WBDC Honors Shipman’s Dolphin, HHC’s Flaks

The Women’s Business Development Council is recognizing two top Connecticut business leaders for their efforts promoting economic equality and prosperity for women. 

Shipman & Goodwin LLP managing partner Leander Dolphin and Hartford HealthCare president and CEO Jeffrey Flaks are WBDC’s 2023 Impact Award honorees. 

WBDC will honor them at the organization’s Women Rising Gala Oct. 27 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich.

The gala celebrates women entrepreneurs and business leaders and recognizes WBDC’s nearly three decades of promoting economic equity for women and strengthening communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services.

Cultivating Equity  

WBDC is recognizing Dolphin for her commitment to cultivating equity as an attorney and in the broader community. 

“It is an honor and a privilege to receive the Women’s Business Development Council Impact Award,” Dolphin said. 

Dolphin has been a longtime supporter of WBDC and its mission to help women thrive in business. 

“I also believe that when desire, education and preparation come together, opportunities are created, ideas are ignited, and economies are expanded—and the business contributions of women are central to our collective economic success.”

“The business contributions of women are central to our collective economic success.”

Shipman’s Leander Dolphin

Dolphin, a member of CBIA’s board of directors, is the first Black woman to serve as Shipman’s managing partner. In her role, she works to enhance diversity within the firm. 

“We say that diversity is a core value at the firm and what does that look like?” Dolphin said in a CBIA BizCast appearance. 

“That looks like we’re not afraid to have those tough conversations. It looks like we are seeking people who might not otherwise be in the room to provide them with opportunities. That we focus on equity and fairness.”

Gov. Ned Lamont named Dolphin as commissioner of the Connecticut Judicial Selection Committee in 2022. She has been recognized by the Hartford Business Journal’s Power 50 List and Top 25 Women in Business.

Lifting Communities 

WBDC is also recognizing Flaks as the leader of an organization dedicated to women’s economic equity. 

Flaks is deeply committed to creating Hartford HealthCare as an organization that values its colleagues and celebrates diversity and inclusion. 

“Receiving the impact award from WBDC is an incredible honor for Hartford HealthCare—and I accept this on behalf of my 37,000 colleagues who are focused on ensuring everyone has access to world-class healthcare,” Flaks said. 

“The impact award reminds us that when we lift up women in business, we lift up entire communities.”

“The impact award reminds us that when we lift up women in business, we lift up entire communities.”

Hartford HealthCare’s Jeffrey Flaks

Flaks said Hartford HealthCare has a strategic focus on increasing the organization’s spending with minority-owned and women-owned small businesses. 

“Our job is to try to create as much success, prosperity, and clearly health and wellness for our entire community,” Flaks said in a CBIA BizCast episode.

Flaks is a recipient of the Anti-Defamation League of Greater Hartford’s Torch of Liberty award. 

He is also a member of the American Hospital Association’s Health Systems Council, where he provides leadership in advocacy and public policy issues nationally and regionally.