Women of Impact
Watch the Video from the Dec. 9 Event
This Year’s Class to Be Celebrated on Dec. 8
BusinessWest has long recognized the contributions of women within the business community and created the Women of Impact awards four years ago to further honor women who have the authority and power to move the needle in their business, are respected for accomplishments within their industries, give back to the community, and are sought out as respected advisors and mentors within their field of influence.
See the 2022 Women of Impact Digital section HERE
The eight stories below demonstrate that idea many times over. They detail not only what these women do for a living, but what they’ve done with their lives — specifically, how they’ve become innovators in their fields, leaders within the community, and, most importantly, inspirations to all those around them. The class of 2022 features:
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsors
Partner Sponsors
View the Presenting Sponsor Videos
Nominate the Next Woman of Impact
For sponsorship information contact:
Kate Campiti 413.781.8600 (ext. 104) [email protected]
Kathleen Plante 413.781.8600 (ext. 108) [email protected]
Previous Years of Celebrating Women of Impact
2021 Women of Impact
• Jessica Collins
Executive director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts;
• Elizabeth Dineen
CEO of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts;
• Charlene Elvers
Director of the Center for Service and Leadership at Springfield College;
• Karin Jeffers
President and CEO of Clinical and Support Options;
• Elizabeth Keen
Owner of Indian Line Farm;
• Madeline Landrau
Program Engagement manager at MassMutual;
• Shannon Mumblo
Executive director of Christina’s House;
• Tracye Whitfield
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion officer for the town of West Springfield; and Springfield City Councilor.
2020 Women of Impact
2020 Women of Impact
• Tania Barber, President and CEO of Caring Health Center, who has led by example, with a servant’s heart, in both her healthcare career and in her ministry.
• Carol Campbell, President of Chicopee Industrial Contractors, who is using her influence to help other women find — and use — their voice.
• Helen Caulton-Harris, Health and Human Services commissioner for the city of Springfield, whose vision of a healthier community includes social equity.
• Patricia Hallberg, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts, who continues to be both a role model and advocate for women and girls.
• Andrea Harrington, Berkshire County district attorney, who set out to transform her region’s criminal-justice system and has done so, in myriad ways.
• Toni Hendrix, Director of Human Services at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing, who has transformed organizations through empathy-based leadership.
• Christina Royal, President of Holyoke Community College, whose leadership has been tested and sharpened by the challenges wrought by a pandemic.
• Sue Stubbs, President and CEO of ServiceNet, who has grown her agency dramatically by recognizing needs and welcoming innovative ideas to meet them.
Presenting Sponsors
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Country Bank's 2020 Women of Impact Sponsor Video
Health New England's 2020 Women of Impact Sponsor Video
TommyCar Auto Group's 2020 Women of Impact Sponsor Video
Supporting Sponsor
Media Partner
Social Media Partner
2nd Annual Women of Impact Awards
2019 Women of Impact Honorees
Tricia Canavan, President, United Personnel Services
Carol Moore Cutting, President, CEO, and General Manager, Cutting Edge Broadcasting
Jean Deliso, Principal, Deliso Financial Services
Ellen Freyman, Partner, Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin
Mary Hurley, Massachusetts Governor’s Councilor
Lydia Martinez-Alvarez, Assistant Superintendent, Springfield Public Schools
Suzanne Parker, Executive Director, Girls Inc. of the Valley
Katherine Putnam, Managing Director, Golden Seeds
2019 Co-emcee
Taylor Knight joined 22News in July of 2018 as a multimedia journalist. Currently, Taylor is the co-anchor of the 22News weekday morning newscasts and a reporter for the 22News I-Team. Before arriving in Springfield, Taylor was a reporter for FiOS1 News in New Jersey. Taylor began her career as a multimedia journalist in Connecticut, covering news and sports in Fairfield County. Taylor earned her B.A. in broadcast journalism at Temple University in Philadelphia. During college, she interned at WFSB in Connecticut and NBC Sports Philadelphia. In her free time, Taylor enjoys spending time with her dog, running, and watching the Philadelphia Eagles. She is excited to now be “Working for You!”
2018 Women of Impact Event
More than 400 people turned out at the Sheraton Springfield on Dec. 6, 2018 for BusinessWest’s inaugural Women of Impact luncheon. Eight women were honored for their achievements in business and with giving back to the community. Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attended and offered remarks on subjects ranging from advancements in STEM education to a host of bipartisan efforts at the State House. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno also offered remarks. The keynote speaker was Lei Wang, the first Asian woman to complete the Explorers Grand Slam.
See the 2018 Women of Impact Program Flipbook HERE
The 2018 Women of Impact Honorees:
• Jean Canosa Albano, assistant director of Public Services, Springfield City Library;
• Kerry Dietz, principal, Dietz Architects;
• Denise Jordan, executive director, Springfield Housing Authority;
• Gina Kos, executive director, Sunshine Village;
• Carol Leary, president, Bay Path University;
• Colleen Loveless, president and CEO, Revitalize Community Development Corp.;
• Janis Santos, executive director, HCS Head Start; and
• Katie Allen Zobel, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.
2018 Women of Impact Honorees
Celebrating the 2018 Women of Impact
Scenes from the Women of Impact Event
More than 400 people turned out at the Sheraton Springfield on Dec. 6 for BusinessWest’s inaugural Women of Impact luncheon. Eight women were honored for their achievements in business and with giving back to the community. Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito attended and offered remarks on subjects ranging from advancements in STEM education to a host of bipartisan efforts at the State House. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno also offered remarks. The keynote speaker was Lei Wang, the first Asian woman to complete the Explorers Grand Slam.