Board of Directors

Austin B. Potter, FACHE

President

Executive Director
Office of Strategy Management
Yale New Haven Health

LinkedIn

Bio

Austin B. Potter, MBA, FACHE is currently Executive Director, Office of Strategy Management at Yale New Haven Health. Austin has more than 15 years of experience in hospital operations, finance, strategy, and evolving ambulatory networks. Since joining Yale New Haven Health, he has been involved with leading the operational transformation and integration of the health system.

Michael A. Novak, FACHE

Immediate Past President/Governance Chair

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Montefiore Nyack

LinkedIn

Bio

Michael Novak is an accomplished healthcare executive with 20+ years of progressive leadership, specializing in hospital and health system operations, enterprise growth, and physician alignment. Recognized by boards and CEOs as a trusted partner capable of scaling organizations, optimizing performance, and executing complex strategic initiatives. Proven track record delivering measurable results in revenue growth, operational efficiency, patient experience, and quality outcomes.

Ethan K. Kurtzman, FACHE

President-Elect

Director of Finance
Perioperative Services at Hartford Hospital

LinkedIn

Bio

Ethan Kurtzman, FACHE, is the Director of Finance for Perioperative Services at Hartford Hospital, where he integrates his clinical background with financial leadership to drive operational excellence across surgical and procedural service lines. With a strong foundation in healthcare finance and operations, Ethan leverages data-driven and team-facilitated strategies to enhance clinical resource utilization, cost efficiency, and patient outcomes. Ethan began his career as a respiratory therapist and a paramedic, working both in pre-hospital and critical care settings throughout his clinical roles. He is board-certified in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and actively contributes to the profession through his role on the board of directors for the Connecticut Association of Healthcare Executives (CTAHE).

Stephen H. Liebowitz, DHA

Vice President

Associate Director
Impact Advisors

LinkedIn

Bio

Stephen Liebowitz is the Director of the Spine Service Line at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), overseeing the strategic and operational direction of one of the nation’s leading spine programs. He drives clinical integration, optimizes patient access, and partners with clinical and administrative leaders to strengthen referral pathways, expand program reach, and advance care delivery.

He also serves on multiple nonprofit boards and is an adjunct assistant professor of health policy and management at NYU, where he shares his passion for teaching and developing future healthcare leaders.

Alexandria N. Ofer, FACHE

Treasurer

Enterprise Account Manager
Natera

LinkedIn

Bio

Alexandria Ofer, MS, FACHE is an Enterprise Account Manager at Natera, partnering with health systems across New York and Connecticut to advance precision medicine in oncology, women’s health, organ transplant, and nephrology. With 17 years in molecular diagnostics and a Lean background from Johns Hopkins, she specializes in operationalizing genetic testing and EMR optimization. Alex serves on the ACHE CT Chapter Board as Co-Chair of Finance and Sponsorship and will assume the role of Treasurer in 2026.

Siobhan M. Blancaflor, MHA

Secretary

Director of Operations
Integrated Care Partners
Hartford HealthCare

LinkedIn

Bio

Siobhan Blancaflor, MHA, is the Director of Operations for Integrated Care Partners at Hartford HealthCare. Siobhan drives operational strategy, performance improvement, and organizational growth across geriatric care programs. Bringing extensive experience in healthcare leadership and systems optimization, Siobhan is dedicated to building high-performing teams, advancing innovation in elder care, and ensuring seniors receive compassionate, coordinated support. Siobhan serves as the Co-Chair of the Marketing and Communications Committee for CTAHE and will assume her role as Chapter Secretary in 2026.

Ysmael Albert Peguero, DBA, FACHE

Regent

System Director of Strategy and Business Operations
Bristol Health

Bio

Ysmael Albert Peguero, DBA, FACHE, is the System Director of Strategy and Business Operations at Bristol Health, where he leads strategic planning, business development, marketing, provider contracting, and major operational initiatives. Since joining the organization in 2019, he has driven systemwide performance excellence efforts, guided the health system through the COVID-19 pandemic, and secured more than $20M in grant funding. He currently oversees more than 70 innovation projects, manages a team of over 90 FTEs, and directs a combined operating and capital budget exceeding $100M. Albert is also an active community leader, serving in multiple board and advisory roles, including as the Connecticut Regent for the American College of Healthcare Executives.

2026 CTAHE Leadership

Members at Large

Claudio Capone – Winding Lane Management – North Region
Janaya Hernandez – Power of Connection, LLC – Southwest Region
Susan Prior – BerryDunn – Central Region
Mark Rogers – Lawrence + Memorial Hospital – East Region

Student Board Members

Brooke Medeiros – Yale University

Committee Chairs

Membership

Kevin Ferrarotti – Catholic Health – Co-Chair
Chandani Narula – Hartford HealthCare – Co-Chair

Programs

Janeille Ervin – Connecticut Children’s Medical Center – Co-Chair
Oladayo Sule – Hartford HealthCare – Co-Chair

Higher Education Network

Tami McCumons – Mount Sinai Health System – Co-Chair
Stephen Liebowitz – Hospital for Special Surgery – Co-Chair

Health Equity Alliance (HEAL)

Janaya Hernandez – Power of Connection, LLC – Co-Chair
Greg Murphy – Connecticut Children’s Medical Center – Co-Chair

Women’s Forum

Susan Prior – BerryDunn – Co-Chair
Julie Vigil – CT Department of Public Health – Co-Chair

Physician Advisory

Christopher Bauer, MD – Cornell Scott – Hill Health Center – Co-Chair
Amanda Ayers, MD – Hartford HealthCare – Co-Chair

Sponsorships

Alex Ofer – Natera – Co-Chair
Stephen Liebowitz – Hospital for Special Surgery – Co-Chair

Finance, Audit, and Compliance

Stephen Liebowitz – Hospital for Special Surgery – Co-Chair
Alex Ofer – Natera – Co-Chair

Marketing & Communications

Siobhan Blancaflor – Hartford HealthCare – Co-Chair
Claudio Capone – Winding Lane Management – Co-Chair

Event & Logistics

Kim Lumia – Prospect East Coast – Co-Chair
Montana Passero – Yale New Haven Health – Co-Chair

Governance

Michael Novak – Montefiore Nyack – Chair

Golf

Michael Novak – Montefiore Nyack – Co-Chair
Stephen Liebowitz – Hospital for Special Surgery – Co-Chair