Edgardo is currently Senior Marketing Director at Adams & Knight, a branding and marketing consultancy based in Avon, Connecticut. Ed has been with Adams & Knight for over 14 years, during which he has overseen integrated, digital, traditional, PR, experiential, and influencer initiatives. He currently manages the social media marketing team, focusing on strategy & insights and overseeing execution & optimization across all paid social channels. His ability to efficiently translate analytics and insights to actionable optimizations helps clients reach their goals and meet their KPIs.

His work has been recognized by the Internet Advertising Competition (IAC), Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), AVA Digital Awards, Content Marketing Institute, Ad Club of Connecticut, and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The Social Shake-up Show also recognized Ed as a social media mover and shaker.

In addition to his client work, Ed frequently contributes to the agency blog, podcast, and regularly speaks to students at his alma mater, the University of Connecticut–frequently serving on COMM career panels and guest speaking in the Social Media Research and Practice, Advertising, and Persuasion classes, as well as attending student-alumni events organized by CLAS and UConn School of Business.

Connect with Edgardo on LinkedIn.

Founder and CEO o​f the full-service agency ​Brianna Régine Visionary Consulting, LLC (also known as BRVC)​, Brianna Régine Walston is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, brand growth strategist.

Mentorship & Community-Support Initiatives 

Since the creation of BRVC in 2016, Brianna has built a thriving, six-figure business. While steadfastly building her business, Brianna has also taken the time to be a mentor, building up others through her collaboration with initiatives in youth development and women entrepreneurship.  Notably, Brianna launched the Black Women Entrepreneurs of America campaign; and, at the University of Connecticut (Stamford), the first Affinity Collaborative and Community Center aimed at facilitating social connection and inclusivity among college students, faculty,and staff.  She has also provided support to the Women’s Business Development Council in Connecticut, and led initiatives like the Pour In My Cup workshop series and the BRVC Alliance Network, where entrepreneurial-minded women have gathered for business support, networking tips, and creative growth.

Brianna has facilitated workshops for platforms such as “Power Hours” at Rutgers University, the Southern’s Black Student Union “The Beat Goes On”, BossCamp (a CT-based branding and entrepreneurship event dedicated to women of color), and an EPK 101 Workshop with the Connecticut Office of the Arts. She has also moderated state and regional-wide panels on creative strategy, entrepreneurship and DEI, including CT Office of The Arts’ READI Talks series, Greenwich Academy’s (her former high school) Senior College Readiness panels, and a Moving Your Visions Brunch Panel featuring activist & Freedom March NYC’s founder Chelsea Miller.

To the UConn Department of Communication advising office, Brianna has been invaluable. She was one of three PR agency principals invited in Fall 2020 to talk to students about communication and entrepreneurship, in the three-part discussion series, “Women Entrepreneurs and Communication Innovation.”  This Spring, Brianna returned to her home campus to join a panel of COMM alumni sharing their career journey stories with Stamford students.

Within the larger UConn community, Brianna has been one of the most prolific mentors in The Werth Institute NetWerx Program, which connects undergraduate students with UConn alumni for meaningful conversations on the entrepreneurial mindset and its application to career exploration, professionalization, and personal development.  During her time with NetWerx, Brianna mentored an astonishing thirty-seven mentees!

Accolades & Awards

Brianna’s expertise and thought leadership have been highlighted on various media outlets: BET, ValiantCEO, and the HV Times–to name a few.  For her work, mentorship, and advocacy, Brianna was recognized by New Haven Biz with the 2022 Women in Business Award; and, just recently, Brianna was named 2023 Young Entrepreneur of the Year by Connecticut SBA.

Connect with Brianna on LinkedIn.

Lindsay is currently Strategy & Planning Lead for Global Communications at Cisco.  At UConn, Lindsay studied Spanish and Communication; through a UConn connection, Lindsay secured her first job as a Marketing Assistant at Pitney Bowes.  From there, Lindsay launched a successful career in Public Relations and Marketing, working for many industry leaders: among them, OutCast Communications, Finn Partners, Highwire, and most recently, Weber Shandwick.

While she was at Weber Shandwick, Lindsay organized a COMM Careers Event that brought together senior-level executives to talk to our students about the state of the industry and to offer career advice.

Lindsay is a founding member of the UConn Alumni Association New York City Chapter and has been an instrumental part of the success of the alumni network in NYC.  She has also been a long time mentor for the School of Business.

Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn.

A veteran in advertising and market research, Marty retired after a fruitful career spanning over four decades. His expertise led him to found Horn Research & Consulting, specializing in qualitative and quantitative research across various industries. Prior to retirement, Marty served as Director of Consumer Insights & Research at SPM Marketing & Communications, contributing to strategic brand positioning. Marty’s early tenure as Group Planning Director at DDB Chicago saw him crafting communication strategies for renowned clients such as Anheuser-Busch and McDonald’s, while also overseeing innovative research initiatives. Beyond his corporate endeavors, Marty remains an active board member at the Center for Jewish Genetics, a role in which continues to serve.  Marty leaves a legacy and an enduring impact on the advertising landscape, built on uncovering consumer insights and driving brand growth.

In 2010 Marty Horn established an endowed scholarship, the Martin Horn Scholarship, within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.  It is awarded annually to an undergraduate student majoring in Communication who demonstrates academic achievement.

Connect with Marty on LinkedIn.

Before founding JAC Comm, Adam built an impressive career in the world of public relations and integrated marketing communications, holding senior and executive leadership roles at some of the industry’s most respected and award-winning agencies—including Weber Shandwick, FleishmanHillard, and PAN Communications. In these roles, Adam developed and executed strategic campaigns for a wide range of clients, from global powerhouses to emerging startups, gaining a reputation for his ability to turn bold ideas into measurable impact.

Throughout his career, Adam has served as a trusted strategic advisor to C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders across industries. His portfolio includes work with both legacy brands and next-generation innovators—leaders and challengers alike. Adam has been instrumental in shaping the public image of countless organizations, playing key roles in the successful launch of new companies and products, including high-profile initiatives such as the release of Apple’s groundbreaking iPhone.

In addition to his work in brand storytelling and campaign development, Adam has led teams through complex crisis communications and reputation management scenarios. His ability to maintain brand integrity during times of uncertainty has earned him multiple accolades within the PR industry. His award-winning work is recognized for its creativity, effectiveness, and long-term brand-building power.

Adam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Connecticut, where he developed his foundational knowledge in media, messaging, and audience behavior. He later earned a Master’s degree in Communication from Lasell University, further strengthening his expertise in strategic communication, leadership, and digital media.

Connect with Adam on LinkedIn.