Taylor Kinzler Regan is an Emmy Award-winning anchor and reporter at NBC Connecticut You can watch her weekday mornings on NBC Connecticut Today from 5 am to 7 am alongside Eddie Randle and Bob Maxon She previously served as the longtime host of CT Live Taylor received her degree in broadcast journalism from American University in 2015. After working as a production assistant for the National Press Club and NBC Sports Washington, she began her television career as an anchor and reporter at WABI TV5, the CBS affiliate in Bangor, Maine. In 2018, she moved to Connecticut and helped launch NBC Connecticut’s first lifestyle show, CT Live.
In 2020, Taylor was named one of Hartford Business Journal’s “40 Under 40”, recognized for her work highlighting local businesses impacted by COVID-19. In addition to her passion for storytelling, Taylor is actively involved in the community, serving as a volunteer and mentor for Best Buddies Connecticut.
Margo Meley & Alex Palmer
Varian Salters & Synthia Saulnier, Ellen Stansfield & Maia Keillor
Wyatt & Cathy Smarz
Rich Egner & Jimmy Howley
Mike James & Derek Regenauer
Tom & Ronan Manning
2024 Champion of the Year Team
Dave Renker and Andrew White
Our 2024 top Champion team was Dave Renker and Andrew White. Dave has been supporting Best Buddies for the past five years. He participates in our Friendship Walks, fundraises for Champion of the Year, volunteers as a coach for our Transitions Job Readiness training program, and one of the things he likes most is becoming buddies with Andrew.
Andrew has been involved with Best Buddies for eighteen years, since he was a freshman in high school He served as Buddy Director for the chapter at Southington High School and at the University of Connecticut. He is a Buddy Ambassador and a member of the Advisory Board for Best Buddies in Connecticut and enjoys the time he spends with his new buddy Dave
2025-2026 School Chapters
Colleges
Central Connecticut State University
Eastern Connecticut State University
Fairfield University
Quinnipiac University
Sacred Heart University
Southern Connecticut State University
Trinity College
University of Connecticut
University of Hartford
Middle Schools
Ansonia Middle School
Cross Street Intermediate
Dag Hammarskjold Middle School
Derby Middle School
Dodd Middle School
Hillcrest Middle School
John F. Kennedy Middle School - Enfield
John F. Kennedy Middle School- Southington
Nathan Hale Ray Middle School
Seymour Middle School
Shelton Intermediate School
Elementary Schools
Bradley School
Doolittle School
Eli Whitney School
Irving School
Mead Elementary School
Moody School
Norton School
Perry Hill School
Prendergast Elementary School
Sweeney School
Vance Elementary School
High Schools
Ansonia High School
Brookfield High School
Cheshire High School
Coventry High School
Crosby High School
Darien High School
Derby High School
East Lyme High School
Edwin O. Smith High School
Ellington High School
Enfield High School
Fairfield Ludlowe High School
Fairfield Warde High School
Glastonbury High School
Granby Memorial High School
Joel Barlow High School
Lakeview High School
Lyman Hall High School
Nathan Hale-Ray High School
Newtown High School
North Haven High School
Oxford High School
Pomperaug High School
Sacred Heart School Greenwich
Seymour High School
Shelton High School
Simsbury High School
Southington High School
Staples High School
Trumbull High School
Waterford High School
Watertown High School
Westhill High School
Woodland Regional High School
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
BidFromtheHeart
The Value of Your Donation Supp
Best Buddies helps form meaningful friendships, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communications skills, all while feeling valued by society
$5,000
• Supports an elementary school, middle school, high school, or college chapter for a year.
$2,500
• The cost of funding a Leadership Skill Development training session for students with and without IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities).
$1,000
• The cost to help support our Friendship Ball, a prom for individuals with and without IDD.
$500
• Helps fund sending a Buddy to the Leadership Conference at Indiana University for a weekend of Friendship and Leadership Development.
$250
• The cost of supplies needed to run our Transitions Job Readiness Program that helps individuals with and without IDD prepare for employment.
$100
• Covers supply costs associated with our Leadership Development trainings.
• Helps fund sensory friendly items at all of our events.
Proudtosupport BestBuddies
THE HOMETOWN FOUNDATION
TheHometown Foundation,Inc.isanon-profit charitable organization committedto supporting thosein need in conjunctionwithBozzuto's,Inc , its family ofretailers, and community business partners. The Hometown Foundation, established in 2002, raises money to support a broad range of programs that meet community needs. The Foundation's commitment centers around five areas of charitable focus Our year-round programs are devoted to strengthening our local communities to create a more cohesive and inclusive society. By supporting these endeavors you are directly servicing individuals in need, assisting in program development and growing our year-round missions.
ANIMAL WELFARE
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL
INDIVIDUALS W/ INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
MAJOR ILLNESS OR THOSE IN NEED MILITARY
340HebronAvenue,Suite100,Glastonbury,Connecticut•www kdhayeslaw com•(860)266-7724•kathleen@kdhayeslaw com
BRESCOME BARTON, INC is proud to support the efforts of BEST BUDDIES CONNECTICUT and wishes you continued success in your programs.
Our most important work happens outside the four walls of our bank. KeyBank gets involved to help keep our communities full of hope and opportunity. Thank you, Best Buddies Connecticut, for making a difference.
Since 1825 Liberty Bank has been dedicated to helping families throughout Connecticut. Today, we continue this commitment by helping to improve the lives of our customers, teammates and communities for generations to come.
We are delighted to partner with organizations like Best Buddies Connecticut that share our commitment, and help make our communities great places to live and work. We are proud to sponsor the 2025 Champion of the Year Gala and spread kindness by supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in our communities.
liberty-bank.com
Member FDIC
Thank You To Our Board, Committee Members and Staff!
Board Members
Kyle Brower
Audra Fleury
Darrel Gibson
Heather Iannanone
Deb Lavigne
Nancy Meyer- Board Chair
Valerie Strange
Sarah Swartz
Caroline Sweeney
Andrew White
Committee Members
Dana Bergenfeld
Deb Lavigne - Gala Chair
Desirae Lee
Nancy Meyer
Anna Nichols
Staff
Pam Nichols
Hannah Petr
Valerie Strange
Andrew White
Lezlye Zupkus, State Director
Lisa Enright, Director of Development
Elizabeth Navarro, Deputy Director of Jobs
Bill White, Senior Program Manager
Kady Allen, Senior Program Manager
Emily Noonan, Program Manager
Thank You To Our Auction Donors!
Amazing Grapes - West
Simsbury
Amici Italian Grill
Anonymous
Avelo
Avon Wellness Center
Dental Associates
Barcelona Wine Bar
Bartaco
BBCT Advisory Board
Beardsley Zoo
Linda Berard
Bevan Cellar Red Wine
Bigelow Tea
Bill Selig Jewelers
Bob's Discount Furniture
Boston Bruins
Boston Celtics
Bridgeport Islanders
Buckland Hills Cinema
Bushi Ban Martial Arts & Fitness
Bushka Family
Charles River Boat Tour
Coca Cola
Crafts by Spooky
CrossFit Wallingford
Curtain Call, Inc.
Dirty Dog Do it Yourself Pet Wash and Pawstry Shop
