West Hartford Residents Complete the QUEST of a Lifetime

West Hartford residents Jay Arcata, III and Anthony DeSalvo have recently completed Leadership Greater Hartford's (LGH) Quest Program.  Quest is the most recognized community-based leadership development program for professionals working throughout the Greater Hartford region, a landmark initiative of LGH for more than three decades. The program  brings together rising and established professionals from the corporate, government, nonprofit, academic, and small business sectors and provides them with the opportunity to build the skills, contacts and knowledge of the community needed to be effective in their careers and their communities.   

DeSalvo, a participant in the Information Technology Leadership Development Program at Travelers, says that "Quest personally gave me the opportunity to learn about the Harford community and connect with various leaders. Professionally it helped me acquire extensive leadership skills."

Quest consists of workshops, field experiences and, central to the program, a community service learning component that partners with various nonprofits in the Greater Hartford region. Through hands-on community projects, Quest participants work in teams and learn the tools and insights needed to become collaborative leaders, think creatively, act collaboratively and take purposeful risks. This real-world experience is invaluable to assuring positive leadership growth and development. 

DeSalvo worked on a taskforce with GreenShare Technology, a social enterprise and one of the first reSET Social Enterprise Trust projects. GreenShare Technology refurbishes computers and then sells them to organizations that might not otherwise be able to afford computers. DeSalvo and his Quest group developed and held a fundraising event which raised sufficient funds to purchase six refurbished computers for donation to area nonprofits.  

Arcata, an attorney with Halloran & Sage LLP, worked with CountMeIn! Hartford, a new, local think tank whose mission is to provide thought leadership for individuals who want to turn an idea into an organization. Arcata and his team focused on marketing, strategic relationships, board development and fundraising. They developed a strategic plan for each of these areas. Arcata states that he "has grown as a person and a professional through my association with Quest.  It has opened many doors for me in terms of personal relationships and my involvement in the community.  In short, Quest has opened my eyes to the amazing amount of human capital and cultural resources that exist in Hartford."

Leadership Greater Hartford (LGH) is accepting applications and nominations for those interested in Quest 2014.  Fifty professionals will be selected to participate in the program. The class begins in January.  Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so apply now to develop your leadership skills, build your professional network, and bring change to the community.  For more information contact Ana Valentin-Jackson, Program Director, at (860) 951-6161 x22 or e-mail ana.valentin-jackson@leadershipgh.org.

Leadership Greater Hartford is the most comprehensive nonprofit community leadership organization in the country. It offers leadership training to individuals ranging from high school age to retirees, with community service projects featured in nearly all of its programs.  These projects and the program graduates continue to have lasting impact in the Hartford region.  For more information about how to be a participant or sponsor with Leadership Greater Hartford, call Katy Bannister at 860-951-6161 (x18), email info@leadershipgh.org, visit www.leadershipgh.org, or like it on Facebook.