People on the Move
UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced that its board of directors unanimously appointed Lauren Duffy, currently executive vice president and chief operating officer, as the next president and CEO, effective June 1. She succeeds current President and CEO Richard Kump, who is preparing to retire following a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years in the credit union industry. Kump will continue to support UMassFive as a senior advisor to Duffy through the end of 2026. Duffy is a 27-year veteran of the credit union industry, including the last 21 years at UMassFive. In her role as executive vice president and chief operating officer, she has played an integral role in shaping the credit union’s strategic direction and enhancing both member and employee experience. She has led numerous major initiatives, including core data processing, credit card, and digital banking upgrades, and also guided the evolution of UMassFive’s mission, values, and long-term vision. Duffy is actively engaged in leadership across the credit union industry and in the communities UMassFive serves. She serves on the board of directors of UMassFive-owned Member Advantage Mortgage, which she has chaired since 2021, and is a trustee of the Cooperative Fund of the Northeast, where she chairs the loan committee. She is also deeply involved in legislative advocacy to promote and protect access to credit unions for all, representing Massachusetts on the Cooperative Credit Union Assoc. advocacy committee and serving as a PAC trustee for America’s Credit Unions. In addition, she contributes at the national level as a member of America’s Credit Unions’ advocacy policy committee. Her community involvement includes engagement with organizations such as Northampton Public Schools, the Mount Holyoke College Alumnae Assoc., and Boston Children’s Hospital. She is a graduate of the UMass Isenberg School of Management MBA program, earning her degree in 2023.
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Shakespeare & Company’s board of directors announced the appointment of Molly Merrihew as the organization’s new executive director, who takes the helm just as the company approaches its 50th anniversary. Merrihew has spent the last decade as an advocate and leader of the Berkshires arts community. Merrihew, most recently managing director of WAM Theatre, has been appointed executive director following a national search. She will partner with Artistic Director Allyn Burrows to guide the organization’s programs and operational work. For Merrihew, the role marks both a return and a continuation. Earlier in her career, she spent eight years at Shakespeare & Company in marketing and public relations before joining WAM Theatre, where she went on to serve as managing director and previously as artistic associate. During her six years in leadership at WAM, Merrihew helped oversee a period of growth that included expanded programming, strengthened governance, and deeper community engagement, while advancing the company’s mission of gender equity through theater. She holds a master’s degree in arts administration from Boston University and an undergraduate degree from SUNY Potsdam, along with a graduate certificate in human resources from Cornell University, and brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit theater and the broader arts sector.
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Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems announced the promotion of Carl Cameron to executive vice president and chief operating officer. Cameron joined Holyoke Medical Center in 2001. His roles have included chief operating officer, vice president of Operations, chief information officer, and director of Information Systems. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in information systems from Western New England University. He also has a certificate in lean healthcare from the University of Michigan and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
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The board of directors of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts recently elected three new members: Dawn Fleury, Kiana Lowe, and Mollie Sullivan. Fleury, who joins the board as treasurer and will serve on the executive committee, brings more than 35 years of experience in finance. Currently serving as first senior vice president of Corporate Risk at Country Bank, she oversees the bank’s comprehensive risk management programs. Prior to her 14-year tenure at Country Bank, she had a 21-year career with the FDIC as a commissioned senior bank examiner in the Division of Supervision. Lowe brings nearly 10 years of experience in communications and development to the YWCA board. Currently serving as the Marketing & PR manager of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, she creates and manages the communications and content for the Hall of Fame’s overall marketing and public relations, social media, and website. She previously worked as the Communications coordinator as well as senior fan engagement coordinator for ESPN. Sullivan brings 25 years of experience in the human services field, working with a vulnerable population like the residential guests and community-based clients served by the YWCA. She is currently the social services counselor II for Health Care for the Homeless at Mercy Medical Center. In that role, she provides individualized and group behavioral and mental health outreach and direct programmatic services to adolescents and adults. Additionally, she provides counseling, crisis intervention, and support to patients and ensures referrals to care and services.
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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Vice President of Student Affairs Jeannette Smith has been selected to serve on the Massachusetts state team for a new, national initiative focused on holistic student advising and case management. The State Higher Education Executive Officers Assoc. (SHEEO) announced this spring the launch of Holistic Advising for Student Success, a two-year program engaging seven states, including Massachusetts, to strengthen advising systems that support student retention, completion, and success. The initiative, supported by the ECMC Foundation and conducted in partnership with MDRC, will provide state teams with technical assistance, coaching, and peer learning opportunities to develop policy agendas that scale holistic advising statewide. Only seven states nationwide were selected to participate: Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, South Carolina, and Washington.
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The Springfield Thunderbirds announced three additions and promotions to its front office staff. Shae Koharski has been hired as the club’s new Marketing manager, Brianna Carroll has been promoted to account executive, and John McMahon has joined the team as an inside sales specialist. Koharski, a Baylor University alumna, joins the franchise after previously serving as the T-Birds’ manager of Digital and Social Media from 2021 to 2025. Koharski’s work has been recognized at the AHL level with awards for the league’s Marketing Department of the Year and the league’s Most Unique Social Media Content. Carroll joined the T-Birds as an inside sales specialist after graduating in May 2025 from Western New England University, where she played on WNE’s women’s soccer team. McMahon joins the Thunderbirds after graduating from Western New England University, where he played for the school’s football team while majoring in sports management. He also interned with the Thunderbirds throughout the 2025-26 season.
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bankESB announced the promotion of Meagan Barrett to senior vice president, Human Resources, based at the company’s headquarters at 36 Main St. in Easthampton. Barrett brings nearly two decades of dedicated service to bankESB, having joined the bank in 2008 as a human resources assistant. In her new role, she oversees all human resources functions for the organization, including employee engagement, employee relations, talent acquisition, and HR operations such as payroll, benefits, and compensation management. She currently leads a team of 10 HR professionals and plays a critical role in shaping and sustaining the company’s culture. Prior to joining bankESB, Barrett gained more than a decade of experience in human resources and operations, including serving as HR & Operations manager at CompUSA. She holds an associate degree in liberal arts from Holyoke Community College and pursued studies in psychology at Rhode Island College. She also earned her professional in human resources (PHR) certification in 2012 and maintains ongoing professional development. In addition, she holds certifications in employee engagement and Predictive Index. bankESB also announced the promotion of Lauren Tabin to vice president, branch officer, at its 297 King St., Northampton office. In her expanded role, Tabin will continue to lead branch operations while playing a key role in advancing retail strategy, supporting team development, and enhancing the customer experience. She joined bankESB in 2024 as assistant vice president, branch officer, bringing nearly 30 years of retail banking experience. Prior to joining the bank, she served as assistant vice president, Consumer and Business Banking manager at PeoplesBank. During her tenure at bankESB, she has successfully managed both the 170 Sargeant St., Holyoke office and the King Street, Northampton office. Highly engaged in the community, Tabin serves on the board of directors for the Northampton Rotary Club and Realistic Lemonade Inc. She is treasurer of Trees of Love, Friends of Cooley Dickinson Hospital, and an active volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, the Sphere Northampton, and the Golf FORE Health Tournament. She is also a BusinessWest 40 Under Forty honoree (class of 2011).
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Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the promotion of Tara McCluskey to senior vice president, lending officer. She will be accountable for enterprise‑wide lending strategy and growth plans, portfolio performance, regulatory compliance, and leadership development across mortgage lending, consumer lending, asset quality, and community development. She will balance growth, risk management, operational excellence, and mission delivery while fostering collaboration, accountability, and innovation. McCluskey has deep experience in housing and community development, with a focus on expanding access to affordable homeownership. She has led the creation of multiple community development loan programs that remove barriers for low- and moderate-income households and for Black and African-American borrowers, and she spearheaded Greylock’s accessory dwelling unit lending program to help increase local housing supply and support stable neighborhoods. She serves on the board of directors for Elder Services of Berkshire County.
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Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank president and CEO, was elected to the 20-member board of directors of the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. (MBA) at its annual meeting in May. Founded in 1905, the MBA is the only association representing FDIC-insured community, regional, and nationwide banks serving consumer and business clients across the Commonwealth. “I am honored to be elected to the board of directors of the Massachusetts Bankers Association, an organization that has played a vital role in supporting and advancing the banking industry for more than 120 years,” Moriarty said. “At Monson Savings Bank, our mission is rooted in strengthening the financial well-being of our customers and communities. Serving on the MBA board provides an opportunity to share that perspective, contribute to meaningful industry dialogue, and help ensure that community-focused banking continues to thrive across the Commonwealth. I look forward to collaborating with fellow board members to advocate for policies and innovations that support sustainable growth and expand access to financial services for all.”
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Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the promotion of Jodi Rathbun-Briggs to chief growth officer. In her new role, she will serve as executive leader for enterprise growth strategy, helping to drive growth, revenue expansion, and market penetration across lending, deposit, retail, branch, and digital channels. She will oversee business banking, consumer and residential mortgage lending, retail services, digital experience, branch network performance, loan servicing, facilities, and community development portfolios. Rathbun-Briggs began her career with Greylock in 2010. She currently serves as treasurer for Common Capital, a community development financial institution that provides access to loans, and on the 1Berkshire Foundation board of directors.
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On June 4, the Western Massachusetts Council of Scouting America hosted its annual Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The honorees of this event, who each received a Distinguished Citizen Award as a recognition of their influence and philanthropic efforts within the local community, include Jeb Balise, president of Balise Auto Group; Most Rev. William Byrne, bishop of the Diocese of Springfield; and Deval Patrick, 71st governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (2007-2015). All proceeds from this event directly supported a number of scouting programs across Western Mass., providing youth with hands-on opportunities to build character, leadership skills, and a lifelong dedication to service.
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Carr Hardware is celebrating Lenox Store Manager Patti Parker for being recognized in Hardware & Building Supply Dealer’s Top Women Profile Series, honoring women making a meaningful impact across the hardware industry through leadership, mentorship, and service. Parker’s journey with Carr Hardware began in 2013 as an associate in the Rental Department at the company’s flagship Pittsfield location. Over the years, she expanded her experience across multiple departments, including Rental, Commercial Sales, Paint, and Event Coordination, steadily growing into leadership roles. In 2021, Parker transferred to Carr Hardware’s new Lenox location, where she advanced from key holder to assistant manager, before ultimately becoming store manager. This recognition follows a recent feature in Berkshire Magazine highlighting Parker and Assistant Store Manager Carolyn Hebert, affectionately known as the “Ladies of Lenox,” for their leadership and customer-focused approach. Together, Parker and Hebert bring decades of hardware experience and have cultivated a collaborative leadership style that empowers both their team and the customers they serve, particularly women seeking knowledgeable, welcoming assistance in the hardware industry.
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The Applied Mortgage Team of HMA Mortgage announced that Lindsay Barron LaBonte, branch manager and senior loan officer of the Applied Mortgage team, was honored recently with two awards. She was recognized as one of the Loan Officers of the Year by the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Assoc. and Best of the Valley’s Best of 2026 Podcaster. These honors recognize LaBonte’s achievements in the mortgage industry as well as her community impact, highlighting her professionalism and strong work ethic. The Loan Officer of the Year awards recognize outstanding loan officers in the mortgage industry who exemplify excellence in production, professionalism, and partnership. Nominees were evaluated based on their performance in today’s purchase-driven market, year-over-year growth, and a range of key performance criteria. LaBonte’s “Real People, Real Estate” podcast delves into the genuine, real-world experiences of buying, selling, and navigating the real estate journey. She shares authentic stories, expert insights, and creates a welcoming space for listeners to feel supported and understood. The podcast is produced in partnership with Easthampton Media.
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Dakin Humane Society named Samantha Novak associate director of Marketing. Novak will provide overall marketing, communications, and public relations strategy for the organization, with a specific emphasis on fostering and stewarding corporate and local partnerships. She will implement vision, priorities, and standards for all marketing activity, ensuring alignment across content, digital, design, public relations, and development efforts. In addition, she will be responsible for translating organizational goals into integrated, measurable marketing strategies that elevate brand awareness, community engagement, partnerships, and revenue. Prior to joining Dakin, Novak was a senior marketing automation manager for Blackbaud, where she developed targeted nurture engagement programs for fundraising, grantmaking, and data intelligence product audiences; shaped marketing strategy; and executed campaigns. She also served as a marketing specialist for Performance Food Group of Springfield, where she led negotiations with broker/vendor representatives and managed the end-to-end fulfillment process and implemented campaigns. Novak has a certificate of nonprofit board education for corporate employees and is a root cause analysis practitioner. She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Bay Path College.
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The Mount, Edith Wharton Cultural Center announced the appointment of two new members to its board of trustees: bestselling novelist and short story writer Lauren Groff and landscape architect Mark Strieter, principal at Nelson Byrd Woltz. These appointments reflect the Mount’s continued commitment to bringing together outstanding voices in literature, design, and the arts to advance its mission as a vibrant center for intellectual and artistic exchange. Groff is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels The Monsters of Templeton, Arcadia, Fates and Furies, Matrix, and The Vaster Wilds, and the celebrated short story collections Delicate Edible Birds, Florida, and, most recently Brawler. Strieter has focused throughout his career on revitalizing and interpreting complex cultural sites and ecological systems, working at the intersection of landscape, history, and public life. His portfolio spans urban and rural contexts alike.
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The Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) announced the appointment of Dana Sullivan as its new chief financial and operating officer (CFOO). She comes to MHP from the Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance, where she was chief of Strategy and Operations and acting chief financial officer. She managed the day-to-day financial operations of $6 billion in operating and capital expenses across 12 departments, including human resources, insurance, and local aid. Earlier, Sullivan served as acting undersecretary of Human Services with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, supervising six agencies, including the Department of Developmental Services, the Department of Children and Families, and the Department of Transitional Assistance. In addition to her extensive financial management and operations experience, Sullivan brings to her new position a strong focus on relationships, partnerships, and collaboration.
