United Way of Pioneer Valley Announces Community Leadership Connect Launch

SPRINGFIELD — United Way of Pioneer Valley announced the launch of Community Leadership Connect (CLC), an innovative leadership initiative aimed at fostering the next generation of leaders through mentorship, peer support, and access to vital resources. This new program is made possible with the support of the the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation and the MassMutual Foundation.

Community Leadership Connect is designed to nurture emerging leaders across various sectors, offering tools and networks that will strengthen the leadership fabric in our region. The program focuses on four primary pillars: a mentoring hub, peer support circles, resource inventory, and relevant learning and skill development, as detailed below:

• CLC will facilitate one-on-one or small-group mentoring relationships by establishing a centralized mentorship hub. This network will connect experienced leaders with emerging leaders, matched based on shared interests, industries, or leadership competencies. Using a digital platform similar to the United Way’s VolunteerConnect program, mentors and mentees will be paired and guided through goal setting and regular feedback sessions.

• The peer-support program will create demographic or professional affinity groups where participants can find mutual support and learning opportunities among peers. Facilitated by regional partners, these circles will include young professionals, women leaders, entrepreneurs, and other demographic groups. CLC will foster regular virtual or in-person meetings to promote shared learning, problem solving, and emotional support, often with rotating leadership roles or mentor oversight.

• To further enhance leadership development, CLC will maintain a continuously updated regional inventory of leadership services. The publicly accessible digital platform (database) will offer emerging leaders, mentors, and stakeholders access to a range of leadership-development resources, such as training programs, workshops, and networking events. The platform will allow users to filter resources by sector, location, or skill area.

• Working in close collaboration with Human Service Forum, CLC will feature a monthly series of workshops or trainings led by experts and community partners, providing participants with opportunities for continuous learning and skill development. Topics will include regional issues, leadership theory, decision making, and more. These sessions will be available in both virtual and in-person formats and may be subscription-based or free, depending on the program’s access model.

“Community Leadership Connect represents our commitment to building a stronger, more connected leadership ecosystem,” United Way of Pioneer Valley President and CEO Megan Moynihan said. “By bringing together mentors, peer groups, and a wealth of resources, CLC will empower emerging leaders to develop the skills and networks they need to succeed, while fostering collaboration across the region. We are incredibly grateful to the leadership of the MassMutual Foundation and the the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation for sharing our vision and commitment toward empowering the leadership capacity of this robust community.”

Dennis Duquette, head of Community Responsibility for MassMutual and president of the MassMutual Foundation, added that “the MassMutual Foundation has always been committed to supporting the communities where we live and work. Our support of the United Way of Pioneer Valley’s Community Leadership Initiative reflects this commitment, and we look forward to seeing the impact this will have on the future generations of leaders across the region and beyond.”

The program will officially launch the first quarter of 2025 and will be featured at the OnBoard Matching Event being held Thursday, Dec. 12 at Tower Square. Attendees will be able to learn more about the CLC offerings and register as a program provider, mentor, or participant.