Board of Regents Members

Marty Guay is the Vice President, Business Development, at Stanley Black & Decker.  In this capacity, Marty creates business value opportunities by working with startups, academia, venture capital, and global corporations.  He has worked with innovation communities, universities, incubators, and accelerators across the world. Concurrently, he is working on workforce development, economic development, and advanced manufacturing strategies in Connecticut and in the United States.

Marty was an Executive Member of The Center for Patient Safety Research and Practice based at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.   Presently, he is a Board Member of Massachusetts Advocates for Children, a non-profit organization that removes barriers to educational and life opportunities for children and youth. 

From 1992 through 1999 Marty served as the Chairman of the Finance Committee for the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) based in Milwaukee, WI.   

Marty earned a bachelor’s degree and M.B.A. from the George Washington University. He completed the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School.

He joined the Board of Regents by gubernatorial appointment on Sept. 8, 2023, replacing Felice Gray-Kemp, and serves on the Finance and Infrastructure Committee and the Technology Committee. His term ends on June 30, 2029.
 

Juanita T. James was appointed to the Board of Regents by Governor Lamont, with her term beginning on July 1, 2022. Ms. James recently retired as President & CEO of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. Formerly, she was Pitney Bowes’ Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and a member of the Chairman’s Council and enjoyed a 20-year career with Time Warner and Bertelsmann, holding several senior executive positions, including President & CEO of Time-Life Libraries. 

Ms. James is a Director for Asbury Automotive Group and chairs the Governance & Nominating Committee; a Director for First County Bank; former Director of Connecticut Council for Philanthropy and the Rouse Company. Juanita was named a Savoy Magazine “Power 300 - Most Influential Black Corporate Directors” in 2015 and 2021, and a “2018 Most Influential Corporate Director” from Women Inc. 

Presently, Ms. James is Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees at Lesley University, a Trustee Emerita of Princeton University and a former Trustee of UCONN. Some of the honors bestowed upon her include: League of Women Voters “Outstanding Woman in Philanthropy Award”; Connecticut Center of Philanthropy “Martha Newman Award”; American Cancer Society “Women Leading the Way to Wellness”; Girl Scouts of CT “Woman of Merit”; Moffly Media “Light a Fire”; NAACP “100 Most Influential Blacks in CT” and “Stamford Citizen of the Year”. 

Ms. James earned a master’s degree in Business Policy from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University. She also holds Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Mitchell College and Fairfield University, and an Honorary Associate Degree in Humane Letters from Housatonic Community College.

She joined the Board of Regents by gubernatorial appointment on June 30, 2022, replacing Aviva Budd, and serves on the Academic and Student Affairs Committee and Human Resources and Administration Committee. Her current term ends on June 30, 2028.

Richard J. Balducci of Deep River is vice president of Doyle, D'Amore and Balducci in Hartford. A 20-year state legislator, Balducci’s record of service in the state legislature includes two terms as Speaker of the House – the highest ranking position in the House of Representatives - and one term in the State Senate. 

His tenure included leadership in achieving landmark legislation in various fields, including prohibiting sexual harassment in the workplace, A Women’s Right to Choose, Sexual Preference Rights, Objective Job Evaluations for State and Local Employees and raising the state’s legal drinking age. 

An alumnus of Central Connecticut State University, Balducci taught history for 17 years in the Newington school system, and served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Connecticut State University System between 1995 and 2011, most recently as the Board’s Vice Chair. He has also served as co-chairman of “Drugs Don’t Work” and as a corporator of St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center.

He joined the Board of Regents by legislative appointment on Nov. 23, 2011, and serves on the Finance and Infrastructure Committee and the Human Resources and Administration Committee. His current term ends on June 30, 2027.

Ira Bloom, J.D. is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Lehman College, a CUNY School. His areas of expertise are American Politics and Constitutional Law. His research interest, publications, and teaching focus on the areas of internet law, information privacy, United States public education, higher education policy and constitutional law.

In 2020, Professor Bloom was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Lehman College Foundation where he now serves on the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Governance Committee of the Foundation’s Board.

Professor Bloom has served on several major committees at Lehman including chair of the Lehman College Strategic Planning Council, chair of the Executive Committee charged with preparation of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation report, and a faculty representative for the most recent Lehman College Presidential Search.

He was a member of the Board of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Greenwich, CT and chaired the Committee on Beaches and Marine Facilities, as well as the Master Plan and Long-Range Planning Committees.

In 2002, Professor Bloom was presented with the Outstanding Public Service Award by the Connecticut Secretary of State.

Bloom holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from City College of New York and his J.D. from Harvard University.

He joined the Board of Regents by gubernatorial appointment on Dec. 17, 2021, replacing Merle Harris, and chairs the Academic and Student Affairs Committee. His current term ends on June 30, 2027.

SAC Vice Chair-Shian Earlington is a first-generation American and a first-generation college student. She was born and raised in Hartford, CT, to parents who left the Caribbean in search of a better life, asylum, and a brighter future for their family. Shian is one of 13+ siblings. Her thunder still reigns supreme as she is the last daughter!

Before becoming a Business Administration major at CT State Asnuntuck, Shian was studying biochemistry. She started her educational journey at CT State Capital. She aspired to become a pediatric surgeon as she loves children, and moody teenagers and believes that youth deserve love and support during their entire journey. Shian has had the privilege of being a K-12 STEM tutor, youth mentor, and social justice advocate.

As a biochemistry major, Shian participated in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to research HIV health disparities around Hartford. She did this with the Liberal Arts Action lab in conjunction with CT State Capital, Trinity College, and the Yale School of Public Health- ARCH Lab. After reassessing her career and educational goals, Shian decided to officially change her major from biochemistry to business administration.  
While at CT State Asnuntuck, Shian worked as a student worker at the front desk with the security team, she served as the Co-Vice President of SGA for the spring 2024 semester and is the Asnuntuk SGA President for this upcoming year. She also made the Dean's List for Spring of 2024 and believes her multifaceted skills, knowledge, and abilities will help her to serve as the Vice- Chair of SAC, for the Board of Regents.
 

Sophia Jappinen is an accomplished Senior Systems Media Design Engineer, recognized for her leadership in designing and implementing cutting-edge technology across the entertainment industry over her 15-year career. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Florida International University and a Master's degree in Organizational Effectiveness and Leadership from Charter Oak State College, providing her with a diverse and holistic skill set that blends technical expertise with strategic leadership.

Sophia’s innovative approach and commitment to excellence have garnered significant recognition, including the prestigious 2018 Technical Achievement Award from Women in Cable and Telecommunications. Beyond her engineering career, she is a dedicated personal development coach and Organizational Systems Strategist. She is passionate about empowering individuals to align their actions with their values and live authentically. Her creative talents extend to designing planners that inspire personal growth and success.

Appointed to the Board of Regents on March 8, 2023, Sophia actively serves on the Human Resources and Administration Committee, as well as the Technology Committee. Her term runs through June 30, 2026.

Richard Porth has served in government (local, state and regional council of governments) and for nonprofits and private funders in a range of jobs aimed at strengthening communities and enabling better access to opportunities and supports. Most recently, he has worked on initiatives to promote racial equity and property tax reform at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. Prior to this he served as President/CEO of United Way of Connecticut (2008 to 2020), which helps to meet the needs of Connecticut residents by providing information, education, and connection to health and human services and crisis intervention services.

Richard Porth also served as Vice President for Grantmaking for the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (2003-2008), the community foundation for the Greater Hartford region. And, before joining the Foundation, Rick served as the Executive Director of the Capitol Region Council of Governments for nine years. In his work he collaborated with business, civic, and government leaders to advocate regional solutions to regional challenges, and in particular better access to opportunity for people living in lower income neighborhoods.

Rick started his career in City government in Trenton, New Jersey, ultimately serving as the City’s chief administrative officer. He then served two appointments in New Jersey state government. Rick and his family live in West Hartford.

He joined the Board of Regents by gubernatorial appointment on July 22, 2021, replacing Naomi Cohen, and serves on the Academic and Student Affairs Committee and the Audit Committee. His current term ends on June 30, 2027.

SAC Chair-Luis Sanchez-Chiriboga is a student enrolled at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and is studying Management Information Systems.  He is originally from Ecuador. He previously served as the Vice Chair of the Student Advisory Committee, where he advocated for student needs and resources.

His experience includes working as the Marketing and Business Development Coordinator, at the Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Connecticut, where he drives business engagement, through event coordination, and digital marketing. Additionally, he serves as the Treasurer of the CCSU Men's Volleyball team and previously was a Peer Mentor and Treasurer at Northwestern Connecticut Community College, where he founded the Northwestern Sports Club to promote fitness and teamwork. His diverse background in leadership, finance, marketing, and mentoring provides him with the skills and vision necessary to make a meaningful impact as Chair of the Student Advisory Committee.

Ari Santiago is the CEO of CompassMSP, a technology services firm that helps businesses harness the power of technology to achieve their business goals. Ari is also the host of the podcast Made in America with Ari Santiago, which focuses on promoting the manufacturing industry, sharing best practices of industry leaders, and spreading positive news from policymakers affecting the manufacturing industry. Ari speaks both locally and nationally about technology, manufacturing, and business strategy. He is also a relentless advocate for positive engagement in the communities he serves.

He joined the Board of Regents by gubernatorial appointment on Aug. 1, 2020, replacing Pete Rosa, and serves on the Finance and Infrastructure Committee and Technology Committee. His current term ends on June 30, 2025.

Mayor Erin Stewart was appointed to the CT Board of Regents in 2022 and serves on the Finance & Infrastructure Committee.

Mayor Stewart is the 40th Mayor of New Britain, Connecticut. She was first elected at the age of 26 and is the longest-serving female Mayor in the City’s history.

Mayor Stewart was born and raised in New Britain and is proud to continue her family’s decades-long commitment to public service. She attended New Britain public schools and went on to earn her undergraduate degree from Central Connecticut State University and her Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of New Haven, where she specialized in public financial management and earned her way into Pi Alpha Alpha, the National Honor Society for Public Administration.

Mayor Stewart began her career in public service by serving on the Board of Education in New Britain. She has been a staunch advocate for education throughout her entire time as Mayor, creating the City’s Education Savings Fund and relentlessly advocating for the necessary changes within the Consolidated School District of New Britain that would ensure all students receive the high quality public education they deserve.

Mayor Stewart is best known for her leadership and results-driven style of governing. She closed a deficit of more than $30 million and turned it into a $22 million surplus, bringing stability and responsibility back to the City’s finances. Under her leadership, New Britain is undergoing a dramatic transformation and becoming a destination where people of all walks of life want to live, work, and play.

Mayor Stewart has invested significant resources to address the issues of homelessness, addiction, and youth prevention through the New Britain Recovers Initiative. She has also strived to make government more efficient through her SMART City initiative, focusing on reducing the cost of government, harnessing new technologies to reduce the City’s carbon footprint, and making more efficient use of existing resources.

Mayor Stewart sets out to inspire other individuals—especially City youth and young women—to develop the confidence and leadership qualities they need to grow and give back to their community. She is a frequent visitor to area schools where she is proud to instill a lifelong pursuit of learning and community service.

Mayor Stewart was named to the Hartford Business Journal’s Power 50 list in 2022, and Connecticut Magazine named her one of their “40 Under 40”. The Greater New Britain Arts Alliance has also awarded Mayor Stewart “Public Servant of the Year”, and she has been the subject of in-depth profiles by national media outlets like the New York Times, Cosmopolitan, Time Magazine, and Newsmax. Hartford Magazine readers also named Mayor Stewart Best Politician in Connecticut in 2020, 2021, and 2022, as well as Best Community Leader in Connecticut in 2021 and 2022.

Mayor Stewart enjoys spending time with her husband Domenic and her 2 year old daughter Lina.

She joined the Board of Regents by legislative appointment on Dec. 8, 2022, replacing Lawrence DeNardis, and serves on the Finance and Infrastructure Committee. Her current term ends on June 30, 2026.

Elease E. Wright is the retired Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of Aetna Inc. where she served in the role for 15 years. Ms. Wright helped shape one of the nation’s most heralded business transformations and was instrumental in attracting and retaining key talent during Aetna’s multi-year turnaround from broad-based insurer to health care leader. Her focus on both business success and attention to values and employee engagement yielded an effective and diverse senior team that took Aetna from a period of financial decline to Fortune’s most admired insurance / managed care company three years in a row. 

Ms. Wright serves on the boards of National Guardian Life Insurance Company and chairs its Governance Committee; the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education and Chairs its Audit Committee; the National Academy of Human Resources where she services as Vice Chair; Hartford Hospital; and the Hartford Stage. 

Ms. Wright lives in Hartford, CT with her husband, Dana.

She joined the Board of Regents by gubernatorial appointment on June 27, 2014, replacing René Lerer, M.D., and serves on the Human Resources and Administration Committee and Audit Committee. Her current term ends on June 30, 2025.

Ted Yang has founded numerous companies and non-profits, including as Founder and CEO of 4-CT, Connecticut’s largest COVID-19 relief fund. Some of his current companies include Daily Voice, Highclere Castle Spirits, Playerpulse, Adapt Beauty and Gather Insurance. He was a Founder of the Stamford Innovation Center and a Founding Partner of Social Venture Partners, Connecticut.  Regent Yang was a capital markets executive with CTO and leadership positions at banks and hedge funds, including Citigroup, Tudor, Citadel, and Bridgewater.  He is Chairman of Connex Partners and sits on other boards, including ChemPacific Corporation and formerly the Wiki Education Foundation.

Regent Yang is the author of Table for Five: a Father’s Story of Life, Love and Loss, a story of his triplets born at 24-weeks.  He received his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Engineering degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, NPR and Fox Business News. He has spoken worldwide including at South Summit, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, MIT, Columbia, and NYU.

He joined the Board of Regents by gubernatorial appointment on Sept. 8, 2023, replacing Holly Howery, and serves on the Finance and Infrastructure Committee and Technology Committee. His current term ends on June 30, 2029.