The Hartford Resident Advisory Board (HRAB) is made up of engaged Hartford residents who are familiar with academic research. The current HRAB members are:
Jeffery Devereux, Breakfast Lunch & Dinner (Parkville Market): Jeff Devereux is the co-founder of community venture building studio Breakfast Lunch & Dinner. BL&D is responsible for projects such as KNOW GOOD Market, Cafeteria.fm, the Caf by Cafeteria, Winterfair, On Earth, and more. In his role at BL&D Jeff also serves as event director for First Night Hartford and the Hartford Bonanza. Jeff is passionate about community sports and also co-founded and serves as the board chair of Active City, a youth sports nonprofit trying to dramatically increase access and participation in youth sports in Hartford. A 2012 graduate in Psychology from Trinity, Jeff lives with his wife Jane in Hartford.
Elizabeth Gianetta, Compass Youth Collaborative: Elizabeth M. Giannetta-Ramos, known as Liz, was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, where she has dedicated her life to serving the community, particularly its youth. Her commitment to youth development began early, and she has spent most of her career in the non-profit sector, advocating for and empowering young people. Liz graduated from Northwest Catholic High School in 1998 and pursued her passion for human services at Springfield College, earning her Bachelor’s degree in 2004. For the first 15 years of her career, she immersed herself in youth development and grassroots community organizing, forging deep connections with the young people she served, many of whom she considers her own. In 1995, driven by her advocacy skills and the urgent need for safe spaces in her community, Liz co-founded the Southend Knightriders Youth Center during a tumultuous period of violence in Hartford. Her efforts to create a supportive environment for youth have been a hallmark of her work, and she continues to serve as a vital voice for city youth, collaborating with Hartford Public Schools and other Hartford agencies to cultivate opportunities for growth and development.
Cristher Estrada Perez, Student Loan Fund
Amir Johnson, iQuilt Partnership
Shanelle Morris, Hartford Food System
Camilo Ruiz, UCONN Department of Anthropology: Camilo Ruiz is an Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut. He is an anthropologist with more than fifteen years of experience in ethnographic and anthropological work in urban contexts in Colombia and the United States. He uses the combined strengths of participatory action research (PAR), anthropology, public health, and the arts to engage in collaborative research with often-overlooked communities.
HRAB members shall recuse themselves from discussing and voting on any application for which they may have a conflict of interest.