40 Under Forty: Kate D. Campanale, 32

Photo | Erika Sidor Winners of WBJ 2018 40 Under Forty award (from left): Kate Campanale, Bert LaValley, Alvara Gjylapi and Ryan Canuel.

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State representative

Massachusetts House of Representatives

Lives: Worcester

Birthplace: Worcester

College: Sweet Briar College in Virginia

In 2014, Commonwealth Magazine gave Campanale a 6-percent chance of winning her first election to the state House of Representatives. She not only beat the odds to become the first woman elected from the 17th Worcester District – representing about 40,000 people in Leicester and part of Worcester – but the 29-year-old freshman legislator was appointed to the powerful House Committee on Ways & Means, which develops the $40-billion state budget. In her time at the State House, Campanale introduced legislation to deal with the student loan crisis, where employees could pay off their debts by making tax-free payroll contributions and employers would receive financial incentives to contribute toward the loan payments as well. Campanale has worked on legislation to address the opioid crisis. She has helped secure state funding for local projects, including $1 million for the Rawson Street Bridge and $2 million for Stiles Reservoir Dam in Leicester, and $400,000 for Stearns Tavern and $100,000 for Coes Pond in Worcester. Her favorite aspect of the job is speaking with students on all levels, and she volunteers for the Reach Out & Read program and mentors through YOU, Inc.

From 40 Under Forty judge Kate Sharry: “Kate's constituents are lucky to have such a hardworking, dedicated and smart woman on their side.”

If you could go back in time, when would you go back to? I love history! As Jimmy Buffett says in his song Boat Drinks, “You pick the century, and I'll pick the spot!”

What is the best advice you've ever gotten? “Don't complain unless you get involved.” I wouldn't be where I am today if my parents did not instill the importance of being engaged and thinking for myself.

Read about the entire 2018 Class of 40 Under Forty

Michael Alden - Ascentria Care Alliance

Che Anderson - City of Worcester

Victor M. Archila - VMA Electric Inc.

Allison Beckler, DO - YOU, Inc.

Sam Bitar - Webster Five

Mark A. Borenstein - Seder & Chandler LLP

Kate D. Campanale - Massachusetts House of Representatives

Derek Canton - paerpay

Ryan Canuel - Petricore, Inc.

Jennifer Caron - Body Therapeutics

Danielle J. Clark - Clark Career Coaching