Honoring today’s leaders while building tomorrow’s future.
The University of Hartford's fifth annual Executive Leader of the Year Award was presented to Jeffrey A. Flaks, president and chief executive officer at Hartford HealthCare on Sept. 8.
Celebration Raises $300K for Scholarships
The celebration at the Hursey Center, the University’s newest academic building, raised $300,000 in scholarships to support students across all academic programs. The event drew more than 200 people from prominent businesses in the region, corporate partners, the health care industry, and the UHart community.
Thank you to our sponsors!
There are hundreds of people, on campus and off, who contribute to the success of this award celebration, including the many corporate sponsors and partners whose involvement was essential for UHart to plan an event of this magnitude. They—and all of our attendees and supporters—have our deepest thanks for helping to make the Executive Leader of the Year Award celebration so special and a highlight of the fall semester at the University of Hartford.
The continued interest and support from our sponsors makes a huge difference in the lives of our students, providing many scholarship opportunities during their time at UHart. These talented young scholars are critical to the future success of our local business enterprises. Thank you for your sponsorship and support.
EVent program
Were you unable to attend this impactful event? You can look back at the Executive Leader of the Year program and learn more online—Access Program.
Advisory Board
HONORARY CHAIRS
- The Honorable Luke Bronin Mayor of Hartford
- The Honorable John B. Larson United States Congressman
- The Honorable Douglas McCrory '88, M'95 Connecticut State Senator
- Greg Barats President and CEO, Hartford Steam Boiler
- Richard Booth '69, M'77, H'05 Owner, River Holdings LLC
- Stephen Mulready M'77 Acting President, University of Hartford
- Christopher J. Swift Chairman & CEO, The Hartford
Advisory Board Co-Chairs:
- Don Allan '86 President and CEO, Stanley Black & Decker
- John F. Byrnes Executive Vice President, Assured Partners
Advisory Board Members:
- Christopher Albert M'10 Partner, Deloitte
- Thomas O. Barnes Chairman of the Board, Barnes Group, Inc.
- Jay S. Benet Retired Vice Chairman, Travelers
- Jonathan R. Bennett M'88 Executive Vice President, Group Benefits, The Hartford
- Sam Broomer M'97, M'99 EVP, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, WR Berkley
- Carmen Cotei Interim Dean Barney School of Business, University of Hartford
- Michael Daglio '91 Executive Vice President and COO, Hartford Healthcare
- Kate Dion Esq. Partner, Robinson & Cole
- David G. Nord '79 Retired Chairman and CEO, Hubbell Incorporated
- Michael Pieksza District Manager, Aramark
- Brett N. Silvers Chairman, President & CEO, WorldBusiness Capital, Inc.
- Joe Sylvestro '90 Senior Vice President, Aftermarket & Sustainment Operations, Pratt & Whitney
- Tanya Taupier SVP Talent, CVS Health
- Cesarina Thompson Dean College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions, University of Hartford
- Gregory C. Toczydlowski M'95 EVP/President, Business Insurance, Travelers
About Our Honoree
Jeffrey A. Flaks is a progressive and passionate leader who has dedicated his professional career to the transformation of health care for the better.
Flaks epitomizes what it means to be a servant leader. He has led Hartford HealthCare’s 37,000 colleagues through the unprecedented COVID crisis with grace and courage, never forgetting the role of Hartford HealthCare to improve health and healing of the communities it serves. Because of his dedication, Flaks was appointed co-chair of the State of Connecticut's Governor’s Health System COVID Task Force.
Flaks is a champion of health equity and has pushed both the health care system and the state to create new ways to provide care to underserved and underrepresented communities. He has pioneered outreach to address the digital divide to meet the health needs of the most vulnerable, and address social determinants of health. He is a true innovator—forging partnerships with Amazon, Google, international Medtech accelerators, MIT, and the Israeli Innovation Authority to develop new technologies, products, and services that will move health care forward. He is a visionary who has helped to transform care and bring jobs to the state through landmark university partnerships to help build an essential pipeline for the health care workforce and keep jobs in state.
Under Flaks’s leadership, Hartford HealthCare has become the state’s most progressive integrated health care delivery system, a $5.2 billion enterprise that cares for more than 23,000 people each day. Flaks inspires colleagues every day to live out Hartford HealthCare’s vision to be most trusted for coordinated, personalized care; and its values of Caring, Equity, Excellence, Integrity, and Safety.
About UHart
Spread across seven dynamic schools and colleges, the University of Hartford has been guiding the purpose and passion of students for over six decades. On our 350-acre campus alongside Connecticut’s capital city, approximately 4,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students representing 48 states and 45 countries come together for a common purpose: to collaborate across different disciplines, diversify perspectives, and broaden worldviews. We’re a four-year private university focused on advancing the public good through meaningful connections within our communities. Our unique approach to comprehensive education gives us the critical perspectives that lead to impact change, regionally and beyond. With degree programs spanning the arts, humanities, business, engineering and technology, education, and health professions, we focus on doing the work that matters.