Jan Edwards is a New Britain native and 1984 graduate of New Britain High School, where she served as class vice president. Her career spans banking, healthcare insurance, global news media, HR leadership, and mental health services, holding key roles at Cigna, United Healthcare, The Wall Street Journal, Citigroup, Kaman Distribution Group, and Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc.

In 2008, Jan founded 2Gurlz, LLC, a custom arts and crafts business named for her daughters. The company expanded in 2024 with a downtown New Britain location offering classes, custom items, and therapeutic arts-based team-building experiences. She partners with youth and community organizations across Connecticut to deliver creative empowerment programs.

Since returning to New Britain in 2017, Jan has become a dedicated civic leader. She has served in multiple campaign leadership roles, was elected President of the historic Mary McLeod Bethune Club, appointed Justice of the Peace, endorsed as a constable candidate, and appointed to the New Britain City Planning Commission. In 2024, she was elected President of the New Britain NAACP, with installation in February 2025.

Jan holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cambridge College. She is a proud mother of two daughters and grandmother of six.