Governor Lamont Announces Reputation MADE, Third Event in Statewide Leadership Series

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Ned Lamont today announced that registration is now open for Reputation MADE, the third installment in Connecticut's MADE Leadership Series, taking place on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at UConn Stamford.

"Connecticut is a state of bold ideas, but bold ideas only matter if people hear them," Governor Lamont said. "We've seen that in our own state, which is standing tall lately with recent national recognition, whether for our world-class education system, quality healthcare, basketball, and yes, even apizza. This event will help attendees capture that spirt to build an audience here and beyond our borders."

Hosted by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) in partnership with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), WTNH, WICC, and Hartford Business Journal, Reputation MADE will equip businesses, nonprofits, and public officials with the tools to stand out in today's nonstop, 24/7 media ecosystem.

The event will begin with nearly an hour of lunch and high impact networking, followed by an hour-long general session hosted by WTNH's Kathryn Hauser featuring leading voices in marketing and communications. It will include a keynote on navigating today's changing media landscape and a panel discussion of top Connecticut-based chief communications and marketing officers on what stands out.

Attendees will then "pick their own adventure" through specialized breakout classes, with practical workshops on topics such as:

• Behind the Headlines: How to do PR on Any Budget, led by Michelle Bonner, three-time Emmy Award winning journalist from Adams and Knight.
• Resonance > Reach: How to Connect More Deeply with Audiences, led by Anthony Anthony, Connecticut's chief marketing officer.
• Building Effective Influencer Partnerships, led by Kathleen Roche, content creator and founder of Connecticut Bucketlist.
• Making a Difference One on One: Community Impact, led by Brandon McGee, CEO of the Connecticut Social Equity Council.
• Turning Experience Into Influence: Leading Through Advocacy, led by Paul Mounds, Jr., vice president of community, corporate, and government relations at Yale New Haven Health.

"Marketing and quality communication are some of the most valuable assets an organization or individual can have," DECD Commissioner Daniel O'Keefe said. "With our ongoing MADE program, we're creating a platform where everyone can learn the necessary skills necessary to lead their team, organization, and community into a crowded national and international marketplace of good, ideas, and service and get ahead with actionable strategies."

"In today's crowded and fast-changing media environment, standing out requires more than a good story - it requires strategy, authenticity, and the ability to connect," Chris DiPentima, president and CEO of CBIA, said. "We appreciate the state's approach to bringing together businesses, non-profit, and government leaders to foster collaboration and advance our common interests."

The MADE Leadership Series launched earlier this year and is a quarterly program bringing together Connecticut's public and private sector leaders to explore how to create economic opportunity across the state. Previous events - Talent MADE in East Hartford at Rentschler Field and Innovation MADE at the Yale Innovation Summit - focused on workforce and innovation. They included statewide leaders across industries and sectors.

Reputation MADEwill continue that momentum with key thought leaders and classroom style breakout sessions announced in the coming weeks on connecticut-made.com.

How to Register

Space is limited and registration is required. Attendees can register online at connecticut-made.com.