Opening Speaker
Paula Irvin
Personal Profile
Paula A. Irvin, MBA, is a seasoned sales professional with more than a decade of experience as a Trusted Advisor, tailoring solutions for small to medium-sized businesses across industries. Her strategic focus has been on cultivating and maintaining long-term client relationships, increasing organizational retention rates, and growing revenue and market share. Paula is an innovator who has been recognized for developing compelling proposals and presentations that close deals with key decision-makers.
Paula A. Irvin is a newly elected Councilwoman for the Town of Hamden, Connecticut. During her first year, Councilwoman Irvin has worked to secure funding for her town, which has endured years of disparity and disinvestment. Her efforts have included advocating for investments in technology, parks, community ,and educational resources, and environmental services. In addition to her professional work and her service to the Town of Hamden, Paula serves as the President of the New Haven Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Paula holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising from the University of Florida and an MBA from the University of New Haven with a concentration in Business Analytics.
She is originally from Miami, Florida, and enjoys gardening, fine dining experiences, and traveling.
Closing Panel Host
Orsella Renea Hughes
Personal Profile
Orsella Renea Hughes is an ordained preacher in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) where she serves as the Pastor of Saint James AME Church in Danbury, CT. Prior to her appointment as Pastor, Rev. Hughes served as an Associate Minister at Bethel AME Churches in New Haven & Bridgeport, CT serving in the positions of Christian Education Director, Women's Ministry Leader, Community 8 AM Pastor, and Youth Minister. She was the Marketing Chairperson for the First Episcopal District AME Church 2016 Bicentennial Celebration and proudly serves as the Armor Bearer, to First Episcopal District Episcopal Supervisor, Rev. Dr. Jessica K. Ingram. Rev. Hughes is also a proud member of the Connectional AME Women in Ministry.
Professionally, In 2008, Rev. Hughes was hired by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services as the Executive Business Manager growing with the company from one location to managing three locations in Connecticut. She was instrumental in the creation of the funeral home’s employee performance program, “Aria” which encouraged all employees to always perform their duties and responsibilities with excellence. While employed there, she also helped to create and was the coordinator for the grief counseling division, "Zola,” which helped families understand the importance of seeking professional grief counseling after their loss. She served as the lead consultant for The Prosperity Foundation from 2016-2021. The Prosperity Foundation is a Black Community Foundation that focuses on making a unique impact in Connecticut’s black communities in the areas of education, economics, and health through their grant-making program. Most recently Orsella was appointed as the full-time Executive Director.
Rev. Hughes’s community involvement includes serving as an advisory board member for The Perfect Blend Teen Girl Mentoring Program and alumni of the Hartford Seminary Women's Leadership Institute. Rev. Orsella is a proud member of the Links, Inc serving in the Milford (CT) Chapter.
Rev. Hughes is the owner of "Serenity Ceremonies by Rev. Orsella" offering wedding day wedding officiating services,(domestic and international), vow renewal and premarital Spiritual counseling services. Having received multiple 5-star reviews, her business has been awarded as Wedding Wire’s Couple Choice and is listed as a premiere vendor on The Knot, and Brides Magazine.
Rev. Hughes attended Southern CT State University, New Haven, CT earning an bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications; a B.S. degree in business from Bay Path University in Longmeadow, MA; Certificate in Business Management from Cornell University; Certificate of Women’s Studies from Hartford, Seminary, Hartford, CT.
She is married to Howard Hughes in 2012 and together, they share a love for walks on the beach, dancing together and making each other laugh.
Tammy Hendricks
Personal Profile
Prior to joining Access Health CT as its Director of Health Equity and Outreach, Tammy’s career spanned positions from Pharmaceutical Sales to Marketing and Business Development. Driven by a passion for digital and traditional marketing, she established her own marketing firm, after completing her MBA at the University of Connecticut 2019. She was responsible for the branding, strategic planning, and digital/traditional marketing initiatives for clients including many healthcare providers throughout Connecticut, Florida and New York City. Tammy is acknowledged for well-defined understanding of business development and capacity to identify and align clients' emerging needs with products and services.
She is a seasoned marketing and business development professional with extensive experience in the healthcare field. Her success is driven by building meaningful relationships through problem solving, strategic planning, and dedicated follow through. She has built a wide network of community advocates, doctors/providers and numerous vendors throughout the State during the course of her career.
Growing up in CT and completing both bachelors and master’s degree at UConn, she looks forward to using her personal/professional background and statewide connections to lead the Outreach efforts in communities throughout CT.
Tracee Epsy
Personal Profile
Traceee Hunt, Owner/CEO of Total HR Solutions, LLC, a skilled HR professional, has provided key leadership in senior level roles as well as driving HR strategies through Board membership as a Committee Chair. Tracee has over 25 years of experience in the field of Human Resources. As a refined HR Executive and Business Partner, Tracee has served as a key member of executive leadership teams in varying industries, as well as currently serving as an extension of each client’s leadership teams to facilitate the achievement of organizational goals and objectives.
Throughout Tracee’s HR career and in her business, she has been applauded for her astute business acumen, strategic focus, her premier executive consultation skills, her holistic focus on driving cultural competence, as well as her benefits expertise relative to its P&L impact. Tracee attributes her success to a never-ending determination to achieve in spite of any obstacle.
Recently, she authored her first book “Silent Overcomer – Trauma comes in all shapes and sizes!” which conveys her life’s journey and how the power of reframing was integral in turning life traumas into life triumphs. Tracee holds a master’s degree in Human Services Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Rider University; a bachelor’s degree in Vocational Education with a concentration in HR Training and Development from Southern Illinois University; and an associate’s degree from Burlington County College in Accounting. Tracee is married and has two children.
Zaynah Camp-Fry, DBA, MT
Personal Profile
Zaynah Camp-Fry is the Director of Ancillary Services with Benson Hospital. In this role, Zaynah leads the Laboratory, Radiology, and Respiratory Therapy departments at a critical access hospital providing oversight of all departmental operations, financials, planning and staffing. She heads a number of hospital strategic projects involving all aspects of hospital operations.
For over 20 years, Zaynah has been a noteworthy leader in the healthcare space. A big believer in servant leadership, she advocates for putting team needs first and creating an environment in which all staff feel respected, appreciated, and valued.
Zaynah’s career started more than 20 years ago in the United States Air Force as a Medical Laboratory Technologist. She has also held positions at global and very prominent organizations. Zaynah holds a Bachelor’s in Medical Laboratory Technology and an MBA in Management as well as a Doctor of Business Administration.
Dr. Camp-Fry has published work as part of her doctorate degree entitled, The Underrepresentation of Black Women in Executive Healthcare Leadership: A Phenomenology of Lived Experiences. Throughout her career, Zaynah has earned achievements such as Non-Commissioned Officer of the year by the Pacific Region Surgeon General while in the military and multiple performance-based promotions.
Dr. Camp-Fry lives in Tucson, AZ with her husband and son. When not working, Zaynah enjoys travelling, sporting events, and bowling.
Chaka Felder
Personal Profile
Dr. Chaka Felder-McEntire is a professional development consultant and a 20-year education administrator with expertise in leadership, motivation, diversity/equity/inclusion, school counseling, and college & career readiness. A certified Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion trainer, Dr. Felder-McEntire provides training and coaching to the public and private industries who want to “repurpose for success”. Dr. McEntire is the owner of Higher Elevations Consulting which provides professional development, coaching, motivational speaking, and fitness consultation. Dr. Felder-McEntire is also the founder of Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc. and the Connecticut College Access
Lisa White
Personal Profile
Lisa C. White's career spans more than 25 years as an individual devoted to the well-being of vulnerable children and their families in New York. Her passion for improving the overall quality of life of individuals has echoed throughout her career. Lisa has worked across multilayered and challenging systems where she successfully developed, managed, and enhanced services in many organizations, including hospitals, community-based organizations, criminal justice originations, and public officials' offices.
In each system that she has touched, Lisa has been committed to developing and cultivating skills using a collaborative and inclusive form of leadership that incorporates diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is her thought that systems and organizations need to create spaces where individuals are given tools and resources to operate equitably. She has been committed to this process throughout her career as an administrator and psychotherapist and continues this in her work in her own business and as Director of Health and Wellness at NYC social services agency.
Lisa received her Masters degree in Social Work from Columbia University and a Bachelors degree in Business Management from Hampton University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work at the Institute of Clinical Social Work in Chicago.