BusinessWest 2025 Difference Makers
Difference Makers was launched in 2009 to recognize and celebrate the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions that are positively impacting the communities of Western Mass.
As our winners have shown, there are many ways to make a difference within our community.
CELEBRATE THE CLASS OF 2025!
Join Us Wednesday, April 9th at The Log Cabin in Holyoke
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER SPONSORS!
Jennie Adamczyk
Executive Director, Providence Ministries
Jennie oversees programs that include a soup kitchen, a pantry, sober homes for men, and a warming shelter. She does all this and more with determination, imagination, and a focus on identifying and meeting critical needs.
Sheryl Blancato
CEO, Second Chance Animal Services
Sheryl has built a wide-ranging nonprofit that includes four veterinary hospitals and a range of support services that help more than 56,000 animals each year and, just as important, keep families and their pets together.
Andrea Bordenca
CEO, DESCO Service
Mychal Connolly
CEO, Stand Out Truck
Mychal is a serial entrepreneur and successful owner of a unique marketing business, but also a mentor, role model, and true inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly young people, helping them get off the ground or to the next level.
John Delaney
Director, Ride to Remember
John helped create what has become one of the region’s premier bicycling events — not a competitive ride, but a communal one that has raised awareness of fallen heroes and money for a host of important charitable causes across the region.
John Doleva
President and CEO, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
John has led the Hall over the past two decades through myriad challenges, while also becoming greatly involved in the Western Mass. community, especially with programs involving young people and sports.
Michael J. Dias Foundation
The Michael J. Dias Foundation has grown out of tragedy — the deaths of several young men due to drug addiction — into a series of sober homes where individuals in recovery can develop resilience, responsibility, accountability, and a chance to move on to a successful life of independence.
Dan Moriarty
President and CEO, Monson Savings Bank
Dan likes to use sports metaphors involving the importance of teamwork. But he practices what he preaches and leads by example, and has built a strong team committed to getting involved and giving back to the community.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER SPONSORS!
Photo Credit: Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging
