Jerome Smith, Head of Community Affairs for Amazon’s New England Region and Canada, speaks to Windsor High School students during the kickoff of The Plug Speaker Series.
Windsor, CT — Windsor Public Schools officially launched its inaugural E2B (Education to Business) Speaker Series this morning at Windsor High School, proudly kicking off with its 2024-2025 Partners of the Year: Amazon. Titled The Plug, this new series was inspired by early conversations with Amazon leadership that revealed the company did not currently offer high school internship opportunities.
From left to right: Gianna Gill, Communications and Community Partnerships Coordinator; Jerome Smith, Head of Community Affairs, Amazon – New England Region and Canada; Glendowlyn Thames, Head of Economic Development, Amazon; Dr. Noha Abdel-Hady, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services; and Dr. Terrell Hill, Superintendent of Schools.
In response, Amazon leaders Jerome Smith and Glendowlyn Thames inspired a new vision in Gianna Gill, WPS Communications and Community Engagement—connecting students to business and industry leaders through storytelling, inspiration, and personal mentorship.
“We didn’t want our students to miss out on meaningful exposure to industries right here in our own backyard,” said Gill. “Jerome and Glendowlyn didn’t just show up—they poured into our students. From sharing their roots in Waterbury and Hartford to openly discussing career pivots, networking, and personal growth, they gave our students the real talk they needed to hear—and made it clear that success is both local and within reach.”
Dr. Hill presents Amazon with WPS' OFCP Office of Family and Community Partnerships Partner of the Year Award.
Jerome and Glendowlyn shared stories about growing up in Connecticut, starting their careers in politics, and eventually joining Amazon’s leadership team. They spoke candidly about the mentors and educators who shaped their journey, and emphasized the importance of being open to change, building confidence, and developing networking skills early on—values that align beautifully with Windsor’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum.
WHS’s own Julia Kornacki-Smith stepped into the spotlight as co-moderator, helping lead an engaging and impactful dialogue.
This launch event is just the beginning. Amazon has committed to hosting a field experience at their BDL4 site in Windsor—a Lunch and Learn experience where students will tour the fulfillment center and engage with site leadership. This opportunity will serve as both a learning experience and a career pathway for students—particularly for graduating seniors interested in entering the workforce immediately after high school.
The Plug Speaker Series was made possible through the Windsor Chamber of Commerce’s E2B (Education to Business) Grant, awarded by the Town of Windsor. The goal of the grant is to directly connect Windsor’s vibrant student body to key industries in the area and to highlight the numerous career pathways that WPS students can pursue through the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Windsor’s CTE catalog includes opportunities for students to earn industry certifications, college credits, and real-world experience as early as 9th grade.
Today’s event was proudly produced by students in Mr. Gary Nolan’s Stage Craft course and filmed and moderated by students from Mr. Jeffrey Goodin’s TV Production course, both available to grades 9–12 through the CTE Department at WHS.
Dr. Breon Parker, Principal of Windsor High School, shared his enthusiasm:
“Our students and educators continue to exceed expectations. From the planning to the production, this event was a clear example of the talent and drive we have right here at WHS. We are committed to remaining a hub for innovation, opportunity, and collaboration in the community—and beyond.”
Daniel Demar, President of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, applauded the collaboration:
“I’m blown away by the ingenuity and innovation happening at Windsor Public Schools. We’re proud to serve as a bridge between our local industries and these amazing students and educators. The Plug is exactly the kind of program that makes Windsor shine as a model of what’s possible when education and business come together.”
The Plug will continue with speakers from Niagara Water and the Hartford Yard Goats, giving students even more access to real-world insight, leadership, and opportunity.
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