Page 16 - BusinessWest February 21, 2022
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  Tara Brewster
Vice President of Business Development, Greenfield Savings Bank
Page 20
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Page 26
Heriberto Flores
President, New England Farm Workers’ Council
Page 30
John Greaney
Retired State Supreme Court Justice; Senior Counsel, Bulkley Richardson
Page 34
Ruth Griggs
President, Northampton Jazz Festival; Principal, RC Communications
Page 37
Ted Hebert
Founder and Owner, Teddy Bear Pools and Spas
Page 41
I Found Light Against All Odds and Its Founder and CEO, Stefan Davis
Page 44
Page 48
       Roca Holyoke and Springfield
DIFFERENCE
A PROGRAM OF BUSINESSWEST
Introducing the Class of 2022
“Ican honestly say that I have never met anyone so dedicated to helping those that are less fortu- nate in our community.”
“He has proven that he is a trailblazer, an agent of social change, and a true difference maker.”
“They led by example and showed an unprecedented level of adaptability and leadership. They raised the bar while moving the needle.”
Those are a few quotes from nomination forms for this year’s class of Difference Makers, and they make clear that our honorees have surely made an impression on those who have observed, and in many cases benefited from, their work.
But beyond impressions, these honorees have made an impact — real, tangible, often life-changing impact — from the ways in which Roca Holyoke and Springfield and I Found Light Against All Odds have turned around the lives of trou- bled young people to the efforts of the Community Founda- tion of Western Massachusetts and the New England Farm Workers’ Council to direct resources to those who need them most. You can read these stories and four others, all compel- ling, on the pages ahead.
For 14 years now, BusinessWest has been recognizing 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 differ- ence within their community.
The stories of the class of 2022, like the 13 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 that begin on page 20 are sure to enlighten and also inspire others to find their own ways to make a difference.
Please consider coming out to celebrate these honorees
in person on Thursday, March 24 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Tickets cost $75 and can be ordered at businesswest.com. The sponsors for this year’s program are Burkhart Pizzanelli, the New England Farm Workers’ Council, the Royal Law Firm, TommyCar Auto Group, and Westfield Bank. u
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