Ali Lazowski is the founder and CEO of Bare Life, a plant-based food startup inspired by her health journey with cancer and chronic illness. After attending Renbrook and Miss Porter’s Schools in CT, she attended culinary school in Italy, then studied at Johns Hopkins. It was her twin battles with cancer and Lyme disease that fueled her passion for food, leading to the creation of Bare Life's award-winning Organic, Plant-Based, and Gluten-Free hot cocoa mixes. Now available at over 2,000 locations, across 50 states, including: HomeGoods, UCONN, Whole Foods, QVC, and Amazon. Ali also chairs reSET’s Board of Directors and was named to Connecticut Magazine’s and HBJ’s Top 40 Under 40.

Denise Whitford has served the business community as a senior executive, management consultant and successful entrepreneur for more than 40 years.
She leverages her extensive experience in strategy development and project management in her role as a Business Advisor and International Trade Expert at the CT Small Business Development Center.
Denise leads business growth at CTSBDC in both domestic and international markets by providing competitive insight, adjusting working capital position and expanding workforce capacity across a wide variety of industries.
Denise is a financial expert who drives revenue growth by connecting financial data to operational strategy.
She supports her clients with data-driven strategies and pricing models that help them identify untapped market opportunities and expand acquisition channels.
Denise earned an MBA from the University of Connecticut with concentrations in Management and Human Resources.
Denise is also a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) with NASBITE, the leading authority and industry standard for global business education and trade.

Ishrat Nazmi brings a wealth of experience to her role as the Business Development Manager at CT APEX. Starting her journey as a Procurement Specialist, Ishrat quickly demonstrated her strategic acumen and dedication, which paved the way for her transition into business development. With over a decade of experience in aerospace manufacturing, particularly with industry giants like Pratt & Whitney, she has honed her skills in procurement, project management, and supply chain optimization.
In her current role, Ishrat leverages her extensive background in strategic planning and stakeholder relationship building to drive growth and development for Connecticut businesses in the government contracting space. Her expertise includes conducting market research, organizing educational workshops, and developing competitive proposals for government contracts. Ishrat is focused on strengthening the Defense Industrial Base and enhancing the CT Manufacturing Ecosystem

Julie DeSimone is the President of LDM Manufacturing, Inc., a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) specializing in CNC precision manufacturing of metal and plastic components for the military, commercial, medical, and aerospace industries. A second-generation leader, Julie has carried forward the legacy established by her father, growing and strengthening the company since joining in 2006.
With nearly two decades of experience at LDM, Julie brings a deep operational and strategic understanding of the manufacturing sector. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Central Connecticut State University and is currently pursuing her MBA, further expanding her business acumen and leadership expertise.

Katelyn is a marketing, communications, and operations leader with experience across construction, healthcare, insurance, and startup environments. Currently serving as Director of Operations at Oneil's Construction, LLC, she specializes in strategic operations, business development, executive communications, and brand strategy. Throughout her career, she has led high-impact initiatives for organizations including GRAIL, Aetna, and MassMutual, driving growth, engagement, and operational excellence.
She holds a Master’s degree in communications and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations & Advertising from University of Hartford.

Kirti Patel is a seasoned manufacturing and technology executive with over 25 years of leadership experience spanning product development, engineering, and advanced manufacturing. He has a strong commitment to facilitating innovation, operational excellence, workforce development, and sustainable growth.

From 2013 to 2023, Kirti served as President, CEO, and Board Director of Eppendorf Manufacturing Corporation, the North American subsidiary of Germany-based Eppendorf SE, a global leader in life sciences instrumentation. Under his leadership, the company improved supply chain resiliency and expanded its U.S. manufacturing footprint. Prior to Eppendorf, Kirti held leadership roles at Siemens Healthcare, including General Manager and Vice President of Siemens Preclinical Molecular Imaging, where he managed a global business focused on preclinical imaging technologies for oncology.

Kirti also brings entrepreneurial insight and experience, having co-founded Sensant Corporation, a medical device startup, later acquired by Siemens in 2005. His early career at Intel Corporation focused on semiconductor lithography and advanced manufacturing process development, giving him hands-on experience in high-tech production environments.

Beyond industry, Kirti is active in public service and education. He serves on the board of Simsbury – A Better Chance, a nonprofit college preparatory program, and advises early-stage startups through Yale Ventures and the University of Connecticut Technology Incubation Program, supporting regional innovation.

Kirti holds an MBA from the Wharton School, an MS in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, an MS in Chemical Engineering from UC Davis, and a BS in Chemical Engineering from Mangalore University. He brings a global and inclusive perspective shaped by early years in Zambia and India, and has lived and worked in California, Tennessee, and Connecticut.

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Tanisha Baptiste Bynum serves with the U.S. Small Business Administration, as the Lead Outreach and Marketing Specialist, and Veteran Business Development Officer, where she focuses on economic development, government contracting, lender relations, and veteran-owned business development. Based in the Connecticut SBA District Office, she works closely with small businesses to help them access capital, navigate federal contracting opportunities, and leverage SBA programs, designed to foster growth and long-term success.
A ten-year Active Duty veteran of the U.S. Army, Tanisha developed her leadership foundation while serving as a Human Resources Specialist, bringing a strong commitment to service, strategic guidance, and workforce development to her work with entrepreneurs and business owners. Today, she is a trusted advocate for small and diverse suppliers, helping businesses understand how SBA certifications and federal contracting programs can open doors to new opportunities and strengthen their competitive position in the marketplace.