Quanette is ultimately responsible for the overall management of the organization’s facilities and office services functions.  She is a member of the Executive Management Team and is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing strategic decisions to meet organizational objectives. She is a member of the National Association of Realtors Connecticut Chapter, a member of the In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association, serves as Interim President of Believe In Me Empowerment Corporation, and is a Notary Public. She earned an M.B.A. in Business Administration from Albertus Magnus College (magna cum laude).

Quanette Kirby, owner of both RBQ Property Management Company, LLC and RBQ Properties of Keller Williams.  She is highly ambitious and focus-driven with demonstrated experience managing business relations, special projects at the senior management level, operations management, and managerial expertise. She holds a Connecticut Real Estate salesperson license and has a Notary Public certification.

Quanette resides in Seymour, CT.  She is the proud mother of three children, Andre, Michael, and Alvin, and three wonderful grandchildren.

As House Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee, she spearheaded landmark legislation, making Connecticut the 8th state to pass the C.R.O.W.N. Act, raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2023, and establishing a nationally recognized Paid Family and Medical Leave Program. She also led efforts to improve workers’ rights, expand pay equity, and enhance workplace protections, ensuring better conditions for employees statewide.

Beyond labor rights, Porter played a pivotal role in addressing systemic inequities. She served as Chief Majority Whip and on key committees, including Appropriations, Judiciary, and Human Services, where she shaped policies for fair sentencing, humane treatment, and budget priorities that directly impacted marginalized communities.

She co-chaired the Education Subcommittee of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee, advocating for justice-impacted youth and pushing for reforms that ensured equitable access to quality education. Passionate about healthcare equity, she was a leading voice in addressing Black maternal and infant mortality, advocating for Medicaid coverage and reimbursement for doulas, midwives, and lactation consultants. Her efforts were instrumental in passing Public Act 23-147: “An Act Protecting Maternal Health.”

Porter is a proud mother of two and a devoted “Grammy” to six grandchildren. She holds an associate’s degree from Gateway Community College and a bachelor’s in criminal justice from Charter Oak State College, graduating with high honors and induction into Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Lambda honor societies. She also serves on multiple boards and selection committees.

Her legacy, marked by her mother’s moniker “Porter for the People,” reflects her unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and empowering working families. Her powerful farewell speech in June 2024 underscored her dedication to transparency in governance. Though out of office, Porter remains a formidable advocate, steadfast in the ongoing fight for liberty, justice, and equity for all.

For 11 years, Toni was co-chair of the legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee, deftly balancing fiscal prudence with state government’s many financial obligations.

In 2014, Toni became the first woman to be Mayor of New Haven and went on to serve three two-year terms.  Throughout her distinguished career, Toni’s policy priorities never changed:  full access to affordable healthcare, regardless of ethnic, cultural, or economic differences; a responsive and effective public safety network working hand-in-hand with an equitable criminal justice system; and, maximizing opportunities for each individual student through public education and economic development so residents can enjoy the rewards and responsibilities of productive engagement.  As Mayor, Toni made public safety a priority and never wavered in her commitment to community-based policing, through which crime prevention has equal weight with law enforcement, and the police department works with and among those it protects and serves.  This approach, complemented with judicious deployment of cutting-edge technology, contributed to declining crime rates across-the-board each year throughout her tenure.  In public education, Toni championed ‘School Change 2.0’ in New Haven Public Schools, where Restorative Practices were also engaged in disciplinary matters.  The result was increased enrollment districtwide, increase high school graduation rates, higher college enrollment and retention rates, decreased absenteeism system-wide, and dramatically reduced expulsion rates.  Toni Harp was the first woman president of the African American Mayors Association.

She is a college access consultant who started her high school counseling career in Washington, DC, working with students who were preparing for careers in the arts. Her students quickly discovered that strategic planning with self-confidence and a commitment to excellence would open many previously closed doors.

Carolyn continued her counseling work in Connecticut as a school district coordinator of guidance services, guidance counselor, adjunct instructor at Southern Connecticut State University in the Graduate Department of Counseling and School Psychology, Director of Education for the Albert Schweitzer Institute at Quinnipiac University, and Assistant Coordinator of the acclaimed Aspirations for Higher Learning Pre-Collegiate Program. Carolyn has presented her views on college access, service learning, and career development at local, regional, and national conferences including the New England Regional Meeting of the College Board and the National Charter School Conference.

Carolyn Baker, a National Certified Counselor, is a member of the American Counseling Association. Carolyn provides consulting services for college access, continues public speaking engagements, and writes frequently about expanding horizons and post-secondary educational opportunities. Her most recent publication, Preparing for College Admissions: The Ultimate Guide for Parents and Students, is being used by thousands of students with measurable success.

As Co-President of the Greater New Haven African American Historical Society, Carolyn Baker shares her passion for preserving and presenting the history and culture of African Americans with a focus on local history. She also serves on the Board of the Ethnic Heritage Center.

International travel has always been a major part of her personal education. She has worked as a school counselor abroad and traveled for pleasure. Her love for learning new languages and studying other cultures started in junior high school and continues today.

She is a proud Christian and member of the Community Baptist Church where she enjoys Bible studies and singing in the choir.

Kim has worked at the VA Healthcare System for 35 years.  Yes, she is planning to retire soon.  She received her bachelor’s degree in healthcare management from Southern New Hampshire University.

Kim started volunteering many years ago in the Soup Kitchen at Varick AME Zion Church, where she is an active member.  She is now the Pantry Coordinator for Varick Food Pantry.  Kim is also a member of the Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society at Varick.

Kim is a member of Eureka Chapter No. 2, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall affiliate.  The Order supports many charitable projects.

Kim serves on the board for Believe in Me Empowerment Corporation.  BIMEC is dedicated to improving and empowering the lives of marginalized individuals and families to strengthen our community.

Kim also serves on the board for Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Program.  HHYEP empowers communities to help students achieve their educational and career goals through statewide comprehensive outreach, initiatives, and partnerships with schools, groups, and businesses

Her academic background, combined with extensive experience in higher education administration and research has provided her with a well-rounded perspective on organizational systems, human behavior, and public health. Her career spans financial, clinical, and research operations, where she has consistently focused on improving workflows, enhancing service delivery, and fostering inclusive environments that support both individual and institutional success.

In her current role as Senior Administrator at the Yale School of Public Health, Smith provides comprehensive administrative and operational support for the Office of Academic Affairs, Health Informatics and the Executive MPH Online Programs. Smith, organizes, schedules, and supports two core academic public health committees: the Education Committee and the Committee for Academic and Professional Integrity. Known for her exceptional task management, problem-solving ability, and deep knowledge of Yale’s policies and systems, she is trusted for her high level of accuracy, professionalism, and ability to build strong working relationships.

Smith is a dedicated advocate for community and youth empowerment. She has co-facilitated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) stress management groups and provided individual life coaching for mothers in New Haven at risk for depression. She has designed, and facilitated community-based workshops for women and children, and local youth, particularly young males ages 13–17, centered on leadership development, emotional resilience, and personal growth. Her commitment to uplifting underserved populations and promoting mental wellness is a core aspect of her personal mission, aligning closely with the values and goals of organizations focused on equity, education, and community health.