Page 39 - BusinessWest September 28, 2020

Photo by Leah Martin Photography
Brendan Greeley
Sarah Goff
President, Unify Against Bullying; Age 39 Education: Westfield State University (BA)
An assistant store manager for Kohl’s with
a heart for the community, Goff has long organized volunteer opportunities for the Kohl’s Cares program. This work began 17 years ago when she started with the company as a sales associate, and she was soon recognized as a top volunteer. She has since taken charge of coordinating events — and attending many of them outside her work hours — and has been recognized as the Volunteer Champion for organizing the most volunteer opportunities
in her store’s region. Meanwhile, she found a specific organization that focused on an issue near to her heart, and began working with Unify Against Bullying four years ago. During her time with this organization, she has been a volunteer coordinator and part of the fashion show committee, one of Unify’s biggest fundraising events. Seeing the impact this organization was having on today’s youth, Goff chose to get more involved, serving as board secretary and recently being named board president, a role through which her vision will help lead this organization into the future. Goff’s passion for volunteering has spread to her family and friends. She and her husband, Jeremy, are founding members
of the Red Thread Network (formerly Terriers Around Town), an organization that increases art opportunities for the West Springfield community and surrounding areas. Many of
her family members and friends have attended and volunteered at events, most notably the Unify Against Bullying fashion show and Red Thread Network’s Yuletree Jubilee.
What three words best describe you?
Passionate, determined, caring.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Becoming the president of Unify Against Bullying.
What are you passionate about? Family and friends, and anti-bullying initiatives.
Who inspires you, and why? The Unify Against Bullying family. They are an amazing group of individuals who truly believe what makes everyone unique is what makes them amazing people.
What do you do for fun? Disney World is my happy place. When I’m not going to Disney, I make sure to have a little bit of Disney in my daily life.
What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? Walt Disney, of course. Walt never gave up on his dreams, and he inspired those who worked with him to be more than they ever knew they were capable of.
President, R.J. Greeley Co. Inc.; Age 39 Education: Saint Michael’s College (BA)
Over the past 15 years, Greeley has represented many local and national corporations with their real-estate needs, and now leads the company his father founded more than 35 years ago.
What did you want to be when you
grew up? I wanted to be a rock star. I sang
in a band with a group of friends from high school for years. Now I settle for an occasional karaoke, but I’d love to do it again someday.
What three words best describe you? Ready, thoughtful, steadfast.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career?
I could mention a big deal I helped put together or how I helped someone who really needed it, but in general, I would say my biggest professional accomplishment is all the friends I have made along the way. For me, my personal life blends together with my professional life, which makes it easy to go to ‘work.’
What are you passionate about? Finding balance. While it’s really important for me to put 100% into work, it’s even more important to put 100% into living. So how do I put
everything into everything? Passion. Passion for life is the superpower necessary to output more than 100% to satisfy the demands of finding success and living a purposeful life.
How do you relieve stress? I joined a hockey team and became a hockey goalie
at age 36. I was on sports teams my whole life until things started to get in the way of being able to participate, like work and family. Nothing relieves stress for me quite like being competitive and celebrating victory.
What’s your favorite hangout or activity in Western Mass., and why? I’m originally from Amherst, and there’s a short hike I used to do up in Sunderland on Mount Toby that leads up to a fire tower. It’s a place I’ve gone for many, many years. It’s a place I’ve frequented with many friends and family, and it’s always a peaceful place for me.
Who inspires you, and why? I’m most inspired by my children. My wife, Amy, and I have two boys, and I’m eager to show them the world. They inspire me to work hard, to be active with them, to teach them fun things, and to be the best role model I can be for them, like my parents and grandparents have been for me. They make life really fun.
BusinessWest
SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 A15
Photo by Leah Martin Photography
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