Donor Profile

Better Together: Empowering Women to Succeed

With a welcoming smile, tip of his hat, and giving spirit, Barry Lastra is the epitome of service above self. He has dedicated his life to hard work, a “never give up” attitude, and supporting people in his communities—especially women.

Barry, a native Californian, was born in 1938. His family always lived near the ocean but could never afford an oceanfront view. To help support his family and save money, he worked from a very young age.

During high school, he worked at a cafeteria in Santa Barbara, starting as a busboy and working himself up to assistant manager. At 18, he was pumping gas at Chevron. By 21, he was married and had three children, David, Dian, and Dennis. Chevron was the company he called home for the next 36 years.

“I always took advantage of opportunities for advancement,” Barry shares. “While at Chevron, the company moved me and my family every year until 1970. There was always something different to do. I had the mindset that I did not know what I could or couldn’t do until I tried it.” At 32, he earned his associate’s degree from a community college.

After a number of years and promotions at Chevron, Barry was working for the vice chair of Chevron’s board to build consistency in global operations for marketing. The vice chair asked him to develop a pathway to provide more opportunities for women. They started by hiring six women with MBAs. Barry immediately made it his priority to ensure they had proper orientation and equal treatment.

“When presented with this opportunity, these bright young women, not surprisingly, did as well as the men,” he comments. “In fact, two of the women eventually became presidents of Chevron subsidiaries.”

In 1982, Barry met Alison Gallagher Coolbrith, who would become his wife of 33 years, at a conference. At that time, Alison led Aetna’s corporate foundation while Barry was the manager of corporate contributions for Chevron.

Alison was a 1965 graduate of Hartford College for Women (HCW). She often shared stories with Barry about how HCW changed her life. After completing her associate’s degree, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin. She started her career at Aetna. Over 30 years, she advanced to various executive leadership roles at the company. She also served as chair of the HCW Board of Trustees. She viewed HCW faculty, staff, and trustees like Laura Johnson, Louise Loomis, and Dorothy Goodwin as role models.

By the early 1990s, more women elected to enroll in co-educational institutions. As a result, women’s colleges experienced decreased enrollment. In 1991, Hartford College for Women affiliated with the University of Hartford. In 2003, the last class from HCW graduated.

In 2005, a task force of HCW trustees and University of Hartford regents came together to establish a new opportunity in women’s education. In 2006, The Women’s Education and Leadership Fund (WELFund) was established, now known as The Women’s Advancement Initiative.

In 2011, its board of directors strategically decided to increase the focus on students. Barry remembers a conversation they had with Lucille Nickerson, its founding board chair, about a new program for women students that would be inspired by the way students at HCW were supported and challenged. Alison and Barry responded by making a generous challenge grant that inspired more than 100 other people to contribute. Today, this program is known as LEAD (Leadership Education and Development). It serves more than 100 women students in all four class years with leadership and professional development training, resilience and opportunity coaching, and a supportive, empowering community.

Alison was dedicated to women’s leadership and community engagement, and Barry was part of that journey every step of the way. The Women’s Advancement Initiative and its LEAD program are more than a cause to him; they are a significant part of his life.

In 2014, Puja received her professional headshot at a LEAD mock job interview session.

“I enjoy interacting with the LEAD students, watching them cross the bridge as they begin college, hearing about their aspirations, and sharing my personal and professional journey,” he comments. “Sadly, Alison passed away at 70 years old. She would be so pleased to see the growth of the program today. The LEAD students remind me of her core characteristics—strength, integrity, and leadership.”

“I continue to support The Women’s Advancement Initiative because I know that at the end of your life you can’t take money with you,” he adds. “I want to support others now, in this moment. It is amazing what a little support can do to change students’ lives.”

Today, Barry and his partner, Cynthia Gottlieb, continue to sponsor students in the LEAD program, joining them for leadership sessions, providing mentorship, and hosting dinners. Over the past five years, they have sponsored 14 LEAD students and supported many more by underwriting scholarships and awards in Alison’s honor. Barry also pledged a generous planned gift.

In addition to serving on The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s board of directors for more than five years, he has served on the boards of United Way of San Francisco, Riverfront Recapture, The Village for Children and Families, and Hartford Public Library, and supports the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation.

Aside from serving his community, Barry’s love of travel and curiosity about the world and people have taken him to 130 countries and all seven continents.

Every day, Barry lives by these words of advice: “Be curious. Find a support system that sustains you. And always be willing to support others.”

Cynthia Gottlieb with LEAD alumna Khalia Whyte ’22 and Clarice Jayawickrema ’24 at the “Be Open” chairs dedication ceremony in honor of Alison Gallagher Coolbrith Lastra ’65 (HCW).

Ways to Give

Give Online

Scan the QR code at bottom right or “Make a Gift” at hartford.edu/ womensadvancement.

Mail a Gift

Send a check in the enclosed envelope.

Support the Annual Fund

Unrestricted annual gifts provide essential support for daily operations of The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s programs, including LEAD, Dorothy Goodwin Scholars, and Laura Johnson Leaders.

Donate to the Lead Program

The LEAD program was launched in 2012 to provide young women with unique educational opportunities through a life-changing professional and personal enrichment program. The program serves 100+ students annually. See page 7 for information on how your gift directly impacts today’s students.

Consider a Major Gift

To discuss major gifts or alternative options—including directing a gift from a donor-advised fund, retirement assets, or real estate—please contact Samantha Goemans at 860.768.2448 or sgoemans@hartford.edu.

Give to the HCW Legacy Fund

Gifts to the Hartford College for Women (HCW) Legacy Fund support The Women’s Advancement Initiative’s programs for today’s women, and HCW reunions and events.

DONATE YOUR TIME: MENTOR A STUDENT

There is nothing more energizing than making a difference in the lives of young women. Share your career and life experiences with students— in person, on the phone, or through a video conference. Enjoy lunch with students. Hire a student as an intern. Or, host a student at your workplace for a few hours or a few days as part of the Express to Success job-shadowing program. To learn more, call 860.768.5961.