UConn Forum:
Economic Engine of a Thriving Connecticut

October 31, 2024
Rome Commons Ballroom
626 Gilbert Road Ext., Storrs CT 06269
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Registration & Networking
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Opening Ceremony
Master of Ceremonies
Anne D'Alleva
Provost - UConn
Welcome Address
Radenka Maric
President - UConn
Special Feature
Governor's Welcome
Video Presentation
Welcoming Speaker
Rodney Butler
Tribal Council Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
9:50 AM - 10:10 AM
Keynote Address
Navigating the Economic Landscape: Connecticut's Future
Speaker
Daniel O'Keefe
Commissioner, CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)
10:20 AM - 10:50 AM
Panel Discussions
Panel 1: Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Leveraging Investments and Infrastructure
Moderator
Jit Banerjee
AVP, Research Innovation & Entrepreneurship - UConn
Panelists
Josh Geballe, Senior Associate Provost for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Yale University
Douglas Roth, Managing Director, Investments - Connecticut Innovations
David Steuber, Chief of Staff & Director of Strategic Initiatives, CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)
10:55 AM - 11:25 AM
Panel 2: National Security and Advanced Manufacturing
Moderator
Lindsay DiStefano
AVP, Research Development - UConn
Panelists
Matthew Olander, Vice President for Design and Engineering, General Dynamics/Electric Boat
Geoff Hunt, Senior Vice President, Pratt & Whitney
Steve Schmidt, Vice President and Chief Engineer, Sikorsky Aircraft/Lockheed Martin
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Panel 3: Energy, Environment, and Sustainable Infrastructure
Moderator
Radenka Maric
President - UConn
Panelists
Indrajeet Chaubey, Dean, CAHNR - UConn
Boris Levin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mott Corporation
Katie Dykes, Commissioner, CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch & Networking
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Panel 4: Biotech and Pharma – Driving Innovation in Life Sciences
Moderator
Phil Hritcko
Dean and Clinical Professor, School of Pharmacy - UConn
Panelists
Jennifer Herz, Director, State Government Affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim
Tova Gardin, Chief Translational Officer, Biohaven
José E. Manautou, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Chair in Mechanistic Toxicology, Dept. Head of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Professor of Toxicology School of Pharmacy - University of Connecticut
1:35 PM - 2:05 AM
Panel 5: Fintech and Insurance – Transforming Connecticut's Financial Landscape
Moderator
Michelle Cote
Director of Strategic Partnerships, Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation - UConn
Panelists
Michelle Buxton, Lead Architect, Travelers
Susan Winkler, Executive Director, CT-IFS
Michael Storiale, SVP Innovation, Payments & AI, Synchrony
2:10 PM - 2:45 PM
Panel 6: What is on the horizon? Quantum and AI: Driving Connecticut's Technological and Economic Future
Moderator
Pamir Alpay
VP, Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship - UConn
Panelists
Michael Crair, Vice Provost for Research, William Ziegler III Professor of Neuroscience and Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale
Andreas Roelofs, Vice President, Research & Development, and Director RTX Technology Research Center, RTX
Chris DiPentima, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBIA
2:45 PM
Closing Remarks & Networking