Passionate Purpose
That which you are most passionate about is bound to make a meaningful career. It could be music or the environment, something global or even personal. Passion is the key.
Christianne Kovel, 38, is the new senior director of public policy and communications at the Connecticut chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Kovel’s passion stemmed from watching her grandfather deal with Alzheimer’s for years and it led her to the career she has today.
“I’ve always been interested in gerontology and older adults,” Kovel said. “I was 10 or 11 years old when I visited my grandfather in the nursing home and I started volunteering there.”
The Middletown resident grew up in West Hartford and spent hours at West Hartford Health & Rehabilitation. During college breaks, she also worked with Catholic Charities in Hartford to provide families with basic necessities.
“My focus has always been on human services,” she said.
Kovel graduated from Hollins University in Virginia with a degree in sociology and became therapeutic recreation director at Windsor Hall. She stayed for two years before becoming director of recreation and volunteer services at the Marathon Health Care Center of West Haven. In 1998, she joined Hebrew Health Care as director of recreation and became director of public affairs there until 2007.
“My job now is much more global and less hands-on working with adults,” Kovel said. “My work is advocating for individuals with dementia throughout the state. It’s definitely a change from where I started but I can make a big difference this way.”
Kovel is communicator and lobbyist for the association and oversees the public policy committee which drives their legislative platforms in the state.
“We are communicating the need for the 68,000 individuals in Connecticut with the disease and making a collective effort to disseminate information,” Kovel said. “It’s a wonderful challenge.”
Kovel received her master’s degree in 2002 from Saint Joseph College in human development and gerontology. She now is also adjunct at the college and will be teaching a class on social issues and aging.
“I want to be able to mentor to young people that are interested in gerontology,” she said. “I’m hopeful that I can make a difference.”
Emily Boisvert is a Hartford Business Journal staff writer.
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