Join Us Thursday, March 13, 2025
With its inaugural ceremony in 2024, the Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC) is proud to host the 2nd Annual Connecticut Democracy Center Awards at Connecticut’s Old State House.
Join us on Thursday, March 13, 2025, to pay tribute to community, business, and philanthropic leaders. CTDC has established the following awards to celebrate Connecticut residents committed to strengthening democracy through acts of citizenship, service, and community engagement. Please join us in celebrating the remarkable work of the following honorees.
Winners of the 2025 CTDC Awards
2025 CTDC COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD
Karen Hobert Flynn (posthumously), former President of Common Cause
Karen Hobert Flynn spent three decades as a democracy reform activist to secure an inclusive democracy for all. For nearly 40 years, she worked for Common Cause, a grassroots nonpartisan organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American Democracy. Under her leadership in Connecticut, she secured landmark reforms — including winning Connecticut’s groundbreaking full public finance system, numerous ethics laws, and disclosure laws. As national president, she helped Common Cause double its membership and expanded its presence in 30 states. In her last year of life, she led a national coalition in the fight to protect and strengthen the right to vote for all. She also oversaw the largest national nonpartisan election protection program for the 2022 midterms.
2025 CTDC BUSINESS LEADER AWARD
Pursuit Aerospace, in recognition of their Second Chance Program
Pursuit Aerospace is the largest privately held global manufacturer of complex aircraft engine components worldwide, with 19 sites across the globe and five locations in Connecticut. In 2018, Pursuit partnered with the CT Department of Correction (DOC) to offer a work furlough program in which incarcerated individuals are offered life-changing opportunities to earn market wages with benefits while being trained in skilled labor careers in advanced manufacturing.
Since the work furlough program began, over 100 talented individuals have completed it and now hold jobs as machinists, inspectors, and production planners as they rebuild their lives.
2025 MARY C. GAWLICKI PHILANTHROPIC LEADER AWARD
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $998 million since its founding in 1925.
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Guests enjoy an inspirational conversation on how our award winners found their passion for community and civic engagement. Guests also enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and champagne toast while networking with business professionals, educators, and community leaders equally committed to improving the quality of life in Connecticut.
Organizations can choose to support the CTDC Awards through our Community Partners Program, CTDC’s packaged corporate giving program, which provides meaningful resources to an abundance of CTDC programs, including the CTDC Awards. You can view the benefits and options below.