WBDC Appoints Four to Board of Directors

The Women's Business Development Council named Hannah Blonshteyn, Brian Carroll, Lesa Vanotti and Elizabeth Zessman to its board.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People

WBDC Appoints Four to Board of Directors

The Women's Business Development Council appointed four new members to its board of directors, announced by CEO Fran Pastore. The appointees are Hannah Blonshteyn, Brian Carroll, Lesa Vanotti and Elizabeth Zessman.

Why it matters

The appointments add executives from aviation, accounting, banking and executive search to the council's governance, which supports women entrepreneurs across Connecticut. The new members bring legal, audit, banking and recruitment expertise to the organization's board.

The council added four members to its board, and Brian Carroll brings more than 25 years of audit and transaction advisory experience. The source does not state the board's total size or the length of the appointees' terms.

The players

Women's Business Development Council

The Women's Business Development Council is a Connecticut-based organization that supports women entrepreneurs and business owners through programs and resources.

Fran Pastore

Fran Pastore is the chief executive officer of the Women's Business Development Council, leading the organization's programs supporting women-owned businesses.

PwC

PwC is a multinational professional services network providing audit, tax and advisory services, with an office in Stamford, Connecticut.

The details

Hannah Blonshteyn is vice president and general counsel at Elevate Aviation Group and previously practiced at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Wiggin & Dana LLP. Brian Carroll is office managing partner for PwC Stamford, Lesa Vanotti is president and CEO of Torrington Savings Bank, and Elizabeth Zessman is a partner at Heidrick & Struggles, whose civil litigation career began her professional path.

• October 2020: Lesa Vanotti became CEO of Torrington Savings Bank.
• 1996: Lesa Vanotti joined Torrington Savings Bank as an accounting assistant.

Roadmap

The appointments continue a pattern of Connecticut's Women's Business Development Council building its board with senior professionals from regional firms and institutions. Adding leaders from aviation, accounting, banking and executive search broadens the council's advisory capacity for women-owned businesses across the state.

Connecticut women entrepreneurs gain access to a council board that now includes legal, audit, banking and recruitment expertise. The appointments may shape the programs and resources available to women-owned businesses in the state.

The takeaway

Strong board composition can expand the resources available to women entrepreneurs, and business owners in Connecticut can look to organizations like the Women's Business Development Council for support as they grow.