SHU Staff Named to Business Publication’s Top 40 List
Julie Balamaci and Julia Olson recognized as rising stars in the business community
Sacred Heart University’s Julie Balamaci, financial analyst for academic affairs and Julia Olson, director for development and alumni engagement, have been named to the Fairfield County Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty list.
The list identifies dynamic industry leaders who are over age 25 and under 40 and who are vital parts of their business community, based on nominations from the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and colleagues. Westfair Communications, which publishes the Fairfield County Business Journal, hosted a ceremony at The Stamford Hotel June 16 in conjunction with area chambers of commerce to honor Balamaci, Olson and other award recipients.
Balamaci, 32, has worked at Sacred Heart for almost five years. The Monroe resident holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in information systems and technology from American University in Washington, D.C. She is enrolled in SHU’s master of business administration program and is scheduled to graduate next June. Amanda Moras, SHU’s interim chief of diversity and inclusion and associate provost of teaching and learning, nominated her.
“I feel honored just to have been nominated for the award, and I am very grateful to have won,” Balamaci said. “It validates the passion I have for my career. Many thanks to Dr. Moras for supporting my professional growth.”
Balamaci started at SHU in November 2017 and spent four years in the office of global affairs before transitioning to the provost’s office. Throughout her time at SHU, she has had the opportunity to travel, attend professional development conferences and learn new skills. “I work with some pretty wonderful people at SHU. Upon receiving this honor, I thought of many colleagues whose names could be listed in addition to my own,” Balamaci said.
Olson, 34, a member of the University advancement team for the last four years, works with partners across the University to help create opportunities for SHU’s growing alumni community to give back through events and philanthropic initiatives. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Storrs and her graduate degree from Boston University in MA. Jennifer Mahoney, assistant vice president of annual giving, stewardship and advancement services at SHU, nominated Olson, who resides in West Hartford.
“I'm honored to be a part of this accomplished group of young professionals. To be acknowledged by my colleagues for my contributions to Sacred Heart makes the honor even more meaningful,” Olson said. “I was deeply touched to learn that my department invested the time on my nomination and felt that I was worthy of such a recognition. Being named to this list, along with others in Fairfield County, is truly an exciting moment in my professional career."
Pictured: Julia Olson, left, and Julie Balamaci