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    Amanda Sbriscia
Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Holyoke Community College; Executive Director, HCC Foundation; Age 35
Education: Cedar Crest College (BA), Drexel University (MA)
 Sbriscia’s many leadership roles range from overseeing a $13.4 million endowment and more than $250,000 in scholarship awards annually to supervising completion of the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute and other capital projects.
What did you want to be when you grew
up? Katie Couric. I wanted to be the Today show anchorperson. I even attended a summer camp for electronic media when I was in high school.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Being a small part of providing financial support to students so they can achieve their dreams of a college education. Ultimately, it’s the donor who creates life-changing opportunities. But in my professional capacity, it has been an honor to facilitate the creation of scholarships, programs, and initiatives that make such a lasting and far-reaching difference.
What do you do for fun? Take long-weekend trips with my husband, Keith. Saratoga Springs is a favorite. Also, dance in the kitchen to absolutely any song. My go-to Pandora stations include Hip Hop BBQ, Classic Rock, 90s Pop, and ABBA Radio. They rarely disappoint!
How do you relieve stress? Running will always shake off a bad day, lift a mood, and change my perspective. Also, Netflix.
What’s your favorite hangout or activity
in Western Mass., and why? A run on the Norwottuck Rail Trail followed by ice cream at Flayvors of Cook Farm (or ice cream at any spot
in Western Mass., really). And though outdoor running will always have my heart, so does CrossFit SVG. The sense of community it provides is extraordinary, and as a result, I’ve come to realize that every one of us is stronger than we think — physically and emotionally.
What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? All four of my grandparents, together. I don’t know that
I fully appreciated the stories they told when
I was younger. I’m blessed to still have both grandmothers, but how great it would be to have them all in the same room again.
What fictional character do you relate to most, and why? Joy from the movie Inside Out. Joy is the engine. She keeps everyone moving and happy, which I try to do. She’s optimistic but, in many ways, also the least flexible. But at least she’s got great hair.
Saba Shahid
Chief Smiling Officer, the Art Cart; President, ACS Regulatory Consulting Age 28; Education: Quinnipiac University (MS)
    A34 SEPTEMBER 28, 2020
BusinessWest
Shahid has grown the Art Cart — a creativity and movement program for people with Parkinson’s disease — into a national company, traveling to various communities to reinstill confidence in patients’ abilities by teaching them to work with their symptoms instead of feeling burdened by them.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A maxillofacial surgeon, to spread smiles by fixing children’s cleft conditions. I was accepted to medical school but decided not to go, as I
had just started the Art Cart and found that I
can use my passion for art and medicine to help improve symptoms of movement disorders such as Parkinson’s. I feel blessed to see patients smile when they see improvements in their symptoms from the programming we offer.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career? Authoring the Let’s Combat Micrographia interactive workbook series, which helps those living with Parkinson’s disease improve their symptom of micrographia. It is the only book of its kind and is currently sold worldwide in English and Spanish.
What are you passionate about? Spreading as many smiles as I possibly can. Smiles are contagious and are understood in any language.
They help break barriers and form bridges. The foundation of the Art Cart is focused on disorders that list the inability to smile as a symptom. We start every Smile Through Art workshop with 30 seconds of forcing a smile to spread happiness and exercise the facial muscles. Try it!
How do you relieve stress? Working full-time and being a full-time, stay-at-home mom can get exhausting. The Peloton has made relieving stress convenient and allows me to put my best foot forward every day.
What person, past or present, would you like to have lunch with, and why? I would love to have lunch with Priyanka Chopra, who is involved in so many inspirational projects.
Who inspires you, and why? My 1-year-old son, Aayan Ali, inspires me. He is so smart. His curiosity and drive to learn motivate me to do more and go one step further every day to teach him to give 150% to every opportunity that comes his way. Also, my husband, Chad, is one of the most inspirational and kindhearted people I know. I admire his drive and ambition. He keeps me on my toes, and I am forever grateful for our journey together.





































































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