CT Women's Hall Of Fame Names Chairman, Board Members

NEW HAVEN, CT — The Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame has selected six female leaders as board members. Sandra Vigliotti Senich has been name the board's chairman.

Joining the CWHF’s Board of Trustees are Lori Budnick, Dr. Sandra Inga, Joaquina Borges King, Meryl Mallery and Roberta (“Bert”) Wachtelhausen.

"All five of our newest Board members are exceptional women who embody the spirit of our organization," Sarah Smith Lubarsky, executive director of the CWHF, said in a statement. "Each brings a unique talent and energy to the table. We are incredibly fortunate to have them by our side as we continue to honor our mission."

Senich replaces Sharon Alleman who served as chairman for two years. Senich is a managing director and private client advisor with Bank of America Private Bank, according to a statement from The Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame.

She leads a team that provides wealth management and institutional philanthropic solutions to wealthy families and nonprofit institutions. She also serves on a number of Connecticut-based nonprofit organizations, including The Mattatuck Museum, The UCONN Club, and the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

She previously served the United Way of Greater Waterbury, The Palace Theater, and the Greater Waterbury YMCA.

"CWHF is truly one of its kind, and I am thrilled to help lead the organization as it continues to honor women who have not only excelled, but who have made their mark by being the very best in what they do," said Senich in a statement. "I am also excited to be a part of sharing their achievements and educating Connecticut’s students – with the hope that we’ll inspire young women and men to believe in their unlimited potential and strive to achieve great things."

Founded in 1994 in Hartford, the CWHF is a provider of educational programs and tools designed to inspire women and girls. The CWHF includes 121 inductees considered to be role models for women of all ages. For more information check out the CWHF's website.

Others joining the Board Trustees include:

-- Lori Budnick (CPA) is a partner and industry leader for Blum Shapiro’s Non-Profit Services Group. Budnick has over 30 years of experience working for community and private foundations, educational institutions, membership- and admission-driven, arts and cultural and human service organizations. She is also a member of the Blum Shapiro’s Women Who Lead Social Network.

-- Dr. Sandra Inga is recently retired from the Hartford Public Schools as its S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) director. As a passionate educator, she has also taught chemistry and math in Nigeria. Prior to coming to Connecticut, she was a semiconductor engineer with Texas Instruments and Digital Equipment/Hewlett-Packard for more than 15 years. Inga has served on numerous boards, including the Connecticut Science Center, the Connection Invention Convention and Noah Webster House.

-- Joaquina Borges King is senior counsel for Eversource Energy. She is a seasoned attorney with over 25 years of legal experience.King is the immediate past president of Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity and is a Board member of My Sister’s Keeper and Inextricably Bound (CDC). She’s an advocate for building healthy and inclusive communities and mentors high school, college and law students.

-- Meryl Mallery is the vice president of Engineering at Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company and has over 25 years of experience in the Aerospace and Defense Industry. Meryl has published several papers in the aerospace field and was a finalist for the Petit Foundation “Women in Science Leadership Award.” She is passionate about supporting S.T.E.M. education and is an active member of the Science Center of Connecticut’s Board of Trustees.

-- Roberta (“Bert”) Wachtelhausen is the senior vice president, chief Sales & Marketing Officer for ConnectiCare. As the visionary and strategic leader of WellSpark Health, she is a recognized expert in health care and wellness and has over 30 years of experience shaping products and programs at national and regional health plans.