SPRINGFIELD — United Personnel announced it has won the Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards from ClearyRated, formerly known as Inavero. These awards were granted to United Personnel for the second year in a row for providing superior service to its clients and placed talent.

Presented in partnership with CareerBuilder, ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on ratings by their clients and the candidates they’ve helped find jobs. On average, clients of winning agencies are 2.2 times more likely to be completely satisfied, and candidates who have been placed by winning agencies are 1.7 times more likely to be completely satisfied with the services provided compared to those working with non-winning agencies. 

Focused on helping to connect people with the right job openings at local companies, United Personnel received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from the majority of its clients and talent. The Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards are distinctions that fewer than 2% of all staffing agencies in the U.S. and Canada have earned. 

“Our team works hard on behalf of our clients and candidates, and we are very proud and honored to be recognized for our efforts in this way two years in a row,” United Personnel President Tricia Canavan said. “We are committed to supporting the continued professional development of people in this region and contributing to the overall growth of our regional economy.”

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University was named a winner of a philanthropic funding contest by national nonprofit Strada Education Network. Bay Path was awarded $1,582,600 for a three-year project titled “Closing the Gaps: Building Pathways for Adult Women in a Technology-driven Workforce.”

Implemented through the American Women’s College of Bay Path University, the project will address a critical national need for developing a digitally fluent workforce — applicable not only in cybersecurity and the tech sector, but in other fields as well — that is well-prepared with foundational 21st-century skills in digital technologies, coding, data science, and systems thinking, and the ability to apply these skills across different problems, settings, and industries.

“No one sector can close skill and equity gaps alone. All of the recipients share our commitment to engaging with an ecosystem of educators, community organizations, and employers to help individuals bridge the divide between education and economic opportunity,” said William Hansen, president and CEO of Strada Education Network. “We’re excited to support Bay Path University. They’re listening to education consumers as well as employers, and designing solutions that are relevant to the real-world challenges — and opportunities — today’s students face.” 

Bay Path will use its grant to undertake extensive employer research and engagement and to build capacity of the American Women’s College to scale enrollment of adult women and prepare them with core cybersecurity and information-technology competencies that meet the needs of employers, support them as they persist to degree completion, and assist them to successfully transition to careers in cybersecurity and IT-related employment.

“The advancement of women is central to Bay Path University’s mission as a women’s university,” said Amanda Gould, chief administrative officer at the American Women’s College. “Through the American Women’s College, our strategic priority has been to scale up our capacity to reach more adult women through high-quality online learning which, in turn, will help them achieve career-focused degrees and credentials. The Strada Education Network grant will help us strengthen this pipeline and address a critical national need to prepare a digitally fluent workforce that is fully inclusive of women and minorities.”

CHICOPEE — Elms College will host a day of reflection titled “Living Contemplatively in a Busy World” on Sunday, March 3 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Decice Hall at the Marian Center, 1365 Northampton St., Holyoke.

“Beginning with the Gospel story of Mary and Martha and their friend Jesus, we will visit their home. Then we will look around in our own homes — the homes of our lives, the homes of our hearts. This day of reflections, personal exploration, and prayer invites you to respond, from the busy-ness of your days, to God’s desire for deeper life with you,” said Virginia Collins-English, a certified spiritual director, retreat director, writer, and psychotherapist who will lead the day of reflection.

All are welcome, including those who are ‘spiritual but not religious,’ those who feel marginalized by the church, and those of all faiths. Attendees should bring a bag lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided.

Sponsored by the Religious Studies Department and the Institute for Theology and Pastoral Studies, this event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, call (413) 265-2575 or e-mail [email protected].

HOLYOKE — More than $200,000 in scholarship money is available for new, current, and transferring Holyoke Community College (HCC) students for the 2019-20 academic year. The application deadline is Wednesday, March 20.

Students must be currently enrolled at HCC or have been accepted for the upcoming academic year to be eligible for scholarships, which are awarded through HCC’s nonprofit fundraising corporation, the HCC Foundation, a 501(c)(3).

“Scholarships through the HCC Foundation support and recognize the accomplishments of students pursuing any field of study, from various backgrounds, across all the communities we serve,” said Amanda Sbriscia, HCC’s vice president of Institutional Advancement and the foundation’s executive director. “Thanks to our donors, HCC students have the chance to benefit from funding that will set them up for even greater success.”

For the 2018-19 academic year, the HCC Foundation awarded 140 different scholarships to 223 students.

For more information or to fill out the online application, visit hccscholarships.org. Questions should be directed to the HCC Foundation scholarship office at (413) 552-2182 or in Donahue 170 on the HCC campus, 303 Homestead Ave.

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2019. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 15.

Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be detailed in nature, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online by visiting www.businesswest.com, clicking on ‘Our Events,’ and then ‘40 Under Forty.’

Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges. The selected individuals will be profiled in the April 29 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala on June 20 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

SPRINGFIELD — Margaret Carlson, columnist for the Daily Beast, will be the keynote speaker at the Springfield Regional Chamber’s annual Outlook luncheon on Monday, March 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 pm. at the MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield.

Presented by Health New England, the Springfield Regional Chamber Outlook is the area’s largest legislative event, attracting more than 700 guests and presenting expert speakers on local, state, and federal issues. The event is sponsored by platinum sponsors Eastern States Exposition, Eversource, MassMutual Financial Group, and United Personnel; and gold sponsors Bulkley Richardson and Berkshire Bank. Program/reception sponsors are Comcast, Mercy Medical Center, BusinessWest, and the Republican, with Zasco Productions as sound sponsor.

Carlson was formerly chief political columnist for Bloomberg News and White House correspondent for Time. She appeared on CNN’s Capital Gang for 15 years. She has won two National Headliner Awards as well as the Belva Ann Lockwood alumni award from George Washington University Law School. She serves on the boards of the German Marshall Fund and the Newseum. A former editor at the New Republic, Carlson has been a fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, a Poynter Fellow at Yale University, and a journalist-in-residence at the University of Notre Dame. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a law degree from George Washington University Law School.

Speaking about the federal outlook will be U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, whose new role is chair of the powerful, tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. He will provide his insights into the committee’s work, the 116th Congress, and front-burner issues facing the American people.

In addition, Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy will offer the state outlook. In his role, Kennealy is responsible for advancing the Baker-Polito administration’s agenda to create economic opportunity for residents, collaborative leadership in communities, an environment that supports job creation and business growth, and new housing for residents through targeted investments.

Tickets cost $60 for Springfield Regional Chamber members and $80 for general admission. Reserved tables of 10 are available. Reservations must be made by Wednesday, Feb. 20 by visiting www.springfieldregionalchamber.com or e-mailing [email protected]. No walk-ins will be accepted, and no cancellations will be accepted once the reservation deadline has passed.

SPRINGFIELD — In celebration of women everywhere knocking down doors and breaking through glass ceilings, Bay Path University will host its 24th annual Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC) on Friday, March 29 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

This one-day event, which has become the region’s prime women’s leadership event for professional networking and enrichment, will challenge women seeking to make career or life changes to look at the power within to make their dreams a reality, and to dare to ask “why not me?” instead of “why me?”

“I see and hear all too often from women how we either let others put boundaries on our ambitions, or we set limits on ourselves not to dream too big,” said Caron Hobin, vice president for Strategic Alliances at Bay Path University. “When confronted with life decisions, big and small, I like flipping the question about whether or not to boldly go forward with an idea or action from ‘why me?’ to ‘why not me?’ I believe this shift in mindset becomes easier if you can hear from others how they have gotten themselves over that hurdle.”

Delivering the keynote address will be award-winning actress, dancer, and singer Rita Moreno, one of only four women who have achieved the EGOT, the grand slam of entertainment-industry awards, by winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Throughout her 70-year career, Moreno has had memorable roles in the musical films The King and I and West Side Story, and in 2004 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.

Mel Robbins, a serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, life strategist, internationally recognized social-media influencer, and one of the most sought-after motivational speakers in the world, will deliver the conference’s luncheon keynote. She is the CEO and co-founder of the Confidence Project, a media and digital learning company working with Fortune 500 brands to help employees build habits of confidence and courage.

The conference’s opening keynote speaker will be announced soon.

In addition to the three keynote speakers, breakout sessions focused on reimagining the narrative around women in leadership will be led by Cy Wakeman, drama researcher, global thought leader, New York Times best-selling author, and president and founder of Reality-Based Leadership; Kim Meninger, certified executive and leadership development coach and president and founder of Executive Career Success; Dr. Kristina Hallet, board-certified clinical psychologist, and associate professor of Psychology at Bay Path, executive coach, and best-selling author; and Kim Lear, founder of Inlay Insights, storyteller, writer, and researcher.

For further information on the conference and to register, visit www.baypathconference.com.

ABINGTON — Andrew Raczka, CEO of Abington Bank, announced that Abington Bank will merge with Pilgrim Bank, a member of Hometown Financial Group, MHC, the holding company that includes Easthampton-based bankESB. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of this year. Raczka will lead the merged bank as its CEO.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Pilgrim Bank,” said Raczka. “Our combined resources and expanded branch network will enable us to better serve customers in Plymouth and Norfolk counties. We will have the size and scale needed to be a meaningful player in this market and be able to offer the products and services our customers need with the local commitment they deserve. This transaction will allow us to truly set ourselves apart from the competition.”

Hometown Financial Group recently closed on its acquisition of Pilgrim Bank. “Pilgrim Bank was our entry point into the Eastern Massachusetts market,” said Matthew Sosik, president and CEO of Hometown Financial Group Inc. “From the start, we knew that finding the right mutual partner would be the key to our success with our acquisition of Pilgrim Bancshares Inc. We are very excited about our partnership with Abington Bank. Andy Raczka and his board are well-known and respected bankers in this market, they know the region, and they have experience with bank mergers and integrations. Their customer-first approach, employee-centric culture, and commitment to mutuality mirrors our philosophy here at Hometown Financial Group.”

Following the transaction, Hometown Financial Group will have consolidated assets of $2.7 billion and 30 branches across Massachusetts and Northeastern Conn.

Under its holding-company structure, Hometown Financial Group is able to share resources such as human resources, marketing, facilities management, asset/liability management, investment management, compliance, and information technology with the banks under its umbrella.

“We realize significant efficiencies from our operating model,” Sosik said. “Banks in the Hometown Financial Group family operate independently, with their own identity, management teams, and boards, and avail themselves of back-office resources that are critical to effectively and efficiently compete. We strongly believe that this will be an increasingly attractive business model to other community banks as we move forward.”

SPRINGFIELD — At its recent holiday event, held each January, MHA employees were asked to bring non-perishable items for a food drive to benefit low-income families, and the response was tremendous. Fifteen large bags of food items were collected, including canned vegetables and fruits, pasta, soup, and more, and delivered on Feb. 1.

“We’re thrilled to be able to make such a needed donation to the Market at Gray House,” said Kimberley Lee, vice president, Resource Development & Branding for MHA.

The Gray House is a private, nonprofit social-service agency in the North End of Springfield, which is one of the poorest areas in the city and in the state.

“More than 45% of residents here live below the poverty line,” said Teresa Liberti, director of Gray House. “That’s four times more than the statewide rate. Many visitors to the Market at Gray House find themselves having to choose between buying food and paying for rent, utility bills (including heat), child care, medical bills and prescriptions, and purchasing school uniforms and winter coats. Food is often the first area where people make sacrifices.”

Many visitors to the Market at Gray House report that they are turning to emergency food support for the first time. Many are newly unemployed, employed part-time with their hours greatly reduced, grandparents find themselves unexpectedly caring for family members who can no longer support themselves, and seniors choosing between food and prescriptions.

“As a nonprofit provider of vital community supports and services, we more than understand the important role contributions play in an agency’s ability to serve,” Lee said. “We saw the holiday event as an opportunity for us to reach out and to support the work on an organization like the Gray House, who is serving a very different population than our own. While the majority of our program participants are young and older adults, we wanted to do something that would positively affect the lives of children and their families. We are thrilled to be able to help stock the shelves of the Market at Gray House.”

Open hours for the Market at Gray House are Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon, and the second and fourth Fridays of the month from 4 to 6 p.m. On average, the Market at Gray House serves 80 to 120 households per week. Households are able to visit 12 times each calendar year, and with each visit, they receive three to four days’ worth of food.

In an effort to destigmatize food assistance, the name the Market at Gray House was adopted in 2018, replacing the previous name, the Gray House Food Pantry. “As always, when people come to the Market at Gray House, they are treated with respect and welcomed by our friendly staff and volunteers,” Liberti said. “Recently we have been getting a lot of families visiting who have never gotten this kind of assistance before, and we are welcoming them and helping them get the food that they need.”

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums is seeking nominations for the 28th annual Ubora Award and the 10th annual Ahadi Youth Award. These prestigious awards — conferred by the African Hall Subcommittee — honor African-American people from Greater Springfield who have gone above and beyond in demonstrating commitment to fields of community service, education, science, humanities, and/or the arts.

The African Hall Subcommittee is a volunteer group comprised of educators, business people, and community leaders from the African-American community. The nomination deadline for both awards is March 31.

True to the Swahili word that comprises its name, the Ubora Award recognizes an adult of African heritage who exemplifies excellence in their commitment to creating a better community through service. In 2018, the Ubora Award was given to Keshawn Dobbs, who leads the Springfield Boys and Girls Club Family Center.

Named for the Swahili word for ‘promise,’ the Ahadi Youth Award is presented to a young African-American who excels in academics and performs admirable service to the Greater Springfield community. Eligible candidates must be age 19 or younger, live in or have strong ties to the Greater Springfield area, and be currently enrolled in grades 10, 11, or 12. In 2018, the Ahadi Award was given to Karissa Coleman.

The Ubora and Ahadi Awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Springfield Museums in September. Nomination forms can be downloaded by visiting springfieldmuseums.org/ubora. Nominations may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to African Hall Subcommittee, c/o Valerie Cavagni, Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield, MA 01103.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Arrha Credit Union President and CEO Michael Ostrowski recently welcomed Pamela (Pam) Sanborn as its new assistant branch manager in West Springfield. She has more than 20 years of banking experience, and was recently assistant branch manager at Polish National Credit Union’s Westfield branch.

Sanborn has served as ambassador at the Westfield Chamber of Commerce and an American Relay for Life volunteer as team captain, and is active in promoting awareness of bone-marrow disease and testing for donors. She graduated from Saint John’s School of Business.

“I am excited to be part of the Arrha Credit Union family and serving the West Springfield community and its members,” she said. “I look forward to providing caring service, offering rewarding membership benefits to existing and new members, and growing these relationships.”

LONGMEADOW — Women far and wide will virtually gather together on Monday, Feb. 11 at noon as Bay Path University’s Strategic Alliances hosts a virtual roundtable with guest Angela Lussier. Lussier, an award-winning speaker, six-time author, two-time TEDx presenter, and CEO and founder of the Speaker Sisterhood, will teach women how to find the strength in their voice, how to avoid losing their power, and how to create confidence and strength in the moments when they need it most.

Women looking to build a sense of control and strength in high-pressure settings, enhance your presence, and present themselves with authority while representing expertise and ideas are encouraged to attend this event, which is suitable for both individual and group attendance. Click here for additional information and registration details.

Strategic Alliances is recognized by SHRM to offer professional-development credits (PDCS) SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. This virtual roundtable is worth one PDC.

AMHERST — CHD’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County announced a partnership with Camp Glow It Up, a new summer camp for women. The first weekend camp brings the fun and energy of a kids’ sleepaway camp to adults and will be held March 29-31 at Nine Mountain Retreats in Plainfield. 

Founded by a female fitness entrepreneur with the goal of bringing women together to share personal journeys and adventures, the all-inclusive wellness camp features activities like fitness classes, yoga, hiking, group circles, a campfire, singalongs, arts and crafts, and a glow-in-the-dark dance party. Nutritious meals will be prepared by an in-house chef. The camp promises to highlight the power of women as individuals while also creating space for bonding among friends and strangers turned friends.

The partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters means a portion of Camp Glow It Up’s proceeds will help fund a program to send girls involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County to their own summer-camp experiences.

“We believe in our shared responsibility to invest in the next generation of women leaders, and together, we will forage a path toward empowerment of women and girls,” said Katie Lipsmeyer, the camp’s founder.

Added Jessie Cooley, director of CHD’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, “we are so excited about the launch of Camp Glow It Up and the creative and generous vision of its founder, Katie Lipsmeyer. Knowing Katie’s passion for helping to empower others, and the role that Big Brothers Big Sisters plays in igniting the potential of young people, it is exciting to think about the girls in our program who will benefit from empowering summer-camp experiences thanks to the generosity of Camp Glow It Up.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters will host a launch party for Camp Glow It Up at Mill 180 Park in Easthampton on Friday, Feb. 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The party is free and will feature games, activities, giveaways, a selfie station, snacks, and more. All those who identify as women and their families are invited. 

For more details on the launch party and camp registration, visit campglowitup.com.

SPRINGFIELD — Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 20, the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley will sponsor a 40-hour, 14-class sales licensing course to help individuals prepare for the Massachusetts real-estate salesperson license exam. The course will be completed on Monday, March 25. Tuition costs $400 and includes the book and materials.

The course curriculum includes property rights, ownership, condos, land use, contracts, deeds, financing, mortgages, real-estate brokerage, appraisal, fair housing, consumer protection, Massachusetts license law, and more. Classes meet Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. at the association office, 221 Industry Ave., Springfield.

For an application, contact Joanne Leblond at (413) 785-1328 or [email protected] or visit www.rapv.com.

NORTHAMPTON — After 27 years of service to the Pioneer Valley, Suzanne Beck announced that she will retire as the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce’s executive director. She cited the completion of the chamber’s strategic plan as the ideal time to pass the baton.

“I could not be more excited about the chamber’s future,” Beck said. “The strategic plan is a forward-thinking response to the area’s growth and change. With a new generation of business and community leaders, I strongly believe that the best way to move the chamber forward is to have a leader representative of that change. While it is hard to step aside, I make this decision certain it is right for the chamber.”

The strategic plan, to be launched over the coming months, is a commitment to serve the health and vibrancy of the community at large as an extension of the growth and strengthening of the business and nonprofit communities under Beck’s leadership.

“I feel very fortunate to have worked with Suzanne over the last six years and to have witnessed a small part of all she has done for our community,” said David DeSwert, board president. “As with everything she’s done in her time as executive director, Suzanne placed the interests of the chamber and the Greater Northampton community above all else when making her decision to retire. She leaves the chamber in an extremely strong position after leading a thoughtful and forward-looking strategic planning process. The strategic plan creates an exciting road map for the new executive director.”

Two years ago, the chamber embarked on a process to reimagine and redefine its role as a community partner. With the nonprofit’s centennial approaching in June, the chamber will be meeting in small groups with stakeholders to present the plan and get feedback.

Highlights of Beck’s accomplishments include:

• Working with Hampshire County business, nonprofit, and community leaders to create the first economic-development strategy serving all of Hampshire County;

• Supporting a group of young professionals to form Northampton Area Young Professionals (NAYP), now in its 10th year supporting the career and community interests of emerging leaders;

• Partnering with the United Way of Hampshire County to create Leadership Hampshire County (a precursor of Leadership Pioneer Valley) to connect, train, and support business and nonprofit leaders with a shared interest in community leadership; and

• Partnering with the Three County Fair Assoc. and the city on the redevelopment of the fairgrounds and construction of new barns.

In addition, the chamber has been committed to the success of downtown Northampton, recognizing its importance as the community’s commercial and civic center. A few examples of this commitment include hosting and supporting the Downtown Northampton Assoc. as a division of the chamber, events like Taste of Northampton and sidewalk sales, and shared promotions that raise money for local nonprofits.

This month, the chamber board will establish a committee to conduct a search for Beck’s replacement and create a transition plan. Beck and the committee will set a mutually agreeable departure date.

SPRINGFIELD — On Monday, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m., Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno will hold a news conference at the United Way of Pioneer Valley headquarters, located at 1441 Main St., to declare that day 211 Day in Massachusetts. He will read a proclamation by Gov. Charlie Baker.

“The mayor is committed to raising awareness of Mass211, which receives more than 130,000 calls annually and responds to over 250,000 web inquiries from people in the Commonwealth seeking resources. Over 41% of all inquiries to Mass211 come from the Pioneer Valley area,” said Paul Mina, CEO of Mass211. Callers can also access the United Way’s statewide mental health/suicide prevention hotline known as Call2Talk if they are depressed, despondent, or just need someone to listen.

Feb. 11 marks national 211 Day in recognition of the free, user-friendly phone and online system that serves 90% of America’s population, and connects some 16 million people a year to critical resources, information, and services.

People call or search 211 looking for resources to meet basic needs, such as heating or utility assistance, shelter, emergency help, or to find the closest food bank. They also call for everyday non-emergency needs, such as developmental screening for a child, home health care for a relative, job training, or free tax-filing support.

“The collaboration between the United Way and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts allows Mass211 to access stable resources sufficient enough to continue this vital service well into the future,” Mina said.

SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. announced that three of its attorneys, Ralph Abbott Jr., Susan Fentin, and Marylou Fabbo were selected to the 2018 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list in the field of employment and labor law. Additionally, attorneys John Gannon and Amelia Holstrom were named to the 2018 Massachusetts Rising Stars list.

Abbott has been selected to Super Lawyers for 14 consecutive years. With the firm since 1975, he is known throughout the legal community for his work representing management in labor relations and employment-related matters, providing employment-related advice to employers, assisting clients in remaining union-free, and representing employers before the National Labor Relations Board. Abbott also has numerous credits as an author, editor, and teacher, as well as a record of civic and community involvement.

Fentin has been selected to Super Lawyers for 13 years and before that was named twice to the Rising Stars list. She has been with the firm since 1999. Her practice concentrates on labor and employment counseling, advising large and small employers on their responsibilities and obligations under state and federal employment laws and representing employers before state and federal agencies and in court. She frequently speaks to employer groups, conducts training on avoiding problems in employment law, and teaches master classes on both the Family Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. She was also named one of the Top 50 Women in the Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in 2015.

Fabbo has been selected to Super Lawyers for 10 years and before that was named twice to the Rising Stars list. She is a partner and heads the firm’s litigation team. She represents employers in employment litigation before state and federal courts as well as state and federal agencies in Massachusetts and Connecticut. She also has extensive experience working with employers to reduce the risk of legal liability as the result of illegal employment practices. She is a frequent speaker on employment-related topics and conducts extensive management-training and employment-practices audits. She is a published author and volunteers in the local community. Fabbo was also named one of the Top 50 Women in the Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in 2016.

Gannon and Holstrom have each been selected to the 2018 Massachusetts Rising Stars list for the first time. It is an exclusive list, recognizing no more than 2.5% of the lawyers in the state. Both defend employers against claims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and wrongful termination, as well as actions arising under the Family Medical Leave Act and wage-and-hour law.

Gannon also regularly guides employers on compliance with state and federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, and Occupational Health and Safety Act. He is a frequent speaker on employment-related legal topics for a wide variety of associations and organizations and was selected by BusinessWest as a 40 Under Forty honoree in 2016.

Holstrom frequently provides counsel to management regarding litigation avoidance strategies. She was selected by BusinessWest as a 40 Under Forty honoree in 2015 and was awarded the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. Community Service Award in 2016. In 2017, she was named an Up & Coming Lawyer by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly at its Excellence in the Law event.

HOLYOKE — Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems, announced the appointment of Jennifer Fischer as chief experience officer at Holyoke Medical Center.

“Jenny brings over 15 years of healthcare experience with a specialty in increasing operational excellence and patient satisfaction through evidence-based processes,” Hatiras said. “We are excited to have her join us and to further develop our culture and commitment to providing patients with the highest level of quality and compassionate care.”

Most recently, Fischer served as an account leader and coach for the Studer Group, an outcomes-based healthcare-consulting firm. In that role, she had a track record of six years of leading healthcare organizations in their service-excellence journeys, achieving targets for patient experience across multiple service lines, creating and sustaining leadership-development programs, and helping executive teams manage change.

Fischer’s prior experience included director-level positions at Wuesthoff Health Systems in Rockledge, Fla., and Door County Memorial Hospital in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. She received her bachelor’s degree from Ripon College in Wisconsin, a master’s degree in arts management from Columbia College in Chicago, and her bachelor’s of science in nursing degree from the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. She also received a juris doctor degree from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago.

“I had the pleasure of working with Holyoke Medical Center as a consultant and am honored to have been recruited to join a great team with such dedication and commitment to continuously improve the experience of every patient,” Fischer said.

CHICOPEE — Elms College has appointed Bernadette Nowakowski as its new vice president of Institutional Advancement, effective Feb. 1.

“After a national search, it became clear to me and the search committee that Bernadette was our most qualified candidate,” said President Harry Dumay. “With more than 22 years of professional experience in higher-education advancement, Bernadette also has a deep knowledge of Elms College’s history and mission as well as our current vision. She earned her B.A. in international studies with a minor in modern languages here at Elms in 1989, and her master of arts of liberal arts in 2008.”

Nowakowski has served in various roles in the college’s Institutional Advancement office since 1996. Her collaborative and collegial style embraces shared responsibility and accountability in creating a positive, team-oriented environment to achieve results. Her proven ability to engage and develop effective relationships with key constituency groups, including individuals, corporations, and foundations, has built a solid track record in solicitation of major gifts and strategic fundraising.

Most recently, she has served as the assistant vice president of Institutional Advancement since 2017. She has been responsible for co-creating, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive development plan, as well as participating in intense fundraising planning. She also has provided leadership and strategic direction in IA through exploration of new fundraising options while overseeing major gifts, annual giving, and endowed-scholarship and planned-giving programs. 

Nowakowski is a current member of the Planned Giving Group of New England, the Assoc. of Fundraising Professionals, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. She previously served on the board of Women in Philanthropy of Western Mass. as membership co-chair, as employee campaign coordinator at United Way of Pioneer Valley, and as a member of the Women in Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts and Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield Grants Group. She also served on Elms College’s presidential search committee in 2016-17 and its strategic planning (fiscal stability) committee in 2016.

In her new role, Nowakowski will be responsible for the planning, management, and execution of a comprehensive advancement program, including oversight of all fundraising initiatives.

WESTFIELD — Westfield Bank announced the appointment of Daniel Danillowicz as assistant vice president and mortgage loan officer. He will be based at the bank’s 10 Hartford Ave. office in Granby, Conn., providing mortgage origination for customers throughout Connecticut as well as those in Westfield, West Springfield, and Southwick.

Danillowicz has more than 25 years of mortgage lending experience, most recently as senior loan officer with Washington Trust in Glastonbury, Conn. and as a mortgage specialist with Farmington Bank in West Hartford, Conn. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Hartford.

SPRINGFIELD — The Chicopee Savings Charitable Foundation has awarded a $17,000 grant over two years to MHA Inc. to help upgrade and repair two of the nonprofit organization’s community-based residences for people with developmental disabilities. The scope of work provided through the grant targets two of MHA’s residential programs located in Chicopee and will provide a new wheelchair-accessible ramp and roof repairs.

“There is a tremendous need for community-based housing for residents who face a variety of life challenges resulting from developmental disabilities,” said Cheryl Fasano, president and CEO of MHA. “This $17,000 grant, which recognizes MHA’s long-standing commitment to provide innovative, community-based housing for people with disabilities, helps to ensure that our residences are in a good state of repair and fully accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act. We are thrilled that the Chicopee Savings Charitable Foundation is a willing partner with MHA to ensure that our residents can live in the community in comfortable, welcoming homes.”

MHA’s developmental-disability homes based in Chicopee serve adults facing challenges such as severe developmental delays, cerebral palsy, autistic disorder, epilepsy/seizure disorder, and blindness.

“On behalf of the foundation’s board of directors,” said William Wagner, foundation president, “we are pleased to lend our support to MHA, an organization that has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities residing in our community for many years.”

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper and YMCA President and CEO Kevin Washington recently signed a five-year agreement for an online degree-completion program, which provides staff, who have earned leadership certification through YMCA of the USA, an opportunity to turn that learning into college credits that can count towards their degree completion at Springfield College. The program’s participants represent the first class of students participating in full online courses at Springfield College.

“This new Springfield College YMCA degree-completion program excites me because I know we need to provide YMCA staff, who are now working full-time, with an opportunity to complete their undergraduate degree,” said Terri Radcliff, YMCA of the USA’s senior vice president for Talent and Knowledge Management. “Having that degree is so important for a YMCA professional at any level, and it’s required to be a CEO, so this program will assist in helping YMCA staff fulfill that requirement.”

The inaugural class of 30 YMCA professionals representing the new degree-completion program recently visited the campus for their new-student orientation. The cohort will begin working toward earning their degrees through the Springfield College online courses starting immediately.

These 30 students each received scholarship funding through a grant made possible by the Harold C. Smith Foundation.

The agreement extends more than a century of collaboration between Springfield College and the YMCA of the USA.

SPRINGFIELD — Attorney Michael Fenton was named a shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., the firm announced.

Fenton has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star every year since 2014, was named one of the Top 25 Up and Coming Attorneys in Massachusetts by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and was honored by BusinessWest as a 40 Under Forty award recipient in 2012.

“With this remarkable professional résumé and deep ties to the community, it was only natural for Attorney Fenton to be invited to become a shareholder with the firm. Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin has a bright future, and we expect Michael to be a large part of our future success,” said founding Partner Steven Schwartz. 

Fenton concentrates his practice in the areas of business planning, commercial real estate, land use, and estate planning. He earned his law degree and MBA from Western New England University in 2012 and his bachelor’s degree in political science, cum laude, from Providence College in 2009. He is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Active in the Western Mass. community, Fenton volunteers for several organizations and has served as a member of the Springfield City Council since 2010.

“I am very excited and humbled to be named a shareholder with Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin,” he said. “It’s an honor to work alongside such talented attorneys, and I look forward to growing my career with the firm.”

HOLYOKE — The “Enduring Racism” speaker series at Holyoke Community College (HCC) continues on Wednesday, Feb. 13, with a program examining the structural foundations of mass incarceration in the U.S.

Rahsaan Hall, director of the Racial Justice Program at the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, will deliver a talk, “Seamless Thread,” beginning at 11 a.m. in the HCC Library on the second floor of the Donahue Building on the main campus at 303 Homestead Ave. A discussion will follow the talk. The program is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Hall is a former assistant district attorney in Suffolk County, where he prosecuted drug, gang, and homicide cases. In his role with the ACLU, he works on issues that impact communities of color and other historically disenfranchised communities. In 2018, he was named one of Boston’s 100 Most Influential People of Color for his leadership and positive contribution to the city.

The “Enduring Racism” speaker series is a yearlong invitation to join in an open and honest conversation about racism and its many forms in American society. It is supported by the Community College Public Humanities Center at HCC.

“Through the sharing of personal stories and scholarship, we trust that, as a community, we will become more knowledgeable, so we can begin the process of overcoming the pain and degradation of racism,” said Mary Jane O’Connor, HCC Wellness coordinator and one of the event organizers. “We do this with the recognition that this can be both a challenging and an affirming conversation and also understand that it is necessary and must be ongoing as we seek truth and reconciliation.”

For more information, contact Mary J. O’Connor at [email protected] or (413) 552-2422, or Camille Close at [email protected] or (413) 552-2277.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Pension & Benefits Associates Inc. announced the addition of Michael Shea to its team in the role of retirement consultant. He will focus on retirement business development, assisting plan sponsors and managing all aspects of clients’ retirement, including plan design, investment due diligence, and employee education.

“We are thrilled to have Michael join our team,” said Mark Shea, president and owner of Pension & Benefits Associates. “He is a talented consultant with nearly a decade of experience under his belt, and we look forward to him interacting with our client base.”

Prior to joining Pension & Benefits Associates, Michael Shea most recently worked as a defined contribution investment sales specialist for BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. He also previously served as a regional sales director for Columbia Threadneedle Investments. A 2010 graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, he started his corporate career as an implementation analyst for Empower Retirement.

“I’m excited to return to Western Massachusetts and continue the family tradition set by my father [Mark],” Michael Shea said. “My focus will be to assist individuals and families with financial plans to achieve their life goals, whether that be saving for college, planning for retirement, or determining how to spend their retirement nest egg.”

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2019. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 15.

Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be detailed in nature, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online here

Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges. The selected individuals will be profiled in the April 29 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala on June 20 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. 40 Under Forty is sponsored by PeoplesBank (presenting) and YPS of Greater Springfield (partner). 

FLORENCE — Florence Bank has hired a new bank officer and promoted two employees.

Linda Haley will serve as commercial loan administration officer of the Commercial Loan Department in the main office in Florence, Andrew Tulis was promoted to assistant Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) officer, and Heidi Hoover was promoted to the position of assistant vice president, Compliance.

Haley joined Florence Bank in October 2018 with more than 30 years of banking experience. She currently attends the New England School for Financial Studies at Babson College.

Tulis joined Florence Bank in November 2011. Prior to his recent promotion, he had served as BSA administrator. Tulis earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from New York University and graduated with honors from the New England School for Financial Studies.

Hoover joined Florence Bank in May 2015 with nearly 20 years of banking experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst. Prior to her recent promotion, she served as compliance specialist. She serves her community as a board member for the Western Massachusetts Compliance Assoc., a member of the Baystate Medical Practices Patient and Family Council, and a volunteer for Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity.

“We are thrilled to announce the addition of Linda and the well-deserved promotions of Heidi and Andrew,” Florence Bank President and CEO John Heaps Jr., said.

SPRINGFIELD — Dena Hall, who has served as Baystate Health Foundation’s vice chair for the past two years, has succeeded Jean Deliso as the foundation’s chair.

“Jean has left an indelible stamp on the foundation over the past two years, and we are incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved together under her leadership,” said Scott Berg, vice president of Philanthropy for Baystate Health and executive director of Baystate Health Foundation. “We are grateful for the gift of Jean’s talents and thrilled that she will be passing the baton to someone as accomplished and committed as Dena.”

Hall — a graduate of UMass Amherst, the Massachusetts School for Financial Studies, and the National School of Banking and Finance at Fairfield University — is executive vice president, chief Marketing officer for Hometown Financial Group and its banks, bankESB, based in Easthampton, and bankHometown, based in Central Mass. She is also the president of the bankESB Charitable Foundation and a member of the board of trustees for the Springfield Museums and the Springfield Thunderbirds Foundation.

Through her leadership role on the Baystate Health Foundation board, as well as her contributions as a fundraiser, Hall has been instrumental to the growth of philanthropy at Baystate Heath, Berg noted.

A longstanding volunteer for Baystate Noble Hospital, she and her husband, Eric, chaired the 2009 Baystate Noble Ball, helping to generate vitally important funds in support of the hospital in Westfield. In her previous role as Western Massachusetts regional president of United Bank and president of the United Bank Foundation, she launched support for the innovative Acute Care for Elders Unit at Baystate Medical Center with a $50,000 grant from the bank. She continues to invite new funders to the hospital to consider supporting this program.

SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University School of Law will host an information session for prospective students interested in pursuing a law degree part-time on Monday, Feb. 11 from 6 to 9:40 p.m. in the Blake Law Center.

During the session, faculty and staff from the School of Law will provide information about the part-time juris doctor (JD) program, including experiential learning opportunities. Admissions staff will be available to answer questions about the application process as well.

Western New England University School of Law offers part-time day and evening programs leading to the JD degree. These programs are ideal for working professionals and can be completed in four years by taking elective courses during the summer terms. Students can customize their legal education by selecting one of seven concentrations offered by the School of Law.

For more information, call (413) 782-1406 or e-mail [email protected].

MONSON — The 2019 Monson Savings Bank Scholarship application is now available to graduating high-school seniors residing in Hampden and Wilbraham. Applications are available at the Hampden office at 15 Somers Road, Hampden and the Wilbraham office at 100 Post Office Park, Wilbraham.

The purpose of the Monson Savings Bank Scholarship is to promote the attainment of higher education for graduating seniors who reside within the bank’s footprint. Three $2,000 scholarships will awarded.

Graduating seniors must be planning to attend an accredited college, technical school, or certification program. Scholarship awards will be based on the applicant’s financial need, academic performance, and extracurricular activities during and after school, work experience, as well as music, arts, and/or sports programs.

Monson Savings Bank is proud to be an integral part of its greater community. A candidate for this scholarship should have demonstrated a commitment to his or her community. Please include an essay outlining that service and the impact you achieved through your contribution.

The deadline for application acceptance is April 5. The completed application and required supporting documents will be accepted by mail or electronically. If you have any questions, contact Donna Easton-Vicalvi at (413) 725-4560 or [email protected].

SPRINGFIELD — The Vann Group announced that Patty Stefanelli has joined the organization and will lead its newly launched Performance Improvement Division. This division was created to help organizations in any industry work toward more sustained levels of operational excellence by embracing Lean thinking and continuous improvement. In her role, Stefanelli will be focusing on creating awareness of the benefits of these concepts throughout the Pioneer Valley.

“There is a misconception that Lean is only for manufacturing companies, but Lean principles can be applied to every process within every organization, regardless of industry, size, or function,” she noted.

Before joining the Vann Group, Stefanelli worked for the city of Springfield in its Information Technology department, and as an independent consultant helping organizations with their operations and IT. She has extensive technical and business knowledge, as well as project-management experience. She has led large, organization-wide initiatives from ERP and time and attendance system implementations to Lean process improvement initiatives, such as streamlining hiring processes or the order fulfillment processes in shipping departments. She has an MBA, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, and TWI Knowledge certification.

Lean is a way of thinking and operating that focuses on creating more value for customers with fewer resources. Simply put, it allows organizations to do more with less. Continuous improvement is based upon the idea that any process, product, or service can and should be improved. It focuses on having all employees contribute small, incremental improvements, which when made consistently over time can have significant impacts on performance.