Governor Lamont Appoints West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor as UConn Board Chair

“Shari Cantor is the right person to lead the board,” Governor Ned Lamont said today.

The Governor announced his selection of West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor to serve as the chair of the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees, the governing body for the state’s largest public university. Cantor, a 1981 UConn School of Business graduate, has been a member of the board since 2014 and is a member of the UConn Business Hall of Fame, according to a statement from the Governor’s office.

This leadership transition comes as the university seeks to tighten the link between academic preparation and the demands of a modern workforce. By appointing a figure with deep roots in both municipal leadership and the private accounting sector, the administration is focusing on economic integration. The move is intended to ensure that UConn graduates are equipped to meet the specific needs of Connecticut’s employers.

A legacy of Husky blue

Cantor’s connection to the university is both professional and deeply personal. A native of West Hartford and a graduate of Hall High School, she earned her accounting degree magna cum laude in 1981. Her family’s ties to the institution are extensive, including three siblings who graduated from the university and her husband, Michael Cantor, who earned degrees in chemical engineering and law from UConn.

Lamont selects West Hartford mayor to serve as chair of UConn's Board of Trustees — WTNH News8

Her professional background includes roles as a certified public accountant at PwC and Cigna. This experience in the corporate sector aligns with Lamont’s stated goal of strengthening the bonds between the university and state employers.

“In selecting a board chair, I want someone who not only has extensive experience with UConn and knows its academic and administrative needs, but who also has strong connections to Connecticut’s business community,” Lamont said.

Governor Lamont Appoints West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor as UConn Board Chair

Beyond her corporate and political career—which includes serving as West Hartford’s deputy mayor in 2012 and mayor since 2016—Cantor has actively supported university initiatives. She and her husband helped establish Build Hartford, a course that connects students with local start-ups and businesses to foster regional economic development. They have also supported the Students First program, which provides emergency financial assistance to students facing sudden hardships.

Shifting leadership at the top

Cantor succeeds Dan Toscano, who stepped down from the chair position this week after serving in the role since 2019. Toscano’s tenure saw the institution grow.

“Over the past seven years, Dan Toscano’s leadership on the board has helped strengthen UConn and elevate its reputation as one of the best universities in the country, contributing to a record-breaking surge in applications from aspiring Huskies across the nation,” Lamont said.

New UConn Board of Trustees chair selected by Gov. Lamont — WFSB 3

Toscano’s departure follows 18 years of service on both the UConn Board of Trustees and the UConn Foundation Board of Directors. Cantor’s appointment takes effect immediately.

“UConn has played an extraordinary role in my life and in the lives of so many Connecticut families,” Cantor told UConn Today. “I look forward to working collaboratively with President Radenka Maric, my fellow trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumni to build on UConn’s remarkable momentum, expand opportunities for our students, and strengthen the university’s impact on Connecticut and beyond.”

The university’s governance structure remains a complex mix of state and community interests. The 21-member Board of Trustees includes twelve members appointed by the governor, two elected by alumni, two elected by students, and five ex-officio members. These ex-officio roles include the governor and commissioners from the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Department of Education, among others. All board members serve in unpaid, volunteer capacities.

As the university adapts to changing economic conditions, the new chair will likely focus on how higher education drives state-wide stability and growth.

“Public service has always been a deeply meaningful commitment for me, and I see this opportunity as another way to give back to a university and state that have given me so much,” Cantor said.

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