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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

Thank You to our Partner Sponsors

Thank You to our Supporting Sponsors

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

 It was a different kind of event, to be sure, but BusinessWest’s Difference Makers class of 2020 was celebrated at a Virtual Event on Sept. 24 at the Upper Vista at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke.

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.

The 2017 Difference Makers

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 Spas

2021: