The Community Advisory Board's 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.
The Community Advisory Board would love your input!
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.
Email address: audiencecare@ctpublic.org
Phone number: (860) 275-7550
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Office Location: 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105
How the Community Advisory Board works
• The CAB operates independently from Connecticut Public's Management.
It's an autonomous body that elects its own officers and determines its own agenda.
• The CAB reviews our Programming Goals, Services, and Policy Decisions.
After these reviews, the CAB makes recommendations to station management.
• The CAB's meetings are open to the public.
The Community Advisory Board is informed of program development, production and outreach projects proposed by Connecticut Public during regularly scheduled meetings. The CAB reviews these activities, and gives its advice on programming and projects in progress.
In addition to meeting as a group, the CAB conducts ascertainment projects and hosts program screenings to gather relevant feedback. This helps us ensure that our programs, services and policies reflect and respond to the interests of our community.
Community Advisory Board Members
Officers
Linda Cavanaugh, Chair
Farmington, CT
Member since 2016
Government, Media, Community Organizing, Business
“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
Communications and Media: Broadcast Journalist, Television Producer, Television Talk Show Host
‘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.”
Members
Eric Bennett
Cromwell, CT
Member since 2018
Mike Burns
Woodbridge, CT
Member since 2020
Nonprofit Consulting
“I believe in Public TV/Radio as a vital institution with core values that contributes to the way we live in and govern society. CAB is one forum for me to lend my skills and experience to support CT Public in particular and public broadcasting in general.”
Rocio Chang
West Hartford, CT
Member since 2014
Psychiatry: Childhood and Adult Trauma; Social Justice, Personal Growth
"As a proud Latina immigrant committed to reaching out to diverse communities through education, I cannot think of a better place than CT Public to fulfill my commitment."
Susan Daniels
Essex, CT
Member since 2020
Marketing, Design
“I believe that public radio and television play a critical role in shaping our community. I am impressed with the quality and scope of Connecticut Public’s journalism and value the opportunity to play an active role in supporting its mission and increasing its impact throughout the state.”
Patsy Johnson
South Windham, CT
Member since 2020
Education, Arts
"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
Nonprofit Consulting
“Drama, comedy, documentary, or news, CT Public tells the most compelling stories. They always draw me into a fascinating and different world.”
Henry Link
Hartford, CT
Member since 2013
Environmental Engineering
“I serve on the CAB Board since I have been a CT Public member for 35 years and also a Legacy Society member for 15 years and want to give back.”
Angela Martinelli
Oxford, CT
Member since 2020
Health Care; Government/Public Service
“I have been a consumer of public radio and television much of my life. As I moved around the country during my career, NPR, and more recently podcasts, have been a constant companion. Now that I am retired from Federal Service and have settled in Connecticut, I have the time to give back to this organization.”
Amanda Nardozzi
Waterbury, CT
Member since 2017
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement, Education, Psychology
“CT Public has long been part of my life. The CAB provides me the opportunity to share my experiences with other residents of Connecticut.”
Hank Nusbaum
Woodbridge, CT
Member since 2020
Medicine, Engineering and Science, Business
“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. Public TV and NPR are national treasures, contributing much to our citizens and society.”
Kathryn O’Neil
Granby, CT
Member since 2017
Communications and Media
"I want to inspire people across Connecticut to get involved with the storytelling, education and volunteer opportunities found at Connecticut Public.”
Agnes Quinones
Meriden, CT
Member since 2017
Natasha Samuels
Manchester, CT
Member since 2016
Patent Prosecution, Social Media/Blogging, Caribbean Culture
"I enjoy being affiliated with an organization that still adheres to ethical standards of reporting by delivering trusted and unbiased news."
Bill Seymour
Member since 2020
Leeanne Zalewski
New Britain, CT
Member since 2018
Art Historian
"As an avid fan of NPR and PBS, I appreciate the opportunity to offer input via the CAB on these valuable public services."
Laura Zucker
Alternates
James Coyne
Claire Dalidowitz
Kensington, CT
Member since 2020
Health Care: Dietician
“I believe in supporting CT 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 in CT Public programming.”
Hank Savin
New London, CT
Member since 2020
Business; Arts; Communications & Media; Education; Nonprofits; Theater
“I wish to participate in furthering and strengthening the public service and independent voice of CT Public and to help to strengthen involvement between CT Public and southeastern Connecticut.
Lauren Shafer
West Simsbury, CT
Member since 2020
Education, Communications, Nonprofit Advocacy
“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.”
Community Advisory Board Meetings are open to the public. For more information email cab@ctpublic.org.
Upcoming Meeting Dates
- March 9, 2021
- June 8, 2021
- September 14, 2021
- December 14, 2021
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 August 8, 2018)
