Stacey Johnson
Northfield Mount Hermon (NMH) announced that, effective July 1, Stacey Johnson will join the school’s senior leadership team as chief financial and operations officer, a role central to advancing NMH’s strategic priorities and strengthening the operational foundation that supports student life. Known for aligning financial strategy with mission-driven growth, Johnson has led complex institutions through periods of transformation, modernization, and strategic investment while overseeing up to $500 million in financial resources. She comes to NMH from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where she served as chief financial officer from 2022 to the spring of 2025. At the Kennedy Center, she directed all finance, accounting, planning, and federal contracting functions. Prior to that, she was chief financial officer of the American Federation of Teachers, a national labor union, where she developed new, modernized systems and executed strategies to help AFT grow its reserves tenfold during her tenure. She also served as chief financial officer for Alexandria City Public Schools in Virginia, where she garnered the confidence and trust of the School Board, City Council, and broader community, receiving nationally recognized awards from the Assoc. of School Business Officials and the Government Finance Officers Assoc. As NMH’s chief financial and operations officer, Johnson will provide leadership, oversight, and stewardship for all aspects of the school’s financial resources and physical assets, ensure institutional integrity on fiscal matters, and promote best practices in finance and administration. She will partner with others on the senior leadership team to ensure that approved strategic initiatives are appropriately funded and will serve as staff liaison to the NMH board of trustees’ finance; investment; buildings and grounds; and audit, risk, and compliance committees. Early in her career, she also held finance positions at Conservation International, the National Academies, and the Urban Institute. She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Miami and an MBA from George Washington University.
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Country Bank announced the appointment of Ryan Stepalavich as senior vice president, chief technology officer. In this role, he will lead the bank’s technology strategy and oversee initiatives that support secure, efficient, and innovative banking experiences for both customers and team members. Stepalavich brings more than 26 years of information technology experience, including 14 years in financial services technology. His career began at a young age, supporting local businesses with PC repair and technology services before advancing into engineering and administration roles across multiple industries, including healthcare and banking. Prior to joining Country Bank, he held several technology leadership roles at Savings Institute Bank & Trust and Berkshire Bank, where he helped modernize IT infrastructure and led initiatives designed to improve collaboration, efficiency, and the overall technology experience for teams and customers alike. Stepalavich holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Eastern Connecticut State University. Outside of his professional work, he is committed to giving back to the community, regularly donating blood through American Red Cross drives and supporting organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the Paws Cat Shelter in Putnam, Conn.
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Sophie Miller
PV Financial Group announced that Sophie Miller, financial planner, has earned the certified plan fiduciary advisor (CPFA) designation. The CPFA designation demonstrates knowledge, expertise, and commitment to working with retirement plans. It validates Miller’s understanding of retirement plan management, fiduciary duty, and ERISA regulations. With this credential, she is further equipped to support retirement plan clients, including those with 401(k), 403(b), and other defined contribution plans. Miller joined the PV Financial Group team in the summer of 2024 as an operations support specialist. Since then, she has expanded her role, gradually taking on financial planning responsibilities and strengthening the firm’s ability to support both advisors and clients.
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The Loomis Communities hosted a Women’s History Month celebration in partnership with Stone Soul Inc., where six women leaders in the region were honored with Stone Soul’s Rebecca Johnson Award, on March 19 at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing. The Rebecca Johnson Women’s History Award, named in remembrance of the first Black principal hired by the Springfield Public School district, was given to six women leaders who embody Johnson’s legacy of leadership and service. This year’s honorees are Gloria Williams, Veronica McNair, Zaida Govan, Latonia Monroe-Naylor, Samantha Hamilton, and Ella Holman. The event, which is invitation-only and not open to the general public, will also allow attendees to celebrate the 82nd birthday of Jay Griffin, a founder of Stone Soul. Williams concluded a 21-year tenure as a principal in the Springfield Public Schools, and her service was honored with the 2019 Educational Legacy Achievement Award. She now serves as president of the consulting firm Coalition of Experienced Black Educators Inc. McNair is president and CEO of Hickory Street Harambee, an annual festival dedicated to preserving the history, culture, and legacy of the historic Harambee movement. In addition to her civic leadership, she is a professional counselor in Springfield. Govan represents Ward 8 as a Springfield city councilor and is a leader within the Indian Orchard Neighborhood Council, where she has been instrumental in ensuring local development projects create a thriving environment for residents of all ages. With a master’s degree in social work, she also supports residents navigating substance use and mental health challenges. Hamilton is director of Coalition Building & Community Engagement at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, where she leads several initiatives committed to the well-being of those living in Springfield and the region. She is also co-founder of A Queen’s Narrative, a platform designed to provide a safe, inclusive space for women and girls to harness their personal and collective power. Monroe Naylor is a nonprofit and business leader who has been a member of the Springfield School Committee since 2018. She is also president and CEO of Parent Villages, a nonprofit providing two-generational educational programs for families impacted by violence and trauma. Holman rose through the ranks to become assistant manager of Food Services for Springfield Public Schools. Today, she continues her service as a volunteer with the Urban League of Springfield’s Foster Grandparent Program, where she acts as a mentor and role model for children with exceptional needs.
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Katie Streater
The Amherst Business Improvement District announced that Katie Streater has joined the organization as its new Marketing & Communications manager. In this role, she will lead social media strategy, promote downtown businesses, and support events that enhance the vibrancy and economic vitality of Amherst. Streater brings a background in marketing, partnerships, and community engagement across both national and local organizations. Her previous work with Brand USA and Destination DC centered on promoting destinations and supporting small businesses, while her most recent role at FRESHFARM focused on strengthening partnerships that directly benefited farmers markets and surrounding neighborhoods. She holds a master’s degree in tourism administration from George Washington University and is passionate about fostering meaningful connections between people and place. Streater will lead downtown marketing campaigns and support community events that bring people together throughout the year. She succeeds Robert Allingham, who served as the BID’s Marketing and Communications director before departing in January to accept a position with Bigelow Tea in Fairfield, Conn., following his wife, Christina, a food scientist from UMass Amherst, to the company.
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Berkshire Money Management (BMM) announced that Sarah Curtiss, front office coordinator, and Carla Cowdrey, office support specialist, have each earned the financial paraplanner qualified professional (FPQP) designation. This expanded role strengthens BMM’s ability to deliver a supportive, proactive, and human client experience. When clients call, they aren’t speaking with a customer service representative — they’re connecting with a trained financial professional who is ready to help. The FPQP designation provides a strong foundation in personal financial planning for professionals who support advisory teams and client relationships. The training covers core areas of financial planning — retirement, investments, insurance, tax, and estate planning — giving designees the skills to analyze client information and support holistic planning. Curtiss joined BMM in 2024 and is based in the Great Barrington office. In her role as front office coordinator, she is often the first point of contact for clients and visitors. Known for her warmth, organization, and multi-tasking skills, she helps create a welcoming experience while also supporting the firm’s social media efforts, scheduling appointments and more. Cowdrey has been in BMM’s Dalton office for four years, where she is known for her organization, reliability, and genuine care for others. As the office support specialist, she is a go-to resource for both clients and colleagues. She plans to use the skills gained through the FPQP program to perform paraplanning tasks, such as shepherding clients through the Social Security sign-up process, in support of the firm’s financial planning team.
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Patricia Samra
Patricia Samra, a recently retired healthcare executive, has been appointed to the Holyoke Community College (HCC) board of trustees by Gov. Maura Healey. She attended her first meeting on Feb. 24, and her term runs through March 1, 2029. Until 2025, Samra, a master’s-level registered nurse, was vice president of HR Operations and Total Rewards at Baystate Health in a career that began with the Springfield-based healthcare organization in 1986. Over 40 years, she served two 14-year stints at Baystate, starting as a registered nurse before moving into human resources. Before returning to Baystate for her second stint in 2006, she worked for nine years as an independent healthcare consultant for the Dix Consulting Group in Portland, Maine. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing administration from UMass Amherst.
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Kate Carter, team manager at PV Squared Solar, recently represented the worker-owned solar cooperative at the 2026 Principals Conference Retreat hosted by the Amicus Solar Cooperative in Puerto Rico, where solar leaders from across North America gathered to collaborate on strengthening locally owned solar companies and advancing industry best practices. The Amicus Solar Cooperative is a network of independent solar companies that share knowledge, develop industry standards, and support values-driven solar businesses rooted in their communities. Carter’s participation in the retreat reflects both PV Squared’s involvement in the cooperative network and the growing leadership of women in the renewable energy sector.
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State Rep. Mindy Domb nominated Onawumi Jean Moss — an accomplished storyteller, narrator, keynote speaker, author, and education administrator — for the 2026 Black Excellence on the Hill award. Moss spent 21 years as the associate dean of students at Amherst college, where she founded the Keepers of the World storytelling festival. Her performances have encouraged pride of heritage, appreciation of cultural differences, and recognition of kinship. Moss’ many accomplishments include being a 2005 recipient of the Zora Neale Hurston Storytelling Award, the highest award given by the National Assoc. of Black Storytellers. She holds lifetime membership in the National Storytellers Network, from which she received the 2015 Oracle Award for Lifetime Achievement for Sustained and Exemplary Contributions to Storytelling. She is also a member of the League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling.
Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. announced that Shareholder Michael Fenton has been named a Go To Lawyer in the area of Commercial Real Estate Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Fenton joined the firm in 2012 and focuses his practice in the areas of commercial real estate, business planning, commercial finance, and estate planning. He represents principals in business formation and succession planning, businesses in the purchase and sale of enterprises, lenders and borrowers in commercial financing transactions, developers in the acquisition and permitting of projects, and individuals in establishing comprehensive and sophisticated estate plans. With a background in taxes and a master’s degree in business administration, Fenton provides added value to clients with business-planning concerns. In addition, he has extensive land-use experience that includes zoning, subdivision, project permitting and environmental matters. A significant part of his practice revolves around estate planning, and he develops sophisticated estate plans to facilitate access to public services and the preservation of assets. Fenton is a graduate of Western New England University (WNE) School of Law, where he was a publishing editor of the Law Review and an Oliver Wendell Holmes full-tuition merit scholar. He is an adjunct professor for Corporate Finance at WNE School of Law, where he is also a board member of the Center for Social Justice. He serves on the Baystate Medical Center Community Advisory Council and has served as a member of the Springfield City Council since 2010.
