Press Releases
04/29/2025
Secretary Thomas Rallies Connecticut Business, Nonprofit Leaders to Support Civic Participation
(Hartford, Connecticut) – Dozens of nonprofit and business leaders joined Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas on Friday for an online conversation about the importance of promoting civic engagement in the workplace and beyond. Part of the Secretary of the State’s (SOTS) Civically Engaged Organization (CEO) initiative, the panel explored nonpartisan strategies for fostering a culture of civic participation across sectors, such as encouraging voting and giving employees time off to volunteer in their communities.
Friday’s event featured Janice Brunner, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Travelers, and Ashley Gaudiano, Chief Operating Officer of United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut. The organizations are two of nearly 300 currently registered as CEOs with SOTS. Secretary Thomas moderated the discussion.
“When employers support civic engagement, it strengthens our democracy, our communities, and our workplaces,” said Secretary Thomas. “No matter the size or mission of an organization, everyone has a role to play in encouraging participation and empowering their teams to be informed and involved in elections and their communities.”
Brunner described the evolution of Citizen Travelers, an employee-led initiative designed to encourage civic participation: “When we started, we moved deliberately and stayed carefully nonpartisan,” she said. “We spent a lot of time listening to staff, to compliance experts, and to our own values. That transparency made the initiative stronger and more trusted.”
She also emphasized how even small steps can have wide-reaching effects. “We’ve seen more than 40 employees go on to serve in local elected positions,” she said. “But some of the most powerful stories come from people who realized for the first time that they could engage, just by attending a town meeting or contacting a council member.”
Gaudiano addressed the unique position nonprofits hold when it comes to civic engagement. “There’s often hesitation because of legal concerns, but we want to be clear: nonprofits can and should be involved,” she said. “Civic engagement is part of our mission. It’s how we serve, how we advocate, and how we build lasting systems change.”
Gaudiano encouraged attendees to start where they are and with what they have. “Even with a small staff, you can start small—allow remote work on Election Day, share nonpartisan materials, or organize a staff training. None of it costs money, but it has real impact.”
Secretary Thomas echoed those sentiments. “Many people don’t know the impact they can have until someone shows them how. Civic engagement is lifelong learning. And teaching people how to participate is a lifelong process.”
Launched in 2023, the CEO program invites employers, nonprofits, and institutions to partner with SOTS to support civic involvement among employees and within their communities. Participants commit to actions like sharing nonpartisan information about voting with staff, clients, and colleagues; posting information about upcoming elections; and offering time off to vote. In return, SOTS provides them with access to downloadable outreach toolkits, communication templates, and a digital badge that can be used in print or digital materials to highlight that they’re a branded CEO.
Organizations interested in becoming CEO can learn more at CEOpledge.CT.gov.
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