Katie R. Place, Ph.D., APR is a Professor of Strategic Communication at Quinnipiac University. Her research explores the intersections of ethics, diversity, and power in public relations contexts. She is a senior research fellow at the Arthur W. Page Center, a Page Society member, and past head of Association for Education in Journalism and Public Relation’s Public Relations Division. Her work has been published in such journals as Journal of Public Relations Research, Journal of Media Ethics, Journal of Communication Management, Public Relations Review, and Social Media +Society. Prior to returning to academia, she was a public affairs account manager and a nonprofit communications manager in the Washington, D.C. area. She resides in the Hartford area with her family.

Elizabeth Walden is Director of Public Relations for Comcast's New Enland Region. She is responsible for helping shape the company’s image with external audiences in Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York.

Prior to joining Comcast, Walden was Vice President at Quinn, a lifestyle public relations firm with offices in LA, Miami and New York City, where she oversaw a team of public relations executives who carried out day-to-day media and operations for a portfolio of 20 business, real estate and technology clients, in addition to being responsible for building the firm’s client base and developing strategic public relations campaigns.

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She graduated from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts and currently resides in Milford, Connecticut.

Kassondra Mangione is a Senior Consultant of Media Relations at Travelers. She is responsible for managing and executing public relations plans to ensure the successful promotion of key corporate initiatives and the protection of Travelers’ reputation. Kassondra collaborates with the media to amplify the work of the Travelers Institute and the Travelers Foundation, partnering with executives to drive the development and implementation of external communications objectives, strategies, and content for a variety of audiences.

Prior to joining Travelers, Kassondra led the External Communications department at Girl Scouts of Connecticut. She is a published poet, book blogger and podcast host. She holds both a bachelor’s in journalism and a master’s degree in English from Central Connecticut State University. Kassondra resides in Hartford County with her husband and their two beautiful daughters.

Derek Beere is the Vice President, Director of Public Relations at Mason, an integrated communications firm located in Bethany, Connecticut. He has more than 20 years of public relations experience that includes media relations, crisis communications, message development, product launches and brand strategy. Combining the right balance of strategy and creativity, Beere’s approach to integrated-marketing communications helps organizations make a positive impact and achieve their goals.

Beere’s experience includes a mix of consumer and B2B, including Resorts Casino Hotel, Bruegger’s Bagels, Krispy Kreme, Dunkin’ Donuts, Yale New Haven Health, Black & Decker, Odyssey Logistics & Technology, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, AVANGRID, The United Illuminating Company and more. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Central Connecticut State University.

Mercy has built a storied career in journalism, communications, and public relations in New Haven and statewide for more than a decade. After working in the public and non-profit sectors, spearheading communications strategies in a variety of industries, she launched The Narrative Project to offer high-quality communications for organizations who seek to do good in the world. 

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At the core of everything she does is a deeply seeded desire to effect positive social change through collaboration and highlighting lesser-discussed aspects of the Black and American experiences.

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She’s a professor of digital journalism at Southern Connecticut State University, a member of the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists, a former columnist with both Hearst Connecticut Media and the Connecticut Mirror. 

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She obtained a Bachelors in Journalism and a Masters in Public Relations from Quinnipiac University.

Sarah Miner is an Applied Assistant Professor of Communication in the College of Arts & Sciences and also serves as the Faculty Director of the student-run communications firm, Crested Communications, at the University of Hartford. In this role, she oversees client-student projects and campaigns and helps foster professional relationships for both the students and the agency within Connecticut and beyond.

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In addition to working at the University, Sarah consults with McDowell Communications Group on various client projects and campaigns.

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Prior to becoming faculty at UHART, Sarah worked with All Points Digital developing social strategy for clients to support online sales and engagement. Previously she worked with the founders of the Connecticut-based Independent Media Network and managed digital sales, advertising, and social communications for local online publishers. She possesses a background in journalism after working for both corporate news media at NBC Universal and Connecticut-based WNPR Radio.

She lives in Connecticut with her two children and husband.

As the Vice President for Marketing and Community Relations at Albertus Magnus College, Andrea Kovacs is charged with developing and implementing a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy that enhances the College's public image, strengthens the Albertus brand, and supports strategic initiatives.

Andrea brings a diverse creative background in communications, brand management, marketing, and fundraising to her work. In addition to her role as VP for Marketing, Andrea led the College's Enrollment Management Division throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing in the College's two largest undergraduate classes and emerging as a Hispanic-serving institution, an institutional strategic goal. Prior to Albertus, Andrea directed the Annual Fund at Fairfield University; she was Sr. Vice President for Marketing and Community Relations for United Way of Eastern Fairfield County and was also responsible for individual gift fundraising. She lived a previous life in the fashion industry.

Andrea earned her B.S. in Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology (SUNY) and her M.A. in Leadership from Albertus Magnus College. She and her family reside in Bridgeport, CT.

As CEO of Sullivan & LeShane Public Relations, Inc., Paddi LeShane has expertise in local and state

government relations, strategic media relations, reputation management, crisis communications,

market entry strategies, and finding solutions to client problems and needs. Paddi cofounder and CEO of

Sullivan & LeShane, Inc., a widely recognized government and lobbing firm in Connecticut. A member

and, Secretary of the Board of Trustees at University of Saint Joseph, she serves on the Executive

Committee, and as past chair of the Women’s Leadership Center.
 

Paddi is active in the Greater Harford area serving in a number of leadership positions in organizations

that focus on women and leadership, as well as serving as former chair of the Hartford Parking Authority

and currently serves as a Commissioner of the Hartford Housing Authority.
 

She is a former Vice Chair and an Executive Committee member of the Washington-based Public Affairs

Council, a professional association of corporate and national organizations. Paddi was honored as PRSA

CT Practitioner of the Year by the Greater CT Chapter in 2017.
 

Paddi holds a Master’s in Healthcare Finance from The Rensselaer Lally School of Business in Troy, NY

and a BS in Community Leadership and Development from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass. She

has also been selected for programs at Stanford University and McGill University, focusing on strategic

planning, disruptive innovation and the value of big data in public relations.