Kate Kane Named Richard J. Moriarty Citizen of the Year
SPRINGFIELD — The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) has named Kate Kane, managing director of Northwestern Mutual’s Springfield office, as its 2015 Richard J. Moriarty Citizen of the Year. The award is given annually to honor the memory of Moriarty, a long-time active participant in the ACCGS and individual who gave of his time, talent, and personal and professional resources to the local community.
“Kate reminds me of Rick in so many ways,” said Patrick Leary, chair of the ACCGS’ award nominating committee and partner at Moriarty & Primack, P.C. “Just like Rick, Kate is very involved in so many community organizations not because it is something that is expected of her, but because she believes it is the right thing to do, and, like Rick, much of her involvement is done quietly without seeking accolades or recognition. I think Rick would be very pleased with Kate as our Citizen of the Year.”
A graduate of Vassar College, Kane was planning to pursue a career in teaching when she took a position at Northwestern Mutual in its Worcester office. Inspired by the financial-services company, Kane rose through the ranks, building her expertise in leadership, recruiting, and guiding clients. Starting as director of Operations in Springfield, she has served in numerous capacities, including director of Development and field director, before rising to her current position as head of the Springfield group.
Kane shares that leadership experience through countless volunteer hours for a variety of civic and community organizations. She spearheaded the agency’s fund-raiser for Alex’s Lemonade Stand to fight against childhood cancer. She serves as the treasurer for the Springfield Museums Assoc. board of trustees, a long-time board member and past president of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, a member of Business Leaders for Education, and current chair of the Sisters of Providence Health System board of directors.
She is also a founding board member and past president of Dress for Success, co-writing the original business plan for the Western Mass. chapter, the first one in the Commonwealth, and served as the first female president of the Managing Director Assoc. She is a former board member for the Professional Women’s Chamber and the Friends of the Homeless, and served as the ACCGS’ representative on the Springfield gaming application review task force.
She has been honored as Western Mass Women magazine’s Professional Woman of the Year in 2012, the Professional Women’s Chamber Woman of the Year in 2011, and was named a Difference Maker by BusinessWest in 2009.
Kane will be honored at the ACCGS Business@Breakfast on Wednesday, June 3 from 7:15 to 9 a.m. in the Flynn Campus Union at Springfield College, 263 Alden St., Springfield. In addition to Kane’s honors, the breakfast will feature “A Chamber Year in Review” celebrating the ACCGS’ successes over the past year and will feature guest speaker Katie Stebbins, the state’s assistant secretary of Technology Innovation and Entrpreneurship.
Reservations for the breakfast are $20 for members in advance, $25 for members at the door, and $30 for general admission. Reservations may be made online at www.myonlinechamber.com or by e-mailing Sarah Mazzaferro at [email protected].
