CHICOPEE — Peter Benton, chairman of the board of directors of Sunshine Village, announced the appointment of Michelle Theroux as the next president and CEO of the organization. She succeeds Gina Kos, who will retire at the end of April after more than 30 years of leadership.

Theroux brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in nonprofit, healthcare, and educational organizations. Most recently, she served as CEO of Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley for more than 12 years. Her earlier leadership roles included senior management positions at the Center for Human Development as well as Child and Family Services of Pioneer Valley, where she oversaw multi-site operations and expanded clinical services.

She currently serves as chair of Mercy Medical Center, is a regional board member for Trinity Health Of New England, and sits on the boards of the ERC5 Chamber of Commerce and MicroTek. She also serves as chair of the South Hadley Redevelopment Authority. Her contributions have been recognized by BusinessWest, which named her both a 40 Under Forty honoree and a Woman of Impact.

Theroux holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Springfield College and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and politics from Assumption University.

Established in 1967, Sunshine Village is a CARF-accredited organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities and those on the autism spectrum. With several locations throughout Western Mass., Sunshine Village serves more than 400 individuals each year through employment, community integration, and day habilitation services.

CHICOPEE — The board of directors of Sunshine Village announced the upcoming retirement of Gina Kos, the organization’s longtime president and CEO, after more than three decades of leadership. Kos will step down at the end of April 2026, marking the conclusion of an era of growth, innovation, and service to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout Western Mass.

Kos joined Sunshine Village in 1991 as director of Marketing and Development and, after being appointed president and CEO in 1997, guided the organization through a period of transformation. Under her leadership, Sunshine Village grew from a $6 million agency to a $17 million, nationally accredited nonprofit.

Amid the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully led the organization through a safe closure and phased reopening, rebuilding services and programs to meet the evolving needs of clients and families. Today, she leaves behind a financially strong, programmatically vibrant Sunshine Village, widely recognized as both a provider of choice for families and an employer of choice for staff.

“On behalf of the board of directors and the entire Sunshine Village family, I want to express our deepest thanks to Gina for her years of exceptional leadership and unwavering devotion to our mission,” said Peter Benton, chairman of the Sunshine Village board of directors. “Through her vision and heart, she built more than financial and operational strength — she nurtured a culture of excellence, compassion, and belonging. Sunshine Village shines brighter today because of her incredible legacy.”

In addition to her work at Sunshine Village, Kos has been deeply committed to strengthening the broader community. She has served in leadership roles on numerous boards and civic organizations, including MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, Human Service Forum, Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, the Westfield State University board of trustees, and the Elms College board of trustees. Her extensive volunteer work and community leadership have earned her multiple honors, including recognition as one of BusinessWest’s inaugural Women of Impact in 2018, a Paul Harris honor from the Chicopee Rotary Club, and the St. Joseph Medal – Distinguished Alumni Award from Cathedral High School.

“Serving Sunshine Village has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” Kos said. “I have been endlessly inspired by the resilience and achievements of the individuals we support, the dedication of our incredible staff, and the unwavering generosity of our partners and community. While it is bittersweet to close this chapter, I leave with full confidence that Sunshine Village will continue to shine and create bright futures for many years to come.”

The board of directors has initiated a comprehensive search for the next president and CEO and is committed to ensuring a smooth leadership transition. It has engaged the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast to assist with the executive search, which will begin in the next few weeks.

“While we will deeply miss Gina’s presence and leadership, her legacy of excellence, innovation, and compassion will live on in every program, partnership, and person touched by Sunshine Village,” Benton said.