Page 32 - BusinessWest October 28, 2024

The founders of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts were honored at an event in 2019. From left: Donna Haghighat, Dianne Fuller Doherty, Martha Richards, Kristi Nelson, Mimi Goldberg (accepting for late founder Sally Livingston), and Haydee Lamberty-Rodrigues.
future, and one of my big beliefs is helping the public schools of Springfield — because that is central to the success of our region.”
Beyond education, Fuller Doherty has been, or still is, involved with agencies and institutions ranging from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts to Tech Foundry; from the World Affairs Council to the Springfield Public Forum. At each one, she has left others impressed with her desire to dig deep and work hard to advance their missions.
“Dianne Fuller Doherty is a role model for what it means to be
dedicated to community,” wrote Megan Burke, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, in nominating her for the Woman of Impact award. “In her life’s work and volunteer activities, she embodies the spirit of wanting to make her home (Western Mass.) a better place for all who live in it.
“Now that she is retired, she continues to work full-time to connect community members and lift the efforts that will move our region forward,” Burke went on. “While she is inclusive in her efforts to lift up the community, she is especially dedicated to developing and supporting women and women’s leadership. She keeps her ear to the ground to know where she might be needed, who might need a hand up, or where a connection might need to be made.”
Making connections, providing a hand up, or often just listening and providing sage advice ... these are just some of the many reasons why Fuller Doherty is a Woman of Impact.
Answering the Call
When she was called by BusinessWest in January 2020 to let her know she was being honored as one of its Difference Makers that year, Fuller Doherty had to be talked into it.
Indeed, she argued at length that there were others more worthy, and that she had already won enough awards — which, well, she has, including the William Pynchon Community Service Award, the 2016 Unsung Heroine of Massachusetts Award, and the 2004 Girl Scouts of Pioneer Valley Woman of Distinction
Award.
She eventually acquiesced and was honored with several others
at a COVID-era ceremony before a crowd that could not exceed 25 people (you remember those days).
This time around, she offered less resistance (although there was some) because of the nature of the award and its mission to honor women. The issue this time was finding room in her schedule for an interview, between a trip to Iceland and events on her schedule ranging from a World Affairs Council lunch to a
“
and supporting women and women’s leadership. She keeps her ear to the ground to know where she might be needed, who might
need a hand
up, or where
a connection might ”need to be made.
While she is
inclusive in her efforts to lift up the community, she is especially dedicated to developing
THE CHOICE IS OURS TO MAKE AN IMPACT
Carol F. Campbell, President, CEO Class of 2020
Women of Impact are:
Optimistic
Persistent
Consistent
(in Word & Deed)
Passionate Confident Open to Change
Deb Dart, VP of Operations
Congratulations Women of Impact Class of 2024
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Women of Rigging Millwright Transportation Relocation
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IMPAC
A PROGRAM OF BUSINESSWEST
Congratulations to the 2024
Women of Impact
omen of MPACT
Geotechnical | Environmental | Hazardous Materials PROGRAM OF BUSINESSWEST
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W10 2024
Women of IMPACT IMPACT A PROGRAM OF BUSINESSWEST
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A PROGRAM OF BUSINESSWEST
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Impact