Home Posts tagged Event (Page 2)

Payton Shubrick

By
The Class of 2019

Innovation & Design Thinking Manager, MassMutual; Age 25
Education: College of the Holy Cross (BS), Bay Path University (MS)

Payton Shubrick

Payton Shubrick

How do you define success? Success is living a life of intentionality — one that allows you to smile unwillingly with excitement because of what you do, understand that hard times are a necessary evil to get to good times, and live a life that you and the ones you love are proud of.

What three words best describe you? Innovative, tenacious, visionary.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about challenging the status quo. It is not easy, nor is it ever comfortable, but one fearless choice at a time, one brave decision at a time, one courageous action at a time, you can change the world. In the end, some of life’s best moments are on the other side of fear.

Whom do you look up to, and why? I have always looked up to my grandfather, Hercules Shubrick. As a young man, he grew up in the racially torn South, yet, as I grew up, he continued to show me a world full of possibilities. He taught me my first lessons of sharing, caring, and strategic thinking. To me, he was a giant man with a big heart, though stern when necessary. He has been my best mentor because, despite his passing many years ago, I still use the many lessons he taught me daily.

What goal do you set for yourself at the start of each day? Each day, I remind myself of the wise words of Maya Angelou: “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” As I remind myself of this each and every day, it allows me to stay in control of the things that I have control of. I can’t always change people, places, or things, but I can change how I perceive them.

What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? Michelle Obama, without question. She was more than a first lady, but a model for grace and excellence for every African-American woman who has had to hold her head high when publicly disrespected. She so artfully reminded us that fear, anger, and vengeance are not proper motivators for life because, “when they go low, we go high.”

What will work colleagues say at your funeral? “She was gentle pressure, relentlessly applied.”

 

Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Bill Spirer

By
The Class of 2019

Founder and Executive Director, Springfield Prep Charter School; Age 37
Education: Bates College (BA), Pace University (MS), Brooklyn Law School (JD)

Bill Spirer

Bill Spirer

What are you passionate about? I’m passionate about ending educational inequity and closing opportunity and achievement gaps for Springfield students. All children should have access to great public schools, and this shouldn’t be dependent on whether a child grows up in an affluent city or town. I refuse to believe that, in the richest country on earth, we cannot figure out how to give all students, including our highest-needs students, an excellent education. This is the work that has motivated me since my first job out of college, when I was a public high-school teacher, and giving all kids the education they deserve is the mission our team is committed to at Springfield Prep.

Who has been your best mentor, and why? I’m lucky to have had a number of mentors I’ve learned from, not just one. As a teacher, I had a colleague, Suzette, who showed me that excellent teaching is about attention to the smallest details and about building strong relationships with students. I was fortunate enough to share a classroom with her, and my teaching improved drastically. This experience of collaboration and learning was so positive that it informed the two-teacher-per-classroom model we use at Springfield Prep. Having two teachers in every classroom helps meet students’ needs and simultaneously creates natural opportunities for mentoring and collaboration. I also worked with a principal, Elana, who taught me about the importance of having a clear, unwavering vision for excellence, and about the tenacity it requires to build a school (or any company or organization) from the ground up. The influences of Suzette and Elana are built into Springfield Prep, and I’m very grateful to them.

What will work colleagues say at your funeral? I’m glad I won’t be around to hear it! But seriously, I think they’d say I’m driven, direct and candid, and pretty intense when I’m focused on my work or believe strongly about an issue. I think they would also say I am incredibly dedicated to our students and families and will go to bat for them and our school. I’d want them to say that I’m funny, but I think that’s mostly wishful thinking.

 

Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Jennifer Stevens

By
The Class of 2019

Director of Pharmacy, Wellfleet; Age 32
Education: UMass Amherst (BS, MHA)

Jennifer Stevens

Jennifer Stevens

What did you want to be when you grew up? I always enjoyed science and math because they explain how things work. When I was really young, I remember being interested in space and wanting to work for NASA. As I got older, I became interested in healthcare and wanted to become a physician.

How do you define success? Success is achieving personal satisfaction and filling one’s life with meaningful and diverse experiences shared with family and close friends. From a professional standpoint, I find satisfaction in setting new goals and overcoming challenges that require developing new skills and learning new things.

What three words best describe you? Ambitious, dedicated, outgoing.

What goal do you set for yourself at the start of each day? I am a notorious list maker and planner. At the end of each day, I set my goals for the next. Although having a plan is helpful, life is not entirely predictable, so I try not to focus too much on completing everything on my list that day. However, it feels good to reflect and see what I have accomplished. Despite the busy life I create for myself, I recognize the importance of personal and family downtime and try to carve that out each day.

What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? Anthony Bourdain. He was a great storyteller and conversationalist with a passion for people, food, and travel. I rarely cook the same recipe more than once and will always pick the most adventurous or exotic food on a menu. It would be interesting to hear about the different foods he has tried around the world.

What fictional character do you relate to most, and why? I have been rewatching old episodes of Friends lately. Aside from relating to Monica Geller’s type-A yet quirky personality, we share similar hobbies. We both like to host and bring our loved ones together through food.

Whom do you look up to, and why? My great-aunt Chong, who raised me. When I was growing up, she set an example through her hard work ethic, selflessness as a caregiver, and dedication to her family. She has always encouraged me to do the best I can, and even as an adult, I strive for opportunities to make her proud.

 

 

Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Ryan Watson

By
The Class of 2019

Vice President, Engineering Operations, Belcan Engineering; Age 39
Education: Western New England College (BSBA, MBA),
Quinnipiac University (MS)

Ryan Watson

Ryan Watson

What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was younger, I wanted to be a fireman. Unfortunately, I have a terrible fear of heights. Climbing up a 50-foot ladder was not going to be possible.

How do you define success? As I grew up, team sports played a large part in my development. Being part of a team, you quickly realize you can’t be successful unless the people around you work together. I continue to pull from these experiences in adulthood, and in my business and personal life. I always try to surround myself with positive, brilliant, and hardworking people. By doing so, not only can I be successful, but I can help others as well.

What three words best describe you? Passionate, hardworking, driven.

Whom do you look up to, and why? My parents. Not only have they always provided love and support, but they have an unwavering confidence in me. They are extremely hardworking and have an entrepreneurial spirit that I really admire. They married very young and never attended college, but own a successful business that was built from the ground up. They instilled in me the drive to be my best.

What goal do you set for yourself at the start of each day? My goal is to do one thing each day that has a positive impact. This could be an impact on someone within my organization, by mentoring them or providing guidance on a project. I have also made a conscious effort to give back and, through our company, have joined forces with Journey Home. This organization gives people a second chance, and we place them with jobs within Belcan. If I can make at least one impact each day, then it wasn’t wasted.

What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? I would like to have lunch with any U.S. president, Republican or Democrat. I am in awe of the massive responsibility that a sitting president has, and I would love an opportunity to talk about the responsibilities and how they handle it all.

What will work colleagues say at your funeral? I would hope they would say I didn’t take myself too seriously. They would say I lived a full life, always put my family first, and was fair and honest in how I treated people.

 

Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Theo Theocles

By
The Class of 2019

Deputy City Procurement Officer, City of Springfield; Age 33
Education: Massachusetts Maritime Academy (BS), Western New England University (JD), Western New England University (LLM)

Theo Theocles

Theo Theocles

What did you want to be when you grew up? Either a police officer or JAG officer.

What three words best describe you? Loyal, passionate, driven.

What are you passionate about? Football, the law, music, outdoor/shooting sports, and rides around Western Mass. in my Jeep with my wife, Jenny, or my dog, Sadie.

Who has been your best mentor, and why? My best mentors would have to be my parents. I learned the values of hard work and perseverance from my father, and patience and stoicism from my mother.

Whom do you look up to, and why? I was hired as Springfield’s deputy Procurement officer at the age of 28, and have been one of the younger managers for the city ever since. I have looked up to many different managers and department heads in the organization for institutional knowledge and leadership advice along the way. I am extremely fortunate for that mentorship and career advice, as well as being part of the city during this exciting time.

What goal do you set for yourself at the start of each day? I am a firm believer that life is one big learning experience. I am also a very competitive person. Every day, I make it a goal to try and be better than the day before, and I try to apply this to my marriage, family and friends, legal skills, and career goals.

What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? Either Theodore Roosevelt or my grandfather. I would want to hear their outdoorsman stories and perspectives on a variety of topics from both of them.

What fictional character do you relate to most, and why? I would probably have to go with Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation. He has a libertarian streak I often identify with, and seems to always want to better himself as a well-rounded man. He also works in municipal government, and despite the tough-guy persona, he truly cares about his community.

What will work colleagues say at your funeral? “What are we going do with all these blue highlighters, and who is going to draft all these contracts?”

 

Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Peter Wirth

By
The Class of 2019

Owner, Mercedes-Benz of Springfield; Age 39
Education: University of Mannheim, Germany (MS)

Peter Wirth

Peter Wirth

What did you want to be when you grew up? An accountant. I even interned at a CPA’s office in high school. I’m not sure what went wrong.

What three words best describe you? Determined, detail-oriented, open-minded.

What are you passionate about? Spirited discussions and cars, obviously.

Who has been your best mentor, and why? My first boss, who ended up being one of my best friends and my best man. He commands respect by sheer work ethic, determination, and integrity. He coaches by asking the right questions instead of helping with the answers, gives room to fail, shares the spotlight, and is willing to take the blame.

How do you define success? In business: being able to create and effectively communicate a vision, establish a culture of respect and ambition, and create an environment that allows everyone to reach their full potential. In life: seeing my kids turn into good people who go through life with grace and courtesy as well as the necessary resolve and stick-to-itiveness to be the best at what they choose to do.

Whom do you look up to, and why? My parents, because they are awesome! My wife, because she is just as awesome!

What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? Ernest Hemingway. I feel like he would have a few good stories, and there would most certainly be cocktails accompanying the lunch.

What actor would play you in a movie about your life? Meryl Streep. Let’s see if she really can play anything.

 

Photography by Leah Martin Photography

Climber, Motivational Speaker to Set Tone for ‘Women of Impact’

By
Women of Impact 2018

Leaders Who Have Been to the Top

BusinessWest’s chosen Women of Impact for 2018 know what it’s like to surmount challenges, tackle huge obstacles, and clear bars they’ve set very high.

As they receive their awards on Dec. 6, they and a gathered audience of friends, family, and colleagues will hear some motivational words from someone who’s done all those things in a very literal sense.

Indeed, the keynote speaker for the Inaugural Women of Impact Awards will be Lei Wang, the first Asian woman to climb the highest mountain on every continent and to ski to both the North and South Poles. 

Wang, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Tsinghua University in Beijing, an M.S. degree in Computer Science from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, was on track for a promising career in information technology — until she discovered her passion for mountaineering in 2004 and set her dream on reaching the peak of the world’s highest mountains on seven continents and skiing to the North and South poles.

With no previous athletic training, she started with running, from one mile to a marathon. She built her basic fitness foundation and learned the craft of climbing from scratch. She gave up a normal life to dedicate herself to this undertaking and overcame many physical and ideological challenges with her commitment and determination. Her remarkable journey culminated at the top of Mount Everest on May 24, 2010. With that climb, she became the first Asian Woman to successfully reach the world’s seven summits and two poles.

Wang now shares her reflections and experiences in front of a wide range of audiences as a motivational speaker. At the Dec. 6 event at the Sheraton in Springfield, she’ll be sharing the day with eight women who have reached the pinnacle of their chosen profession, but who have also devoted their lives and their careers to finding ways to give back to the community.

That’s why they’ve been chosen as Women of Impact, with the emphasis on both women and impact.

The Women of Impact for 2018 are:

• Jean Canosa Albano, assistant director of Public Services, Springfield City Library;

• Kerry Dietz, principal, Dietz Architects;

• Denise Jordan, executive director, Springfield Housing Authority;

• Gina Kos, executive director, Sunshine Village;

• Carol Leary, president, Bay Path University;

• Colleen Loveless, president and CEO, Revitalize Community Development Corp.;

• Janis Santos, executive director, HCS Head Start; and

• Katie Allan Zobel, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

The awards luncheon will begin at 11 a.m. with registration and networking. Lunch will begin at noon, followed by the program and introduction of the Women of Impact by Kate Campiti, associate publisher of BusinessWest and Healthcare News and Tamara Sacharczyk, news anchor and I-Team reporter for WWLP-22 News.

The Inaugural Women of Impact is sponsored by Bay Path University, Comcast Business, Country Bank, and Granite State Development Corp, with media sponsor WWLP-22.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (413) 781-8600, or go HERE.

Thank you to our sponsors:


Sponsors:

Bay Path University; Comcast Business; Country Bank; Granite State Development

Exclusive Media Sponsor:

Springfield 22 News The CW

Photography by Dani Fine Photography

Scenes from Bay Path University’s 2nd Annual President’s Gala

By
Features

Photos from the June 2 Event

Gala sponsor Sarat Ford Lincoln with special guest judge Lindsay Arnold (fourth from left) and Bay Path President Carol Leary (fourth from right).

Gala sponsor Sarat Ford Lincoln with special guest judge Lindsay Arnold (fourth from left) and Bay Path President Carol Leary (fourth from right).

Andrew Associates, Mirror Ball sponsors of the Gala.

Andrew Associates, Mirror Ball sponsors of the Gala.

From left to right, Prestley and Helen Blake; President Carol Leary and Noel Leary

From left to right, Prestley and Helen Blake; President Carol Leary and Noel Leary

Emcee Ashley Kohl and special guest judge Lindsay Arnold from ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

Emcee Ashley Kohl and special guest judge Lindsay Arnold from ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

Gala Honorary Chairs: (from left to right) Steven and Alissa Korn; Drew and Lauren Davis; and Carrie ’86 and Tim Burr.

Gala Honorary Chairs: (from left to right) Steven and Alissa Korn; Drew and Lauren Davis; and Carrie ’86 and Tim Burr.

From left to right, Gala judges Jonathan Besse, vice chair of the Board of Trustees; Lamont Clemons, Springfield business leader; and Lindsay Arnold from “Dancing With the Stars” provided comments on the dancers.

From left to right, Gala judges Jonathan Besse, vice chair of the Board of Trustees; Lamont Clemons, Springfield business leader; and Lindsay Arnold from “Dancing With the Stars” provided comments on the dancers.

A shot of the dance floor!

A shot of the dance floor!

Founder and CEO Delcie Bean IV from Paragus Strategic IT with partner Daryll Sverrisson’98.

Founder and CEO Delcie Bean IV from Paragus Strategic IT with partner Daryll Sverrisson’98.

Patricia Faginski, vice president and financial advisor at St. Germain Investment Management danced with Gunnar Sverrisson of Ballroom Fever in Enfield, CT.

Patricia Faginski, vice president and financial advisor at St. Germain Investment Management danced with Gunnar Sverrisson of Ballroom Fever in Enfield, CT.

From left to right, President Leary joins the dancers at the end of the competition, Daryll Sverrisson ’98, Delcie Bean IV, Maria Rodriguez-Furlow ‘’10 G’12 of Bay Path, Gunnar Sverrisson, and the winner of the Mirror Ball Trophy: Patricia Faginski.

From left to right, President Leary joins the dancers at the end of the competition, Daryll Sverrisson ’98, Delcie Bean IV, Maria Rodriguez-Furlow ‘’10 G’12 of Bay Path, Gunnar Sverrisson, and the winner of the Mirror Ball Trophy: Patricia Faginski.

40 Under Forty Event Tickets

By
40 Under 40

2024 Event Information:

Date: Thursday, June 20, 2024
Time: 5 p.m.
Where: The MassMutual Center
1277 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103
Ticket Price: $125 per person

ALL TICKETS MUST BE RESERVED USING THIS FORM.

Unfortunately, we are unable to hold tables or individual seats.

Please know tickets are sold on a first come, first-served basis. Thank you!