factory ⁠⁠⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠⁠⁠ North End Partnership⁠⁠⁠.

This week on Pulse of the Region, we're discussing Connecticut's Electric System infrastructure with Eversource Energy and diving into how Connecticut is preparing for future infrastructure improvements, mitigating outages from storms, and improving overall resiliency. Our guests today are Eversource's Electric Operations President, Steve Sullivan, and Engineering Senior Vice President, Digaunto Chatterjee.Pulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠⁠The Swift Factory ⁠⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠⁠ North End Partnership⁠⁠.

This week, we sit down with two employees from Nassau Financial Group: Anna Pope, Director of Investor Relations, and Michael Remieres, Fitness Center Manager. We examine how employers like Nassau Financial Group are approaching employee wellness and how a focus on employee wellbeing can assist in talent attraction and retention. Pulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠The Swift Factory ⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠ North End Partnership⁠.

This week on MetroHartford Alliance's Pulse of the Region Cast, we sit down with Sarah Westby, Partner and Chair of Shipman & Goodwin's Cannabis Team, and Paul Travaglino, cannabis entrepreneur and advocate, founder of Enlightened Foods, and holder of a cannabis product manufacturing license.In this episode, we explore developments in the cannabis industry and the latest regulations within Connecticut and federally. Paul from Enlightened Foods also discusses how he is working with Shipman & Goodwin to navigate the ever-changing policies around cannabis to begin manufacturing smokeless products and confections for medical and recreational use at his South Norwalk-based business.Pulse of the Region is recorded at The Swift Factory and produced in partnership with the North End Partnership.

(Originally released 2/12/26)Explore the connection between mental health and financial wellness on this week’s Pulse of the Region Cast, featuring insights from Jacquilyn Davis, Director of Learning & Workforce Development at Mental Health Connecticut, and Brandi Byrne, Financial Education Manager at Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union.The conversation also highlights Mental Health Connecticut’s newly released Winter Wellness Toolkit—a free digital guide designed to help individuals and families navigate the winter season. The toolkit is presented by Nutmeg State FCU, whose financial wellness expertise is featured throughout.Learn more about Mental Health CT's Winter Wellness ToolkitPulse of the Region is recorded at The Swift Factory and produced in partnership with the North End Partnership.

(Originally released 2/5/26)This week on MetroHartford Alliance's Pulse of the Region Cast, we are joined by Southern New England Healthcare (SoNE HEALTH)'s Lisa Trumble, President and CEO, George Beauregard, Chief Population Health Officer, and Renee Broadbent, Chief Operating Officer. In this episode, we discuss the use of AI in medicine and how SoNE HEALTH mindfully implements technological advancements to improve patient outcomes.Pulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠The Swift Factory ⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠ North End Partnership⁠.

(Originally released 1/29/26)This week on MetroHartford Alliance's Pulse of the Region Cast, we are joined by the MetroHartford Alliance's David Griggs, President and CEO, and Gene Goddard, Chief Business Investment Officer.In this episode, we discuss the MHA's plans for each of our initiatives in 2026, including a focus on hospitality in the Hartford region, as well as development of the area around PeoplesBank Arena. Tune in to hear how the MHA plans to make Hartford a more vibrant place to work, play, and live.Pulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠The Swift Factory ⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠ North End Partnership⁠.

(Originally released 1/22/26)This week on MetroHartford Alliance's Pulse of the Region Cast, we are joined by Daniela Michanie, Head of Northeast Public Engagement at DoorDash. In this episode, we explore DoorDash's community involvement and how the company is addressing food insecurity throughout the country and in the Greater Hartford region. We'll also discuss how DoorDash has recently partnered with Hands on Hartford to provide food for their Backpack Nutrition Program.Pulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠The Swift Factory ⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠ North End Partnership⁠.

(Originally released 1/15/26)This week on MetroHartford Alliance's Pulse of the Region Cast, we are joined by Prem Sagar Sundaram, Craig Weber, and Cary Ellexson from Cognizant.In this episode, we explore Cognizant's community investment in Hartford, as well as the key findings of their Engineering Empathy study, which looks at how AI can help insurers rethink the customer experience.Read Cognizant's Insurance Engineering Experience StudyPulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠The Swift Factory ⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠ North End Partnership⁠.

(Originally released 1/8/26)In this episode of Pulse of the Region, we sit down with Valerie Powell-Stafford, President of Saint Francis Hospital, to explore the many ways that Saint Francis Hospital is playing an impactful role in the Hartford area, from award-winning programs within the hospital to their community outreach efforts.Pulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠The Swift Factory ⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠ North End Partnership⁠.

(Originally released 12/18/25)In this episode of Pulse of the Region, we sat down with Jessica Kearney, Vice President of the Travelers Institute, and Rich Ives, Senior Vice President of Business Insurance Claims, Travelers, to discuss the Travelers Institute and highlighting how they’re approaching mental health in the workforce.Pulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠The Swift Factory ⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠ North End Partnership⁠.

(Originally released 12/11/25)In this episode, we sat down with John Turgeon, Mel Walker, and Drew Illingworth of CohnReznick to discuss insights on AI, the importance of having guard rails in place when implementing AI workflows, and more.Pulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠The Swift Factory ⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠ North End Partnership⁠.

(Originally released 12/4/25)In this episode, we sat down with Mike Shea, Executive Director at the Connecticut Airport Authority. We discussed the exciting renovations underway at Bradley International Airport, how new flight offerings are established, and explored how the airport works as a major driver of economic development in the region.Pulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠The Swift Factory ⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠ North End Partnership⁠.

(Originally released 11/14/25)FROM THE VAULT: HYPE’s NextGen Summit is an annual event focused on young professionals and the future of work. Listen to our episode from this past November, where we sit down with Lauren Zevetchin, Executive Director of HYPE, alongside leadership experts that took to the stage at NextGen Summit 2025.This episode features Peter Callahan, PCC, Engagement Manager, Leadership Greater Hartford, Kelly Kennedy Ed.D., Director of Transformative Learning, UConn School of Business, and Michael Bozzi Ed.D., Director of MBA Student Services, UConn School of Business. The group discusses what benefits NextGen attendees can look forward to when it comes to leadership and taking control of your career journey.Pulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠The Swift Factory ⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠ North End Partnership⁠.

(Originally released 11/13/25)Pulse of the Region premieres in our new home at The Swift Factory! For our first episode in the studio, we sat down with Brenda Watson, Executive Director of the North Hartford Partnership and Swift Factory, and Patrick McKenna, North Hartford Partnership’s Director of Sustainability and Real Estate. We discuss the North Hartford Partnership and the transformation of the historical Swift Factory into a vibrant community hub.Pulse of the Region is recorded at ⁠The Swift Factory ⁠and produced in partnership with the⁠ North End Partnership⁠.