Neviana Zhgaba

After 14 years of leading digital finance, product analytics, and agile transformation at General Electric and Bank of New York Mellon, I have embarked on an exciting new journey—dedicating my passion and expertise to Aquila’s Nest Vineyards. As Co-Founder since 2016, I am blending my strategic and data-driven background with creativity, community-building, and entrepreneurship to craft unique wine experiences.

At Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, recently voted Best Winery in CT, I focus on innovation, brand storytelling, and curating immersive events that bring people together, while also leading the vineyard’s operations—including HR, finance, and compliance. The vineyard has also been recognized as SBA Connecticut Manufacturer of the Year, and one of the Top 70 Small Businesses in the U.S., a testament to our dedication to quality, sustainability, and innovation. We are proud to be Climate Neutral Certified, reinforcing our commitment to environmentally responsible business practices.

Beyond Aquila's Nest Vineyards, I remain engaged in thought leadership and mentorship as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Oracle Developer & Technology User Group (ODTUG), as well as a contributor to Connecticut Public, and Harvard Business Review. I also serve as a Board Advisor at Fairfield University’s School of Engineering, and the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC).

I’m passionate about building bridges between business, community, sustainability and innovation, and I’m excited to continue this journey in a way that creates lasting impact.