Community Advisory Board

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. Linda is Chair of the Community Advisory Board, and a member of the Education and Board Relations committees.

“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!”

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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. Gwen serves as Vice Chair of the Community Advisory Board, is the lead member of the Volunteer Coordination Committee, and is a member of the Digital Media Committee.

“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.”

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Eric Bennett
Cromwell, CT
Member since 2018

Eric is a co-lead member of the Community Advisory Board’s Education Committee.

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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. Mike is also a member of the Community Advisory Board’s Education and Board Relations committees.

“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 Connecticut Public in particular and public broadcasting in general.”

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Rocio Chang
West Hartford, CT
Member since 2014

Rocio is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UConn Health, specializing in childhood and adult trauma. She is a published expert in her field and a resource to marginalized communities, serving on the boards of several nonprofits working to help women and young people navigate mental health and social justice challenges. Rocio is a member of the Community Advisory Board’s Education and Board Relations committees.

"As a proud Latina immigrant committed to reaching out to diverse communities through education, I cannot think of a better place than Connecticut Public to fulfill my commitment."

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Claire Dalidowitz
Kensington, CT
Alternate 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 a Master Gardener running a garden for a soup kitchen and serves on the Community Advisory Board’s Volunteer Coordination Committee.

“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.”

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Susan Daniels
Essex, CT
Member since 2020

Susan is a strategic marketing communications professional working with local, regional, and national clients in the retail, sports/entertainment, and nonprofit sectors. She has earned an MBA in marketing as well as a certificate in interior design, and has served her local community as a board officer for several foundations and nonprofits. Susan sits on the Community Advisory Board’s Education and Digital Media committees.

“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.”

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James Hoyne
Enfield, CT
Alternate Member since 2020

James is an avid disabilities and education advocate. James serves on the Community Advisory Board’s Board Relations Committee.

“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.”

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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. Patsy serves on the Community Advisory Board’s Education Committee.

"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."

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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. Llyn serves on the Community Advisory Board’s Education and Digital Media committees.

“Drama, comedy, documentary, or news, Connecticut Public tells the most compelling stories. They always draw me into a fascinating and different world.”

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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. Henry is a member of the Community Advisory Board’s Education Committee.

“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.”

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Angela Martinelli
Oxford, CT
Member since 2020

Angela has served her community and country on Active Duty in the U.S. Public Health Service, the U.S. Army, U.S Army Reserves, and U.S. Air Force. She is a Certified Operating Room Nurse and earned a PhD in nursing. She is a nurse volunteer with Operation Smile International and Project Hope, and a nurse with the Connecticut Medical Reserve Corps involved in Connecticut's COVID-19 Response and other public health efforts. Angela is a member of the Community Advisory Board’s Education Committee.

“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.”

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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. Hank serves on the Community Advisory Board's Education Committee.

“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.”

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Kathryn O’Neil
Granby, CT
Member since 2017

Kathryn is a communications and media professional with experience as a social media specialist in the corporate arena. Her personal interests include reading, writing, and traveling. Kathryn is the lead member of the Community Advisory Board’s Volunteer Coordination Committee.

"I want to inspire people across Connecticut to get involved with the storytelling, education, and volunteer opportunities found at Connecticut Public.”

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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. Agnes is co-lead of the Community Advisory Board’s Education Committee and member of the Board Relations Committee.

“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.”

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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. She is a member of the Community Advisory Board’s Digital Media Committee.

"I enjoy being affiliated with an organization that still adheres to ethical standards of reporting by delivering trusted and unbiased news."

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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 and serves on the Community Advisory Board’s Education and Volunteer Coordination committees.

“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.”

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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. Bill is the lead member of the Community Advisory Board’s Digital Media Committee and also serves on the Volunteer Coordination Committee.

“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.”

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Lauren Shafer
West Simsbury, CT
Alternate Member since 2020

Lauren is a high school English teacher and a teacher-consultant with the National Writing Project. She has experience as a book editor and publications manager, and while studying at the University of Pennsylvania, worked as a production intern at a PBS affiliate.Lauren volunteers for local nonprofits, and is completing Encore! CT's nonprofit sector immersion program. She serves on the Community Advisory Board's Education and Digital Media committees.

“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.”

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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. Leanne serves on the Community Advisory Board’s Digital Media Committee.

"As an avid fan of NPR and PBS, I appreciate the opportunity to offer input via the CAB on these valuable public services."