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.