Leadership

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Brenda Lewis, is the owner of Transactions Marketing, Inc. (TMI),  (www.transactionsmarketing.com), a 40-year-old project management firm focused on the launch and funding of enterprise mission-critical software, systems and services. TMI has launched 24 ventures in healthcare, IT, security, telecommunications, information, financial and location services markets. Prior to starting TMI, she spent 15 years at Exxon International, Marine Management Systems, Inc. and Pechiney Ugine Kuhlman. She graduated cum laude in Economics from Smith College and holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut. She attended Harvard Business School's Program for Management Development and earned a Certificate in Telecommunications Management from NYU. On a pro bono basis, Brenda was an organizer of 1 Million Cups Stamford, the Kauffman Foundation program for introducing ventures to the community. She is a judge for the annual Draper Competition for Collegiate Women Entrepreneurs at Smith College, for TechStars Weekend, for FairfieldStartUP, and for the CT New Venture Challenge. She served on the Steering Committee for Innovate Stamford, which  won a $2 MM CT NEXT Innovation District grant. She was named a finalist in the Connecticut Technology Council's 2018 Women of Innovation awards.  Brenda is an active racing sailor, a member of The Storm Trysail Club, a PILOT at Mystic Seaport and a member of the Board of the Shippan Point Association. 

Leanna Lawter is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Business and Management program at Wheaton College. Dr. Lawter's primary areas of teaching are human resources and ethical decision making.   She has over 20 years of experience in human resources consulting with expertise in selection and recruitment, performance management, organizational surveys, and human resource data analytics.  Dr. Lawter received her Ph.D. from Baruch College at the City University of New York in organizational behavior.  She also holds an MBA in marketing from the University of Connecticut, an MS in statistics from the University of Vermont, and a BA in math from Colgate University.  Her research interests focus on how human resource practices impact employees' work attitudes, job performance, and career choices.  She also conducts research on how organizations can promote ethical decision making among employees. She is a serial entrepreneur and an expert in big data and data mining. Her first venture, The Waters Group, was founded with an SBA grant, achieved $1 million in revenues and 8 employees.