As a Senior Fellow, Thea focuses on translating TCP's economic and social mobility work into-on-the ground impact by developing practical approaches in collaboration with local cities and towns.
Thea Montañez is a public-sector leader with more than 20 years of experience helping governments, nonprofits, and community partners solve complex challenges for children, families, and cities. Her work has focused building meaningful partnerships, improving systems that serve vulnerable communities, and leading major public institutions through periods of crisis and change.
Thea recently served as Senior Advisor to Governor Ned Lamont and Chair of the Governor’s Kids Cabinet, leading interagency efforts and cross-sector partnerships to better support children, youth, and families in Connecticut.
Between 2016-2024, she served as Chief of Staff and then Chief Operating Officer for the City of Hartford under Mayor Luke Bronin, managing a $600 million budget, overseeing 1,500 employees across 13 departments, and helping lead the city through fiscal crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. As COO, she also advanced citywide initiatives supporting survivors of community violence, justice-involved youth and adults, and people facing addiction, mental illness, and housing instability.
Earlier, Thea was appointed by Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra as the founding Director of the North Hartford Promise Zone after helping secure the federal designation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She also ran her own consulting firm focused on strategic communications and community affairs and previously led local grantmaking for The Hartford Financial Services Group.
Outside of work, Thea serves as a board member of Land Use Atlas, Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, and St. Patrick–St. Anthony Church of Hartford’s Pastoral Council. She is a former appointee to the Connecticut Judicial Selection Commission and the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee. Her honors include the Center for Children’s Advocacy “Champion of Children” award and Connecticut Magazine’s “40 Under 40.”
Thea is a proud first-generation college graduate of Syracuse University.
Why do you do “the work?”
Since moving back home to Hartford in 2004, my “why” has evolved. At first, I was inspired by the opportunity to give back to the community that raised me. Over time, I realized my work was more than about service – it was a response to the painful experiences my loved ones and I had experienced. In many ways, it became part of my healing. Today, I’m driven by a belief that government, philanthropy and communities can think differently about challenges and unlock greater opportunities for people.
What are some specific places or things you love in Connecticut?
What makes Connecticut special is its spirit – passionate people who care deeply, keep pushing forward, and never give up. There’s no place I’d rather be.