NORTHAMPTON — The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) welcomed seven new members to its Board of Directors during its first meeting of 2026.
These community leaders bring a wide range of experience, from nonprofit leadership to small business ownership, across several industry sectors including healthcare, food security, real estate, construction, financial services, and the arts and creative economy. Together, they bring the insight and energy needed to advance the chamber’s mission of strengthening the local economy and fostering a vibrant, connected community, noted Vince Jackson, executive director of the GNCC.
“It’s a great privilege to work with this diverse group of dedicated GNCC investors,” he said. “They bring a tremendous wealth of knowledge to their new roles on our Board, and each has a proven record of organizational leadership and community engagement,”
The newly appointed board members are:
Ella Nathanael Alkiewicz, founder and owner of Ella Alk Inuk LLC, located on Main Street in Northampton. As a commissioned artist, published author, and Main Street business owner, she brings a blend of creative and entrepreneurial experience, as well as a strong commitment to inclusive economic participation. Alkiewicz holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from Salem State University, a BA in Journalism, a certificate in Native American Studies from UMass Amherst, and an MFA in Creative Writing (nonfiction) from Lesley University;
Michael Brown, a financial planner with The Davis Financial Group in Hadley. Brown offers a unique perspective shaped by years of transformational leadership in education, where building trust and relationships are foundational to the GNCC’s focus on community. He brings extensive board and nonprofit leadership experience, strong financial expertise, and long-standing involvement with chambers of commerce. He holds a Ph.D. in English from Indiana University, a BA in English and Spanish from Southern Methodist University, and a Financial Planning certificate from Boston University;
Cheyenne Burnham, public engagement manager for the Food Bank of Western Mass. in Chicopee. With a background in food security and hands-on expertise in fundraising, event coordination, budgeting, and volunteer management, Burnham is particularly interested in economic development initiatives that strengthen community impact and resilience. Burnham holds a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University;
Jeffrey Hoess-Brooks, owner and REALTOR® at HB Real Estate, with offices in Northampton, Chicopee, and Wilbraham. Hoess-Brooks joins the board with deep experience in marketing, finance, customer relations, tourism, and hospitality, along with vast knowledge of the regional real estate market. He is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University where he studied Culinary Arts;
Catherine Reed, executive director of Operations at Cooley Dickinson Hospital where she has overseen major operational initiatives including clinical systems integration, urgent care expansion, and critical COVID-19 response programs. She is a member of the GNCC Finance Committee and is committed to strengthening collaborations between Cooley and the local business community. Reed holds an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and a BS in Medical Technology from SUNY Fredonia;
Mark Tajima, owner and partner at B. Alpha Construction LLC in Chicopee. With a strong background in construction and entrepreneurial management, Tajima’s expertise includes sales and marketing, strategic planning, fundraising, and product development and expansion. Tajima studied Asian Studies and French Literature at Connecticut College and received a master’s degree in Elementary Education and Conflict Resolution from Lesley University; and
Isaac Weiner, of Sunderland, is Co-Owner/Operator of Familiars Coffee and Tea in Northampton and Florence Pie Bar in Florence. Known for his visionary leadership and collaborative spirit, Weiner enhances GNCC’s capacity to foster coalitions and gain alignment on community-centered business development, downtown activation, and economic growth. He holds a BA from Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.
Ryan Barry is a partner at Bulkley Richardson in Springfield, where he focuses on representing colleges and universities, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and small businesses. Barry’s volunteer work includes serving on the board of directors of the Center for Human Development. He was named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2020.
Chrissy Kiddy, vice president of Corporate Responsibility and Social Media Management at PeoplesBank, is dedicated to fostering positive change, championing inclusion, and celebrating community spirit. She serves on the board of the Care Center of Holyoke and Revitalize Community Development Corporation, while also acting as an ambassador for the Bushnell Theater.
Andrew Melendez, as founder and director of the Latino Economic Development Corp., has played an instrumental role over the past year in assisting more 300 businesses. A 40 Under Forty honoree in 2015, he also previously served as the Western Massachusetts director for Associated Industries of Massachusetts and executive director of YMCA of Agawam.
Hannah Rechtschaffen, director of the Greenfield Business Assoc., has an extensive background in business development and creative placemaking, including four years as director of Placemaking for W.D. Cowls, growing the Mill District project in North Amherst. A member of the 40 Under Forty class of 2022, she also chairs the Sustainable Greenfield Implementation Committee.
Erica Swallow is the co-founder and team co-lead of the Turnberg & Swallow Team at Coldwell Banker Realty, Western Massachusetts. Her real-estate team has helped more than 1,000 clients, with sales production totaling more than $300 million over 43 collective years. Also an award-winning children’s book author, Swallow was the highest-scoring honoree in the 40 Under Forty class of 2023.
Michele Cabral is interim executive director of Professional Education and Corporate Learning at Holyoke Community College and director of Training & Workforce Options. She started her career as a CPA for KPMG Peat Marwick, graduated from the Leadership Development Program at CIGNA Insurance Companies, and joined Farm Credit Financial Partners Inc. as CFO and COO. At HCC, Cabral has held positions as an Accounting professor, then dean of the Business and Technology Division, and she currently leads the HCC Women’s Leadership Series.
Dawn Fleury is the first senior vice president of Corporate Risk at Country Bank in Ware. In her current role, she oversees the bank’s comprehensive risk-management programs. Before joining Country Bank, she had a 21-year career with the FDIC as a commissioned senior bank examiner in the Division of Supervision. Fleury serves on the board of Christina’s House in Springfield, which provides transitional housing for women and their children, as well as educational programming as families transition from homelessness to permanent, stable living environments.
Ellen Freyman is a shareholder with Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. in Springfield. Her practice is concentrated in all aspects of commercial real estate: acquisitions and sales, development, leasing, permitting, environmental, and financing. She has been recognized for her community work and was named to Difference Makers and Women of Impact by BusinessWest, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Excellence in the Law, and the Professional Women’s Chamber Women of the Year. She also earned a Pynchon Award from the Ad Club of Western Massachusetts.
Christopher ‘Monte’ Belmonte
Dianne 
