Southington Business Owner Kate Sirignano Named Chairperson of Signature Chefs Auction Benefiting the March of Dimes

The March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter is pleased to announce that Kate Sirignano, Principal at Image Marketing Consultants in Southington, will serve as Chairperson of the 2016 Greater Hartford Signature Chefs Auction, for the second year in a row. The event, which highlights the culinary excellence of the area’s finest chefs, will be held Thursday, October 20th at 5:30 p.m. at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford.

“I am honored to be Chairing this incredibly special and important event once again,” says Sirignano. “My son Anthony was born 15 weeks premature, weighing just over one pound, and underwent multiple surgeries and procedures during his 112-day stay in the NICU. The March of Dimes supported our family in countless ways during the most difficult time in our lives and I am so humbled to be able to pay it forward in support of all the families who will benefit from this extraordinary organization.”

The 20th annual Signature Chefs Auction will feature the culinary mastery of some of the most acclaimed chefs in the Greater Hartford area, including Tyler Anderson, Owner and Chef of Millwright’s Restaurant & Tavern in Simsbury and winner of the Food Network’s ‘Chopped,’ successfully defeating two of the nation’s top chefs.

In addition to the generous sampling of cuisine from more than 20 of the area’s top restaurants, guests will enjoy a unique assortment of live and silent auction items and packages which will be highlighted by a variety of private experiences with the featured chefs as well as entertainment, travel and much more.

Sirignano’s husband Dr. Erick Sirignano, Owner and Optometrist at Torrington Eyecare, LLC, says his wife’s role as Chair is one that Kate is most proud of, “Kate and I are so blessed to have a child whom we once held in the palm of our hands and is now a healthy two year old. I know how much this opportunity to raise awareness and funds for the advancement of research means to her and our family.”

“The research and educational programs are at the very core of the March of Dimes,” says Sirignano. “My husband Erick and I will do everything we can to help support the March of Dimes efforts to find the causes and preventions for pre-term birth and birth defects.”

Sirignano owns and oversees Image Marketing Consultants in Southington. She is well-versed in public relations, event planning, and brand, and regularly speaks throughout the country on corporate image, small business marketing, and cause-related marketing initiatives. She is the former President of the Southington Rotary Club and serves on the Board of Directors for her local Chamber of Commerce. Kate was named one of Connecticut Magazine’s Forty Under 40 winners for 2016. She has also been featured in Hartford Magazine in their young entrepreneur cover story and was named one of Hartford Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty Winners for 2011. She lives with her husband, Erick, and son, Anthony, in Southington.

Premature birth is the most serious infant health problem in the United States today. It affects nearly half a million babies nationwide each year, including 1 in 10 babies in Connecticut. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have lifelong disabilities. The March of Dimes is committed to reversing this trend by funding research to find the causes of premature birth and developing strategies to prevent it.

Signature Chefs Auction reserved tables of 10 ($1,500) and individual tickets ($150) are on sale now at signaturechefs.org/hartford. The March of Dimes thanks sponsors Image Marketing Consultants, Aetna, Pullman and Comley, Torrington Eyecare and NBC Connecticut for its support.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With markets nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.