Category: Speaker Announcements (Page 2 of 28)
Speaker programs at Wednesday DMA Meetings
Darien Community Association
Located on nearly eight acres in the heart of town, the Darien Community Association is a privately-funded nonprofit organization. Since its founding in 1923, the association has made a positive impact on our community through offering educational and cultural opportunities, connection, sustainability and public green spaces. The DCA is an award-winning event venue for corporate events and weddings. Its members, partners, neighbors and over 100 volunteers give back to our community, participate in special programs and make a lasting impact through volunteer opportunities and scholarships to Darien High School students.
Erin Noonan
In announcing Erin’s appointment last August as executive director of the DCA, the board described Erin as a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in the development of business and brand strategies, digital and communication plans, and integrated campaigns for some of the world’s most recognized and most well-loved brands. Those brands included Nike, ESPN, American Express and Pepsi. She has brought her vision and experience to bear on revitalizing the DCA for a new era.A long-time resident of Darien, Erin has been a tireless community volunteer, serving with local organizations including k Person to Person, OPUS, the Ox Ridge PTO, the RTM, and her local church preschool.
Summary: Erin Noonan on the history of the Darien Community Association
Erin Noonan, Executive Director of the Darien Community Association (DCA), offered an engaging and heartfelt presentation chronicling the DCA’s 100+ year history—and its evolving role as a cornerstone of community life in Darien.
The presentation marked the final DMA speaker of the season, capping a year of close collaboration between the two organizations. With 90 of DMA members now also members of the DCA, both groups underscored the deepening ties and mutual reinforcement of missions: fostering service, connection, and civic participation in Darien.
A Century of Service
Noonan opened her remarks with a stroll through a 2002 presentation originally created for the DMA, tracing DCA’s origins to 1923 as the Darien Improvement Association (DIA). Initially focused on beautifying public highways and organizing community Christmas trees, the group’s civic ambitions quickly expanded.
Through the decades, the DCA initiated numerous town firsts:
- Opened the thrift shop in 1931 during the Great Depression
- Launched the first story times at the library
- Helped form the Darien Land Trust, the Depot youth center, and Weed Beach improvements
- Sponsored milk programs, bridge lessons, health clinics, and vocational guidance
- Pioneered local audiobooks for the blind in the 1960s
- Built community gathering spaces, including the Garden Wing in 1966
In 1949, the DCA acquired the historic Meadowlands estate, which still serves as its headquarters.
Present-Day Impact
Now nearly two years into her tenure, Noonan has helped revitalize the DCA through expanded programs, strategic planning, and a complete renovation of the Meadowlands building—transformed into a showhouse thanks to local designers and a media partnership with Connecticut Cottages & Gardens.
The DCA currently hosts over 90 annual events, drawing more than 3,000 attendees and offering a wide array of programs—from Mardi Gras brunches to bee sanctuary demos. A key partner in town life, the DCA receives no funding from the Town or State, relying instead on:
- Thrift shop sales
- Membership dues
- Event tickets
- Private rentals
- Donations to its annual appeal
Scholarships & Sustainability
One of the DCA’s proudest contributions is its scholarship program, which has awarded more than $2 million to over 1,400 students. In 2024 alone, the organization gave $75,000 to 39 recipients, including both graduating seniors and returning college students.
That effort is funded through donations from local businesses like Palmer’s and Ring’s End, and is administered by DCA volunteers—an operation described as “tedious but deeply rewarding.”
The thrift shop remains a major pillar of revenue and community engagement. Stocked by both passive (resident drop-offs) and active (estate sale sourcing) donations, it thrives thanks to a devoted team of 50+ volunteers. Women’s clothing, housewares, and small tech gadgets are top sellers. Paperbacks? Not so much.
Volunteerism & Membership Growth
Volunteers are, in Noonan’s words, the DCA’s “lifeblood.” Recruiting them remains a challenge in an era of dual-working-parent households, but once engaged, retention is high. Many find their way into volunteerism through events or thrift shop work and stay for the camaraderie and purpose.
That sense of connection has helped membership soar—doubling in one year and growing another 20% in the next. Noonan credited strategic storytelling, community partnerships, and visible impact for attracting new families and reengaging past members.
“Choose Community”
Noonan concluded with a quote from former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy: “Choose community.” Her message: in an age of disconnection, the DCA offers not just a place—but a purpose—for coming together.
“This is your building,” Noonan told the audience. “You’ve helped shape its history. And we’re inviting you to shape its future.”
Jim Himes represents Connecticut’s 4th District in the United States House of Representatives where he is serving his eighth term. He serves as Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and on the House Financial Services Committee.
Jim grew up as the child of a single working mom in a small town. As a member of Congress, Jim works hard to provide all American children the same opportunities he had to succeed: access to a first-rate public school, affordable and effective health care, a decent and safe home, and a supportive community.
Born in Lima, Peru in 1966 to American parents, he spent the early years of his childhood in Peru and Colombia while his father worked for the Ford Foundation and UNICEF. As an American abroad, Jim grew up fluent in both Spanish and English and was raised with an awareness of the unique position of the United States in the world. At the age of ten, Jim moved with his mother and sisters to the United States.
Jim graduated from Hopewell Valley Central High School and then attended Harvard University. After completing his undergraduate work, Jim earned a Rhodes Scholarship, which enabled him to attend Oxford University in England where he continued his studies of Latin America, including research in El Salvador.
Prior to his service in Congress, Jim ran the New York City branch of The Enterprise Community Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the unique challenges of urban poverty. Jim’s team led the way in financing the construction of thousands of affordable housing units in the greater New York metropolitan region, often using new green technologies to achieve energy efficiency and reduce utility costs.
Jim’s experience at Enterprise spurred his involvement in politics. Putting his expertise in affordable housing to work, Jim served as a Commissioner of the Greenwich Housing Authority, ultimately chairing the board and leading it through a much-needed program of reforms. Jim went on to become an elected member of his town’s finance board, setting tax and budget policy for Greenwich. Jim has also served as Chair of his local Democratic Town Committee, organizing others in the community to become more active in the political process.
Jim began his professional career at Goldman Sachs & Co. where he worked his way up to Vice President over the course of a 12-year career. He worked extensively in Latin America and headed the bank’s telecommunications technology group there. Jim and his wife Mary live in Greenwich (with not frequent enough visits from their daughters Emma and Linley).
Summary
Himes Defends Democracy, Critiques Both Parties in Wide-Ranging Talk
At a packed event hosted by the Darien Men’s Association, Congressman Jim Himes delivered a sweeping, often unsparing assessment of America’s political and institutional health—criticizing both Donald Trump’s Republican Party and his own Democrats, while expressing cautious optimism that democratic norms are holding.
Himes, now in his ninth term representing Connecticut’s 4th District, opened with a reflection on America’s political evolution. He noted the shift in once reliably Republican towns like Darien, New Canaan, and Greenwich toward the Democratic column—a change he attributes to rising education levels and discomfort with MAGA populism.
“There are lots of reasons to be worried,” Himes said, citing threats to democratic norms, attacks on immigrants, and hostility toward academic and scientific institutions. But he pushed back on the notion that the U.S. is already in constitutional crisis, praising the judiciary for consistently restraining executive overreach. “The courts have held,” he said, referencing over 240 decisions that have blocked controversial policies.
Himes, who serves as the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, reserved sharp criticism for the Trump administration’s tariff policy. He argued that tariffs have worsened inflation and misunderstood basic economics. “Trump sees tariffs as a tax on China,” Himes said, “but that’s not how tariffs work.” While he predicted short-term pain—higher prices for cars and consumer goods—he called tariffs a “self-correcting” problem due to inevitable backlash from consumers and markets.
Even as he criticized the former president, Himes had tough words for Democrats. He said voters’ top complaint isn’t about “wokeness” or spending—it’s that Democrats appear incapable of delivering results. He pointed to the failure to build a single electric vehicle charging station in Connecticut after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. “People aren’t stupid,” he said. “They see that.”
He praised a new “abundance movement” emerging in Democratic circles, which seeks to streamline infrastructure approvals and deliver tangible benefits faster. As one example, he cited a small long-delayed bridge replacement project in Greenwich that has taken eight years to begin, when the Empire State building was completed in just over a year.
Turning to foreign policy, Himes was blunt: “Most of our biggest mistakes since the 1960s have been mistakes of idealism.” He critiqued America’s overreach in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, praising President Biden’s instinct to avoid new military entanglements. While he acknowledged the administration’s failures in handling Ukraine aid early in the war, he warned against full U.S. withdrawal. “If Putin comes away from this thinking it was worth it, we should brace for what comes next,” he said.
On national security, Himes criticized reports that a Qatari-donated plane might be used for presidential travel, calling it a “terrible idea” from a security standpoint, given the role Air Force One plays in providing a secure base from which a president must lead in some emergencies. It will likely have to be taken down to its rivets to rebuild as a secure and effective communications center. He also addressed the “Signal Gate” scandal, in which sensitive communications were conducted over unsecured channels. These lapses, he said, show what happens “when you put responsible people in a clown-like environment.”
During a Q&A session, Himes fielded pointed questions from a self-described MAGA Republican in the audience, who expressed concern about Connecticut’s taxes, energy prices, and population trends. Himes responded by noting economic growth in Fairfield County, but acknowledged broader state challenges. He tied high energy prices to limited natural gas infrastructure and called for modernizing Connecticut’s grid and transit systems.
He also drew a hard line on constitutional issues. “You can disagree with me on taxes and immigration,” he said. “But the Constitution isn’t optional. We don’t get to suspend it because someone is unpopular.”
Asked who leads the Democratic Party today, Himes admitted “we don’t have a figurehead.” He predicted Democrats would likely retake the House in 2026 but warned that the current leadership vacuum is demoralizing to activists.
In a closing question, Himes was asked whether the so-called “big, beautiful” Trump-backed tax bill could hurt the U.S. credit rating. He said the legislation would add $3 trillion to the deficit over 10 years and noted growing market concerns. “There may come a point,” he said, “when the capital markets finally say, ‘enough.’”
Despite his many critiques, Himes ended on a cautiously hopeful note. While he acknowledged deep polarization and rising acceptance of political violence, he expressed faith that institutions—and voters—still have the power to restore balance.
“I don’t think we’ve crossed the line,” he said. “And I don’t think we will.”
Bruce Putterman is CT Mirror’s publisher and CEO, responsible for the strategic direction of the organization, revenue generation, product innovation, reader engagement, and all business operations.
Before joining CT Mirror in 2017 Bruce owned and operated a West Hartford-based consulting practice for 16 years, providing strategic planning and marketing services to more than 50 nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, public agencies, private equity firms, and other for-profit clients. His interest in journalism dates back to his college years when he worked in commercial radio and TV news. Bruce served as an elected member of the West Hartford Board of Education from 2003 through 2015, including three years as chair of the board.
He has a Bachelor of Arts in History and an M.B.A. in Marketing from Cornell University.
Summary
Bruce Putterman on Why Local Journalism Still Matters in Connecticut
Bruce Putterman, publisher and CEO of The Connecticut Mirror, visited Darien to share a compelling case for the importance of state and local journalism in an era when many communities are becoming “news poor.” Speaking to a local audience, Putterman offered an inside look at how the Mirror has grown into a statewide digital news force—and why its mission to inform and hold government accountable is more crucial than ever.
Founded in 2010 as a response to deep layoffs at the Hartford Courant, especially within its State Capitol press corps, the Connecticut Mirror now boasts 23 journalists, up from just 9 when Putterman spoke to the same group pre-COVID. That growth, he said, is not accidental. A pivotal $1 million grant from the American Journalism Project in 2019 enabled the Mirror to invest in revenue-generating staff and long-term sustainability—allowing it to thrive while other local outlets, like the Darien Times, have withered.
The Mirror operates as a nonprofit, nonpartisan, digital-only outlet focused on public policy, government, and politics. While it avoids daily breaking news, it offers in-depth coverage on topics like the state budget, criminal justice reform, education,and housing. It’s free to readers, funded 90% by philanthropy—from $5 donors to six-figure contributors—and about 5% each from advocacy ads and licensing fees paid by publications like the Hartford Courant.
One of the most critical roles the Mirror plays, Putterman emphasized, is investigative journalism from a non-partisan perspective. He cited a recent Republican press conference where posters illustrating alleged corruption in the Lamont administration drew two-thirds of their stories from the Mirror’s reporting. “That shows we’re doing our job,” Putterman said. “Depending on who you ask, we’re seen as either too liberal or too aggressive toward Democrats. That’s a sign we’re striking the right balance.”
Still, challenges abound. Putterman described a state in which “news deserts” may be rare, but “news poverty” is rampant. Since 2008, Connecticut has lost 65% of its newspaper newsroom jobs. Many towns lack any regular media scrutiny. First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky noted during the event that in his year and a half in office, he’s met only one reporter—and has filled the information gap through direct-to-public video updates with Darien TV79.
Putterman acknowledged this dynamic, sharing that the Mirror is beginning to hire “community engagement reporters” in cities like Bridgeport and Hartford—both poor and undercovered areas—to connect statewide policy with real-life impact. He’s also open to new models, including partnerships with “hyperlocal” digital outlets like Nancy on Norwalk and training citizen journalists through national initiatives like the Documenters program.
He fielded several questions about expanding coverage to include business and healthcare systems. Putterman said they’ve made progress, having hired an economic development reporter who was recently promoted to editor, but admitted there’s more to do. “We should be looking at broader forces shaping the Fairfield County economy,” he said, including the regional transformation of healthcare providers like Stamford Hospital.
Artificial intelligence, he clarified, is not used to write any articles but has been useful in scraping and cleaning disorganized public data sets—particularly from state agencies still reliant on inconsistent PDF formats. “There’s always a human being at the end of any AI process,” he said. However, he noted that AI might someday help spot local reporting trends by scanning transcribed meeting minutes from Connecticut’s 169 municipalities.
Audience members pressed Putterman on whether he could see a path toward more consistent regional coverage, especially in Fairfield County, where many residents feel overlooked by Hartford-centric reporting. Putterman agreed that the Mirror must do more to diversify both its geographic sourcing and its audience, which currently skews older, white, and affluent. He noted their own survey showed the lowest satisfaction with regional coverage came from readers in Fairfield County.
“The gravitational pull of New York is strong here,” he said. “But we all live in Connecticut. We should understand what’s happening across the state.”
He also tackled questions about misinformation and disinformation. Connecticut, he said, doesn’t face the same level of coordinated disinformation campaigns seen in other states. However, trust in national media remains low, while local and state outlets still benefit from community credibility. That trust is critical to preserving the civic function journalism serves.
Asked to describe his vision for local news in Connecticut, Putterman painted a modest but hopeful picture. “We’re not looking to grow aggressively right now. We need to digest the growth we’ve had and make our systems stronger,” he said. But long term, he envisions the Mirror acting as a kind of “portal” for trusted local journalism around the state, potentially linking to partner content alongside their own reporting.
As the event ended, Putterman reminded attendees of one core idea: state and local government decisions shape residents’ lives as much—if not more—than what happens in Washington. “And yet,” he said, “no one’s paying attention. That’s why we’re here.”
Arranged by Charles Salmans
Local author Tim Manners will give a special talk about his book, Schoolboy: The Untold Journey of a Yankees Hero (University of Nebraska Press). Manners, who was a recent guest speaker at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., co-authored the book with Waite “Schoolboy” Hoyt, using a trove of records and writings from Hoyt, who passed away in 1984. Hoyt’s improbable baseball journey began when the 1915 New York Giants signed him as a high school junior, for no pay and a five-dollar bonus. After nearly having both his hands amputated and cavorting with men twice his age in the hardscrabble Minor Leagues, he somehow ended up as the best pitcher for the New York Yankees and teammate with such legends as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. You don’t have to be a fan of baseball to be fascinated by Hoyt’s astonishing life story!
Tim Manners is a writer, communications consultant and baseball fan. A magna cum laude graduate of Tufts University with a BA in history, he is a former FM-radio disc jockey, publicist and magazine publisher. Currently an essay specialist with The Manners Group, he is co-author of “Schoolboy: The Untold Journey of a Yankees Hero” (2024) with baseball great Waite Hoyt (University of Nebraska Press) and “Relevance: Making Stuff That Matters” (2008), published by Penguin/Portfolio.
Arranged by Frank DeLeo
Summary: “Schoolboy” The Life of Waite Hoyt, Yankees Hero and Forgotten Icon
Tim Manners, author and communications consultant, shared the story behind Schoolboy, a memoir he co-authored based on Hall of Fame pitcher Waite Hoyt’s personal papers. Hoyt, once the ace of the legendary 1927 Yankees, lived a life far richer and more complex than most fans knew.
Origins of the Memoir
Anders met Hoyt’s son, Chris, decades ago and only years later learned of Chris’s famous father. When Chris gifted him eight boxes of Hoyt’s writings—including unfinished memoirs, interviews, and letters—Anders unearthed a firsthand account of Hoyt’s life, ultimately crafting a memoir in Hoyt’s own voice.
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Born in Brooklyn, Hoyt grew up near Ebbets Field. At 15, he was signed by the New York Giants after impressing them while pitching for batting practice as a high school ballplayer. Despite the excitement, he was sent to the grueling minor leagues where he endured poverty, violence, and exploitation—experiences that deeply shaped him.
Breakthrough with the Red Sox and Yankees
Hoyt’s major league break came with the Red Sox, where he was ironically brought in to replace Babe Ruth in the pitching rotation. He later joined Ruth again on the Yankees, though their relationship was rocky—including a two-year cold war and a dugout fistfight. They eventually reconciled.
Pitching Stardom
Hoyt became the dominant pitcher on the Yankees during the 1920s, with standout performances in the 1921 and 1927 seasons. In World Series play, he held a 1.89 ERA, cementing his reputation as a “money pitcher.” Manager Miller Huggins admired him, but Hoyt’s penchant for vaudeville in the off season and drinking occasionally jeopardized his career.
Life Beyond the Mound
Outside baseball, Hoyt was a vaudeville performer who earned three times his Yankees salary on stage. He had friendships with stars like Mae West and the Marx Brothers and even crossed paths with Al Capone.
A Complicated Family Life
Hoyt married twice, fathered children in both marriages, and astonishingly went 40 years without seeing his wife or children from his first marriage. His family only reunited decades later, following the publication of Schoolboy, which helped bridge that divide.
Radio Stardom in Cincinnati
After retiring from baseball, Hoyt became the beloved voice of the Cincinnati Reds. Known for his storytelling and warmth, he drew larger audiences during rain delays than during games. Despite a public battle with alcoholism in 1945, his sponsor and fans stood by him, a testament to his character and storytelling charm.
Later Years and Unexpected Talents
Hoyt also became a painter in retirement, selling numerous works. He was friends with famed Mexican artist Diego Rivera, who gifted him a painting—Flower Sellers—that was auctioned decades later (the day of his DMA presentation). Hoyt was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969, but even then confessed he sometimes wished he’d been a journalist instead.
Legacy and Reflection
Hoyt’s story—of fame, failure, redemption, and resilience—had been largely forgotten, but Schoolboy brought his legacy back to life. Through it, a fragmented family found healing, and fans rediscovered the man behind the stats. Hoyt was a rare figure: a pitcher, performer, broadcaster, artist, and complex human being whose voice still resonates today.
One of the basic premises of the Bystander Initiative is that there is an entire systemic framework around sexual and other abuse, which Guiora has labelled the ecosystem. Guiora’s work focuses on bystanders – individuals who witness the crime – and enablers – individuals and institutions who are in positions to prevent the crime but do not do so. He has previously written books about bystander and enabler complicity in the Holocaust and in sexual abuse in USA Gymnastics and other athletic programs.
Amos N. Guiora is Professor of Law at the S.J. Quinney College of Law, the University of Utah. He is a Distinguished Fellow at The Consortium for the Research and Study of Holocaust and the Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law, and a Distinguished Fellow and Counselor at the International Center for Conflict Resolution, Katz School of Business, University of Pittsburgh. Professor Guiora is on the Board of the Lauren McClusky Foundation.
For the past 10 years Guiora has been researching-writing-lecturing on the question of bystanders (originally in the Holocaust) resulting in his books, The Crime of Complicity: The Bystander in the Holocaust and Armies of Enablers:Survivor Stories of Complicity and Betrayal in Sexual Assaults.
Professor Guiora’s most recent article, Holding Enablers of Child Sexual Abuse Accountable: The Case of Jeremy Bell, addresses the role of enablers in sexual assault of children.
Professor Guiora Directs the SJ Quinney College of Law Bystander Initiative, a publicly funded student-staffed initiative.
Professor Guiora has an A.B. in history from Kenyon College, a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and a Ph.D. from Leiden University.
Summary
Responsibility of Bystanders and Enablers in Cases of Abuse
In a powerful and deeply personal presentation, Professor Amos Guiora of the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law offered a searing indictment of societal inaction in the face of abuse, focusing not only on perpetrators but especially on the enablers and bystanders who fail to intervene. Drawing on his extensive legal scholarship, military service, and personal family history as the child of Holocaust survivors, Guiora made the case that it is no longer enough to spotlight abusers—we must also hold accountable the institutions and individuals who allow abuse to continue.
Guiora leads the Bystander Initiative, a donor-funded, student-staffed effort that researches the legal and moral responsibilities of those who witness or know of abuse but do not act. His work gained national and international attention through two books: The Crime of Complicity: The Bystander in the Holocaust and Armies of Enablers: Survivor Stories of Complicity and Betrayal in Sexual Assault. In both, he analyzes how systemic silence and protection of institutions over individuals perpetuate cycles of abuse.
Guiora shared wrenching survivor testimonies from high-profile abuse cases involving USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, Ohio State physician Richard Strauss, and others. In each, the perpetrators were enabled by coaches, administrators, and institutional cultures that prioritized reputation and funding over the safety of children. Survivors like Tiffany Thomas and Maddie Larson described the pain not just of the abuse itself, but of the betrayal by those who could have stopped it and didn’t.
Guiora’s own obsession with this topic is rooted in his family’s Holocaust history. His mother survived in hiding in Budapest, his father endured two death marches. Guiora grew up in a household where the Holocaust was never discussed, and it wasn’t until his adult years that he began exploring the topic. The revelation that bystanders played a pivotal role in his parents’ trauma inspired his academic journey to explore the legal responsibility of witnesses to atrocities.
His central argument is bold: bystanders and enablers should be held criminally accountable. In Utah, he helped pass legislation making it a misdemeanor not to dial 911 when witnessing a child or elderly person in danger—a minimal but crucial step. His advocacy is now expanding to other states and countries, although legislation criminalizing enablers—those in authority who fail to act—is more complex and faces greater resistance.
Guiora distinguishes between bystanders (those physically present and passive) and enablers (those in institutional positions who protect perpetrators by prioritizing their institutions over victims). Enablers, he argues, are often more dangerous. They betray trust not through ignorance, but by making deliberate choices to shield institutions at the cost of human life and dignity.
He referenced the tragic case of Jeremy Bell, a 12-year-old murdered in 1997 by a teacher with a long record of sexual misconduct. School administrators had received repeated warnings over decades but took no action. Thanks to private detective Dan Barber, the case was eventually solved—but the enablers faced no consequences.
Guiora also addressed the issue of racial bias in reporting abuse, citing a poignant moment during a lecture at UVA when a Black audience member challenged the presumption that calling 911 is always safe or helpful, particularly for people of color. Guiora acknowledged the validity of this concern and worked with Utah legislators and civil rights groups to refine the law accordingly.
Throughout his talk, Guiora returned to the idea that legal accountability—not just moral reflection—is essential to changing behavior. While education and awareness are necessary, they are insufficient without laws that demand action and penalize failure.
His work is ongoing, and his message urgent: whether in schools, sports teams, religious institutions, or governments, we must stop protecting systems at the expense of the vulnerable. “All roads,” he said, “lead to the enabler.”
Guiora concluded by offering his email to attendees, encouraging further dialogue, and urging everyone to move beyond sympathy toward accountability. As he put it, “Sympathy is useless when someone is choking. You have to act.”
More on the Bystander Initiative
To follow up with Professor Guiora: amos.guiora@law.utah.edu
Learn more about contributing to the Bystander Initiative’s work.
Additional information on the Bystander Initiative:
Person to Person
Person to Person (P2P) supports families and individuals as they move toward stability with healthy food, clothing, housing assistance, and a path to economic opportunity.
Each person P2P has the opportunity to serve has a unique story. Whether it’s a single mother struggling to work enough hours to provide for herself and her children, an elderly man living alone on disability, or a young family looking for guidance to navigate housing expenses in Fairfield County, each person has a unique reason for calling on P2P and P2P is there to serve them all, no questions asked.
Nancy Coughlin, CEO, Person to Person
Nancy joined Person to Person in June of 2019, bringing expertise and experience in food insecurity, anti-poverty, and women’s and children’s issues. Prior to joining P2P, Nancy served for seven years as the Executive Director at Neighbor to Neighbor, a Greenwich-based organization dedicated to providing food and clothing to low-income families and children, and prior to that, practiced employment litigation with Baker McKenzie in NYC.
Nancy received a BA in psychology from the University of New Hampshire, and a J.D. from the Suffolk University Law School.
Arranged by Alex Garnett
Summary
The Heart of Help: Nancy Coughlin on Building Stability Through Compassion and Action
It’s not every day you hear a speaker who makes statistics feel personal. But that’s exactly what Nancy Coughlin, CEO of Person-to-Person (P2P), accomplished in her recent talk. With warmth, clarity, and a call to action, she walked us through the stark realities of economic hardship in Fairfield County—and how her organization is helping people move toward stability—one meal, one rent check, and one conversation at a time.
Founded in 1968 after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Person-to-Person was born out of a vision of justice and reconciliation. Today, it’s one of Connecticut’s most impactful social service organizations. Coughlin, who came to P2P in 2019, brings a unique blend of legal expertise, nonprofit leadership, and grassroots empathy. She isn’t just running a program—she’s reframing how we think about poverty and potential.
What’s changed since P2P’s early days? A lot. Today’s challenges are steep: Fairfield County has the second-highest income inequality in the nation, and in towns like Stamford and Norwalk, up to 60% of kids qualify for free or reduced lunch. As Coughlin put it, “The people we serve are often working, but they simply can’t keep up.”
So what does P2P do?
They meet people where they are—literally. Whether through mobile food pantries, home deliveries, or on-site caseworkers, they reach deep into communities with food, clothing, emergency financial assistance, and longer-term coaching programs. Their four food pantries (including two mobile) now distribute enough groceries for over 2.5 million meals a year—more than double what they managed pre-pandemic.
But Coughlin stressed that this isn’t just about charity—it’s about systems. She pointed to housing costs as the single biggest driver of need, with over 50% of renters in the area spending more than a third of their income just to stay housed. “Rent eats first,” she said, and that leaves little for food, transportation, or health care.
She also highlighted how federal safety net programs have been slashed just as demand is rising again. The loss of expanded SNAP benefits, the child tax credit, and rent assistance—programs that briefly cut child poverty to historic lows during the pandemic—has led to a resurgence of hunger and homelessness. “Poverty is back on the rise,” she warned.
Still, there’s hope—and it shows up in the form of volunteers, donors, and creative problem-solvers. With over 3,000 volunteers, P2P leans into community support. Their programs are bilingual, tailored, and responsive—from financial coaching to job training to car seats for new parents. “Support” is the operative word in P2P’s mission, and Coughlin made it clear: they’re not here to “rescue” people—they’re here to walk with them.
As one audience member noted, “This is a real model for community service.” And it is. But it’s also a model for what’s possible when we stop asking, “What’s wrong with them?” and start asking, “What systems can we fix together?”
Coughlin ended her talk with a message we all needed to hear: “Every child deserves to grow up and reach their full potential. Our job is to make sure they can.”