Page 57 - BusinessWest October 27, 2021

Born and raised in Springfield, she said she had her first child at 18 and, like many single teen mothers, faced a number of daily challenges. But unlike many others like her, she had a plan — and a path — as well as a desire to set the tone for her children.
“I wanted to set a good example for them,” she said, adding that she took a job at First Notice Systems, a giant call center, with the larger goal
becoming one of a growing number of people with ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer’ printed on their business cards.
When asked about this movement, if it can be called that, she said these positions are being created out of obvious need.
“It’s important to bring everyone’s voice
to the table,” she said, noting that many area communities, including West Springfield, are becoming increasingly diverse. “There’s a large refugee population in this community, and
from what I’ve gathered from meeting and interviewing people, they do feel left out and isolated because communication isn’t in their language, and they don’t know where to go; they don’t have a lot of guidance and resources to help them navigate the town process itself.”
Her work is pioneering in many respects, she said, adding that there is no blueprint to follow — as noted, she’s creating one. Thus, she’s reaching out to others in this emerging field of equity
and inclusion for advice and best practices. And, following a pattern from earlier in her career, she’s continuing her education. Indeed, she’s pursuing a certificate in diversity, equity, and inclusion from Cornell and attending a number of forums.
Her first assignment is to hire a strategic consultant to help chart a course, and eventually she plans to create a town Equity Advisory Committee.
While breaking new ground in West Springfield, Whitfield continues to serve her constituents across the river in the City of Homes.
As an at-large councilor, she represents the entire city and has established some priorities or specific points of focus, including transparency,
finance, public safety (she’s been chair of the Mason Square C3 Initiative since 2016), home ownership, and education and workforce development.
Those are all matters to which she can speak from experience, especially when it comes to seeing how higher education can change one’s career path — and their life.
“I have seen how much people can change their life and advance through workforce development,” she told BusinessWest. “College isn’t for everyone right after high school, so I think workforce development is a great path.”
Paying It Forward
Amid her myriad roles, Whitfield saves time
to mentor others, especially a small group of young women, including some on her campaign team. She advises them on subjects ranging from politics to entrepreneurship; from credit repair to home ownership.
“I feel that anything I’ve done ... I can pass that on to others,” she said. “If someone asks, and they’re serious, I’m definitely going to help them.”
And there is much she can help with, as we know from those business cards. Together, they speak
of someone who used education to change her
life, someone who has chosen not to just live in a community, but get involved in it — someone who has molded herself into a Woman of Impact. n
George O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]
“I have
seen how
much people can change
their life and advance through workforce development.”
of taking her experience in customer service and use it to get a foot in the door at MassMutual.
She eventually joined the financial-services giant in 2000, working her way from customer service representative to ‘top Blue Case manager,’ to accounting specialist.
Along the way, as noted, she earned two college degrees and set her career sights higher. After stints with Springfield Public Schools, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, and Springfield Technical
Community College, she landed a job as director of Business Development for TWO, a position that was eventually eliminated due to cuts forced by COVID-19, a setback that brought her back to the job market and, eventually, to apply for a new position posted by the town of West Springfield.
She saw it posted on Indeed, and after talking with friends and colleagues, she decided to apply. She prevailed and started just four months ago,
Congratulations!
Confidence, perseverance and trust are some of the qualities many of us strive for. These attributes are made manifest by the 8 women noted here. They are this year’s BusinessWest Women of Impact honorees:
Ms. Jessica Collins Ms. Karin Jeffers
Ms. Shannon Mumblo
Ms. Elizabeth Dineen Ms. Charlene Elvers Ms. Elizabeth Keen Ms. Madeline Landrau Ms. Tracye Whitfield
On behalf of St. Germain Investment Management, we celebrate what you’ve accomplished, and for the way you support the greater good that helps individuals and communities alike. Nicely done!
Women of
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