Author: Ha, Emily

Geoff Matous, ’06 (CLAS)

Geoff Matous

President & Chief Commercial Officer, Wellinks

Geoff is President and Chief Commercial Officer at Wellinks, a virtual-first care company on a mission to help the 25 million Americans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) live fully and breathe freely. Through its personalized approach to care, Wellinks partners with health plans and value-based care delivery organizations to help members live well with COPD and break the cycle of frequent hospitalizations. Wellinks has been named a Connecticut “Innovator of the Month” by Senator Chris Murphy and was recently awarded the Next Gen Telemedicine Rising Star Award from the UCSF Digital Health Hub Foundation. 

Over the course of Geoff’s six-year tenure with Wellinks, he has raised over $40 million in venture capital funding and has built partnerships with leading health systems, including Hartford HealthCare in Connecticut, and national payers.

A 2022 Hartford Business Journal “40 under Forty” honoree, Geoff is a founding member of the Digital Medicine Society’s IMPACT initiative for virtual-first care, an Entrepreneur-in-Residence with Connecticut Innovations, and serves on the regional Board of Directors of the American Lung Association and the Executive Committee for the New Haven Chapter of the American Heart Association. He resides in West Hartford with his family and is a proud and active alumnus of UConn. Go Huskies!


Geoff Matous is doing things WerthWatching:

  • President and chief commercial officer of Wellinks, a healthcare company offering the first-ever integrated, virtual COPD management solution.
  • Guided the company’s evolution from its original medical device focus and helped develop its current vision in digital health.
  • Geoff is a startup mentor through CTNext and UConn, advising local businesses on topics like company formation and commercialization.

What sparked your interest in the medical device and technology field? 

 

It all started with a referral from a friend who had recently entered the field, a few years after graduation. I’ve now been in healthcare for over 15 years, and I can’t see myself doing anything else professionally. The combination of the quality of the people you work with, the intensity of the problems you’re partnering to solve and the impact that innovation in this field can have on the patient and our world -- it's incredibly rewarding.  

 

You are part of a group of generous alumni matching donations made during the upcoming UConn Gives. Why did you choose to support The Werth Institute, and how does its mission resonate with your experiences and values?  

 

I’m in awe, frankly, of what David and the entire team at the Werth Institute have built and are growing. The common knock on Connecticut, and specifically entrepreneurship or innovation in this state, is a tendency to think too small. Everything that The Werth Institute stands for is larger-than-life but what makes it special is how practical and hands-on the work is. You have this program meeting students where they are and giving them resources and access to mentorship, all wrapped around this incredible education at a Top 10 public university in UConn. Having spent some time with many of the students coming through The Werth Institute over the past few years, I know we’re in a position to leave that knock behind.   


I hope to be in a position someday where I can be philanthropic to the University at a larger scale. In the meantime, I’m looking for opportunities to sort of “lever up” donations by trying to be helpful to students, being an advocate for the University, and just staying connected as an alum. The Werth Institute and its mission provides a unique venue for that.
 

Why is giving back important to you, both personally and professionally? 

 

I’m lucky and grateful to have a number of mentors in my life, and I can’t imagine where I’d be without them. Giving back to the community, and to the University in particular, is about honoring them and giving others access to the same opportunities that people have given to me.  

 

How has your entrepreneurial mindset influenced your approach to leadership? 

 

I think I’ve built a strong appreciation and empathy for what it takes to exist in an entrepreneurial environment. I see my leadership role as keeping the heads and hearts of the team in shape to take on the challenges and opportunities that come our way. I’m always working towards being able to consistently do what former Ford Motor Company CEO Alan Mulally put as—lead with a compelling vision, comprehensive strategy and relentless execution plan.  

 

As a startup mentor working with companies through CTNext and UConn, what advice do you share with young entrepreneurs?  

 

At least recently, I’ve been talking a lot about two things.

First, find comfort in the questions. We’re wired to seek answers to everything. I’m not particularly good at this yet myself, but I think it’s important to spend more time in the unknown as an entrepreneur and to really break down big questions into sets of smaller questions before we try to construct the perfect answer. There’s a lot of value in those next levels of thought. If we immediately try to put a nice clean answer around the first question

The second is around entrepreneurship through acquisition, or ETA. Being a startup or zero-to-one entrepreneur isn’t the only path and there might be unique opportunities in a more buy-then-build type approach.  

 

Can you share an instance where you took a risk? Did it pay off? If not, what lesson did you learn from the experience? 

 

I suppose it was a bit of a risk to move from the big companies and relative safety of the medical device sales career I was in for nearly a decade and make the leap to a startup. Though it didn’t feel like it. I’m happy with that decision, it’s opened up a world of opportunity and the journey has been gratifying.  

 

What’s your favorite UConn memory and how has your connection to the university influenced your professional journey?

Last fall we lost a great man and teacher with the passing of Charles (Pete) Peterson, who founded and built up the Program for Sales Leadership which has since become the Professional Sales Leadership minor in the School of Business. Pete had such a positive impact on the lives and careers of everyone who went through his program. I’ll always cherish the fond memories of Pete, his courses, his friendship, and how intensely he cared about helping people be their best.  

 

Which business tool or resource do you recommend to others, and why?  

 

If you’re an entrepreneur in Connecticut, I recommend building a relationship with Connecticut Innovations. 

 

What’s your go-to karaoke song? 

 

Mr. Big “To Be with You” 

 

What are you passionate about outside of work? 

 

Spending time with my family, rooting on the UConn Huskies and playing golf.  

Travis Bloom ’13 (BUS)

Travis Bloom

Co-founder and CTO of Pawlicy Advisor

Travis Bloom is the co-founder and CTO of Pawlicy Advisor, a pet insurance marketplace focused on helping consumers find the right plan at the best possible price. The company, which was founded in 2018, has raised more than $7.5M of venture capital and helped millions of pet parents ensure their dogs and cats get the best care possible.
Travis started his career in General Electric’s IT Leadership program after graduating from UConn in 2013. He lives in midtown Manhattan with his wife Meghan (UConn ‘13) and cat Ginny.

Travis Bloom is doing things WerthWatching:

  • Using data to make buying the best pet insurance easier
  • Left a career at General Electric to join a small startup
  • Pawlicy Advisor team grew from 3 to 10 full-time employees in just 5 months

What led you to entrepreneurship and the pet industry?

Since high school I’ve been obsessed with the idea that companies were leveraging the power of the internet to disrupt existing industries and create entirely new ones. I always knew I wanted to start my own business but wanted to make sure I had solid business and technical foundations before taking the leap.

My interest in pet insurance started in 2018 when my wife and I adopted our cat, Ginny. I bought insurance thinking it was the thing all responsible pet owners did. After diving into the industry more with my business partner Woody I realized that only 2% of pet owners in the US had insurance, that number was doubling every 3 years, and there were mature markets like the UK and Sweden that had 30-50% penetration. Once we realized our marketplace could be the catalyst to make pet insurance mainstream in the US, we were off to the races.

What type of impact is Pawlicy Advisor having, and where do you see yourself and the company in the next year?

Selling insurance might not sound like the sexiest startup idea, but once you learn more about the cost of animal care in the US the business impact really starts to hit home. Economic euthanasia, where pets are put down with treatable conditions because the costs are prohibitively expensive, is a massive problem. When we educate pet parents about their insurance options, we aren’t just financially protecting their wallet, we’re also potentially saving their pet’s life.

In addition to helping consumers navigate their insurance options, we’re also the trusted advisor for veterinarians who want to increase insurance adoption at their practice, but don’t want to recommend one specific brand. By trusting an unbiased, data-driven, 3rd party like Pawlicy Advisor, they have the peace of mind that their clients are getting personalized financial advice from licensed insurance agents.

We’re growing rapidly and don’t plan on slowing down! We were a team of 3 people on January 1, 2021, and by May we were 10 full-time employees with plans for additional expansion later this year. By the end of next year, we’re focused on partnering with the majority of the vets in the US.

How did UConn prepare you for your entrepreneurial path?

The amazing professors in the UConn Business School’s OPIM department helped me bootstrap my initial software development knowledge. Using that base of knowledge, I launched a course-ranking web app during my final year at UConn. When it came time to select classes, I had ⅓ of the student body using it to see what their classmates were saying about professors and different electives. Professor Shanker in particular was a great mentor: while every other student was focused on interviewing for traditional jobs, he was encouraging me to pursue entrepreneurship full-time.

What’s your favorite UConn memory?

I was an active member of Greek life at UConn (AEPi) and have a ton of great memories from homecoming and other brotherhood events. UConn Men's Basketball also won two national championships during my time at school. Despite all those amazing events, taking my now-wife out on our first date during spring of senior year is probably my favorite. 🙂

Where do you find your inspiration?

I find inspiration by learning about the problems other companies have solved and how they went about finding product-market fit. The first few years of a startup are the messiest, but also the most creative. There’s some amazing podcasts and books that dive deep into the early years at some of the world’s most successful brands. Hearing their struggles and eventual successes helps me key in to how I should be thinking about our own product strategy at Pawlicy Advisor.

Describe a time you took a risk. Did it pay off? If not, what lesson did you learn from it?

I started my career at General Electric in their IT Leadership Program, a 2-year rotation they use to groom future leaders of the business. I had an amazing experience during my time there and had multiple full-time offers rolling off the program but opted to leave to join a small 25-person startup in NYC.

The decision was not an easy one to make, but ultimately, I came to the conclusion that if I didn’t take the leap now and try early-stage startups, I might never have the courage. The fear of regret motivated me to take the leap. I used the same decision-making process when I was debating leaving my full-time job and forgoing a salary to start Pawlicy Advisor. Once I realized I’d regret it for the rest of my life if I didn’t try, the choice became obvious.

What advice do you have for today’s students or emerging entrepreneurs?

If you’re the kind of person who can take the leap to entrepreneurship right out of school, I have nothing but respect. If you think you’d benefit from a few years of professional career development before taking the plunge, that’s completely fine as well. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to starting a business and you should trust your gut rather than trying to emulate Mark Zuckerberg’s journey.
Also, buy pet insurance 🙂

Do you have a professional moment you are most proud of and why? 

Closing our Series A round at the end of 2020 was incredibly gratifying, not just because it meant we could continue to scale and build a massive business, but also because of the impact COVID had on us in early 2020. We made a lot of bet-the-business product decisions in early/mid 2020 that paid off in the second half of the year.

Which business tool or resource do you recommend to others, and why? 

I’m a big believer in data. As a founder, you need to have comprehensive user analytics to understand how people are using your product. There are a million solutions out there but I like Mixpanel.

Jack Tarca, ’22 (BUS Management)

Jack Tarca Headshot

Founder, Find The Good Brand/UConn Entreprenuer in Residence

Get to know Jack Tarca, the Werth Institute's new Entreprenuer in Residence with Championship Labs.

What do you do now and how did you get where you are?

I am pursuing my mission driven apparel brand full-time, while becoming the first Entrepreneur in Residence at the Werth Institute here at UConn. I was able to achieve success with my company while a student at UConn, using the resources, network, and knowledge found all throughout UConn’s ecosystem. Most important, I never stopped putting ideas into action.

What do you find most fulfilling about your job?

Seeing an idea go from idea to reality. Whether it’s a physical piece of apparel that we’re developing, an inspiring post about well-being, or a new e-commerce strategy we’re implementing, taking something in your head and proving its success in the real world never gets old.

How do you help your organization use business to have a positive impact on the world?

We aim for our business to positively impact anyone who’s engaging with our brand. Whether it’s through our content or purchasing a product, we want to add value to everyone who hears about our business. We’re in the business of helping people live happier and healthier lives. We do this through spreading our mantra of “finding the good”. These three simple words have been proven to have a positive impact on thousands of people’s lives. From spilling your morning coffee, to making it through months of rehabilitation for a mental disease, our community has told us that these three simple words were the reason they were able to get through the day.

Which business tool or resource do you recommend to others, and why?

I recommend “Notion”, it’s a project management and note-taking application. You can use it for personal use or at a business level. It’s user friendly, organized, but also has the ability to be customized as you see fit. I use it for storing brand assets, writing all sorts of copy, calendars, and collecting inspiration via photos and links. It does it all, without being overwhelming.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned so far since graduating?

In my two months after graduating, I’m still adjusting to working full-time and not having any assignments due at 11:59pm on Husky CT. In this short time, I’ve learned that I have new goals for the first time in four years. Throughout college my main goals were graduating, landing a job, and building a brand. It’s interesting to have to re-evaluate goals that have been set for so long, but also exciting to take on new challenges. Every milestone I’ve hit post-graduation has also meant creating a new one, which is sometimes more difficult than achieving the milestone itself. The lesson here is to always be ready for what’s next.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

Done is better than perfect.

What did your time at UConn mean to you?

My time at UConn was invaluable. I gained confidence to pursue my ideas that hadn’t been proven yet, as well as the perseverance and resources to see them through to reality. UConn for me was a place to test ideas and fail, knowing that there were resources available to help me learn from my mistakes was crucial as I began my entrepreneurial journey.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

I’m passionate about the ocean. I try to spend as much time on the water as I do on land. From fishing, to boating, to surfing, you can find me on the water when I’m not working. At Find The Good Brand we talk about finding your “spot”, it’s like a happy place you go to, to practice mindfulness. The ocean is my favorite “spot”.

What's next?

Next, I’ll be heading back to UConn to build resources for student athletes and social media influencers to help grow accessibility in entrepreneurship at UConn. The world of college athletics has been changed forever and I’m excited to be at the forefront of such an impactful movement for NIL.  I will also continue to build Find The Good Brand, when I’m not busy helping students at UConn pursue their passions.

S3 Student Cohort Members

Michael Aisevbonaye
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Graduation Year: 2022
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Hritish Bhargava
Major: Engineering Physics
Graduation Year: 2023
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Jamison Cote
Major: Digital Media & Design
Graduation Year: 2022
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Hannah Lee
Major: Art/Art Studies
Graduation Year: 2023
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George Liang
Major: Cognitive Science
Graduation Year: 2022
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Justin Nappi
Major: Computer Science
Graduation Year: 2024
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Reaj Uddin
Major: Digital Media & Design
Graduation Year: 2022
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Jake Winter
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Graduation Year: 2022
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Solange Wright
Individualized Major: Digital Media & Applied Communications
Graduation Year: 2022
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Sabrina Uva
Major: Human Development and Family Studies
Graduation Year: 2022
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2021-2022 First-Year F3 Cohort

Jide Anifowoshe
Jide is a freshman from Holmdel, NJ. Jide is currently undecided in his major but shows interest in Economics or Business. Jide has many passion projects as he is currently working on developing a brand of non-dairy frozen desserts and a cookie business. On campus, he is part of the UConn Men’s Crew team. In Jide’s free time he likes to either bake or cook Jide hopes to be successful with his two passion projects.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jide-anifowoshe-95a55022a


Jewel Booker
Jewel is currently a freshman from West Haven, CT. Jewel is currently pursuing a degree in English. One of Jewel’s passion projects is working on educating people about hair and braiding hair as well, leading her to try out for the board for curls. Braiding and taking care of hair has always been a passion of Jewel’s and he hopes that she will be able to provide her insight and learn new things as well because she would love to be able to help people who are struggling with the obstacles she has overcome. In her free time, Jewel enjoys to braid, make TikToks, and paint. Jewel’s goal is to make her 5th grade self proud. When she looks back to that age, she remembers that she thought she was never going to be anything. Now it is Jewel’s goal to achieve whatever she wants to do, doing better than what she has done before, constantly improving. Jewel does not currently have a career path set for herself just yet, but she knows she wants to end up somewhere she is happy.

Jewel’s Work: https://www.newhavenarts.org/arts-paper/articles/author/jewel-booker

https://jewelbooker03.wixsite.com/safestsafespace

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jewelbooker


Cindy Calle
Cindy is a freshman from New Haven, CT. Cindy is currently pursuing a degree in Management and Engineering for Manufacturing. One of Cindy's passion projects is working on starting her own company. The company is focused on the redesign and modernization of menstrual products. Though catered for women, she is actively ensuring her vision and company altogether is able to help anyone who menstruates regardless of gender and hopes to provide comfort and acceptance for all when it comes to periods and period products. Cindy is extremely involved on campus as she is a member of the Honors Program, Global Business Program, Real Estate Society, and Women in Business. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, networking and writing. Aside from business, another passion of Condy’s is screenwriting and poetry. Her favorite screenwriter and director is Guillermo del Toro. In the future, Cindy hopes to be able to venture into the world of business and independence through entrepreneurship. Her goal is to be able to create successful companies focused on helping and uplifting women. Feminism is and has always been both important and necessary for Cindy. Thus, she wants to do her part to cater to women in a manner that respects, validates and helps them. Cindy intends to pitch her ideas and maintain a feminist focused purpose as well as prevail within a dominted field as a Hispanic woman.

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/cindy-calle-3320b8228


Riley Fallon
Riley is a freshman from Medford, MA. Riley is pursuing a degree in Marketing. Riley has many passion projects as she is always working on different baking endeavors and currently is brainstorming a lot for her upcoming summer project. Any free time she has usually is dedicated to experimenting in the kitchen. Her involvement on campus includes being a Delta Sigma Pi Theta lota brother, and a member of the UConn Marketing Society. In her free time, Riley loves to bake and do anything that involves being creative alongside spending time with her friends and family. Riley hopes to become a successful entrepreneur. She wants to cultivate her passions and turn it into a business she can continue to grow for the rest of her life. Riley hopes to get to the point where she can be a successful owner of a business that is profitable, woman run, and one that betters the world in which we live in.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/riley-fallon


Audrey Hannah Larson
Audrey is a freshman from Wallingford, CT. Audrey is pursuing a degree in Materials Science and Engineering and Civil Engineering with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Environmental Engineering. She is a researcher in the Li Environmental Engineering Laboratory where she works on a research project, developing methods for microplastic removal from wastewater systems. In addition, she works on a project through her lab in conjunction with the Wille Civil Engineering Laboratory and Adamson Chemistry Laboratory looking at how we can integrate plastic waste into concrete. Audrey is in the process of creating a new business named Unfolded LLP, a clothing company. Audrey is extremely involved on campus, she is a part of the Honors Program, Healthcare Engineering Club, Society of Women in Engineers, and the Naval Science and Technology Concentration Program. In her free time, she enjoys to crochet, bike, paint and hike. Audrey’s career goal is to create environmentally-friendly building products.

Audrey’s Work: https://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=11029133.PN.&OS=PN/11029133&RS=PN/11029133

https://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=10722842&OS=10722842&RS=10722842

https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-fourteen-year-old-inventor-trying-to-protect-other-children-from-being-shot-at-school

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-larson-b546a51b2/


Zeming Liang
Zeming is a freshman from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. Zeming is majoring in Physiology and Neurobiology with a minor in Cognitive Science. A current passion project he is involved in are soft drinks. Zeming is developing a fruit flavored soft drink that help people focus better and reduce anxiety. Also, he is developing a fashionable clothing line as a side venture. At the University of Connecticut, Zeming has a variety of involvements. Zeming is the senator in Undergrad Student Government, and he represents all the students living in Alumni Quad Residential Halls. Zeming is passionate about music. He is a beatboxer and a violinist, and he performed on Chinese national television channel during Chinese New Year. Zeming is also the beatboxer of UConn A cappella group Hus-keys at the University of Connecticut. In sports, Zeming has passion for fencing and international football. He is a member of the UConn fencing club competing in foil and representing the University of Connecticut. In leisure, Zeming dedicates his time to fashion clothing, painting and cooking - a good recipe always brings joy and a smile on his face. He wants to accomplish an entrepreneurship in neuroscience application into artificial intelligence.

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/zemingliang/


Pascal Mukendi
Pascal is a freshman from Brox, NY. Pascal is currently pursuing a degree in Financial Management but plans to switch to a major in Finance. A passion project Pascal is involved in an application for the Change Grant at UConn to hopefully fund a campus tour/basketball game trip to Storrs for the students at his former junior high in Harlem. He hopes that it will promote the idea of college and higher education in an area where he can speak from experience and claim it is not considered much. Pascal’s involvement on campus includes, the African Student Association, Business Connections Leadership Community, Financial Man agement Committee, and the Entrepreneurship Committee. In his free time, Pascal enjoys playing basketball, listening to music, playing video games here and there, reading, and playing chess. Pascal hopes to have a successful career as an entrepreneur, in the hopes to take care of his family and himself.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascal-mukendi-598619228/


Aime Mulungula
Aime is a freshman from New Haven, CT. Aime is currently pursuing a degree in Management with a minor in Studio Arts. Aime is on the verge of starting a clothing brand using his artistic designs such as paintings and drawings, as a collaboration of his entrepreneurial and artistic abilities. Aime is involved in a variety of on campus organizations such as, being a member of the Business Leaders at UConn, Business Management Society, the African Association, as well as a Werth Innovator Intern in the Werth Institute. In his freetime, Aime enjoys listening to music and drawing. With a concentration in entrepreneurship prior to graduating, Aime hopes to start his own business in hope to do international businesses and invest in real estate as well as become a professional artist and designer.

Aime’s Work: https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/nxt_hvn_june_2021

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aime-mulungula/


Shivam Patel

Shivam is a freshman from Newington, CT. Shivam is majoring in Finance with a minor in Computer Science. A current venture he is involved in is working on a startup of a financial coaching business. Shivam is currently a part of the UConn Consulting Group and the Business Connections Learning Community. In his free time, he enjoys playing poker, skiing, and watching football. Shivam hopes to become a successful entrepreneur and a strong community leader.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/s-pat


Lesley Rendon-Hernandez
Lesley is a freshman for Meriden, CT. Lesley is currently pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences. One project Lesley is currently working on is becoming a McNair Scholar. She recognizes that she might not become one, however this will not impede her from attempting to be a part of the McNair Scholar Program. Lesley is involved in the Student Support Services (SSS), and the METAS Peer Mentorship Program at the Puertoican Latin American Cultural Center here at the University of Connecticut.

Lesley’s Work: https://www.instagram.com/lrpaintz/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lesley-rendon-hernandez-42805522b


Anna Vladimirskaya
Anna is a freshman from Norwalk, CT. Anna is pursuing a degree in Computer Science here at the University of Connecticut. She is a part of the research team for the nano-electronics department at UConn. Another one of Anna’s passion projects is that she is part of a group working on a proposal for NASA’s 2022 Extreme Motor Terrain Challenge. Her involvement on campus includes the Robotics Team, Engineering Ambassadors, and the CSE Diversity and Equity Committee. In her free time, Anna enjoys spending time with her pets. Anna’s ultimate career goal would be to start her own small robotics company.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-vladimirskaya-355293220/


2023 Stamford Werth Innovators

Victoria Almazan
Victoria is a junior majoring in Psychological Sciences and English with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. As part of UConn, Victoria has been the treasurer and member of the scholastic resources committee of First Generation Club. She also was awarded a SHaW seed grant to fund the creation and implementation of the Mind Body Wellness Workshop Series for Stamford students. Most prominently, Victoria was a research assistant in the Family Resilience and Mindfulness Empowerment (FRAME) Lab under Dr. Na Zhang. She was recently awarded an IDEA grant to fund her independent research project on Latina mothers and co-residential grandparents’ communication as it relates to parenting under the mentorship of Dr. Cristina Mogro-Wilson, PhD, MSW. Through her involvement on campus, Victoria was awarded the Stamford Emerging Leader of the Year award in Spring 2023. When she’s not busy studying and researching, Victoria stays on campus playing with her dog, Elvis, reading, and finding new vegetarian recipes to try. As a Werth Innovator, Victoria hopes to combine entrepreneurship with her passions for mental health equity and accessibility.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorialmazan/


Danielle Bernard
Danielle Bernard attended a small catholic high school in Bridgeport, CT, where she graduated as the salutatorian of her class. She is a member of the National Honors Society. She received over ten awards, some of them being The Bridgeport Rotary Club Service Above Self Award, the Philip Broadhurst Award, and The Cornell Book Award. Danielle is also the Co-Founder of the mentorship and scholarship program, T.O.P. She is currently working towards her degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. She is on the Dean’s list and finished her first year of college with a 3.9. Danielle hopes to mentor and educate students while enforcing diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in the education system. She hopes to bring opportunities and introduce entrepreneurship skills to students. Danielle is committed to change, activism, education, inspiring others, and making a difference in the community.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-bernard-42a945228/



Allen Counts
Introducing Allen Counts, a student with a strong entrepreneurial drive. He is passionate about learning and personal growth as he charts his path in the business world. Allen's diverse interests define his dynamic personality. Books are Allen's constant companions, offering insights and fueling his creative thinking. Whether immersed in business strategies or captivating fiction, he believes in the transformative power of literature. Outside the realm of books, Allen's adventurous spirit finds expression through biking. Exploring the world on two wheels energizes his mind, sparking innovative ideas. Among his diverse interests, finance holds a special place for Allen. He recognizes its crucial role in business and seeks to understand financial management to build ventures that are both innovative and financially sustainable. Driven by curiosity, an adventurous spirit, and a keen eye for opportunities, Allen Counts is determined to make his mark as an entrepreneur. He embraces challenges and eagerly anticipates a future full of exciting possibilities.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-counts/


Nathaly Herrera
Nathaly is an incoming junior Honors student studying Financial Management on the UConn Stamford campus. At school, Nathaly is a part of the Business Connections Learning Community, heavily involved in the Honors program as a Communications Coordinator and PATH Mentor, a part of the Student Government Association, and is a School of Business Peer Advisor on campus! One of her passions is playing tennis, coaching tennis, and giving back to the community! With this, her goal is to create a program that would support and teach students tennis while also giving back to their local community. This could be through volunteering efforts, community service efforts etc. Nathaly hopes to find others within the Werth Institute to work together on this project, or even possibly merge her ideas with someone else’s. More than anything she is excited to network with and meet other entrepreneurial students and get to share ideas with them! One of her goals is to also obtain a leadership position within the Werth Institute, and try and recruit more UConn Stamford students to join the new Stamford cohort! Outside of school and tennis, Nathaly enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, going to concerts, working, and playing with her cat!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaly-herrera/


Alexa Molina
Alexa is a sophomore majoring in Political Science and Psychological sciences. She is on a fast track to the Master’s in Public Health program. At UConn, Alexa has been involved with Honors in leadership as the Chair of the Honors Student Leadership Board and secretary for Politics and First Generation Club. This summer, Alexa will present a paper at the 2024 National Academy of Public Administration Social Equity Leadership Conference focused on the intersection of Latino youth and insurance disparity rates. Currently, Alexa is a research assistant for the Cirights Human Rights Data Project and a congressional intern at the US House of Representatives, where she is learning more about human rights at the federal government level. Alexa is very passionate about giving back to marginalized communities and, as a Werth innovator, hopes to create a solution for refugees adapting to new living conditions.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexamolina25/


2022 First-Year Women Cohort

Heaven Buckham
Heaven joined the First-Year Female cohort last fall. She is working towards a dual degree in the business school as a Management Information Systems major and in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as a Psychology major. Outside of class, Heaven is a tour guide within the Lodewick visitors center, a business academic senator, and the Vice President's Chief of Staff in the Undergraduate Student government.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heaven-angel-buckham/


Tania Cruz
Tania joined UConn’s Werth Innovators as a member of the First-Year Female cohort last fall. She is a double major in Political Science and Economics with a Pre-Law track and a double minor in American Sign Language and Crime and Justice. Apart from academics, Tania is involved in the women's club ice hockey team as well as the law and society club.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniaacruz/


Claire Dobbins
Claire joined the F3 cohort during the fall of her first year at UConn. She is majoring in History and Economics, works for the UConn Archives and Special Collections, and is a member of the UConn Fed Challenge Team. Her interests include oral history preservation, financial markets, and entrepreneurship. She is also passionate about art and design, and has worked as a professional calligrapher. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and playing the piano.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-dobbins-059037203/

 


Rachel Harris
Rachel joined the First-Year Female cohort last fall. She is majoring in Materials Science & Engineering. This summer, she plans on working to improve access to horses and horseback riding. When she isn't busy studying or working, she enjoys hiking, horseback riding, and skiing.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelcharris/


Karla Perez
Karla joined UConn’s Werth Innovators as a member of the First-Year Female cohort last fall. She is majoring in communications and journalism. Apart from academics, Karla is also involved in The Daily Campus and the UConn Dance Company.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karla-perez-a03833271/


2023 Werth Innovators

Katelyn Archambault
Katelyn Archambault is going to be a sophomore during the 23-24 school year at UConn. She is originally from Connecticut and attended Pathways Academy of Technology and Design for highschool. While she is currently undecided, she hopes to major in Mechanical Engineering or Material Sciences with a minor in manufacturing. A passion she found through the classes she took at her highschool as well as the manufacturing internship she held in the past. She enjoys the arts and you can catch her creating a piece of art, making something or playing an instrument. Her hobbies also include hiking, reading, or exploring a new place with friends. Currently Katelyn is working as a Process Engineering intern, and will be joining the Makerspace team at UConn in the fall. Through the positions she currently holds she hopes to learn more and advance her skills within her field, while helping and working with others. Katelyn’s current dream job is currently a place of employment that will allow her to continue to participate in the process of creating new things or fixing current items. As well as allow her to travel and keep learning about the world and others around her.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-archambault/


Lily Dworak

Lily Dworak is a junior studying finance from Cromwell, Connecticut. Throughout her first two years at UConn, she discovered deep passions in health, entrepreneurship, and philosophy. She is currently working on a food product within the Werth Innovators program designed to make it easier for people to maintain a healthy diet from wherever they are. She is also a founding member of the Opportunity Fund, the first women-focused student-managed fund in UConn’s history. In her free time, Lily enjoys meditation, reading, and exercising. She prides herself on being a lifelong learner and wants to continue using education as a vehicle for personal growth and creating innovative solutions to problems. As a Werth Innovator, Lily hopes to further cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and meet people with similar interests.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-dworak/


Joseph Foy
Joseph Foy III is a dedicated student at the University of Connecticut's School of Business, where he is pursuing a degree in finance. As a Werth Innovator, he eagerly embraces new opportunities for growth. Beyond his academic pursuits, Joseph's life is anchored in his Christian faith, which guides his actions and values. In addition to his studies, Joseph finds fulfillment in a diverse range of interests. He enjoys engaging in sports, appreciating films, and exploring the world of auto-motives. These passions provide him with inspiration and a well-rounded perspective on life. With a goal to learn from those around him, Joseph strives to make a positive impact on the world. Through a combination of his strong educational background and the experiences gained at UConn he hopes to develop his skills further, and gain new ones. Joseph is determined to not only tackle challenges, but remain open to new ideas and fresh perspectives. His academic prowess, passion for finance, and diverse interests make him a well-rounded individual ready to leave a lasting mark in his field. In sum, Joseph is a dedicated student at UConn's School of Business. He embraces opportunities for growth and finds joy in sports, films, and auto-motives. With a strong educational background and a drive to make a positive impact, Joseph is poised to excel in any industry he finds himself.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-anthony-foy-iii/


Julia Ghagare
Julia Ghagare is a sophomore Marketing major and tentative Economics minor in the Honors Program from South Windsor, CT. Julia is a first-gen American college student and eldest daughter of Mexican and Indian parents. She enjoys biking and reading books from inspirational females authors in her free time. In the UConn community, Julia strives to be heavily involved in activities that support the student body's success and development. Julia serves as Vice President of External Relations for UConn Women in Business, member of the Special Events Committee in SUBOG, UNIV Facilitator for UNIV 1784 (a first-year Honors experience course), Mentor for the Financial Literacy Innovation Program (F.L.I.P.), volunteers for Husky Ambassadors, and works as an Intramural Official at the Rec Center. As a Werth Innovator, Julia wants to explore sustainability through an entrepreneurial lens, or in other words, ecopreneurship. Her eyes are set on discovering ways to change population habits surrounding overconsumption/production, and increase awareness of the environmental impacts caused by consumer choices. Leadership, authenticity, and persistence have been the cherished values contributing to Julia's success and will continue to be the driving forces behind her goals.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaghagare/


Nikhil Ghosh
Nikhil is a sophomore majoring in Computer Science with the goal of using technology to support people. Currently, he is working on GoalTac, a UConn-based startup encouraging people to complete their tasks by unifying a productivity app with motivators like social accountability and gamification. In GoalTac, Nikhil leads a small team in software development, business strategy, marketing, and research, and also works in recruiting and networking. He has previously worked in teaching, business development, bookkeeping, and customer service roles. Nikhil's recent projects include prototyping an AI graphic novel generator at HackUConn and leading a semester of calculus classes as a Supplemental Instructor. In the UConn community, he is involved as a Floor Mentor in the Public Health Learning Community, an E-board leader in the club Diversability, and a volunteer at the Storrs Congregational Church food pantry. Nikhil is an explorer passionate about well-being and relationships. He joined Werth Innovators to cultivate his entrepreneurial mindset and enhance his ability to create value for others through innovative products and services. He is excited to grow and connect with others in this community.

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/n-ghosh


Hannah Ginste
As a writer, music lover, smoothie enthusiast, and a pluviophile, Hannah is thrilled to begin her adventures as a Werth Innovator and put her entrepreneurial ambitions to the test. She's currently a rising sophomore at UCONN, aiming to study in the business school and continue to learn more about communications/public relations, anthropogenic global climate change and solutions, and programming throughout her academic career. Seeking to connect people and make the environment around her a happier, more accepting place, Hannah hopes to unite her creative aspirations with her dreams for a better world and create positive change for women, college students, and anybody else she happens to meet along the way :). In her free time, Hannah enjoys songwriting and playing her guitar and ukulele, skateboarding, spending time with her family and two dogs, and being outside in nature as much as possible!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahginste/


Tina Ngo
Tina is a sophomore Business Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship Major and a prospective Real Estate Minor. Tina is an administrative assistant for Global Business Programs in the Dean’s Suite of the business school; at this position, Tina and her team function as a hub for all global business related information such as study abroad opportunities, networking opportunities, internships, and scholarships. Through her experience at Global Business Programs, Tina has gained immense knowledge on global business concerns and also learned how to integrate into a corporate setting. Tina has helped to direct and lead Global Business Ambassadors, a community of like-minded individuals who have a passion for international issues and sustainability. Tina is also Vice President of the Net Impact Undergraduate Chapter, a new SOLID organization on campus that she is excited to initiate. Tina was also an editor for Her Campus where she wrote articles pertaining to fashion and lifestyle. In her free time, Tina loves to read and indulge in art. She also is an avid traveler and an ambitious individual.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinamngo/


Spencer Thompson
Spencer is a rising sophomore, studying economics. He is active on campus participating in the UConn Investment Banking Society, Fed Challenge, Finance Society and other student groups across UConn. Spencer enjoys traveling and has a particular passion for international business. He previously studied in Ghana, working with various fintech, supply chain, and commodity companies, based in Accra. He is currently studying in London, where he will intern with a local consultancy group. In his free time, Spencer enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and trying new experiences. After his studies, Spencer is aspiring to a master's in quantitative economics.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-thompson-69ab4924a/


Lenie Urbina

Lenie Urbina is a current junior pursuing a degree in Management with a focus on pre-law studies. With a keen interest in the music industry, Lenie aspires to specialize in intellectual property law. Her strong dedication to entrepreneurship and innovation is evident, complemented by her ownership of the widely-streamed podcast, "The Guud Life." Lenie's commitment to her academic and professional pursuits sets her on a promising path toward making significant contributions in the legal and business spheres. When she isn't in class, you can find her on a long run, trying new foods, or spending time with her 3 month old puppy, Ozzie!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenie-urbina/


2022 Werth Innovators

Laura Braddick
Laura is a Management student at the University of Connecticut School of Business. Outfit Insider is her start-up, establishing an unbiased platform for communities to review, share, and analyze their purchases transparently. Formerly, she was on the UConn Division I women's rowing team. Originally from Kennebunk, Maine, she's passionate about entrepreneurship and sustainable fashion. She studied luxury design management at Parsons the New School in Paris and Polimoda in Florence.

Laura gained experience through a venture capital internship at Loeb.nyc this summer with their portfolio company Nunbelievable. She is a Werth Innovator and incoming Hillside Venture analyst. Currently, she's engaged in ClimateWerx and Build Hartford cohorts as well as continuing my position at Loeb.nyc this semester.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-braddick/


Charlotte Chen
Charlotte Chen is from Weston, Connecticut pursuing a dual major in Materials Science and Engineering and Molecular and Cell Biology with a minor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in the Honors Program. She has experience as the Digital Editor of The Daily Campus and as the Vice President of Origami Club. She is also one of the co-founders of Geomate, an app that helps to ensure safe walking at night. When she's not working or in classes, Charlotte can be found crocheting the days away, tending to her mini plant army, and making noise with her violin.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-chen-64563616a/


Kristina DeMichiel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinademichiel/







Nathan Catapano
Nathan is studying Communications at the University of Connecticut College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and disc golf. Nathan is also the founder of Swipestorm, a software company that offers digital solutions for restaurant management. He is passionate about entrepreneurship, leadership, and communication.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathancatapano/


Arav Parikh
Arav is a third year Honors Computer Science student at the University of Connecticut with minors in Mathematics and Computer Science. Arav is interested in applying the emerging fields of AI and data science for the social good and has already had countless opportunities in his time as an undergrad to do so. One of these opportunities as the Lead Data Scientist at UConn startup PatentPlus not only allowed Arav to hone his technical skills but also discover his passion for entrepreneurship. As a NursEng Fellow this year, he hopes to be able to explore entrepreneurial opportunities in the world of healthcare with a multidisciplinary team. In his free time, Arav enjoys playing and watching sports, running, cooking, and listening to music. As a Werth Innovator, Arav hopes to be able to network with like-minded individuals, refine his softer skills, and kickstart his entrepreneurial journey.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arav-parikh/



Asley Perez
Asley Perez, a third-year undergraduate majoring in Physiology and Neurobiology with a minor in Communications at the University of Connecticut, is a versatile and detail-oriented professional. As an EMT with a strong commitment to healthcare, she has provided timely and compassionate emergency medical care at New Britain EMS. Simultaneously, Asley is an entrepreneur, owning Asley's Backyard LLC, a landscaping and masonry company in New Haven County, which champions women's empowerment in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her involvement in the Werth Innovators Leadership Development Program Cohort showcases her commitment to making a meaningful impact on her entrepreneurial journey. Her assistant research in Allied Health, focusing on the impact of social media on health promotion, demonstrates her commitment to improving the well-being of individuals and families, particularly pregnant or postpartum individuals. Asley's academic prowess, entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and dedication to healthcare have shaped her into a versatile and driven professional.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asley-perez-7517b0223/




Jonathan Schoelkopf
Jonathan Schoelkopf is a 3rd-year Management & Entrepreneurship student extremely passionate about the ever-revolving door of businesses. He's been a part of the Werth Institute since the Fall of 2022 and currently participating in the Fall 2023 ClimateWerx cohort. Beyond that, he's involved with Hillside Ventures investing in early-stage startups and a former member of the Business Connections Learning Community. A few of his interests include sustainable fashion, small businesses, and seeing the world.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-schoelkopf/



2024 First-Year Women Werth Innovators

Julia Cirone

Julia is an Accounting student, graduating in 2027, and pursuing her entrepreneurial passions through her business ReBalance. ReBalance is working to build a motivational community and brand that encourages each other to balance time effectively and to accomplish goals.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-cirone/


Theresa Dobbins

Theresa Dobbins, originally from Greenwich, CT, is dedicated to her Mechanical Engineering studies, particularly in the field of aerospace and mathematics education. She aspires to broaden her horizons by exploring project management, networking, and drawing inspiration from the diverse ideas and stories of others.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-dobbins/


Lakshita Ganesh Kumar

As a first-year Computer Science and Engineering Honors student, Lakshita is excited to pursue her passions in both coding and fashion. Through the Werth Innovators program, she has been able to develop her idea for a fashion-based social networking app that will allow college students and young adults truly express and explore their styles without being bombarded by mainstream trends and media. Moving forward, she plan sto scale this project into something that students at UConn and beyond can partake in.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakshita-ganesh-kumar/


Jordan Latta

From Stamford, Connecticut, Jordan Latta is channeling her entrepreneurial passion through her business, Latta Plans. This service provides personalized digital itineraries that include detailed plans for restaurants, activities, and events throughout the Fairfield County area. Jordan is eager to explore Digital Media and Design, as she enhances her creativity and expresses her ideas through various multimedia platforms.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-latta-10450a299/


Sarah McCarthy

From Merrimack, New Hampshire, Sarah McCarthy is a dedicated student majoring in Cognitive Science. With a profound passion for cognitive science, human happiness, and literary analysis, she is driven by a quest for deeper understanding. Sarah hopes to further explore the art of effective self-presentation, storytelling, and cultivating genuine connections, aspiring to become a compelling individual to network and collaborate with.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-m-3b02aa308/


Rosemary Moyo

From Kwekwe, Zimbabwe, Rosemary Moyo is a dedicated student pursuing a major in Biomedical Engineering. With a passionate interest in the intersection of technology and medicine, science fairs, finance, economics, and languages, she is committed to exploring diverse fields of interest. Rosemary aspires to enhance her skills in effective communication, building lasting connections, problem-solving approaches, and generating innovative, impactful ideas for the future.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemarymoyo/


Juliana Portal

From Avon, CT, Juliana Portal is a driven student pursuing a major in Biomedical Engineering. With a desire to help others, she seeks to broaden her horizons by delving into various interests beyond her major. Juliana is eager to gain insights into business operations and entrepreneurship, aspiring to understand the intricacies involved in creating and managing a successful venture.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-portal-259a2a29b/


Raaga Pulya

Raaga Pulya, from Acton, MA, is dedicated to her studies in Physiology & Neurobiology. Her passion for medicine, entrepreneurship, and research drives her to seek knowledge in various fields. Raaga is eager to delve into the realm of marketing and hopes to gain insights into effectively promoting products to interested audiences.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raaga-pulya-185129194/