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Deborah Finney Peterson

Global Marketing Executive, Team Accelerator, Growth Driver

Debbie has envisioned and overseen organizational marketing transformations that drive meaningful
increases in revenue, profits, and retention for marquee brands in insurance and health services,
including American Family, Allstate, and Cigna, where she serves as Vice President of Global Customer
Relationship Management. Debbie leads across people, processes, and technologies to shift the focus of
large companies from the product to the customer, consistently achieving scalable engagement, loyalty,
and market growth.

At Cigna, Debbie was brought in to lead the company’s first enterprise-wide customer relationship
management program. A highly collaborative leader, she has built a team that closely connects with
internal product and sales teams to develop omni-channel customer-centric digital marketing programs
that drive health engagement, increasing customer retention by +140bps and satisfaction by +5 points
NPS. She also has led multiple marketing technology RFPs and technology platform implementations to
operationalize the strategies her teams develop. She currently leads two campaign operations teams
that partner with the Technology and Data Management teams to bring the programs to market.

Previously, at Allstate, Debbie launched the first ever direct to customer acquisition program that built
on what had previously been the sole responsibility of the company’s captive agents. At American
Family, she added a customer engagement and loyalty program in addition to prospect marketing,
achieving a $140M annual premium.

Debbie earned her MBA from Kellogg, Northwestern University’s Graduate School of Business, and is a
steering committee member of the Catalyst Endowment fund, a giving circle at the Hartford Foundation
for Public Giving. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and youngest child

Andy Cowell

Vice President - Sponsorships

Andy brings vast and diverse experience in business development to support the Connecticut chapter of the American Marketing Association. With a history of driving results for B2B and consumer product manufacturers, Andy has a history of creating revenue by optimizing the customer experience. Andy is excited about connecting the business community and industry partners with AMA members to continue the mission of career development for marketing professionals.

With his 20-year history of enhancing customer interactions for Fortune 500 and small businesses, Andy has a practical methodology that creates clients that are true partners and brand advocates. His constant curiosity to learn how organizations interact creates a depth of understanding. This knowledge allows him to clearly communicate value and solve commercial issues.

Andy currently resides in West Harford with his family. He enjoys home improvement projects, spending time outdoors, family activities including trips to the beach, snowboarding, biking, fishing, and keeping the mischievous family dog from digging up the garden.

Jackie Rowe

Programming Chair

Jackie is a dynamic marketing leader with extensive experience building and optimizing programs that produce game-changing results. She has built and managed numerous highly successful programs from industry-specific initiatives to entire business associations. She possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of building and managing programs in a complex environment and is sought out repeatedly for these opportunities.

Adept at creating marketing strategy, marketing campaign management, social media strategy, marketing communications, event marketing, customer relationship management, vendor management, and CRM creation and implementation.

Colleagues know me as a client-focused, creative thinker, and master communicator, with an insatiable curiosity and commitment to ongoing learning and team success. I bring a passion and enthusiasm for my work that is unparalleled.

Just a few of Jackie’s notable accomplishments include launching the Aetna Partner Program, an innovative vendor-focused rewards program designed to restructure how premiere vendors are managed & promoted, creating the Aetna WISE Women Connect networking initiative, rebranded the Lawyer’s Collaborative for Diversity (LCD), whose mission is to promote diversity and inclusion in Connecticut’s legal community, and built the Renewable Energy & Industry Business Association (REEBA), which became one of Connecticut’s premier resources for renewable energy advocacy, collaboration, networking & information sharing.

Aaliyah Miller

Communications Special Projects

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.” – B. Olatunji Aaliyah believes in the power of words and sees them as her superpower to be an effective communicator and storyteller. She’s excited for opportunities and welcomes challenges where she can use her skills and expertise to make an impact personally and professionally. She enjoys leading corporate, digital, and employee communications initiatives and/or campaigns at the enterprise level. Over the last few years her expertise in community management, email marketing, strategic communications and content development have helped her deliver effective campaigns to drive results. Aaliyah is a Senior Communications Manager where she leads internal and external communications for Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG), a voluntary council of governments formed to initiate and implement regional programs of benefit to the towns and the region. She works with community leaders to raise the profile of the organization's community-focused efforts using new communications strategies, brand and content marketing.

Susan Bertanthal

Mentoring Co-Chair

Susan is global growth strategy and insights leader with an exceptional track record of collaborative and cross functional team leadership across multiple verticals.  For the last two decades she has helped companies drive growth through strategic solutions and operationalizing them, launching new services and products, building strategic partnerships, and translating business needs into action.  She is forever the champion of enhanced consumer, customer and shopper experience, amplifying the competitive landscape, and driving revenue growth.

As the Mentoring Co-Chair for the CT Chapter, I look forward  to helping people find colleagues and new friends that share their passion for Marketing in whatever shape and form it comes in!

Susan lives in Simsbury with her family, 2 crazy dogs, lots of fish and an occasional bear, deer, coyote or whatever else comes out of the McClean Game Refuge.  In her free time she loves to bake and travel.

Lori Walker

Treasurer

Lori is a C-level financial executive with over 30 year of business experience with both non-profit and corporate entities. She has a reputation for building strong working relationships, simplifying technical issues, and a talent for developing solutions to problems.  In addition to having in depth experience and knowledge of virtually all typical finance functions, she acts as an agent of change: streaming business operations, implementing procedures/controls, developing reporting, promoting information and organizational flow, and finding strategic solutions to move organizational objectives forward.  She has an MBA in Finance from Pace. 

Fun fact:  Lori is an active youth development advocate and enjoys many diverse pursuits including hiking, camping, kayaking, and scuba diving.

Pam Frois

AMA VP Job Board, Leader, Programming and Membership Committee

Pam has an impressive background in broadcast television where she has planned and managed some of the biggest sports events on television. One of her most recognized achievements was winning an Emmy for her work on NASCAR’s production.

During her 18 years at ESPN she oversaw the on-site operations of major sports events such as weekly Major League baseball games, the World Series, the Men’s College World Series, NASCAR, the Senior Bowl in Hawaii, international soccer tournaments - El Clasico and Copa Del Rey Final, US Open (golf and tennis) and colligate basketball and football. She is an award-winning photographer currently taking sports and special event pictures for Lifetouch. Pam volunteers for JETS (Jewish Employment Transition Services) through the Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford (JFS) as the Job Search Work Team Coordinator (JSWT). She also serves as a transition coach. She volunteers at their Food Pantry and Tara’s Closet. Pam was named “Volunteer of the Year” 2020 by the Jewish Family Services. She loves to travel, having visited 6 of the 7 continents and has taken 30+ cruises. In her spare time, Pam is an avid hiker. For the last 20+ years, she has been a hike leader for a meetup group where she can motivate and share her passion for the outdoors with others.

Kevin Janco

President-elect, Programming Chair

Kevin is a strategic marketing leader with more than 20 years of experience building iconic brands that convey value to customers and open doors for sales teams.  In both consumer packaged goods and B2B industries, he’s driven results through sound strategy, clear communication, strong execution and collaborative leadership.

As the Programming Chair of the Connecticut Chapter for 2020-2021, Kevin looks forward to collaborating with the team to create engaging, educational and fun events that bring value to members and keep them coming back for more.

Kevin served as the Vice President, Global Marketing and Commercial Excellence for Terex Corporation, a Connecticut based $5B manufacturer of machinery.  Prior to Terex, Kevin held several roles at Duracell Inc., The Gillette Company, and Procter & Gamble, including Global Business Director for Duracell batteries.

Kevin resides in Sandy Hook, CT with his family.  On the weekends you’ll find him working on home improvement projects or wrenching on his classic muscle car.  

Neda Ahmaripour

Programming Committee

Global Business leader with 15+ years’ experience in various industries. Neda has developed extensive business experience in various functions including Strategic Planning, Marketing, Product & Project Management, Integration and M&A. As a member of global leadership core team, she has provided consultative advice on marketing strategy and operation to 11 business units in Far East & Southeast Asia, Middle-East, Europe, Central and South America. She has an MBA with dual concentrations in International Business and Management from UConn, and has also obtained two Advanced Business Certificates in Marketing Intelligence & Strategic Marketing. Neda is highly passionate and enjoys coaching teams while having fun.

Mimi Cheung

Membership Chair

Mimi Cheung is an accomplished marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in strategic development and brand management with innovative content creation as a common thread throughout her career. She has worked with global consumer brands located in the Boston, Massachusetts and Madrid, Spain area.  Her passion in marketing is driven by her customers; she enjoys learning about who they are, how they shop and what makes them tick.

With a multi-cultural background and fluency in English, Spanish and Cantonese, she has consistently worked in international capacities supporting teams around the globe.  With her innate ability to understand the nuances between different cultures, she has helped brands develop and execute regional marketing strategies, campaigns and content while ensuring global consistency.

Mimi lives in downtown Hartford so you may find her lounging in the Bushnell Park on warm, sunny days with her laptop or reading.  She also enjoys doing yoga, playing volleyball, snowboarding, and practicing martial arts.  

Christopher Hyde

Past President, Special Projects

Chris has a mission to deliver more relevant and creative communications to everyone on the planet. As principal of Cipher Creative Group, Chris loves to translate clients’ most challenging marketing messages into good-looking targeted personalized campaigns. He has expertise in executing cross-media marketing campaigns using marketing automation tools and variable data printing.

Chris returns to the AMA after a 15 year hiatus. Chris is also going to stop referring to himself in the third person…. I am so excited to be involved with the AMA once again. I look forward to interacting with and learning from our members and partners.

Chris holds an undergraduate degree in Graphic Design, and an MBA in marketing, both from the University of Connecticut – a combination others have found to be quite unconventional.

Kelly Ashton Bradley

President

An award-winning entrepreneur and certified brand strategist, Kelly helps purpose-driven companies creatively develop their brand DNA, understand their customers and align their team so they can serve with passion, amplify impact, and accelerate growth.

Kelly is marketing director for Hammond Iles Companies. She is known for  bringing BIG ideas to life. Kelly has masterminded brand transformations in hard-to-market industries, led corporate rebranding, founded and sold multiple startups, and designed over 1,300 event experiences and educational seminars. In 2014 Kelly founded Brand-Labs™ marketing transformation workshops to teach entrepreneurs and startups how to tell their story and build brands people want to do business with.

Kelly began her career in advertising agencies transitioning to in-house marketing in the importing, retail, hospitality and financial industries. She has created remarkable brand experiences for small companies and international brands, including United Technologies, VMware, Hartford Steam Boiler, and Crabtree and Evelyn.

Kelly lives in Connecticut with her family, two love-seeking dachshunds and Waffles, the basset hound. Kelly bikes to work, and is an avid skier and kayaker. Occasionally she and her husband escape together to enjoy British car rallies.

Christine Fitzgerald

Immediate Past President

Christine is an accomplished strategic marketer who sets the table for new business teams to close sales in organizations ranging from Fortune 3 to non-profits. She has extensive experience creating B2B and B2C marketing campaigns for health insurance members, employers, brokers and providers that drive revenue. Her specialties include new product introductions, event management and customer experience using metrics to drive decisions.

Christine is a former Director of Marketing with Aetna, a CVS Health Company and Centene, the largest Medicaid insurer in the Country. She and has been a Marketing panelist presenter at The Conference Board in New York City and The Annual Connecticut Regional Marketing Conference - Future Innovations in Marketing.

Christine lives in East Berlin, Connecticut with her daughter Katy who is a Senior in high school and her rescue dog Tux. Her oldest daughter Kelly is a Junior in college.

Fun fact: Early in Christine’s career, she was a Water Safety Instructor who taught lifeguards how to conduct water rescues.