Difference Makers
Introducing This Year’s Class
For 16 years now, BusinessWest has been recognizing and celebrating the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions through its Difference Makers program, with one goal in mind: to show the many ways one can, in fact, make a difference within their community.
The stories of the class of 2024, like the 15 cohorts before it, are all different, but the common thread is the passion and commitment exhibited by each honoree to improve quality of life for those in this region and make it a better place to live, work, and conduct business.
The stories are inspiring in many different ways, whether it’s Matt Bannister’s deep commitment to area nonprofits or Shannon Rudder’s lifelong pursuit of equity and access for all; whether it’s the work of Fred and Mary Kay Kadushin and the staff of Rock 102 to fight hunger or the ways Delcie Bean and Scott Keiter use their business success to impact others; whether it’s Linda Dunlavy’s hard work on tough regional issues or the significant impact of Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Chamber Players on the economic and cultural health of Western Mass.
We invite you to read these stories below. All of the 2024 Difference Makers have made an impact — real, tangible, often life-changing impact — in this region that we call home.
You can also help us celebrate the honorees in person on Wednesday, April 10 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Tickets cost $95 each, with reserved tables of 10-12 available. For more event details and to reserve tickets, go HERE
Thank you to our sponsors — Burkhart, Pizzanelli, P.C., Keiter, Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health, the Royal Law Firm, TommyCar Auto Group, Springfield Thunderbirds, and Westfield Bank — for making this program possible.
Please Join Us for the 2024 Difference Makers Celebration!
Wednesday, April 10 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Tickets are $95 and can be purchased HERE
Thank you to our partner sponsors: Burkhart Pizzanelli, P.C., Keiter, Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health, the Royal Law Firm, and TommyCar Auto Group, and our supporting sponsors: Springfield Thunderbirds and Westfield Bank.
Special Thanks to GCAI
Celebrating through the years
Class of 2023
Congratulations to the Class of 2023 Difference Makers! Thank you to our sponsors and everyone who helped to make this event possible. We appreciate you all!
Class of 2022
Congratulations to the Class of 2022 Difference Makers! Thank you to our sponsors and everyone who helped to make this event possible. We appreciate you all!
Class of 2021
Congratulations to the Class of 2021 Difference Makers! Thank you to our sponsors and everyone who helped to make this event possible. We appreciate you all!
Class of 2020
Class of 2018
More than 375 people turned out at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House on March 22 to honor BusinessWest’s 2018 Difference Makers.
Class of 2019
The six members of the class of 2019 were honored on Thursday, March 28 at the Log Cabin. View the Program Guide HERE.
Class of 2017
More than 450 people turned out at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke on March 30 for a celebration of the 2017 Difference Makers
Class of 2016
More than 450 people turned out at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke on March 31 for a celebration of the 2016 Difference Makers
Difference Makers Past Honorees
2022:
Vice President of Business Development, Greenfield Savings Bank President, New England Farm Workers’ Council Retired State Supreme Court Justice; Senior Counsel, Bulkley Richardson President, Northampton Jazz Festival; Principal, RC Communications Founder and Owner, Teddy Bear Pools and Spas2021:
- Kristin Carlson President, Peerless Precision
- Janine Fondon Founder, UnityFirst.com; Professor, Bay Path University
- Harold Grinspoon Philanthropist; Founder, Aspen Square Management
- Chad Moir Founder and Owner, DopaFit Parkinson’s Movement Center
- Bill Parks CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield
- Pete Westover Founder and Partner, Conservation Works, LLC
- EforAll Holyoke
2020:
- Christopher ‘Monte’ Belmonte
DJ at WRSI the River Radio - Ira Bryck
Consultant and Former Executive Director of the Family Business Center of Pioneer Valley - Sandy Cassanelli
CEO of Greeno Supply - Dianne Fuller Doherty
Retired Director of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center - Ronn Johnson
President and CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Inc. - Steve Lowell
President and CEO of Monson Savings Bank - Rick’s Place
This Unique Nonprofit Provides Support, Light in the Darkest of Times
2017:
• The Community Colleges of Western Massachusetts; Berkshire Community College, Greenfield Community College, Holyoke Community College, Springfield Technical Community College
• Friends of the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round
• Denis Gagnon Sr., President & CEO of Excel Dryer Inc.
• Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts
• Joan Kagan, President & CEO of Square One.
2014:
• The Gray House
• Colleen Loveless, executive director of the Springfield chapter of Rebuilding Together
• The Melha Shriners
• Paula Moore, founder of YSET Academy and a teacher at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Training Academy
• Michael Moriarty, attorney, director of Olde Holyoke Development Corp., and supporter of childhood literacy programs
2013:
• Michael Cutone, John Barbieri, and Thomas Sarrouf, organizers of Springfield’s C3 Policing program
• John Downing, president of Soldier On
• Bruce Landon, president and general manager of the Springfield Falcons
• The Sisters of Providence
• Jim Vinick, managing director of Investments for Moors & Cabot Inc.
2012:
• Charlie and Donald D’Amour, president/COO and chairman/CEO of Big Y Foods
• William Messner, president of Holyoke Community College
• Majors Tom and Linda-Jo Perks, officers of the Springfield Corps of the Salvation Army
• Bob Schwarz, executive vice president of Peter Pan Bus Lines
• The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts
2009:
• Doug Bowen, president and CEO of PeoplesBank
• Kate Kane, managing director of the Springfield office of Northwestern Mutual Financial/the Zuzolo Group
• Susan Jaye-Kaplan, founder of GoFIT and co-founder of Link to Libraries
• William Ward, executive director of the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County
• The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield