November 2011 Member Spotlight
HYPE Member Since: 2008
Industry/Job Title: YOUTH Forum Program Manager
Employer: The Connecticut Forum
What does she do: I manage and facilitate the Connecticut Forum’s award-winning YOUTH Forum program, which encourages the free and active exchange of ideas among high school aged youth throughout the Greater Hartford area. This is a huge honor and privilege for me, because I was a member of the Connecticut YOUTH Forum as a student at RHAM High School, became a Forum subscriber and Advisory Board member when I moved back to Hartford in 2007, and then joined The Connecticut Forum staff in August of 2011.
In the most beautiful and non-linear way, every diverse life experience I’ve had so far has prepared me for this role: on a daily basis I use my degree in Psychology, my experience in corporate marketing and training, along with other nuggets I’ve picked up from being a nomad, tree-hugger, foodie, film junky, NPR listener, closet-writer, avid traveler, and overall curious person. Yes, working with teens and meeting celebrities is very cool, but it’s bigger than that - I am truly thrilled to be in downtown Hartford, working with an organization that changed my high school experience and continues to challenge, entertain, and inspire the community (and me).
Future Aspirations:
Play big games. Listen more than I talk. Use my passport. Lead with a smile. This year: read more, improve my Japanese, learn to play guitar and to drive stick shift.
Hidden (or not so hidden) talent or hobby: Music is a big part of my life. I sing with local band The Elastic Hoax. Visit: www.theelastichoax.com
Contact info: nreid@ctforum.org