Adrienne Billings-Smith
Director of Community Engagement, Town of West Hartford
Adrienne Billings-Smith has built a career centered on connection—bringing people together within local government and across the community. As Director of Community Engagement and Title VI Coordinator for the Town of West Hartford, she leads initiatives that support employees, strengthen relationships with residents, and help ensure the town’s policies and programs are accessible and inclusive.
An attorney whose career has also included roles as a college basketball coach, and DEI consultant, Adrienne brings a wide range of experiences to her work in the town. She says one of the things she values most about her role is its scope.
“I appreciate the broadness of my job and the ability to support not only colleagues internally, but also the community so we stay connected,” she said.
Adrienne moved to West Hartford from Florida with her wife 12 years ago, calling the move a leap of faith. “It was the best decision we ever made.” The couple are now raising their 12-year-old son here.
She also points to West Hartford’s women in leadership as one of the community’s strengths. With women serving prominently on the Town Council and in leadership positions across town government, she says there is a visible level of trust in women’s leadership.
Among the initiatives she is most proud of are the MLK mural and the renaming of Goodman Green to Unity Green. Reflecting on the impact of these projects, she says, “Being able to create spaces and programs that bring people together—that’s what makes West Hartford feel like home."
Kimberly Moster
Owner, Kimberly Boutique – West Hartford Center
For more than two decades, Kimberly Moster has been a familiar face in West Hartford Center as the owner of Kimberly Boutique, a shop known for its personalized approach to fashion and loyal clientele. After spending 10 years working for retailers in Boston and New York City, Moster decided to create the kind of store she had always wanted to work in.
“I have always been obsessed with fashion and shopping, as far back as I can remember,” she says. “After working for quite a few different retailers, I was still searching for the perfect fit. Not finding it, I decided to open my own store.”
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Kimberly moved to West Hartford from Manhattan to open the boutique in 2004, and West Hartford quickly became home. The relationships she’s built are what she values most.
“The best part of having Kimberly Boutique is the people,” she says. “I feel really lucky to have made amazing friendships over the years with both my clients and my staff.”
Kimberly wants women to be able to find great fashion, pieces they will love for years, and feel amazing in.
“I love being a part of this community. I moved here for the store, knowing no one in 2004. Now I see smiling faces everywhere I go.”
Heather Moran
Owner & Founder, The Book Club – West Hartford Center
Heather Moran is the founder of The Book Club, a literacy-based club in West Hartford where books, creativity, and community come together to help children fall in love with reading.
Originally from Manchester, New Hampshire, Moran moved to West Hartford with her husband Mike ten years ago in search of strong schools and a close-knit community for their growing family.
“West Hartford immediately felt like the kind of place where families put down roots. Now we’re raising our three children here, and it has proven to be exactly the supportive, connected community we were hoping to find.”
Before launching The Book Club, Moran spent more than 15 years working in schools in Bridgeport and Hartford as a teacher, curriculum writer, academic dean, and teacher coach.
“I saw how deeply literacy shapes confidence and opportunity. Strong instruction matters, but so does community.”
The idea for The Book Club began at her own kitchen table while navigating reading resistance with her children.
“I realized it wasn’t ability holding them back. It was engagement. So I stopped negotiating minutes and started making reading social.”
That shift sparked the concept behind her business — a place where stories come to life through art, science, theater, music, building, and conversation.
For Moran, the most rewarding part of her work is the community that has grown around The Book Club.
“Books are the anchor, but connection is the heartbeat. I get to watch children walk in unsure and leave confident, and families find a real sense of belonging.”
Kristen Gorski
Economic Development Manager – Town of West Hartford
Kristen Gorski serves as the Economic Development Manager for the town of West Hartford, where she works closely with local businesses to support growth, expansion, and new development.
Originally from Hampden, Massachusetts, Kristen later lived outside Boston in Woburn before moving to Connecticut in 2015 to work with the Bristol Development Authority.
“A co-worker told me about a newly created economic development position in West Hartford that focused on outreach to businesses and helping facilitate expansion and new development,” she says.
“She encouraged me to apply, and in September 2016 I hit the ground running.” Nearly a decade later, Gorski says the best part of her job is working directly with the business community.
“From business retention to recruitment to development, I have the pleasure of engaging in a variety of exciting, challenging and impactful work,” she says.
“Working with our businesses over the last decade has been a very meaningful area of my work.” She says the town itself is a big part of that success. “West Hartford is such a dynamic, thriving place. It’s a welcoming community that celebrates its history while embracing change, and residents and businesses are passionate about this town.”
Sherry Haller
Director of the Justice Education Center – West Hartford
For over 50 years, The Justice Education Center has been dedicated to increasing community safety, reducing crime and violence, and providing educational and wellness opportunities for Connecticut’s children and youth.
The increases in childhood trauma, teen mental health decline, violence, cyberbullying, food insecurity - to name just a few - are staggering. Now more than ever, I am heartened by the commitment that Connecticut's leaders have made to support a range of social service programs and proud to be working alongside our community agency partners throughout the state to improve the lives of our children and families.
Camp Inspire is a new initiative of The Justice Education Center, rooted in a long-standing commitment to education, equity, and opportunity for all. Building on the foundation of the Inspire Scholarship Fund, The Justice Education Center acquired the historic Almada Times Farm – the former Channel 3 Kids Camp in Coventry, Connecticut 2024.
The vision for Camp Inspire is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where under-privileged children, youth, and families can experience the joys of the outdoors regardless of their ability to pay.
“My children grew up in West Hartford, and we were blessed to live close to my parents throughout their lives and to members of our extended family. The quality of life, municipal services, restaurants, parks, reservoir, family-friendly 9-hole golf course, ice skating rink, swimming pool, community garden, tennis and pickle ball courts... need I say more? It is an extraordinary place that I cherish.”
Irene O’Connor
Director of Public Relations
Linked Media
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West Hartford, CT 06107
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Eileen McNamara
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“Being able to create spaces and programs that bring people together—that’s what makes West Hartford feel like home.” Adrienne Billings-Smith
“I realized it wasn’t ability holding them back. It was engagement. So I stopped negotiating minutes and started making reading social.” Heather Moran