Announcing BusinessWest’s 2026 40 Under Forty

By BusinessWest Staff April 27, 2026

Class of 2026 Cover Story

40 Under Forty was launched in 2007 to honor young professionals in Western Massachusetts, not only for their career achievements, but for their service to the community. Winners hail from a host of different industries. Many are advancing the work of long-established businesses, while others have created their own entrepreneurial opportunities. 

Meet the class of 2026 and read their stories below.

You can view the interactive flipbook HERE

CELEBRATE THE CLASS OF 2026!

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Photos by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

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Meet the Judges

This year’s judges — all 40 Under Forty alumni themselves — were chosen to reflect the program’s 20-year breadth.

When Patrick Leary was named to the inaugural 40 Under Forty cohort in 2007, he was a partner with Moriarty & Primack, P.C. That firm is now MP CPAs, where Leary is a shareholder, directing accounting and auditing services and working with closely held and family-owned businesses providing advisory services in a wide variety of industries, including construction, distribution, and manufacturing.

Scott Foster was named to the fifth 40 Under Forty class in 2011, as an attorney with Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas. Now a partner with Bulkley Richardson, he has represented startups, angel investors, and venture capital groups, as well as corporations in industries like precision manufacturing, high-growth technology, commercial food production, and multi-family residential housing.

Shannon Rudder was director of MotherWoman Inc. when she joined the 10th 40 Under Forty class in 2016. Today, she is president and CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, leading innovative programs in educational enrichment, public health, youth leadership, food access, family support, and economic opportunity, empowering individuals, youth, and families to overcome barriers and lead purposeful, liberated lives.

Matthew Kushi was chosen for the 15th edition of 40 Under Forty in 2021 in his role as academic matters coordinator of Graduate and Professional Programs for the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, and for his success as owner of Kushi Farm and North Hadley Chili Pepper Co. Today, as academic advisor of Graduate Programs at Isenberg — and on the farm — he remains busy in both worlds.

Representing the most recent cohort of 40 Under Forty honorees, from the class of 2025, Tori Thompson has forged a successful career as vice president and head of Internal Audit for PeoplesBank, spearheading a critical line of defense for the institution — while also being recognized internally by the bank for her volunteerism and dedication to community causes.

Paul Accorsi Jr.

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Assistant Vice President, Business Banking Lender, PeoplesBank: Age 31

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

As he talked about his role as assistant vice president and business banking lender, Paul Accorsi said there are many rewards.

One of them, and he does this often, is pointing out businesses or properties while driving with his wife, Tara, and saying, “that’s my customer … I helped them finance a vehicle,” or “I helped them finance a piece of equipment,” or “I financed that building for that person as they were starting their journey as a landlord.”

He takes pride in helping mostly small to mid-sized businesses with loans that enable them to get started or, more often, take a critical next step, and says there’s satisfaction in creating success stories that those outside this line of work might not appreciate.

Accorsi started his own professional journey at the former Chicopee Savings Bank as a summer float teller. He later worked in nonprofit accounting roles and returned to banking as a commercial credit analyst at TD Bank. He joined PeoplesBank in 2021 and served in the same role before being promoted to business banking lender in 2023.

Active in the community, Accorsi is a member of the Springfield Kiwanis Club and former president of the group, helping to grow two of its major fundraisers — an annual grand raffle that supports six area Key Clubs and an annual cornhole tournament.

In addition, he serves on the board of the South End Community Center; participates in many charitable road races, including the Hot Chocolate Run to benefit Safe Passage, the Springfield Rescue Mission 10K Run to End Homelessness, the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day 10K, and the Magic for Maddie 5K; and volunteers for many other causes and agencies, including Enfield’s Fourth of July celebration.

Whether helping clients at work or volunteering outside the office, “it’s nice to take the community I love and put a positive spin on it whenever I can,” said Accorsi, adding that his career — and his commitment to community — have, in many ways, been inspired by his father, who passed away in 2012 after battling ALS.

“He was a commercial banker for a long time, and as a kid, I saw him involved in the community, and he did a lot of good — he was on multiple boards, including the YMCA of Greater Springfield and Sunshine Village in Chicopee,” Accorsi recalled. “I like all the philanthropic work that he did, but he also made a lot of friends along the way, and I really liked that aspect of the job.”

—George O’Brien

Alexandra Balise

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Director of Corporate Strategy, Balise Auto Group: Age 38

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Alex Balise calls it her “happy place.”

This is the fishing camp in Quebec where she, her husband Trevor, and children Connor and Emma spend a week each summer around Connor’s birthday

“The phone doesn’t work … it’s quiet, it’s relaxing, it’s fun — even if you don’t catch anything,” said Balise, director of Corporate Strategy for Balise Auto Group, adding that she has a number of happy places. Others include Benjamin Swan School in Springfield, where she reads to students as a Link to Libraries volunteer and also leads efforts to donate coats to those students, continuing a tradition started by her uncle, Mike; Square One, where she serves as a board member but has also become heavily involved in programs and fundraising, especially for its new headquarters building; and the Big E, where they spend Emma’s birthday.

And then there’s 1441 Main St. in Springfield, Balise’s corporate headquarters. OK, maybe this place isn’t as ‘happy’ as the others, but it’s where she has emerged as a true leader at this 106-year-old family business started by her great-grandfather.

Since she came to Balise in 2015, Alex has taken on several roles and assumed ever-greater amounts of responsibility. She started as an analyst for the company’s then-emerging car wash business and later served as project manager for its new Kia franchise, before becoming director of Marketing.

As director of Corporate Strategy, she has a wide range of duties, including current work to oversee the company’s conversion to a new document management system. She also works on compliance and legal matters — “all the fun things that happen behind the scenes that are important to the business but not glamorous.”

While managing all those responsibilities, she remains very active in the community — with the aforementioned Square One, Benjamin Swan School, and Link to Libraries; the Zoo at Forest Park, where she played a lead role in facilitating the donation of a vehicle, enabling its education team to expand outreach programs; the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club; and the Balise company’s annual holiday giving and back-to-school backpack campaigns.

“Anyone who knows Alex knows of her soft-spoken demeanor,” Square One President and CEO Dawn DiStefano wrote in nominating Balise for this honor. “But behind her gentile smile is a powerhouse of community support and activism.”

A powerhouse indeed, both as a leader at Balise and a force for youth and families within the 413.

—George O’Brien

Felicia Barr

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Service Director, Bertera Auto Group: Age 38

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Felicia Barr says her journey through the ranks in the automotive service world has been a satisfying one, but she also hopes it’s inspirational.

“I teach my children that if you work hard, care about something, and show up, everything is possible,” she said. “When I look at my career, it was hard work, showing up on time every day, asking questions … it works.”

But it’s not only her own three children she aims to inspire. Barr is also heavily involved with local vocational schools through mentorships and co-ops, aiming to draw more young people into what has been a rewarding field.

“I’ve had one student since he was 16; now he’s going to be 20. I’ve had him here for a few years. I can watch them grow into young adults — that’s probably the most rewarding thing I do in my job. Those years can be kind of a rough time, not knowing what they want to do in life. But this is a place they can come and find themselves.”

Barr certainly found herself; from her entry role as a greeter in the service department of one of Bertera’s dealership, she became a service advisor, then manager of the Service department at Metro Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Chicopee. There, the revamped the entire department, doubling its size and offering more service options to area car owners.

She has also used her leadership role to connect Bertera with local nonprofits, especially those benefiting families and children. She has worked extensively with children’s charity Unbroken Wings to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), helping organize fundraisers like the Thunder in the Valley music festival and Cruising for a Cause, as well as themed car shows at the Metro dealership, all to benefit kids.

“You can see where the money is actually going, and that’s what I love,” Barr said of Baystate Children’s Hospital, the region’s only CMN hospital. “My children have had to go to the hospital; my niece was in the NICU for two months. And you see the cameras that allow you to see your children when you’re not there? Well, the money we raised helped to purchase those. So to actually see that come to fruition is incredible.

“When I was a kid, I had an immune deficiency, and I was in and out of hospitals. I remember the nurses who cared for me; they meant a lot,” she added. “I want to help people in need — and children can’t speak for themselves.”

—Joseph Bednar

Alicia Brown

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

English Teacher, John J. Duggan Academy: Age 39

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

It’s called ‘the Royals.’

That’s the name Alicia Brown gave to a program she created to empower young women in middle and high school through mentorship, leadership development, and life skills education. It’s an after-school program that initially started in the basement of her church.

“We get together every two weeks, and we engage in meaningful conversations and activities,” said Brown, an English language arts teacher at Springfield’s John J. Duggan Academy, adding that the program is centered around mental health awareness in young women and “helping them build healthy coping mechanisms to navigate life.”

The Royals is just one example of how Brown is making a difference inside the classroom and beyond, and building on a passion for working with, and helping to guide, young people that goes back to the days when she was a summer camp counselor.

“I grew up in Springfield myself, and I love the fact that I can build these relationships with my students where they can see a teacher that they can relate to,” said Brown, a graduate of Springfield College, adding that she’s always focused on making an impact that goes beyond a day’s lessons in English. “Not only are we focusing on academics in the classroom, we’re also teaching them about the foundations of life and how to be successful outside these four walls.”

Elaborating, she said that much goes into being a Royal, and that designation, if you will, goes beyond participation in the twice-monthly meetings.

“You being a Royal … you wear that everywhere you go,” she explained. “It means we’re taking our academics seriously and we’re making sure we show up to school, and it’s important that we have healthy communication skills when we need to converse with one of our friends when we feel that something is a little off; it’s how you carry yourself outside of here.”

Brown’s impact inside and outside the classroom was summed up by Duggan Principal April Robinson, who nominated her for the 40 Under Forty award. “She’s my go-to teacher when a student needs extra support and uplifting,” she wrote. “This strong teacher-student rapport positively impacts student confidence, engagement, and overall achievement.”

When not teaching and guiding young people, Brown enjoys spending time with her 20-year-old daughter, Imani, and other family members. “I’m very family-oriented,” she said. “Spending time with my family is very important to me.”

—George O’Brien

Kate Caligaris

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Vice President, Human Resources Program Management, Liberty Bank: Age 34

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

It’s called the Mirror Ball Trophy.

It’s awarded by the organizers of the Fancy Steps fundraiser, a dance competition of sorts for the Children’s Museum at Holyoke, not to the best dancer — “I would never have gotten it if that was the case,” Kate Caligaris joked — but instead to the one who raises the most money for the institution.

In this case, for the 2025 event, Caligaris raised more than $15,000 by “getting creative,” with initiatives that included everything from celebrity bartending to soliciting Holyoke businesses for donations.

The trophy (yes, its main feature is a mirror ball) now sits on Caligaris’s desk at Liberty Bank, where she serves as vice president of Human Resources Program Management. It will soon be joined by a 40 Under Forty plaque, which she has earned through a combination of excellence in her day job and a strong commitment to community, especially in her hometown, and now her current home — Holyoke.

Her role brings a diverse set of responsibilities, she said, listing everything from administering the intern program to system integration initiatives; from serving as HR business partner for several members of the bank’s C-suite to overseeing the change to a new 401(k) provider. “It’s a little bit of everything, and that’s what I like about it,” she said.

As for her work in the community, it includes years of work on the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, continuing a family tradition that started with her grandfather. In 2010, she was named Colleen, and today she serves as chair of the Colleen Pageant and oversees all that happens after that competition.

“I’m with the girls all through the green season — the school visits, the hospital visits, chamber breakfast … you name it,” she said, adding that she walks beside the Colleen float on parade day.

Caligaris is also a Board of Health commissioner in Holyoke, and served for many years on the board of the Children’s Museum and remains active with that institution. She is also co-chair of the American Cancer Society’s Massachusetts Golf Classic, which will be staged later this spring, and sits of the board of Magic for Maddie, a nonprofit created in honor of Madeline (Maddie) O’Hare Schmidt, who lost a courageous battle against pediatric brain cancer in 2022. Over the past four years, the agency has raised more than $1.3 million money for research, but also to assist families waging their own fight against the disease.

—George O’Brien

Anthony Boido

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

President, TNT Tent and Table Rentals: Age 38

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Anthony Boido was working for the town of Agawam in 2012, and also serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserve — he deployed three times to Afghanistan and Iraq — when the local Taylor Rental was going out of business, which gave him an idea.

Having worked for an event and tent rental company almost a decade earlier, he borrowed $1,000 from his parents; bought a couple of used tents, 10 tables, and 100 chairs; and launched TNT Tent and Table Rentals.

“I was doing it on the weekends to make a little extra money,” Boido said. “Over the next few years, it really took off and started to grow. I wasn’t expecting it to grow as fast as it did, but I came to a point where I had to make a decision: ‘this is getting too big. Do I stay at my job, or do I take it full-time?’ I decided I had to give it a shot.”

That was a wise decision. The company now boasts more than 150 tents, more than 500 tables, more than 7,000 chairs, and the ability to serve not only backyard parties, but large events like air shows at Westover Air Reserve Base and Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. Last year, he set up 130 tents for the Big E alone.

And he loves every connection he makes.

“When we’re showing up at someone’s house or event fairgrounds, whether it’s a baby shower, wedding, birthday party, graduation, it’s usually something meaningful to them, and everyone’s in a great mood. They’re happy; they’re telling us all about who’s getting married or what’s happening. And it makes our lives, in a blue-collar business, a lot easier.”

Boido also shares his success with nonprofits like Shriners Children’s New England, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and veterans’ organizations.

“In my first year in business, I called Shriners and said, ‘I want to give something to you guys.’ We had a great first year in business, so we took all our tip money and donated it to Shriners. It was a small donation, but it was a great feeling. I said, ‘I’m going to help out every single year in every way I can.’ And I’m a veteran, so helping veterans’ organizations was an easy thing to get on board with.”

To Boido, it’s about staying true to his community.

“When you become successful, it’s not just about take, take, take or make, make, make. It’s about giving back and helping those who helped you get to where you are.”

—Joseph Bednar

Lezlie Braxton Campbell

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Deputy Director, Neighbor to Neighbor: Age 32

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Lezlie Braxton Campbell is a big believer in the agency known as Neighbor to Neighbor.

Indeed, he first got involved as a board member and then as board chair before joining the staff of the organization two years ago.

He now serves as deputy director, a role that comes with a broad job description that essentially boils down to carrying out the agency’s broad mission — making democracy work for everyone.

“It’s an organization for community and political organizing,” he said of the agency now celebrating its 30th year, adding that Neighbor to Neighbor gets involved at the grassroots level on issues ranging from housing to criminal justice reform to climate and environmental work.

It’s currently involved in a letter-writing campaign to urge passage of the Clean Slate Act, which would automatically seal old criminal records, removing barriers to jobs, housing, and stability for thousands of state residents.

“I enjoy my work because we’re a multi-issue organization,” he told BusinessWest. “I can be talking about voter engagement, then get deep into other issues … and then, there could be a bill we’re pushing. So it does put you out in many different directions.”

A graduate of Westfield State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management, Campbell is currently working toward a master’s degree in politics & education at Columbia University. He brings a diverse résumé to his current role, including a 5-year stint in education (humanities and social studies) that included teaching at both the Springfield Public Schools and Springfield Technical Community College. He’s also been involved in a number of local, regional, and statewide political campaigns, and ran for City Council in Springfield himself.

He said his current job description includes a mix of administrative duties, work on specific issues, such as the Clean Slate bill, and getting to know the people and issues facing them in communities served by the chapter, including Springfield, Holyoke, Worcester, and Lynn.

Active in the community, Campbell is a part of the LUCE Immigrant Justice Network in the Bay State, executive vice president of Young Democrats of America, and a former mentor with the Academic Leadership Assoc. Last year, he received the Black Excellence on the Hill Award and the Ronn D. Johnson Servant of All Award.

And now, he has another plaque for his desk, one that identifies him as a member of 40 Under Forty.

—George O’Brien

 

Darryl Cole

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Global Cyber Product Consultant, Liberty Mutual: Age 39

Cyber insurance is one of the more dynamic corners of today’s business world. Just ask Darryl Cole.

“I would say the cyber insurance marketplace is evolving as rapidly as technology itself,” he said. “When I first started in underwriting, we were looking at theft of credit card data as the biggest exposure company could have, and we were looking at retail and hospitality operations — restaurants and hotels, things like that — as the most risky businesses. Now it’s a lot more generalized.”

Cole was an underwriter for a decade before taking on his latest expansive role at Liberty Mutual.

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

“What I’m doing now is helping other underwriters do their job. I’m responsible for helping to set global strategies; set strategies for marketing materials, presentations, and content for our underwriters; and helping underwriters learn and develop, helping them understand what’s happening in the cyber market from an insurance perspective and a risk perspective. To be able to do that globally is pretty cool.”

Active in the community, Cole has been PTO president at his children’s school, served in his church’s youth ministry, volunteered for Junior Achievement and the United Way, and helped coordinate local efforts for Convoy of Hope.

And last year, he was elected president of Wilshire Athletic Assoc., one of the most venerable youth sports nonprofits in Western Mass., bringing his business acumen and ability to connect with people to the organization’s leadership.

“Because I have a business and insurance background, I noticed a few opportunities and I was really eager to bring Wilshire forward,” he said. “And we’ve hit this year running – we’ve increased our social media presence, brought in guest speakers for banquets, and put on a basketball showcase to celebrate our players. We have amazing volunteers – from our board of directors to coaches – and we’ve been able to accomplish a lot.”

Much of his volunteer work stems from his heart for children.

“I want to make sure kids are supported and cared for,” Cole said. “At my core, I just care about helping people in whatever way I can — particularly children, but anybody, really.

“As humans, we all deserve security and respect and care and support,” he went on. “And I’m always looking for ways to live up to those ideals, whether it’s an informal setting, offering whatever I can, or more formal opportunities like partnering with community organizations. I think it should be a way bigger part of the human experience to make sure our fellow humans have everything they need.”

—Joseph Bednar

 

Mychal Connolly Jr.

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

CEO, Realistic CEO: Age 19

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

One of the intriguing aspects of 40 Under Forty turning 20 is the opportunity to welcome multiple generations into the club. But while Mychal Connolly Jr.’s father, the creator of entrepreneurial enterprises like Stinky Cakes, Stand Out Truck, and Marketing and Cupcakes, was inducted into the class of 2009, this 19-year-old — one of the youngest honorees ever — has created his own very different, and very impactful, niche.

It’s called Realistic CEO — an enterprise inspired by a school project during which a teacher told Mikey that his dreams of being a CEO were, well, unrealistic.

Connolly has turned that motivation into a leadership and success platform serving young people from elementary school through college through books — including a much-distributed illustrated book that tells his own story — as well as curriculum, workshops, media platforms, and speaking engagements.

“The last couple of years, we’ve impacted about 17,000 students through our books, our curriculum, and our programs, and we’ve been working on expanding our reach from the local area — Springfield and surrounding towns and cities — to going a little farther, to the Boston area and Worcester,” he explained.

“Our goal is to be able to impact 500,000 students. The whole goal behind Realistic CEO is to help students with career readiness, workforce readiness, and financial literacy,” he went on. “My goal is to help students prepare for careers — and we do it in a way that we want every single student to feel like they’re worthy enough to be an executive.”

Connolly also hosts the Realistic CEO podcast, now topping 100 episodes, in which he interviews local business leaders about their journey and how they seek to inspire others. And he also launched Realistic Lemonade, a nonprofit that raises money and seeks sponsorships to enable him to go into more schools. Oh, and he’s doing all this as a full-time honor roll student at Holyoke Community College.

“My favorite part is seeing the difference in the way students light up,” he said of those visits and speaking engagements. “Maybe the lightbulb needs to be twisted a little more to be totally turned on. And you see the light is fully on after we speak. That’s my favorite thing — to see the students believe in themselves, to hear them after we’re done, saying, ‘thank you, I needed this.’

“We know how bright and smart the students in the community really truly are,” he added, “and we’re able to create a bridge that allows them to cross.”

—Joseph Bednar

Steven Costa

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

First Vice President, C&I Lending, Beacon Bank: Age 34

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Steve Costa started his professional career in public accounting, with one of the Big Four firms. He enjoyed that work — but “didn’t love it” — and had no real intention to make a change until a friend, mentor, fellow churchgoer, and chief credit officer with a local bank gave him something to think about.

“He pulled my arm and said, ‘I think this is something you’d be really good at; you’re extroverted, you have a good personality for it, you’re relationship-driven, sales-oriented, and high-energy. I think you’d do well at this banking thing.’”

Turns out, he was right. Costa has done pretty well at this ‘banking thing,’ and because of all those attributes he listed.

He started at Country Bank and later moved to Berkshire Bank (now Beacon Bank), where he has been promoted several times and currently serves as first vice president, C&I Lending, managing a $150 million portfolio that has grown steadily over the years. He finds the work rewarding on many levels.

“I love the people, love the relationships, love making a difference,” he said. “The networking side of it is awesome. Being high-energy myself, I like getting out and meeting people, hearing about their life stories, learning about their businesses, knowing that a good banker can actually make a real big difference at a company.

“Every bank’s money is green,” he went on. “But that relationship side of the business is extremely important, and I enjoy working with people and helping them reach their goals. Seeing a business grow, hire new employees, and contribute to the local economy … it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about making a real impact.”

While doing that, he’s making an impact on other fronts as well. Indeed, Costa is active in the community, serving as a member of the Square One finance committee and as a member of the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral audit committee. And through his church, he serves various volunteer efforts, including Glendi, its annual Greek festival, and teaching Sunday school.

He also supports cancer fundraising efforts through his role on the executive leadership committee for the American Cancer Society’s Massachusetts golf tournament, and volunteers with agencies and causes ranging from Junior Achievement to the Zoo in Forest Park.

When not doing any of that, he’s spending time with his family — his wife Kerri and son Crew — which will get larger soon; a second child is due at the end of this month.

—George O’Brien

Giancarlo Crivelli

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Executive Director, Fishing Friends: Age 24

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

For Giancarlo Crivelli, fishing has always been more than a pastime.

It’s been a passion, a way to connect the generations in his family, and a vehicle for bringing joy, and some valuable life lessons, to others.

Indeed, Crivelli has lasting memories of fishing with his father and grandfather when he was younger. They both passed away when he was 12, and since then, fishing has always been a way to remember them and bring him closer to them.

And in recent years, fishing has become even more — a way to honor his father’s legacy of using the activity to connect with young people in the community who didn’t have a father figure in their lives.

“He would take them fishing, too, and it soon became a regular thing,” Crivelli recalled. “He would become a friend to these kids, teaching them about the importance of getting back in touch with nature. Fishing, he would say, grounded us, helped us relax, and taught us the value of patience.”

All of this informs the mission of a nonprofit that Crivelli started called Fishing Friends. The 501(c)(3) provides fishing trips to local young people throughout Western Mass. — but it goes beyond baiting hooks and casting lines. Trips are designed to educate children on boat safety, water stewardship, fishing, patience, kindness, sharing, and more.

These are skills that can last a lifetime, said Crivelli, adding that Fishing Friends has several components, from the fishing trips to conservation cleanups, where participants gather to protect and preserve local waterways, to Harbor Hands, a youth boat repair program.

As for the best fishing spots … Crivelli didn’t reveal all of them or get too specific. But he gave a partial list, including Hampton Ponds in Westfield, Five Mile Pond in Springfield, the Oxbow in Northampton, and Red Bridge, a recreational area on the Chicopee River bordering Ludlow, Wilbraham, and Palmer.

“That’s just a few spots … we’re all about exploring new areas and teaching kids about all the different and unique places to go fishing,” he said.

And these places on the map are just a small part of the story, he went on, as he recited the Fishing Friends mission statement. “We teach youth about fishing so they can build character, connect with nature, develop meaningful relationships, and learn new life skills.”

That’s quite a mission, but he knows from experience, and all those coveted memories of times spent with his father and grandfather, that fishing can do all that.

—George O’Brien

Mariana DeLobato

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Executive Vice President, Chief Delivery Officer, Farm Credit Financial Partners: Age 38

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Mariana DeLobato would describe her work as mission-driven.

“Essentially, we are the tech arm that ensures that the institutions that serve the farmers, the producers, the rural communities, can operate efficiently and can scale and remain resilient. We do all the technical services on their behalf,” she said. “I love the mission of Farm Credit Financial Partners.”

In that role, she helps shape enterprise strategy and delivery, making sure the organization invests in the right priorities and has a sound financial model so it can deliver on those priorities.

“We support rural economies and a variety of communities. The better we do, the better they do, and it’s that broader impact that makes the work really, really meaningful. The mission is what keeps me going.”

DeLobato earned a bachelor’s degree at Bay Path University and an MBA at Elms College before joining Amazon Web Services, where she led large-scale cloud transformation programs for major enterprise clients as a senior engagement manager and national team lead (in fact, leading global teams of more than 100 people) before feeling a call to return to Western Mass. to work for Farm Credit Financial Partners (FPI).

“I went to school here, started my career here, and I wanted an opportunity to be a more active contributor to our community,” she explained.

Outside of work, DeLobato teaches at Bay Path, is on the board of Dakin Humane Society, and serves on the distribution committee at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. She also volunteers at the United Way food pantry, volunteers with One More Dog Rescue, spent years with Link to Libraries supporting childhood literacy, is active with the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and participated in a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts program that brings together emerging leaders to work on systems-level health equity challenges.

“I’m always looking for ways to go beyond what FPI does because I truly believe in the region, and I’m fortunate to be part of an organization that not only allows us to deliver meaningful outcomes for our partners, but also allows us to show up in our communities and contribute beyond the 9 to 5,” she said.

“It was a very intentional decision to come back and bring my experiences and perspective to this region, and it’s very meaningful to be recognized by the community for making those decisions and participating in such a way. It’s something I take super seriously, and I’m proud of it.”

—Joseph Bednar

Danielle Delgado

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Principal, Brightwood Elementary School: Age 38

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

As a young child, Danielle Delgado gave herself options.

“I always wanted to be either a teacher or famous. And I learned right away you can’t be famous for nothing, and I can’t sing, so teacher it was,” she said. “When was little, I’d line up my stuffed animals and make them my classroom, or my great-grandmother would be my student — she was 97 years old, and I’d send her to the principal’s office, which was the bathroom, and she’d play along with me, which was hysterical.”

As she got older, Delgado realized she had a real heart for education. Her career began with an internship and undergraduate work at Kensington International School in Springfield, and she gradually rose through the ranks to become principal at Brightwood Elementary School.

“Springfield Public Schools offered so many development opportunities for me. I became an instructional leadership specialist, then I went into administration and naturally progressed over time.”

Delgado is also committed to connecting Brightwood to the community in some intriguing ways. She co-founded the North End C3 Community Basketball League in collaboration with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield C3 police unit, and the New North Citizens Council, and she also established after-school programs like a dance team and drama club, and piloted a program to distribute fresh produce to food-insecure families.

“By extending outside the school, we’re not just serving students, but the whole child. By making sure we are part of the community even beyond the school day, we’re all taking care of each other, supporting each other,” she explained. “We’re putting mentors in different parts of the children’s lives, and that’s incredibly special.”

Back at school, Delgado said, it’s a challenge, but a rewarding one, to make sure all 450 students and 68 staff members have what they need each day, and that the school culture remains a positive one for all. “By the end of the day, I’m exhausted, but it’s good. Thank goodness for good coffee,” she joked.

“The most rewarding thing is getting to see the excitement when students are learning and growing, and seeing the same excitement from teachers when they see their students learning, and as they grow and develop as educators — to see the joy and pride on their faces,” she added. “Educators are asked to do so much, and we can’t do it alone. Speaking as a teacher, that proverb, it takes a village to raise a child, is incredibly true.”

—Joseph Bednar

April Doroski

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Senior Wetland Scientist, Team Leader, Fuss & O’Neill: Age 35

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

It’s come to be known simply as the ‘mushroom calendar.’

That’s because it features photographs of mushrooms, taken and collected by April Doroski, who encounters numerous varieties of the fungi while out in the field serving as a team leader and senior wetland scientist for the Springfield-based engineering firm Fuss & O’Neill (F&O).

The calendar, which graces the cubes of many employees at the company, and several other settings as well, is offered as part of a fundraiser. Since 2020, Doroski has raised more than $6,500 for environmentally focused nonprofits including the Clean Air Task Force, Ecology Project International, Biobus, and Trees for the Future.

And such efforts comprise just a few of the ways Doroski has become … well, a standout in her field.

Indeed, as a senior wetland scientist and permitting specialist at F&O, she is a key member of its environmental permitting practice and the firm’s climate resilience work. She leads environmental permitting strategy and preparation for a wide array of climate adaptation, ecological restoration, transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, and development projects across the state. She has delineated wetlands across New England and has conducted compliance monitoring, as well as water quality and hydrologic assessments.

This is work she’s been drawn to since she was very young.

“As far back as I can remember, I always enjoyed spending time outdoors, camping with my family, and I knew I was interested either in microbiology or environmental science, and I ended up in environmental science,” Doroski said, adding that she enjoys many facets of this work but especially the places it brings her and the improvements she helps create.

“I drive by projects or sites or areas where I’ve performed wetlands delineation, and I always point them out to people,” she said, adding that she’s proud of the work she and other team members carry out across the region, such as the removal of obsolete dams that are no longer being used and repair of those that still serve a purpose.

“There are a lot of dams and infrastructure that are outdated and not needed,” she explained. “And the dam removals are exciting projects because we’re restoring the rivers to their natural flow and natural state.”

When not working or putting together the mushroom calendar, Doroski enjoys traveling — she has a trip to Spain planned for this summer — and snowboarding, two activities that provide her with more time outdoors, which is where she thrives.

—George O’Brien

Jack Dowd

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Partner, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, The Dowd Agencies: Age 37

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Jack Dowd says he never really thought about anything other than a career in insurance when he was young. This certainly differentiated him from most people his age, but for a good reason.

Indeed, he watched his father, John, and grandfather before him thrive in this business, with their name on what had become a Holyoke institution, and he liked what he saw.

“It all centered around my father — I held him in such high regard, and I just wanted to be like him,” recalled Dowd who represents the fifth generation involved in the family business, and worked his way from the ground up — literally. Indeed, he started as an intern working in the basement, converting paper to electronic files.

At his father’s advice, he started his career outside the family business, gaining experience at an agency in Boston and then for Quincy Mutual. He joined the Dowd Agencies in 2016 and has moved up the ladder to partner and vice president of Sales and Marketing.

He wears a lot of hats during this intriguing time for the company and industry, one marked by continued consolidation — and opportunities for companies like Dowd to grow and expand their footprint.

He’s a producer himself, but he also manages the sales team as well as the marketing team. And as a member of the senior leadership team, he’s involved with efforts to explore acquisition opportunities and, in many cases, make them happen.

“We’ve really started to push and grow beyond Western Massachusetts; we’ve realized there’s some opportunity to grow faster in Northern New England,” he said, adding that Dowd has purchased two agencies in Vermont over the past 18 months, among other acquisitions, and is looking at similar opportunities across the region. “We’ve tripled in size since I came to the agency.”

Dowd is also active in the local community, serving on the Swish Night committee for Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island and on the board of directors for the Holyoke Taxpayers Assoc. Previously, he served on the board of the Western Massachusetts Council of Boy Scouts of America, and on a committee supporting Brightside for Families and Children.

And when not working and volunteering, he’s spending time with his family — wife Vanessa and two children, John IV and Clara — especially at Lake Sunapee during the summer.

“They’re getting into sports now, and T-ball will be starting soon, so I’ll be coaching that,” he said — yet another hat for someone who already wears many.

—George O’Brien

Tom Dowling

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Partner-in-Charge, Holyoke, Whittlesey: Age 39

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Tom Dowling says he’s always been drawn by the variety of work offered by the broad realm of public accounting.

By that, he meant the wide range of business sectors as well as the diverse nature of individual companies and nonprofits he gets to work with — especially the latter.

Indeed, Dowling, partner-in-charge for Whittlesey’s Holyoke office, manages a large book of clients, many of them nonprofits, for which he has become a trusted advisor, providing services that go well beyond tax and audit work.

“He guides them through regulatory changes, funding changes, and leadership changes,” wrote Drew Andrews, Whittlesey’s CEO and managing partner, who nominated Dowling for the 40 Under Forty. “As Massachusetts nonprofits face more financial pressure, Tom’s advice goes beyond audits; he helps clients find new funding, improve internal controls, work more efficiently, and build long-term financial plans.”

These sentiments help explain why Dowling was drawn to public accounting, and why he is a rising star in this field. But there’s more to the story.

Indeed, he came to Whittlesey in 2017 and played a key role in its merger with the Holyoke-based firm Lester Halpern and then in strengthening the Hartford-based firm’s presence in Western Mass. and growing market share in this region. He was named partner in 2022 and now oversees the Holyoke office and its staff of 20.

His portfolio of clients is diverse, but, as he noted, one of the focal points — for him and the firm — is nonprofits, which are now facing ever-rising levels of uncertainty and challenge.

“This year has been busy with the current developments in the political landscape — it seems like every other day, there’s something that’s changing and impacting a nonprofit or creating some uncertainty in their funding,” Dowling said. “And we are constantly in discussions with all of our clients to make sure they’re aware of these issues and that they know how to assess and react if needed.”

Active within the industry — he’s a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Massachusetts Society of CPAs, and the Assoc. of Certified Fraud Examiners, among other groups — he is also busy in the community, especially as a committee member for the Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Swish Night event, but also as a youth basketball coach.

“I’ve been coaching my kids since they were able to play,” he said, referring to sons Carter, 14, and Wesley, 8. “It’s one of my favorite times of the year, and it’s nice to see the kids grow.”

—George O’Brien

Jill Foley

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Director of Membership, Massachusetts Society of CPAs: Age 36

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Jill Foley is not an accountant, and she doesn’t play one on TV.

But she’s essentially made a career out of promoting and supporting accountants from across the state.

Indeed, she’s been director of membership for the Massachusetts Society of CPAs for eight years now, playing a major role in growing membership, expanding networking events, and providing more opportunities for members to connect and develop professionally. It’s a role that brings rewards on many levels.

“Relationships, and connecting people with people, are a big part of what I do and what our team does,” she told BusinessWest, adding that this work takes many forms.

These include everything from the agency’s Small Firm Roundtables, created to provide firm owners and leaders with a collaborative, non-competitive space to share best practices, discuss operational challenges, and learn from one another, to an expanded Sip and Socialize, MassCPAs’ most lucrative and best-attended networking event, from a single annual gathering in Boston to a multi-region, three-event series with Boston and Springfield locations.

It also includes the launch of a new program to support entrepreneurial CPAs who have recently started or are planning to start their own business, surpassing year-one participation goals by more than 50%.

A graduate of Assumption College, Foley majored in accounting, drawn to the profession by the diversity of opportunities available to people in the accounting world — and the importance of those professionals to individuals, businesses and nonprofits of all sizes.

An entrepreneur herself, she also created Fed by Foley, a food service business serving the Pioneer Valley, which she operated until late last year.

In the venture’s second month, she created Charcuterie for Community, where she worked alongside other organizations to support general operations or special projects for organizations and causes ranging from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts to Cancer Connection; from Cooley Dickinson Hospital to Nonotuck Community School.

“The business grew in ways I never imagined — over a thousand orders over those four years,” Foley said. “It’s so hard to open a small business, but so many people in this region want to support you.”

That’s one of many examples of how she makes giving back a priority. She’s a board member for the People’s Institute of Northampton, raises funds for the National Brain Tumor Assoc., and serves as a non-medical volunteer for the Medical Reserves Corps of Massachusetts.

Add it all up — that’s what they do in accounting — and it’s easy to see she’s a member of this year’s 40 Under Forty.

—George O’Brien

Evan Garber

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Architect of Political Strategy, Anthony L. Cignoli & Associates: Age 26

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

As a child, Evan Garber surprised his parents when he took a keen interest in one of President Obama’s State of the Union speeches. And he never lost his interest in the political sphere, even when he enrolled at UMass Amherst thinking he might be a teacher someday, like both his mother and father.

But he shifted gears in graduate school, earning a master’s degree in public policy and getting connected to Tony Cignoli for an internship. And he found a real passion for the work being done at that business, governmental, and political consultancy — and he’s been there ever since, eventually becoming the youngest vice president in the firm’s history.

“I love the variety of impact we have. If I was working a desk job in a cubicle doing the same repetitive tasks every day, I would explode,” he said. “I love a variety of challenges, new things that come in every single day, whether it’s working with Hollywood clients like Ed Begley Jr. or doing pro bono work for a local nonprofit, or working with international clients like Eastman, or political campaigns in Georgia and South Carolina.”

Equally gratifying is seeing the community impact of some of that work. For example, Garber helped secure state and federal funding for the ongoing, multi-million-dollar renovation of Easthampton’s Old Town Hall for the CitySpace performing arts project.

“They’re constructing an elevator shaft and making the whole building accessible for arts programming, and driving past that every day is so cool,” he said. “ It’s a concrete example of the work we do. I’ve always been engaged with local communities — how we can solve our big issues?”

Active in the local theater scene, Garber has also taken on numerous community volunteer roles over the years, like his work with the Manhan Rail Trail Committee, with which he oversaw a MassTrails grant for repaving, organized and completed a trail map update, and has worked with MassBike to implement bike valet at community events.

“I moved to Easthampton after grad school, and now I’m on the rail trail all the time. So I asked, how can I give back to this?” he said. “Especially after COVID, a lot of these nonprofits and municipal boards don’t have as many people on them, so it’s really good for young people like me to join these things — anything I can do to give back to organizations that have given so much to me.”

—Joseph Bednar

Ted Hanna

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Commercial and Residential Real Estate Agent: Age 37

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Ted Hanna didn’t start out in the real estate world, but he recalls how that career took flight — literally and figuratively.

Specifically, he worked in corporate aviation. “I started at Westfield-Barnes, and then I went out to Hanscom Field in Bedford. That company had a bunch of bases around the state, but my main post was a $25 million private jet facility, where I got hired on as a general manager,” he explained, adding that, from there, he worked as airport manager at Westover Metropolitan Airport.

A large portion of his work at Westover was buying up residential property around the airport through an FAA grant, relocating residents to nicer properties and paying their moving expenses, and converting the land to more airport-friendly uses.

During COVID, when people cut back on flying, Hanna decided to pivot into real estate. Today, working with Cohn & Company Real Estate, he’s a five-time Platinum Sales Award recipient, and as managing partner of Hanna Investment Group, he has built and manages a growing portfolio in Shelburne Falls that includes three mixed-use properties supporting 31 tenants. He also co-owns, with his brother, 5 State CoWorking.

“When we bought the historic McCusker’s building in 2023,” Hanna said of his foray into investment in Shelburne Falls, “we thought, ‘how cool would it be to renovate this crown jewel, this building where we grew up, going to market and getting pieces of cheese handed over the counter by Mike McCusker? To invest in the community where I live is so special.”

So is his service on the Shelburne Falls Community Alliance, which promotes downtown revitalization; his volunteerism in schools with the Shelburne Police Department’s community outreach team, and his work co-organizing, with two others, the West County Community Meals Program — an initiative spearheaded by his father for a quarter-century. Every Friday evening at Trinity Church, a volunteer team serves meals to anyone who shows up.

“It’s called the community meal because it’s for the community,” Hanna said. “Whether you’re food-insecure or you don’t feel like cooking that night, or you just want some community engagement, some social time, and meet new people, that’s what it’s all about.

“I was afforded a great childhood growing up here and a lot of great opportunities, and it just feels right to give back to that community,” he added. “My dad’s a career-long mental health professional, and he said the key to happiness is service to others. That’s something that’s always stuck with me.”

—Joseph Bednar

Ali Haqq

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Center Coordinator, Department of Elder Affairs: Age 38

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Ali Haqq has plenty on his plate when it comes to his role overseeing daily operations at the Hungry Hill Senior Center in Springfield.

Those responsibilities include connecting seniors with food stamps, a brown bag program, and other vital resources; offering a technology assistance program where they can learn how to use a computer, access basic programs, and navigate the internet; overseeing activities ranging from a bowling program to arts and crafts; and generally handling administrative work, assisting with marketing, and supervising the center’s volunteers … just to name a few.

What all that boils down to, he said, is forging positive relationships and improving clients’ quality of life. “What I find most gratifying is connecting with the seniors and learning from them — understanding where they’re coming from and knowing they’re just like you and me.”

Haqq has been involved in senior services for 13 years, as an activity director for seven of them. “I love learning from our seniors,” he added. “I call them our wisdom community.”

He even elevates older people through the media company he launched in 2019, Ali Productions Entertainment. For instance, he’s the lead organizer of an annual senior brunch, started in 2023, where he presents the Pillars of the Community Awards, honoring local elders for their lifelong contributions and leadership.

But Ali Productions goes far beyond that, he said. “I wanted to create a platform focused on the arts, culture, and community-centered entertainment.”

Deeply committed to the community, in just the last five years, Haqq has served as president of Springfield Pride; launched a Holiday Brunch Toy Drive, recognizing organizations and individuals who give back during the holiday season; served as entertainment coordinator for the Hickory Street Harambee Committee, which supports culturally rooted programming and community unity; served as LGBTQ outreach coordinator for Out Now, strengthening engagement, visibility, and access to resources for LGBTQ+ residents; executive produced The Real Creatives of Springfield, the first reality TV show based in the City of Homes, spotlighting local creatives, entrepreneurs and changemakers; and served as network coordinator for Union Capital Springfield.

He has also served as board committee member for the Alzheimer’s Walk, chief diversity officer for Springfield Mass Studios, and a board member for both Upper Hill Neighborhood Council and Make-It Springfield. He’s also campaign manager for Nicole Coakley, who is running for state representative in the 11th Hampden District.

Yet, somehow, Haqq still has time to connect with senior citizens — and learn something new from them each day.

—Joseph Bednar

Sara Landaverde

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Director of Survivor Advocacy & Outreach Programs, YWCA of Western Massachusetts: Age 31

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Sara Landaverde has always had a passion for working with children.

“Growing up, I always wanted to work with kids who experienced trauma, who went through a hard time,” she said, adding that, while earning her undergraduate degree at American International College, a discussion with one of her professors left her convinced that social work would be the lane she would travel down.

“And I’ve been in that lane ever since,” said Landaverde, director of Survivor Advocacy & Outreach Programs for the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, where she started as a clinical intern while completing her master’s degree in social work at Boston College.

Early on, Landaverde displayed “something special that made her stand out,” said Elizabeth Dineen, the agency’s CEO, who nominated her for this award. “Sara distinguished herself because of her intelligence, empathy, and creativity. She had the drive and ability to figure out how to reach a child who had literally closed down due to profound trauma.”

After completing graduate school, Landaverde was hired as a child and family clinician. Four years later, she was named a director, and she now supervises more than 20 employees.

In this role, she oversees four programs — the domestic violence counseling program, the sexual assault counseling program, the 24/7 hotline, and the data program — and while doing so, she mentors younger employees and interns and conducts many different forms of outreach to inform the public, and potential partners, about the many programs and services provided by the YWCA. And while doing all that, she still manages a small case load herself.

Active in the community, she is a board member of Holyoke Children’s Museum and a member of the Elms College social work advisory board. She’s also a guest speaker at colleges and churches throughout Western Mass., educating others about sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. And when not working, volunteering, or public speaking, she’s a devoted dog mom who puts aside time to spend with family — her mother, five brothers, nieces, and nephews.

Although her work at the YWCA is challenging, Landaverde considers it rewarding on many different levels, especially the opportunity she and others have to change the course of survivors’ lives.

“My goal has always been to make some little change in someone’s life,” she explained, “so that they were able to change the paradigm and be able to change their family history with regard to any childhood event they may have gone through.”

—George O’Brien

Kylie LaPlante

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Deposit Operations Officer, Monson Savings Bank: Age 36

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Like many 40 Under Forty honorees over the past 20 years who hail from the world of banking, Kylie LaPlante didn’t originally plan on a career in finance, instead earning a degree in management from Assumption College. But when she interviewed for a job with Monson Savings Bank after graduating, she found she liked the atmosphere and the work — and saw plenty of potential.

“That’s how I got my start in banking,” she said. “I wasn’t planning to get into that, but I enjoyed it — and I’ve moved through a lot of different roles in the past 15 years.”

Indeed, beginning her career in 2011 as a customer service associate, she’s been promoted to CSA supervisor, assistant branch manager, branch manager, business relationship manager, and assistant vice president, business development officer.

In her current role, LaPlante leads key deposit operations and fraud prevention activities, ensuring strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, and customer protection at a time when financial institutions face increasing risk and technological complexity. In 2019, she graduated from the New England School for Financial Studies, a prestigious professional development program for rising leaders in the industry.

“Kylie’s ability to combine operational rigor with a people-centered mindset has earned her respect across departments and positioned her as a trusted leader within the organization,” wrote Dodie Carpenter, the bank’s first vice president and Human Resources officer, who nominated her colleague for 40 Under Forty.

LaPlante has also earned respect in the community, with impactful volunteer roles ranging from ambassador with the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club to treasurer for the Salvation Army’s Ware service unit to house captain for Revitalize CDC’s GreenNFit Neighborhood Rebuild.

“My whole life, I saw the importance of adults giving back to youth and mentoring youth so they can grow and develop to get to where they want to be,” she said. “With the Boys & Girls Club, I might not be working directly with the kids, but I’m helping raise funds to mentor these kids to get them where they need to be in life.”

And with Revitalize CDC, she added, “it’s just a really amazing experience to come together with thousands of people in the community and lead volunteers to help people who are in need and can’t do it themselves. You’re giving them that little push and encouragement. When things are happening in someone’s world and you’re able to help, it brings joy to your day.”

—Joseph Bednar

Heather Leclerc

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Business Partner, Riley Home Realty; Membership & Events Coordinator, Home Builders & Remodelers Assoc. of Western Massachusetts: Age 37

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Heather Leclerc admits the pandemic was “the craziest time” to start a new business. But that’s exactly what she and her brother, contractor Nick Riley, did when they launched Riley Home Realty in 2020.

“It was such an uncertain time for the economy, but we said, ‘let’s do this,’” she recalled. “We had an idea to start a real estate business and build something together. I was looking for a new adventure in my career, and it was a perfect time to learn the ins and outs of building a business from the ground up. It was really exciting because I love a good challenge — and it was a trial by fire.”

But that’s not the only way Leclerc is deeply involved with regional development. As Membership & Events coordinator with the Home Builders & Remodelers Assoc. of Western Massachusetts, she supports industry growth, member engagement, event planning, social media marketing, and more.

“Event planning has always been fun for me,” she said. “The association didn’t prioritize that prior to my arrival, so it was fun to come in and build that role.”

But Leclerc is also known for her dedicated, wide-ranging commitment to civic leadership. She serves on the board of directors and financial committee for Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry and plays multiple roles with the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, which recognized her this year with its Shining Star Volunteer of the Year Award.

And no surprise — her work in the community includes reading at local schools, supporting the Love of Good Foundation, serving as a PTO vice president, volunteering at all three of her children’s schools, and coaching youth soccer programs. She has also spoken at high school scholarship ceremonies; organized coat, food, and Toys for Tots drives; volunteered for an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition renovation; serves as board treasurer of the Black Rose Academy of Irish Dance; is an active member of the John Boyle O’Reilly Club; sponsors foster children during the holidays … the list goes on.

“It’s very important to me to give back and stay connected to where my roots are,” Leclerc said. “Even in my Shining Stars speech, I mentioned my kids are right alongside me volunteering, and I’m instilling those values in them. It’s important for them to see me giving back to the community because it becomes a part of their lives as well.”

—Joseph Bednar

Brooke Jones

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Owner, Lovelo Cycle & Strength: Age 25

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Only a few months after Brooke Jones started taking spin classes, her instructor saw something in her, and started training her to lead classes herself.

The first time she led a class, “I was so stressed, writing down every song and what I was going to do with it. I spent hours trying to figure it out,” she recalled. “I got up there and … I’d really overprepared. It was not as stressful as I thought it was going to be — and it was the best thing ever.”

It turns out her instructor (2022 40 Under Forty alum Jazlinda Navarro) really did recognize in Jones a skill and passion for fitness training.

“It was so great to be in the room with people who had similar energy and who were there to move their bodies and feel good about themselves,” Jones recalled. “I felt so confident in myself. I wanted it to be not only a workout, but a safe space for people to be themselves, to free themselves and move their body. That was what drove me, just creating that safe space for people.”

After working for Navarro for a while at the latter’s juice bar, Cellf Juices, Jones made the entrepreneurial leap to open her own spin studio last August, called Lovelo Cycle & Strength — and has been helping clients make a difference in their lives, health, and self-confidence ever since.

It was Navarro who encouraged her to make the leap to business owner. “She said, ‘I think you need to do this,’” Jones said. “But I was so young. I said, ‘it’s not for me.’ Then I thought how empowered I felt with the first spin class — and that’s what motivated me. So I said, ‘I can do this.’”

But that’s not Jones’s only foray into athletic training. She also coaches cheerleading at Central High School in Springfield, and will begin her fourth season this fall.

“That has also been an amazing journey,” she said. “They had a program, but they weren’t competing. And we went from having a team that had never really competed to bringing them to states and placing top 10 in the state the past three years.”

Jones credits many friends with helping her build a satisfying career, but especially gives thanks to her mother.

“I wouldn’t be the person I am if it weren’t for my mom, who paved the way, showing me what hard work and dedication is. She is the reason why I’m the person I am today.”

—Joseph Bednar

Siobhan Matty

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Assistant First Vice President, Financial Advisor, St. Germain Investment Management: Age 35

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Siobhan Matty recalls her father’s commentary when Paul Marchese, director of Business Development for St. Germain Investment Management, suggested she join the firm her dad served as president.

“His response was, ‘you can hire her — I can’t,’” she said with a laugh, adding that, eventually, he did, suggesting that her strong social skills would translate well into work as a financial advisor — and work within the community as well.

Turns out, he was right about all that.

Indeed, Matty has established herself as an advisor with a strong ear, and also one with a big heart, volunteering her time, energy, and talent to several institutions and causes.

“Siobhan’s advancement in this field is a direct result of her earnest and compassionate nature,” wrote Mary Orr, media specialist for Trinity Health Of New England, who got to know Matty when she became friends with her daughter. “She gets to know her clients as people with needs, not only as the individual they are, but also with needs that may change as they age due to illness, divorce, or loss of a loved one.”

When asked what she liked about her work, Matty was direct. “I like helping people; it’s that simple — knowing what they have and what they need to do. It’s not about ‘what’s the hot stock?’ — and you do get asked that sometimes. I tell them, ‘that’s not what we’re doing.’”

While listening to her clients and helping them meet their financial goals, Matty is also involved in the community on many levels.

She currently serves as a board member and a development committee member for Glenmeadow Retirement Community and as a board member and marketing committee member for the Springfield Public Forum. She has previously served on boards for the Ronald McDonald House in Springfield and New Haven, Conn., the United Way of Pioneer Valley, and Link to Libraries.

She also volunteers with Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, most recently participating in the organization’s 20th annual Stock Market Challenge, and as a celebrity bartender at the agency’s recent fundraiser.

Giving back has been a pattern throughout her life and career. Indeed, following the suicide death of a high school friend, she worked with that friend’s mother to organize the Kayla Rae Clark Walk to raise money to support the addiction recovery program at the former Providence Behavioral Hospital in Holyoke.

That’s just more example of how Matty has always focused on making a difference in the lives of others.

—George O’Brien

Jesse McMillan

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Principal, Westfield Middle School: Age 33

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Jesse McMillan comes from a family of educators, and he counts himself lucky to have had teachers who made a big impact on his life — and inspired him to want to do the same.

So, it’s natural that he would find his way into that field.

But the path he’s taken has been anything but typical.

Indeed, he was named principal of New Hingham Regional Elementary School when he was just 24, making him the youngest principal in the Bay State at that time.

“I had people around me who really believed in me and gave me opportunities to grow; that made all the difference,” he said of his quick ascension to a top administrative role. “I loved being in the classroom, but I realized I wanted to have an impact beyond just my own students. Becoming a principal gave me the opportunity to support teachers and improve the experience for an entire building of kids at once.”
This mindset has propelled him to reach higher and seek new challenges, including his current position as principal of Westfield Middle School, where he leads a staff of 100 and provides direction and motivation to 700 students.

And as he goes about his work, he draws inspiration from his own middle school principal. “Every morning he’d greet me with ‘Hey, Jess!’ and it made me feel seen,” he recalled. “That stayed with me. It showed me the kind of impact a principal can have on a student.
“At the end of the day, it’s about people,” he went on. “If students feel safe and supported, and teachers feel valued, everything else starts to fall into place. That’s what I try to build every day.”

He said that he loves all aspects of this job, but especially the fact that no two days are the same, and every day provides a new opportunity for him to learn and build on those experiences.

“That process of continuous learning and refining my approach is what’s helped me grow as a leader,” he said. “And I hope it creates a culture where staff and students feel comfortable taking risks and learning from mistakes as well.”
“I have always seen myself as a learner first,” he continued, adding that this applies to everything from his teaching as an adjunct at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to learning something completely new like beekeeping. “It all comes back to that same curiosity. I think that mindset makes me a better educator and leader.”

It also makes him a 40 Under Forty honoree.

—George O’Brien

 

Daniel Miller

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Senior Environmental Scientist, Tighe & Bond: Age 34

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

When the federal workforce was decimated by personnel cuts early in 2025, Daniel Miller was one of the human faces represented by those job loss statistics. But he has found a new place to put his passion for the environment to work, here in Western Mass.

“A lot of federal employees are mission-driven; they’re not in it for the profit,” he said of his years with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, a role from which he had to quickly rebound last year. But in his current position with regional engineering firm Tighe & Bond, he has stepped into leadership roles in dam removals, tidal marsh restorations, cleanup of former industrial sites, and other projects that blend environmental and community benefits.

“It turns out everyone here is mission-driven, too,” Miller explained. “They care about the projects we work on.”

His drive to improve the world around him began early in life, he added. “One of the things I live my life by is leaving something better than you found it. Growing up, I made sure my room was clean and helped with chores, and now, I want to leave our local communities, and our environment, in a better place than we found it.

“That means helping wetlands and marshes and rivers get cleaner and more environmentally sound,” he went on. “The uncertainty from climate change and sea levels rising and extreme temperature warnings is a big issue, too. So my overarching goal is to help these natural systems adapt in the future after I’m gone, so my kids and my grandkids can enjoy the land the same way I have.”

Outside of work, Miller can often be found volunteering in local wetlands and among rivers and ponds, picking up trash, pulling invasive species, and helping keep public trails open. But he also has a passion for fitness, and as a personal trainer and coach, he works with members of the community who might not otherwise visit a gym, from senior citizens to new parents finding time for short workouts, to people managing weight and anxiety without resorting to extreme diets.

“It’s a huge thing to work on mobility and core strength needs as we age,” he said. “But I’ve also seen people get their first pull-up in their 60s and 70s. And it’s great to help people with their relationship with food, teaching them how to eat all-natural whole foods and not so much processed food. It’s been a passion of mine for the better part of 10 years now.”

—Joseph Bednar

Jamillah Joy Medina Nova

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Community Relations Coordinator, Springfield City Library: Age 35

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Hers is a career built “at the intersection of public service, entrepreneurship, and community-centered storytelling.”

That’s how Ellen Williams, director of Community Engagement and Education at the Springfield-based nonprofit Learning for Better, summed up Jamillah Joy Medina Nova, as she nominated her for the 40 Under Forty award.

And she’s right on every score.

Indeed, as Community Relations coordinator at the Springfield City Library, Medina Nova leads marketing and community relations efforts that strengthen the library’s visibility, relevance, and partnerships across the city. She also supports outreach and relationship building across neighborhood events and community touch points, helping residents connect with library services and resources.

It’s a job that blends what she calls her ‘favorite things.’

“That includes community involvement, helping young people, and my marketing background, so it’s a perfect fit,” said Medina Nova, who joined the library staff in 2019 and has led initiatives such as the recent drive to secure 10,000 library card signups.

But she’s also an entrepreneur — the founder of LMN Creative, a marketing and branding consulting firm, and the owner of Jamillah Joy Designs, which provides graphic design services, especially to women-owned and BIPOC-owned small businesses.

With LMN Creative, she specializes in helping clients show up on social media — and generate revenue on those platforms.

“I have big plans for a studio in the future, but right now, I’m doing mostly consulting, working behind the scenes to help clients,” said Medina Nova, a graduate of EforAll’s cohort program and the Sphere Northampton’s accelerator program, adding that her portfolio includes several hair salons, wellness studios, and other small businesses.

All this means she’s quite busy, but she finds time to get involved in the community, especially with efforts to support young people, women, and the arts. She is co-troop leader with Girl Scouts of the USA and serves as a board member of the Drama Studio, supporting access to theater and arts education for area children and families. She also volunteers with agencies such as Girls Inc. of the Valley, the YWCA, and Give Kids the World Village.

She also enjoys spending time with her 4-year-old daughter, Luna, “the light of my life,” and serving as an inspiration to her and many others.

“I want to teach my daughter that there are many buckets that can be filled — you just have to appropriate your time properly,” she explained. “This is the city that raised me, so I want to give back in any way I can.”

—George O’Brien

Shannon O’Connell

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Facility Manager, The Good Dog Spot: Age 32

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Shannon O’Connell has always had a heart for animals.

“My mom told me the first time I belly laughed as a baby was when we picked up our puppy; the mom dog started barking, and I started belly laughing,” she recalled. “So I guess I’ve always loved animals, even as a baby.”

O’Connell has been fortunate to turn that love into a career at the Good Dog Spot in Chicopee, which she joined in 2011 just out of high school. There, she’s grown through nearly every role in the organization to become facility manager.

“Shannon oversees daily operations across daycare, boarding, and grooming, while also handling scheduling, client relations, and the health and safety standards that define the business,” wrote Cory Staples, general manager of the Good Dog Spot and one of a whopping 10 individuals who nominated O’Connell for 40 Under Forty. “She leads with both competence and compassion.”

She also manages the company’s social media presence, among other responsibilities. But her favorite role is still daycare, she noted. “I love interacting with the dogs and just watching them interact with each other — the different behaviors, the funny things they do, the joy they have to be there socializing.”

But her journey into animal foster care has been impressive as well. In 2012, a rescue organization reached out to the Good Dog Spot, asking for help boarding some 8-week-old puppies until they could find homes.

“They were adorable. I said, ‘well, I can’t leave them at work. I’ll take them home,’” O’Connell recalled. “And that’s how my fostering happened. It was a lot of fun, so I kept asking for more. I started fostering kittens, and now we do a little bit of everything — mostly dogs and cats. I found it to be very rewarding.”

Indeed, she and her partner have opened their home to close to 300 animals, many from the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center — creating a calm, nurturing environment where they can safely grow, heal, learn to trust, and eventually find forever homes.

O’Connell has also fostered for Canine Companions, which provides service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities; and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and educational settings — all at no cost to clients.

“I love seeing the growth of each foster while we have them and watching them go to their new home,” she said, “and seeing how loved they are after starting out in the shelter.”

—Joseph Bednar

John Page

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Executive Director, Amherst Business Improvement District: Age 29

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

It’s called Amherst Restaurant Week.

As that name suggests, it’s a week (in June) designed to promote, celebrate, and introduce people to Amherst’s eclectic mix of dining establishments.

And it’s just one of many initiatives created or enhanced by John Page, executive director of the Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) as he carries out the agency’s mission to support local businesses and cultivate a dynamic and vibrant downtown Amherst. Others include everything from the fall Downtown Block Party and summer concerts on the Common to the holiday-season Sip and Shop Stroll, which encourages holiday shopping.

Expanding that list is among the priorities for Page, a UMass Amherst grad who formerly worked for the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, which shares space with the BID, and came to understand and respect the latter’s mission. After a stint working on events at his alma mater, he eventually decided to seek the BID director’s job after the departure of Gabrielle Gould.

That’s eventually.

“I was reluctant at first because I didn’t know if I was ready,” he said, adding that the BID’s board asked him to help with some projects, such as the Block Party and summer concerts, in the interim, and while doing that, he became convinced he was ready.

And over the past two years, he has become a force in efforts to bring people downtown and create more vibrancy there.

“It’s an interesting time to be in the downtown because there’s a little bit of a renaissance, but there are also some really big challenges,” he said, adding that there’s been a changing of the guard, with the owners of some long-standing businesses retiring, and new ventures taking their places. “We’ve been very lucky to have several new businesses open up, expand, or move into the downtown over the past few years, and there’s still room for more.”

While being active in the community is part of Page’s job description, such work takes many forms and extends well beyond Amherst’s downtown, including service on the board of the Amherst Education Foundation. He also serves as co-chair of the Pelham Cultural Council and has been a lead organizer of Amherst’s LGBTQ+ Pride events in downtown Amherst, including the first-ever Amherst Pride Parade.

And when not doing all that, he loves to travel — including trips to Barcelona, Costa Rica, and Mexico — while always looking forward to returning home to a community where he plays a key role in setting the tone.

—George O’Brien

Robyn Miller

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Owner, MorningBird Media: Age 37

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Robyn Miller highly values being a mom — her daughter, Addy, is 8 — and is grateful she was able to launch a successful digital marketing and media business that not only helps clients succeed, but gives her the flexibility to raise her child.

“Everything is built around her — I’ve grown this business since she was little,” Miller said. “It was a bit tumultuous at the beginning, at the beginning of COVID; all the daycares were shut, and it was a very difficult, very isolating time, but we persevered.”

Today, she operates MorningBird Media in Springfield’s downtown Marketplace row, offering strategic marketing, media management, branding, website development, and content production. She’s also in the process of building out a podcast studio, a small product and headshot studio, and other services for clients and the community.

“We want to be more than a standard marketing agency,” Miller said, adding that she enjoys the work because every day is different and she’s constantly learning new things to stay ahead of the industry curve.

“The digital landscape evolves every day, so there’s an urgency to evolve with it — or be antiquated,” she noted. “I enjoy that there’s always something new to learn, and our product suite never stops evolving. What worked today might not work tomorrow, so it’s up to us to make sure we’re steering that ship properly.”

As part of that evolution, MorningBird has expanded into AI education and marketing master classes, equipping business owners with tools that prepare them for what’s next.

A connector outside of work as well, Miller has served in multiple leadership roles with the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, founded the Western Massachusetts Women’s Business Network, organized events such as the Creative Unconference at Holyoke Community College, and worked with area colleges to create internship and training opportunities for students.

In recent years, Miller and her husband owned the ShopRite of Enfield, through which they launched an initiative, in partnership with area middle and high schools, to present “The Act of Kindness Award.” This effort was inspired by the nonprofit agency Rachel’s Challenge. At the program’s peak, 84 students a year, in eight schools in four towns were presented awards and recognition for their efforts. When they began new business ventures, they passed the program to the North Central CT Chamber of Commerce, where it has continued, and Miller is looking to start a similar endeavor in Western Mass.

“We were also making donations to the charity of their choice,” she explained. “The award had nothing to do with their grades or how good an athlete they were — just simply, ‘you’re a good person.’”

—Joseph Bednar

 

Leanese Ramos

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Owner, RCollaborative: Age 36

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Leanese and Gio Ramos had a decision to make.

She was working in their church, in a marketing and communications role, while he was working for a local utility when he was suddenly laid off. Both people of faith, they talked to their pastor about what to do.

“He said, ‘definitely look for another job — but in the meantime, do you have any skills that are immediately marketable that you can monetize?’” she recalled. “And we did — we had all this knowledge for marketing and content creation.”

So, in 2019, they launched RCollaborative, a strategic marketing and content creation agency. In the first year alone, while Leanese was pregnant, they built a six-figure enterprise, and have grown exponentially from there.

“The operational backbone, the discipline, and the strategic structure … came from her,” Gio said in nominating his wife for 40 Under Forty. “Her strength is operational clarity. She brings structure where others bring ideas. She creates frameworks because she refuses to let businesses operate in chaos.”

Both see the enterprise as an example of solid teamwork.

“We own this business as a couple, and everything we do is through the lens of our faith to make decisions for our clients,” she said. “And we’ve also built a business around our strengths as a couple. You have to identify your strengths; you have to be able to create your own roles and not step on each other’s toes, and that has helped in our growth.”

In working for clients ranging from mom-and-pop restaurants to a multiple-location gym, Ramos said she most enjoys the personal connection with clients. “I get the most joy from having conversations with somebody, identifying with them, and figuring out what their issues are.”

She’s also still very active in Restoration City Church in Springfield — she directs its online campus, a program she helped build from the ground up — as well as serving as vice president of the Ad Club of Western Massachusetts and on the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce’s membership committee.

She also co-created Una Noche en Puerto Rico in collaboration with MGM Springfield, Explore Western Mass, the Latino Economic Development Council, and the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade Committee.

Summing all this up, she said, “I want people to know I am someone who deeply cares about the community we call home, which is why we are so involved in these different things outside of our business. And I live my life through the lens of my faith, putting family first and building something significant from that.”

—Joseph Bednar

Bianca Romero

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Residence Life, Adjunct Professor, Bay Path University/Cambridge College: Age 29

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Bianca Romero’s title is a long one, and indeed, it encompasses quite a few responsibilities, she said.

“But my biggest goal is always to help our students feel like Bay Path and Cambridge are their home away from home — to help them engage and find themselves,” she explained. “Every day, I think about how each student can change the world, and what I can do to help them get closer to their goals and bring their skills outside campus and into the community.”

Romero’s work can be fun — hosting fun events and promoting residential life — and less so, when having tough conversations around crisis response and student safety. She founded and scaled up residence hall associations at both institutions, led new student orientation strategy, implemented RA and RD training programs, launched a graduate student association, and much more.

“But the goal, every day, is to help students become leaders,” she said, and that applies to her work as an adjunct professor as well, teaching classes in legal studies, business, and criminal justice. “I remember being in their shoes, being nervous, having imposter syndrome as a first-generation college student. Whether it’s online or in person, I think about those moments and ask myself, how can I connect with students no matter where they are academically, financially, or emotionally?”

Early on, Romero took steps toward a career in law enforcement, graduating with honors from the NYPD Cadet Corps program aspiring to work in community policing, and later shifted gears, enrolling at Bay Path for legal studies, hoping to one day defend and advocate for people. But she then became student government president and met Bay Path’s then-president, Carol Leary, who mentored her. “I never in my life thought about being a college president until I met her,” Romero said, but that is, indeed, her current long-range goal.

“As a child, I wanted to be a businesswoman, a lawyer, in law enforcement, in community building — but education holds all of those things,” she explained.

“When you’re able to educate and give opportunities to people who never thought they’d have those opportunities, you are changing the world,” she went on. “You’re making the world a better place and building communities. Now it’s not only you, but others who can go out and use what you’re teaching them to make the world a better, safer, happier place, especially in the climate we’re in now.”

—Joseph Bednar

Amanda Shafii

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Owner, CopyCat; President, Downtown Northampton Assoc.: Age 35

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Amanda Shafii wasn’t thinking about entrepreneurship when she earned a psychology and neuroscience degree at UMass Amherst, but when a business ownership opportunity emerged, she found she had a passion for it.

“My parents had started a printing business in 1985 and created a commercial company called TigerPress,” she said, and when they were selling off their former CopyCat shops, Shafii decided to take over the one in Greenfield.

“I’d moved back to the area, and they needed a manager. So I started managing that store in 2015 with the intention of selling it. But I fell in love with being a business owner, so I moved the business to Northampton.”

“I really enjoyed the sense of community and saw how shopping small and supporting small businesses is important to keep a diverse downtown. Instead of having all big box stores, we have a lot of unique shops. I also really love the fact that, as a business owner, the sky’s the limit — you can do whatever you want.”

The first thing she changed was the company’s outdated logo, and she also created a new website and focused on modern services like digital design, which hadn’t been offered before.

“The next major pivot was during COVID when we started being a B2B instead of a B2C, focusing on our business customers,” Shafii said. “I realized how much I loved helping entrepreneurs, not just with the printing part, but with the strategy part.

“That’s where my neuroscience degree becomes helpful,” she added. “When you work with CopyCat, we are your strategic partner for smart design and print marketing. It’s an opportunity to watch a customer make smart investments in their business and see the results.”

These days, Shaffi also serves as president of the Downtown Northampton Assoc., which seeks economic and cultural vibrancy through programming, festivals, beautification efforts, and business collaboration. She was already volunteering on a host of local boards — “I have a problem saying no to things,” she noted — and leading the association was a natural next step.

“The goal is always foot traffic and bringing unique art downtown. It’s a cycle: if things are happening, it gets busier. My specialty is marketing and getting the word out on social media and trying to have a very strong digital presence that gets a lot of views and engagement. So my goal for downtown would be to see business owners succeeding and see amazing, unique artists gravitating toward this area because of what Northampton stands for.”

—Joseph Bednar

Corrine Ryan

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Managing Attorney – Hampden County, Community Legal Aid: Age 37

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Corrine Ryan wasn’t sure what she would do with the law degree she was earning at Georgetown University Law Center. But she knew it would be in the broad realm of public interest law, which is dedicated to representing and advocating for the rights and interests of individuals or groups that are typically underrepresented or marginalized in society.

And that is exactly the path she has followed, rising to the role of managing attorney at Community Legal Aid (CLA), which provides free civil legal help to low-income and elderly residents in Central and Western Mass. across several practice areas, ranging from eviction defense to education law; immigration to Social Security.

Ryan doesn’t handle many cases in this role; instead, her multi-faceted work is focused on staff development, professional development, grant writing, meeting with legislators to secure adequate funding, community engagement to build awareness of what CLA does, and direct oversight of its many operations, from the more than 100 calls the office receives each day to implementation of new programs.

Since becoming managing attorney, she has led several new initiatives, including the Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA) Medical Legal Partnership, a collaboration between CLA attorneys and CCA medical staff that gave critical legal help in 350 cases to poor and elderly patients presenting with health-harming legal needs between 2022 and 2025, as well as the Family Preservation Project, a first-of-its-kind interdisciplinary team that helps families with open child welfare investigations, with the goal of keeping families intact.

“It’s an access-to-justice gap, really, and we try to fill that gap by providing representation to people who can’t afford attorneys,” Ryan said, adding that one of her biggest challenges is coping with the reality that CLA must turn away half the people who apply for help because it simply doesn’t have the capacity.

Active in the community, she serves on the board at Square One, an agency she’s passionate about, most recently as board chair. In addition, she is a board member with the Hampden County Bar Assoc.

Meanwhile, in her day job, she finds all aspects of the work — and fighting those legal battles — immensely rewarding.

“You can really move the needle in a huge way and change people’s lives,” she explained. “Whether it’s defending against a conviction or helping people get services in schools … we win a lot of the time, but even when we don’t, it’s that dignity and representation; they had their fair shake at due process.”

—George O’Brien

Aimee Salmon

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

CEO, Positively Africana by Aimee: Age 35

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Aimee Salmon’s entrepreneurial journey began 18 years ago as a student at Mount Holyoke College, when a professor assigned students to start a business.

But her vision for that enterprise — and her personal journey — started earlier than that, before she immigrated to the U.S. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Her business, Positively Africana by Aimee, brings authentic handmade gifts and cultural items to market in her downtown Northampton store, as well as nationwide through an e-commerce platform. She also offers African dance fitness classes in person and online. In all of this, she creates economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs and artists in Africa, while 25% of her profits directly support women in the Congo — funds that help create sustainable income opportunities, strengthen local businesses, and preserve cultural traditions through women-led entrepreneurship.

“I grew up in the Congo, and I wanted to create something that was not just a job, but a legacy to my grandmother and the women I saw working every day in my hometown in the Congo,” Salmon explained. “I also realized a need for cultural representation, through everyday African stories. I wanted to bring my voice and my entrepreneurial passion to this platform to highlight those stories and bring them to life, building a community around fitness and retail and media and storytelling — they’re all interconnected.”

The 10 individuals who nominated Salmon for 40 Under Forty all wrote eloquently of the connections she is forging between cultures — which is also reflected in her board service with the International Language Institute (ILI).

“Aimee’s business is not just retail — it is bridge-building,” ILI Executive Director Caroline Gear wrote. “As someone who has watched her leadership up close, I can say that Aimee combines entrepreneurial drive with deep integrity. She builds partnerships thoughtfully, invests in community relationships, and leads with purpose. Her business success is inseparable from her commitment to cultural representation and economic empowerment.”

In fact, Salmon said, her success is gratifying precisely because of its worldwide impact.

“It’s a work of love. I do it from the heart because knowing that I’m helping someone every day feels good to my soul. When people are supporting us here in the United States, the people we work with in the Congo and other regions in Africa are growing as well. Just watching their growth, seeing their businesses thrive, gives me so much joy and fulfillment. The African impact is a big piece of what I’m trying to accomplish here.”

—Joseph Bednar

Nicole Stevenson

By Joseph Bednar April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Vice President, Consumer Lending, PeoplesBank: Age 36

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Nicole Stevenson’s career path didn’t arc toward banking at first; she majored in early childhood education, but after an internship, she decided that might not be the field for her.

“I was at a standstill, wondering, what’s my next career move?” she recalled. Fortunately, she secured a job with Hampden Bank as a teller, and something clicked. “I loved the interaction with customers, and every day was different — so I learned as much as possible and stayed with it.”

Now, as vice president, Consumer Lending at PeoplesBank, Stevenson still has a varied set of roles that keep those days from getting stale, directing consumer lending processing, internet origination, compliance, and loan servicing. With 17 years of banking experience under her belt, she has risen through the ranks with a steady series of promotions.

“I’m not seeing customers anymore, but I get to help people in a different aspect — more strategic, making sure they have the products they need, making sure they’re getting into their first home and have a seamless experience and someone to support them, making sure customers have the best experience at PeoplesBank and know we’re their partner along the way.”

Stevenson’s leadership extends well beyond the workplace. She currently serves as second vice president of the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club, where she is also an active member of the fund committee and co-chair of the emerging leaders committee. She has also volunteered with Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, the West Springfield St. Patrick’s Committee, the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, the Agawam St. Patrick’s Committee, the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, and Credit for Life in Springfield, where she served as a booth chair helping educate young people about financial literacy.

“I’ve always worked for community banks, and I’ve always tried to find institutions that align with the same values as me. So I’m glad to work at a bank that promotes time away from the office to volunteer in the community,” she explained.

Having worked with area Colleens for a decade, she said it’s been “so great to teach someone about Irish heritage but also support them as they navigate high school and college. And with the Boys & Girls Club, when I see how happy the kids are to be with their friends, playing basketball, doing arts and crafts, working in the STEM lab … it brings joy to my heart.”

—Joseph Bednar

Brandon Towle

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Executive Director, Camp Words Unspoken: Age 29

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Brandon Towle says he’s never let his stutter get in the way of anything he wanted to do, be it earning a degree in business administration at Holyoke Community College or his current work as manager of Rolling Meadows Country Club in Ellington, Conn., or his multiple passions, including golf and collecting sports memorabilia.

“I started to stutter when I was 5, and throughout my schooling, I worked with several speech therapists to live with my stutter,” he said, adding that, with help from those therapists and others, he was able to gain the confidence and courage (both are necessary) to move past his stutter.

And today, he is helping others do the same through a Pittsfield-based nonprofit he founded called Camp Words Unspoken, the first facility of its kind in New England — its name chosen because, with stutterers, many of their words indeed go unspoken.

There, attendees ages 7 to 17 stay for four nights and, through speech therapy, recreational activities, and interaction with others who stutter, gain both self-confidence and self-awareness.

“Many of them feel alone many months of the year, but when they attend Camp Words Outspoken, they feel like a star,” said Towle, adding that attendees gather in ‘speech groups’ to talk about their stutter — and their lives.

“We do so many different activities at camp that make these children and teens feel welcome, but also feel like a shining star, so when they do leave camp, they gain more self-confidence, so they can now do something they’ve never done before,” such as ordering from a restaurant menu, he went on.

Inspired by a camp he attended in the Midwest for teens who stutter, Camp Words Unspoken has become a passion for Towle. Applying lessons learned in an entrepreneurship class at HCC, he handles all aspects of the operation, including marketing, fundraising, recruitment, program and leadership development, special events, and building donor relationships.

And to help families that cannot pay the full camp tuition, he created a fundraising golf tournament. Now approaching its seventh edition, the tournament draws more than 100 players and 36 hole sponsors to support this worthy cause.

As noted, the camp is a passion, but only one of many for Towle, who puts golf in that category, as well as collecting sports memorabilia (he counts a rare Tom Brady signed helmet among his prized possessions) and rooting for Boston’s sports teams.

It’s all part of a packed life — one unimpeded by his stuttering.

—George O’Brien

Yeselie Tulloch

By George O'Brien April 27, 2026

40 Under 40 Class of 2026

Co-founder, Academic Leadership Assoc.: Age 37

Photo by Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Yeselie Tulloch has a lot on common with her husband, Vilenti — everything from entrepreneurial drive and a passion for helping young people to a deep commitment to family.

And now, they share something else — the designation of 40 Under Forty honoree. Vilenti secured his place in 2024, and now Yeselie is not only a member of the class of 2026, but the highest scorer among more than 120 nominees.

They owe their membership in this club primarily to the efforts to launch (in the middle of COVID) and expand the Academic Leadership Assoc. (ALA), a business and nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young people through school-based mentoring, literacy, support, social-emotional development, and self-advocacy programming.

In her role, Yeselie, who earned an MBA from Bay Path University with a concentration in entrepreneurial and small business operations, manages business operations — she helped develop the business plan — and plays a central role in overseeing organizational activities and strategic scaling efforts.

She said ALA has grown steadily and now has contracts with several area communities, including Springfield, East Longmeadow, Holyoke, and East Windsor, Conn. The agency recently launched a program involving Colonial Estates, a housing project in Springfield; the agency is piloting youth programs for the 500 families living there.

As she carries out her work and advances the agency’s mission, Tulloch draws on her own personal experiences for inspiration — and a drive to succeed.

“As a child growing up in Springfield, I come from a teen parent,” she explained, adding that she can relate to the challenges facing those served by the agency. “We’re providing student services to students that go underneath the radar. We’re mentoring and empowering youth — basically, being the adult I wish I had.

“Education is something that’s really important to me — that was instilled by my grandmother as a child,” she went on. “That’s why it’s so important to me to work with children and just be that adult that some kids might not have.”

Tulloch was recently honored by the Mason Square C3 Committee in Springfield in Springfield for her community service and her role in supporting young people throughout the region. This recognition highlights her strong leadership in youth empowerment, mentorship, and building partnerships within the community.

And for all those reasons and more, she is now not only a member of the 40 Under Forty class of 2026 — she sits at the top of that class.

—George O’Brien