10 Connecticut Community Leaders Everyone Should Know About

Community leaders play a vital role in shaping and enriching the great state of Connecticut. Their dedication and selflessness are paramount as they tirelessly work to give back and drive positive change on a local level and beyond.

Here in Connecticut, we're lucky to have some remarkable folks whose contributions have left an indelible impact on the lives of those around them. Here are 10 community leaders making a difference in Connecticut.

1. Bethel: John Rubsam

In March 2023, John Rubsam undertook the "4x4x48 Challenge.” The challenge requires participants to run four miles every four hours for a total of 48 hours. Rubsam successfully completed the challenge, covering 48 miles in 48 hours, with routes spanning Huntington State Park, Fairfield Hills and Bethel High School’s track. The endeavor served a noble cause, as Rubsam raised funds for Autism Services and Resources Connecticut, a nonprofit organization supporting individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. His motivation was personal, as his son Tyler, diagnosed with autism, inspired him to raise awareness and resources for this cause. (Patch)

2. Bridgeport: Mikeya Stovall

Mikeya Stovall, a third-grade teacher at Read School, was recently honored with the prestigious John McCormack Award for Teaching Excellence by the Connecticut Education Association (CEA). This competitive award, given to one of about 43,000 members annually, recognizes innovative educators impacting their communities. Stovall's advocacy for colleagues, dedication to the district's summer reading program and provision of multilingual books for diverse students led to her selection. The award came with a $2,000 prize and a nomination for two national awards. Stovall's inspiring teaching methods, passion for literacy and dedication to broadening horizons make her an exceptional educator. The recognition follows her previous acknowledgment as one of the Bridgeport Public Education Fund's outstanding teachers. (Subscription: Connecticut Post)

3. Danbury: David Vieira

David Vieira, a U..S Army sergeant and Afghan/Iraq War veteran from Danbury, was determined to ensure timely recognition for his fellow veterans. Faced with federal regulations delaying war memorials in Washington, D.C., he took charge and became the chairman of The Afghanistan Iraq Veterans War Memorial Fund. Their goal was to build a tribute at Rogers Park in Danbury, unveiling it on Veterans Day. The monument's design, which featured stone maps of Iraq and Afghanistan with gold stars representing key operating bases, also paid tribute to the 9-11 tragedy. Vieira's passionate efforts, including partnerships with Stony Creek Brewery and fundraising events, aimed to raise the $250,000 needed for the project. (Patch)

4. Fairfield: Deborah Pratt Burns

Deborah Pratt Burns, a Fairfield resident and the founder of Literacy to Legacy Mentors, a behavioral finance education and mentoring company in Connecticut, received Alignable's Local Business Person of The Year award for the second consecutive year. Alignable, the largest online small business referral network in North America, recognized Burns for her exceptional leadership in guiding peers and supporting small businesses during challenging economic times. Burns expressed her gratitude and commitment to assisting companies in building market share. Her organization, Literacy to Legacy Mentors, aims to educate and inspire people to achieve financial prosperity through personal finance education and mentoring. (Fairfield’s Hamlethub)

5. Goshen: Henrietta Horvay

Having moved to Goshen in the 1970s, Henrietta Horvay actively engaged in various initiatives, from the Democratic Town Committee to the Goshen Library board. Recently, the dedicated community servant was honored with the Ella T. Grasso Women's Leadership Brunch's Town Chair Award, an event hosted by the Connecticut Democratic Party. Audrey Blondin and other state party members nominated her for the prestigious accolade. Throughout her involvement in boards and commissions, Horvay emphasized cooperation over politics, fostering positive change. Even after her husband's passing, she remained an integral part of her community, always ready to volunteer and help out wherever needed. (The Register Citizen)

6. Hamden: Arthur H. Rice, Esq.

A former chairman of Quinnipiac University's Board of Trustees, Arthur H. Rice received the Dan L. King Award for College and University Trustee Leadership from the American Association of University Administrators. The esteemed award recognizes his exceptional commitment to higher education and ethical leadership. Rice's exemplary service and generous contributions to the university earned him praise from colleagues and University President Judy Olian. His transformative leadership during challenging times and unwavering dedication to Quinnipiac made him a deserving recipient of this prestigious accolade. Rice also served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot, earning prestigious awards like the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross. (Patch)

7. Litchfield: Kathy Minck

Kathy Minck, a retired management consultant with a strong background in the financial sector, was officially honored as Champion of Generosity at the 22nd Annual Wisdom Award Celebration in 2022. After retiring, Minck started a Food Rescue US program in Northwest Connecticut to fight food insecurity and reduce food waste. Over the past five years, she has been the Site Director, serving 30 local pantries and receiving recognition for her community service and business outreach efforts. Additionally, she actively contributes as an executive board member of the Women & Girls Fund, helping raise funds to support financial and career independence for women and girls in the local community. (The Register Citizen)

8. Ridgefield: Annetta Hewko

Annetta Hewko, the chairwoman of Ridgefield Responds: Hope for Ukraine, recently organized a screening of the film "A Rising Fury" at the Ridgefield Playhouse. The event featured a panel discussion with Ambassador William Taylor. Hewko expressed that the group's work for the displaced people of Ukraine was far from over, as many of the 8 million displaced individuals had no desire or means to leave the war-torn region. The group collaborated with Rotary Club Lviv-Leopolis in Ukraine to provide essential aid directly to those in need, including medical and humanitarian assistance. Hewko's personal connection to Ukraine, stemming from her parents' origins and her past experiences there, fueled her activism. (Patch)

9. Ridgefield: Joanne Hudson

Joanne Hudson started the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival seven years ago to learn about filmmaking. At first, it was challenging for her to build a community network, but she gradually connected with civic organizations like the Rotary Club to gain support. The festival debuted successfully in May 2016, showcasing 72 films from 26 countries across 10 venues in the town. The festival, which included screenings, awards ceremonies and community events, aimed to create collective experiences that brought people together in the spirit of connection and collaboration. It played a role in Ridgefield's designation as Connecticut's first Cultural District. Hudson's goal was to foster a sense of community and compassion through cinema, bringing together filmmakers from various places. (Patch)

10. West Haven: Jeffery Forte

Jeffery Forte, a special education lawyer and child advocate, was honored with the "Way to Go!" award by Viola Waldo on behalf of the West Haven Interagency Network for Children at the Johnson Community Center on Monday. Waldo, who facilitated the West Haven Parent Support Group for special needs children, acknowledged Forte's dedication in providing services and resources to families with children with special needs. Forte's law firm, Forte Law Group LLC of Shelton, was entirely committed to representing families and children with special needs. The award was part of the Way to Go program, which recognized exceptional providers offering services and resources during Parent Support Group meetings. (Patch)

Thank you to Connecticut’s incredible community leaders for all you do!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.