Page 55 - BusinessWest September 28, 2020

Kelly Partridge
Founder, Contribution Clothing; Age 32 Education: Bay Path University (MS)
Partridge founded her online boutique with a focus on empowering women and supporting the community through monetary donations
to Western Mass. nonprofits. Since her grand opening last June, she has worked with Bay Path University to develop an annual scholarship fund, created partnerships with several nonprofits, and provided monetary gifts to Dress for Success, Empty Arms Bereavement Support, Ovations for the Cure of Ovarian Cancer, and Safe Passage, all the while fundraising for events and promoting messages of empowerment to audiences of women and girls.
What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was younger, I wanted to be an artist. I even dabbled in graphic design in my 20s, but it really wasn’t for me. However, I will say they are great skills to have as a business owner.
What three words best describe you?
Determined, altruistic, empowered.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Launching contributionclothing.com has been
my biggest professional accomplishment so far. Starting a business is terrifying, and I was able
to overcome that fear, take my passion for social justice, and create a mission-driven boutique that
partners with some amazing local nonprofits. I’m excited to see it grow and to see the impact it can make within our community.
What goal do you set for yourself at the start of each day? This doesn’t always happen, but I really try to focus on self-care. Life gets busy, and it is really easy to get wrapped up in all the to-dos. Caring for myself first needs to be a priority.
Who inspires you, and why? I can’t choose one person. I would have to say anyone who has the ability to rise from a negative situation with a positive attitude and a goal of making themselves better because of it.
What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? My great- grandmother, Della, who passed away when I was a teenager. She grew up during the Great Depression and rarely talked about her life. I’d love the opportunity to know more about her, and my family’s history.
What actress would play you in a movie about your life? I really like Sophia Bush and what she stands for. She’s a big advocate
for female empowerment, education, and environmental rights. I think it would be really cool to be represented by someone like her.
Aisha Pizarro
Vice President of Programs, YWCA of Western Mass; Age 38 Education: Springfield College (BS)
#BW40U40
Photo by Leah Martin Photography
BusinessWest
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Pizarro began her career within the nonprofit sector as a sexual-assault
and domestic-violence advocate at the YWCA. After a few years at the YWCA, she transitioned to Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services in Springfield and worked primarily with families experiencing mental-health and/or substance-abuse issues. After a year there, she transitioned to the Center for Human Development, where she remained for more than a decade. During her tenure at CHD, she quickly rose through the
ranks, was appointed to Field Operations manager, and successfully ran a number of programs and helped countless individuals and families obtain affordable, permanent housing. Pizarro has been employed at
the YWCA for almost three years now, overseeing 22 distinct programs and 150 employees. She has served on multiple task forces to design solutions to end homelessness and find affordable housing, especially for women.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? My biggest accomplishment has been working with my employees and watching them grow into the leaders I know they
are. Being in a position to help young men and women grow, particularly women of color, is by far my legacy.
Who inspires you, and why? First I would have to say my wife and children. My wife motivates and supports my work, while my daughters remind me that life is forgiving and laughter is necessary. Without them, I wouldn’t be half of the person that I am today. I am forever grateful for the human beings they are. I am inspired by the resiliency that my clients show, and I am humbled that I am afforded the opportunity to work with our community.
What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? I would like to have lunch with my father and father- in-law, who have both passed on. I would love to have a chance to show them how much their granddaughters have grown, talk current politics (who’s in the White House), have a cup of coffee over a newspaper, talk COVID- 19, talk about the state of the world. I would love to tell them how a Puerto Rican girl from a small barrio in Bayamon was selected for 40 Under Forty.
What do you do for fun? I am the fun!