About Us

The CT Paid Leave Authority is a quasi - public agency established in 2019, when Governor Ned Lamont signed a bill creating the most comprehensive and generous paid family and medical leave law in the nation at the time.

Governor Lamont signing document surrounded by people

Our Mission

The CT Paid Leave Authority serves a growing need by providing financial relief to Connecticut
families, allowing individuals to care for a loved one, or themselves, without having to worry about
lost income.

Mom hugging her school-aged daughter

The CT Paid Leave Authority was established to administer a Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program that provides employees access to income replacement benefits when out of work for life events covered under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) and the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act (CT FMLA) and the Connecticut Family Violence Leave Act.

Pregnant worker handing a bag to a customer

Covered employees and enrolled self-employed individuals and sole proprietors contribute one-half of one percent (0.5%) of their earnings, capped at the Social Security contribution and benefit base, to the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund through payroll deductions. Employers are responsible for withholding employee contributions and submitting them to the Authority on a quarterly basis. The obligation to withhold the employee contributions began on January 1, 2021.

Man with his arm around an older gentleman

The Family and Medical Leave Insurance Trust Fund was established by C.G.S. 31-49 and is a non-lapsing state fund held by the State Treasurer that is not considered property of the state. The assets of the trust are used to pay the income replacement benefits to covered employees as well as the operational, administrative, outreach and educational expenses of the Authority.

CT Paid Leave Authority Leadership

Headshot of CT Paid Leave CEO Erin Choquette

Erin O'Brien Choquette, CEO

Erin O'Brien Choquette is the Chief Executive Officer of the Paid Leave Authority. Prior to her appointment as CEO of the CT Paid Leave Authority in January 2023, Ms. Choquette served as General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer.  She worked for the Department of Administrative Services for 14 years, serving as the Policy and Legislative Advisor to the DAS Commissioner, directing the agency's legislative and general legal functions. While at DAS, Ms. Choquette co-authored the Family and Medical Leave Entitlements Manual, an extensive and detailed guide to understanding and administering federal and state family and medical leave laws. Ms. Choquette practiced law for several years at Robinson & Cole, LLP, where she focused on employer counseling and the litigation of employment-related claims as well as disability insurance litigation.

Ms. Choquette received her J.D. from the Columbia University School of Law, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. She received a B.A., in cursu honoris cum laude, from the College of the Holy Cross.

More About the CT Paid Leave Authority

CT Paid Leave Authority Staff

Allison Carlson

Benefits & Business Support Specialist

Amber Forrest

Executive Assistant

Amy Anderson

IT Delivery Manager

Amy Stuart

Financial Analyst

Andrea Rodriguez-SanAndres

Accounting Careers Trainee

Andrew Bligh

Software Quality Assurance Analyst

Catherine Russo

Private Plan Examiner

Courtney Cronin

Software Quality Assurance Tester

Crystal McMillan

Salesforce Technical Manager

Crystal Pizzoni

Benefits & Business Support Specialist

David Marcone

Controller

David Murissi

Data Engineer

Ivette Robinson

Benefits & Business Support Specialist

Jagadeesh Yarra

Salesforce Developer

Jennifer Simpson

Accounts Examiner

Jessica Vargas

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Joe Cale

Associate General Counsel

John Cote

Quality Assurance Automation Engineer

John Simonetti

Benefits Manager

Kathy Mychajluk

Benefits & Operations Advisor

Katie Barteaux

Salesforce Administrator

Laure Dickson

IT Director

Loc Pho

Assistant Controller

Maddie Granato

Government and Community Relations Manager

Marta Jette

Accounts Examiner 

Matt Bielawski

IT Solutions Architect

Meseret Mihret

MuleSoft Developer

Michael Cisar

General Counsel

Michael Sokola

Salesforce Administrator

Nancy Barrow

Engagemement Manager & Podcast Host

Nicole Sanclemente

Community Partnership Liaison

Omar Walters

Benefits & Business Support Specialist

Priscilla Torcello

Vendor Manager

Raul Nazario

Development & Operations Engineer

Rhonda Tillman

Accounts Examiner

Shelly-Ann Matias

Fiscal Administrative Assistant

Stephanie Decker

IT Solutions Manager

Stephanie Oliveras

Clerical Assistant

Susan Cohen

Business Analyst

Tiauna Laing

Accounts Examiner

Virginia Rzesutock

Grants and Contracts Specialist

Walter Hay

Contribution & Compliance Manager

Williana Andujar

Accounts Examiner

Yared Mera

MuleSoft Integration Architect