Community Innovation & Leadership Finalists

Each finalist is a woman employed in technology, science or engineering who has devoted her own time and resources, or marshaled those of her company or organization, to support community organizations or non-profits. Awarded to one outstanding woman who has created or encouraged a culture of giving at her company or who has volunteered her time outside her workplace.

ERICA DEPALMA

Community Innovation & Leadership Winner

Occupation
Senior Vice President of Digital Marketing
Organization
Media Horizons
Hometown
Norwalk, CT
Passion
Erica’s passion is pairing emerging technology companies with Brands to improve consumer experiences while increasing ROI.
Bio
Erica sat on the Leadership Council for the Data & Marketing Association, is a past Board Member of NYC’s Interactive Advertising Club, a BOE member with Norwalk Public Schools, an Advisory Board member for The Pinnacle School for Specialized Learning and active and former Board member of the CT AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  Erica and Michael live in Norwalk with daughters Jameson and Brooklyn.
Download or request a printed poster for your school at woi@ccat.us.

LILA LU

Community Innovation & Leadership Finalist

Occupation
F135 Earned Value Analyst
Organization
Pratt & Whitney
Hometown
East Hartford, CT
Passion
Lila is an Earned Value Analyst and enjoys providing advice, consultation, and analysis in EV methodology.
Bio
Lila is an Earned Value Analyst and enjoys providing advice, consultation, and analysis in EV methodology. She oversees 87 control accounts with a total budget of $32.2 million. For the past five years, Lila has been very involved in various employee resource groups at Pratt & Whitney including the Asian American Leadership Forum and Women’s Council. In her free time, Lila enjoys spending time with her siblings, traveling, and trying new recipes.
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LISA ROY

Community Innovation & Leadership Finalist

Occupation
Director of Government & Community Relations
Organization
The Jackson Laboratory
Hometown
Farmington, CT
Passion
Lisa is a dynamic government affairs professional, passionate about creating opportunity through collaboration, community outreach and relationship building.
Bio
Lisa has been active is legislative affairs and policymaking, at the state and local level for over twenty years. Throughout her career she has maintained a passion for mentorship and creating opportunities for supporting and developing the next generation of leaders. At JAX, she combines her unique experience and lessons learned from a rich history of community engagement, relationship building and strategic partnership, to advancing the efforts of women in STEM.
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ADRIENNA YAN

Community Innovation & Leadership Winner

Occupation
Design Engineer
Organization
Pratt & Whitney
Hometown
West Hartford, CT
Passion
In her current role, Adrienna works on executing process improvements that eliminate nonconforming parts and increase product yield.
Bio
Adrienna is a Project Engineer within Manufacturing & Operations at Pratt & Whitney. In this role, she works on executing quality improvement plans to increase organizational efficiency. She is also involved in the Asian American Leadership Forum Employee Resource Group, a group she led as President from Jan 2020 – June 2021. She is passionate about creating an inclusive community where professionals can thrive. When she’s not at her desk, Adrienna stays active (biking, playing pickleball and going to the gym are her current favorites), expands her worldview through podcasts and writing and explores global cuisines from her kitchen.
Download or request a printed poster for your school at woi@ccat.us.