staff

Jennifer Yanko – Managing Director

Jennifer has been with HartBeat Ensemble since day one. She was the first President of the Board of Directors, starting in August of 2001.  She joined the staff as Bookkeeper in April 2004, became the Office Manager in 2006, and has been the Managing Director since September 2007. Previously, Jennifer worked in a multitude of management and administrative positions, most recently as a Manager at Wild Oats Market in West Hartford. Before that she worked for ADT Security Systems as the Sales and Installation Coordinator for Connecticut, as a Travel Coordinator for Science Applications International Corp in San Diego, CA, and as an Assistant Buyer for InterPacific Hawaii Retail Group in Honolulu, HI. Jennifer started her professional career at the age of 17 as a Store Manager at several fine jewelry companies in Connecticut. Jennifer is a graduate of Hartford Public High School and is currently enrolled in the University of Connecticut’s Center for Continuing Studies Nonprofit Leadership Program.

Maureen Welch – Director of Development

Maureen is a Connecticut native and a graduate of Trinity College, 2003. She began her career in development at the Antiquarian & Landmarks Society, now known as Connecticut Landmarks. She next served as Development Database Administrator for Planned Parenthood of Connecticut, running the Raiser’s Edge fundraising database for the entire state affiliate. She joined HartBeat Ensemble in 2007 as Director of Development. Maureen also worked as a volunteer fundraiser for the Hartford Independent Media Center.

Julia Pistell - PR Intern

Juliais brand new to HartBeat and Connecticut.  Originally from New Jersey, she holds a B.A. in English from Skidmore College and an M.F.A. in Nonfiction Writing from Bennington College.  She has worked in a variety of strange places:  a hairdresser's in Atonsu, Ghana; a preschool and university in Dongying, China; a mobile bookstore in Manhattan; a dogwalking collective in Harlem; a library in the South Bronx; a brewery, a publishing house, a florist... the list is endless.  In every setting, her focus has been learning from and supporting the community.  In Hartford, she also tutors English as a Second Language and works on Public Relations for the Mark Twain House.  She has been involved in theater since childhood and is one of the founding members of Sea Tea Improv in Hartford, CT.  Julia is thrilled to be a part of HartBeat Ensemble's staff and is eager to expand its community reach.