Page 64 - BusinessWest April 27, 2026

Yeselie Tulloch
Co-founder, Academic Leadership Assoc.: Age 37
Tulloch was recently honored by the Mason Square C3 Committee in
Springfield in Springfield for her community service and her role in supporting
young people throughout the region. This recognition highlights her strong
leadership in youth empowerment, mentorship, and building partnerships
within the community.
And for all those reasons and more, she is now not only a member of the 40
Under Forty class of 2026 — she sits at the top of that class.
—George O’Brien
Yeselie Tulloch has a lot on common with her husband, Vilenti — everything
from entrepreneurial drive and a passion for helping young people to a
deep commitment to family.
And now, they share something else — the designation of 40 Under Forty
honoree. Vilenti secured his place in 2024, and now Yeselie is not only a member
of the class of 2026, but the highest scorer among more than 120 nominees.
They owe their membership in this club primarily to the efforts to launch
(in the middle of COVID) and expand the Academic Leadership Assoc. (ALA),
a business and nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young
people through school-based mentoring, literacy, support, social-emotional
development, and self-advocacy programming.
In her role, Yeselie, who earned an MBA from Bay Path University with a
concentration in entrepreneurial and small business operations, manages
business operations — she helped develop the business plan — and plays a
central role in overseeing organizational activities and strategic scaling efforts.
She said ALA has grown steadily and now has contracts with several area
communities, including Springfield, East Longmeadow, Holyoke, and East
Windsor, Conn. The agency recently launched a program involving Colonial
Estates, a housing project in Springfield; the agency is piloting youth programs
for the 500 families living there.
As she carries out her work and advances the agency’s mission, Tulloch draws
on her own personal experiences for inspiration — and a drive to succeed.
“As a child growing up in Springfield, I come from a teen parent,” she
explained, adding that she can relate to the challenges facing those served by
the agency. “We’re providing student services to students that go underneath
the radar. We’re mentoring and empowering youth — basically, being the adult I
wish I had.
“Education is something that’s really important to me — that was instilled by
my grandmother as a child,” she went on. “That’s why it’s so important to me to
work with children and just be that adult that some kids might not have.”
Isaac Weiner
Owner, Familiars Coffee & Tea
and Florence Pie Bar: Age 37
It’s called the Great Northampton Haunt.
This is an ambitious, 31-day, city-wide event designed
to drive tourism, activate public spaces, and extend
economic activity during October. And it’s just one
example of how Isaac Weiner, co-founder of the Haunt,
has become much more than a restaurateur doing
business in Emerald City.
Indeed, he has become a force in economic
developments within the city, efforts to
promote its base of restaurants and retail
establishments, and activities that increase
foot traffic downtown, as we’ll see.
But first ... he’s not just a restaurateur,
but a successful one. He’s the co-owner,
with his partner, Danny McColgan, of
two popular eateries in Northampton —
Familiars Coffee & Tea on Strong Street,
and Florence Pie Bar on Main Street. Both
establishments have become celebrated
for their offerings, distinctive character, and
ability to create welcoming experiences for
their guests.
Success with these eateries helps explain
why Weiner is a member of the 40 Under
Forty class of 2026, but perhaps a bigger part
of the story is his growing involvement in
efforts to promote and bring more vibrancy
to Northampton.
In addition to the Haunt, this involvement includes
work with Summer on Strong, a transformative outdoor
dining and social experience that has grown into a
premier seasonal destination, and the Market Street
Market, a seasonal marketplace created to amplify
visibility for businesses in that section of the
city.
Launched during the pandemic, Summer
on Strong has become an institution in the
city and the region, a summer-long block
party, bringing together live music and
food from several restaurants in a festive
atmosphere — a section of Strong Street
closed to vehicular traffic.
“That first year we closed down
the street, we had live music, we had
a ton of outdoor dining, and I think at
that time we all knew we had just done
something spectacular,” he said, adding that
the celebration has been back each year by
popular demand and through the support of the
city and the hard work of organizers.
Meanwhile, Weiner currently serves as vice
chair of the board of the Downtown Northampton
Assoc., and he was recently appointed to the
board of the Greater Northampton Chamber of
Commerce.
Add it all up, and Weiner is much more than
someone doing business in Northampton, He’s
someone committed to the economic vitality and
long-term sustainability of the city’s vibrant and ever-
evolving downtown.
—George O’Brien
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