Community Advisory Board
MISSION
The Community Advisory Board shall reflect the communities served by Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) and Connecticut Public Radio (WNPR) through the review of programming and policies. The CAB shall also advise station administration and the governing board with respect to the educational and cultural needs of the communities and to make recommendations it considers appropriate to meet such needs.
As Connecticut's public broadcasting network, our mission is to serve our diverse audiences to the best of our ability. The Community Advisory Board represents the interests of our viewers and listeners, and communicates these interests to us.
The Community Advisory Board's advice helps Connecticut Public ensure that effective community input goes into our program planning and development.
Your Input is Important!
Please take our short survey and let us know more about your experiences with Connecticut Public's programs and services.
You can also reach out directly to Connecticut Public's Audience Care team.
audiencecare@ctpublic.org · (860) 275-7550
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Office Location: 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105
MEETINGS
Community Advisory Board Meetings are open to the public. For more information email cab@ctpublic.org.
Meeting Dates
- September 14, 2021
- December 14, 2021
- March 8, 2022
- June 14, 2022
- September 13, 2022
- December 13, 2022
- March 14, 2023
- June 13, 2023
- September 12, 2023
- December 12, 2023
Until further notice, all meetings will be held virtually, beginning at 6:30 p.m. If you would like to join a meeting, please email Sarah DeFilippis at sdefilippis@ctpublic.org for the meeting conference call details.
Learn More
- View our Connecticut Public CAB Bylaws (Amended February 17, 2022)
OFFICERS
Linda Cavanaugh, Chair
Farmington, CT
Member since 2016
Linda’s career as a government manager at the federal, state, and local level includes economic development, community planning, business development, employment, housing, program analysis, and management. She has written opinion pieces, produced community access programming, and volunteered for nonprofits that assist the elderly and disadvantaged.
“Professionally and personally, I’ve tried to provide information to engage, enlighten, or entertain people of all ages, especially the underserved….and that’s our CAB’s mission!”
Gwendolyn Edwards, Vice Chair
Norwalk, CT
Member since 2017
Gwen is an Emmy-nominated, award-winning broadcast journalist, television producer, and community talk show host. Among her many honors is being named as Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches’ 100 Most Influential Blacks and as Connecticut Hall of Fame’s Best Community Talk Show of the Year.
“My childhood, education, socialization, communication skills and my life-long career in broadcast journalism all were greatly influenced by PBS. I believe it is my duty to give back.”
Eric Bennett
Cromwell, CT
Member since 2018
Mike Burns
Woodbridge, CT
Member since 2020
Mike’s academic and professional expertise is in nonprofit governance, management, and fundraising. In addition to his work as a strategic consultant and university professor, he serves on the board of the CT Association of Foster and Adoptive Families and is a foster parent to teenage girls.
“I believe in Public TV/Radio as a vital institution with core values that contribute to the way we live in and govern society. CAB is one forum for me to lend my skills and experience to support Connecticut Public in particular and public broadcasting in general.”
Kathye Cipes
West Hartford, CT
Alternate Member since 2021
Kathye’s career in advertising and marketing strategy includes account management roles for advertising agencies and Fortune 50 marketing departments. Most recently she was a director of product marketing for UnitedHealthcare. Kathye holds an MBA in marketing from Loyola University and a BA in journalism/advertising from the University of Oklahoma.
“Connecticut Public is my main source for news and information about our community, our state, our country, and the world - I know it to be truthful, professional, and often courageous reporting. I hope that my perspective can help to keep it relevant, and I consider it a privilege to serve on the Community Advisory Board.”
Claire Dalidowitz
Kensington, CT
Member since 2020
Claire is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center specializing in food allergies. She developed the Clinical Nutrition Department when the hospital opened. Previously, she was a Saint Joseph College tenured professor and a National Practice Chair for Women’s Health. Claire is also a Master Gardener running a garden for a soup kitchen.
“I believe in supporting Connecticut Public because it provides accurate, in-depth programming rather than sound bites. It also offers a diverse palette of programming for all ages and people - you will be well versed if you participate.”
Susan Daniels
Essex, CT
Member since 2020
Susan is a strategic marketing communications and design professional working with local, regional, and national clients in the retail, sports/entertainment, and nonprofit sectors. She has a BA in psychology from Trinity College, an MBA in marketing from the University of Hartford, a certificate in interior design from Rhode Island School of Design and has served her local community as a board officer for several foundations and nonprofits.
“I believe that public radio and television play a critical role in shaping our community. The quality and scope of Connecticut Public’s journalism are impressive and I value the opportunity to play an active role in increasing this impact throughout the state.”
Roger Desmond
West Hartford, CT
Alternate Member since 2021
Roger’s career highlights include 42 years as Professor and Co-Founder of the University of Hartford’s School of Communication. He holds a PhD in media studies and has published research articles on the media’s impact on young people. Roger has worked as a research study manager for CBS soap operas, a research director for PBS children’s shows, and writes newspaper and magazine articles on business and media-related topics.
“In light of the demise of newspaper reading in the past two decades I see that people need and desire quality news and public affairs programming. Connecticut Public helps to fill that gap as well as the needs of young people for better content than they are getting from commercial sources. I’m happy to offer my help.”
James Hoyne
Enfield, CT
Member since 2020
James is an avid disabilities and education advocate.
“I serve to bring a perspective of the quality of TV produced from a young adult’s point of view in which I believe my life experiences and advocacy could help influence and inform others how they can get involved in their community.”
Patsy Johnson
South Windham, CT
Member since 2020
Patsy started her career in education as a public school music teacher and private music instructor before embarking on her graduate studies and research in early childhood music. She earned an EdD in Educational Leadership, received the Culbertson Award for her research studying conflict in school organizations, and retired as a tenured faculty member from the University of Connecticut.
"I want to share my expertise and experience in supporting the mission of Connecticut Public to improve and expand the educational, intellectual, and cultural life of Connecticut."
Llyn Kaimowitz
West Hartford, CT
Member since 2020
Llyn is a professional consultant to nonprofits. Her areas of expertise include board relations and fundraising. Her personal areas of interest include history, archaeology, music, and quilting.
“Drama, comedy, documentary, or news, Connecticut Public tells the most compelling stories. They always draw me into a fascinating and different world.”
Henry Link
Hartford, CT
Member since 2013
Henry’s career work began with a degree from MIT before becoming an environmental engineer for the CT Department of Public Health. Upon retirement, he founded an advocacy group for renewable energy, energy efficiency, water conservation and recycling, and has served as board director for several small corporations and nonprofits.
“I serve on the Community Advisory Board since I have been a Connecticut Public member for 35 years and also a Legacy society member for 15 years and want to give back.”
Hank Nusbaum
Woodbridge, CT
Member since 2020
Hank is a practicing physician specializing in Addiction Medicine. Before entering the medical field, he earned engineering degrees and started work as a research scientist, ultimately progressing to corporate plans. He is an avid sailor and a lifelong learner.
“I serve on the CAB to give back to the community and be involved in something I've been a fan of since my son first watched Sesame Street. PBS and NPR are national treasures, contributing much to our citizens and society.”
Agnes Quinones
Meriden, CT
Member since 2017
Agnes is an education consultant-program manager for the Connecticut State Department of Education, overseeing state-funded grant programs. She holds advanced degrees and has received national recognition for her vision, leadership, and commitment to equity. She serves on several boards, including as chair of the State Education Resource Center.
“I admire Connecticut Public’s mission. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to a culturally-minded organization that creates spaces for all the community voices to be heard and to be seen. By serving, I too learn and grow.”
Natasha Samuels
Manchester, CT
Member since 2016
Natasha is an intellectual property manager at Yale University with a degree in information management and technology and a certificate in legal studies. A native of Jamaica, she served on the board of the West Indian Social Club and the Taste of the Caribbean and Jerk Festival planning committee. Natasha enjoys photography and promotes Connecticut through her @Love.Connecticut Instagram account.
"I enjoy being affiliated with an organization that still adheres to ethical standards of reporting by delivering trusted and unbiased news."
Hank Savin
New London, CT
Alternate Member since 2020
Hank has long been an active voice for Connecticut Public and southeast Connecticut. He worked in the transit industry, becoming the owner of a motor coach company, before working in the nonprofit sector as a development administrator and as an educator. Hank is the Chairman of the Foreign Trade Zone Commission for the City of New London.
“I participate to further and strengthen the public service and independent voice of Connecticut Public and to help to strengthen its involvement with southeastern Connecticut.”
Bill Seymour
Glastonbury, CT
Member since 2020
Bill was a newspaper journalist prior to becoming a state government official in communications, policy analysis, and program operations. He is now a freelance writer and adjunct professor. He earned a master’s degree in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and is a board member of its New England Alumni Association.
“I believe that public television and radio are treasures in our society that need to be preserved and enhanced with the changing times. If we lose either, we shut a window to a more detailed, less scripted, more intimate, very realistic view about ourselves, our society, and our futures. Commercial television fails often to offer this kind of reflection and view to ponder.”
Lauren Shafer
West Simsbury, CT
Member since 2020
Lauren is a retired high school English teacher and a teacher-consultant with the National Writing Project. She has worked as a book editor and publications manager, and while studying at the University of Pennsylvania, interned at a PBS affiliate. Lauren volunteers for local nonprofits, and has completed Encore! CT's nonprofit sector immersion program.
“I am passionate about all that public broadcasting has to offer Connecticut residents: stories of our past and present, educational resources, and community connections. Now more than ever we need to support accurate and trustworthy media.”
Dan Smolnik
Hamden, CT
Alternate Member since 2021
Dan practices law, lectures, and pens articles in the areas of tax, business transactions, and tax-exempt organizations. He served on the Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Advocacy Panel and was awarded the Presidential Silver Citation for his contributions. He also holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and serves on the Town of Hamden’s Economic Development Commission and the Board of the Hamden-North Haven YMCA.
“An informed public is essential to a thriving community, and I have discovered no more effective platform for the sharing of information than Connecticut Public. Participation in its mission is an important part of my dedication to public service, and an outstanding opportunity for me to learn from this distinguished and creative team.”
Craig Wagner
Norwich, CT
Member since 2021
Craig’s engineering career started at the University of Connecticut where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and a PhD in computational and theoretical fluid dynamics. He held research appointments doing code development in the field for 39 years, working for Electric Boat for the last 22 years before his retirement in 2018.
“I want to lend a conservative viewpoint to NPR in order to even out the playing field.”
Leeanne Zalewski
New Britain, CT
Member since 2018
Leanne is an Associate Professor of Art History at Central Connecticut State University. She earned a PhD and has published articles on late nineteenth-century American collections of European art. Prior to her academic career, she worked at an auction house and later at an art gallery in New York City. In addition, she is a professional MENAHT dancer specializing in Egyptian-style raqs sharqi.
"As an avid fan of NPR and PBS, I appreciate the opportunity to offer input via the CAB on these valuable public services."