Page 49 - BusinessWest April 27, 2026

Sara Landaverde
Director of Survivor Advocacy &
Outreach Programs, YWCA of Western
Massachusetts: Age 31
Sara Landaverde has always had a passion for
working with children.
“Growing up, I always wanted to work with
kids who experienced trauma, who went through a
hard time,” she said, adding that, while earning her
undergraduate degree at American International
College, a discussion with one of her professors
left her convinced that social work would be
the lane she would travel down.
“And I’ve been in that lane ever since,” said
Landaverde, director of Survivor Advocacy &
Outreach Programs for the YWCA of Western
Massachusetts, where she started as a clinical
intern while completing her master’s degree in
social work at Boston College.
Early on, Landaverde displayed “something special that
made her stand out,” said Elizabeth Dineen, the agency’s CEO,
who nominated her for this award. “Sara distinguished herself because
of her intelligence, empathy, and creativity. She had the drive and
ability to figure out how to reach a child who had literally closed
down due to profound trauma.”
After completing graduate school, Landaverde was hired as
a child and family clinician. Four years later, she was named a
director, and she now supervises more than 20 employees.
In this role, she oversees four programs — the domestic
violence counseling program, the sexual assault counseling
program, the 24/7 hotline, and the data program — and while
doing so, she mentors younger employees and interns and
conducts many different forms of outreach to inform the
public, and potential partners, about the many programs and
services provided by the YWCA. And while doing all that, she
still manages a small case load herself.
Active in the community, she is a board member of Holyoke
Children’s Museum and a member of the Elms College social
work advisory board. She’s also a guest speaker at colleges
and churches throughout Western Mass., educating others
about sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking.
And when not working, volunteering, or public speaking,
she’s a devoted dog mom who puts aside time to spend with
family — her mother, five brothers, nieces, and nephews.
Although her work at the YWCA is challenging,
Landaverde considers it rewarding on
many different levels, especially the
opportunity she and others have to
change the course of survivors’ lives.
“My goal has always been to make
some little change in someone’s life,”
she explained, “so that they were able
to change the paradigm and be able to
change their family history with regard to
any childhood event they may have gone
through.”
—George O’Brien
Congratulations
TO THE 40 UNDER FORTY, CLASS OF TO THE 40 UNDER FORTY, CLASS OF
Congratulations to the 40 Under Forty, Class of 2026!
SARA LANDAVERDE
Director of Survivor Advocacy &
Outreach Programs
Your YWCA family is so proud of you.
KYLIE LAPLANTE
Deposit Operations Officer,
Monson Savings Bank
Scan the QR code or visit
banknewvalley.com
THE NAME ON THE DOOR MATTERS. THE NAME ON THE DOOR MATTERS.
SO DO THE PEOPLE INSIDE.
Thank you for your contributions to the
community.
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Business W est 2026
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