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40 Under Forty, Class of 2021
You cannot overstate how much the amount of high-quality, talented, and motivated young professionals is growing in Central Massachusetts, and how they are playing a vital role in the region’s future. Older alumni of the now 22-year-old WBJ 40 Under Forty awards frequently comment if they were nominated for the honor today, they would fall short when compared to the accomplishments and drive of the current class of winners. While some of this may be humility, every year the quality of nominees who don’t get selected for the award increases. They have a lot to live up to.
Saint Vincent to now permanently replace all striking nurses
The Worcester healthcare provider on Sunday announced it would permanently fill the remaining open positions vacated by the 800 union nurses.
- Advice
AdviceCreate a nurturing culture
Bonnie J. WalkerWe know change management is an ongoing, critical focus in business. If change is the only constant, then we must accept and be ready for it.
- Advice
AdviceHow midsize firms can advance ESG
Anthony SantiagoWell-integrated ESG strategies provide real value in helping businesses stay successful in the face of disruption while delivering for the common good of all stakeholders.
- AdviceAdvice
101: Training leaders
Susan ShalhoubDevelopment of leaders is crucial to an organization, yet often overlooked or implemented in a haphazard fashion.
- Advice
Advice10 Things I know about. ...Employer vaccine mandates
Robert YoungThe Delta variant continues to drive increased COVID case reports, causing concern for employers seeking to re-establish in-office work as the norm.
- Opinion
OpinionNew data on the return to work
Jesse HarriotThe Great Resignation. The Turnover Tsunami. The Big Quit. Whatever you’re calling it, it should be on your mind.
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- EditorialEditorial
Editorial: Fight the workforce shortage with pay increases, training, promotion and engagement
Much like the hospitality, manufacturing, retail, and construction industries right now, the social service nonprofit sector is facing a staffing shortage. Particularly for human services caregivers, the pay is low, the job is hard, and the coronavirus pandemic compounded an already strained situation.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Linda Anderson
When Linda Anderson took over as principal at St. Bernard’s High School in Fitchburg, the Diocese of Worcester was just months away from announcing it could no longer afford to support the school.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Aaron Birt
Aaron Birt is known for his ability to rally his team, set goals, and chart a course to meet them.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Esther Boama-Nyarko
Katherine HamiltonCommunity-based healthcare equity has been the hallmark of Esther Boama-Nyarko’s career.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Ross Bradshaw
Ross Bradshaw has become well-known for opening the first state-licensed economic empowerment cannabis dispensary in Central Mass, New Dia.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty: Tiffiny A. Butler PhD, ATC
To say Tiffiny Butler chases her passions would be an understatement, as she serves as a leader in virtually every community she touches.
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- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Jamie Cormier
Katherine HamiltonFlexibility, strength, and endurance aren’t just important aspects of physical therapy – they’re words to describe Jamie Cormier, who gracefully balances countless leadership roles, motherhood, and a dedication to healing others.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Breanna DiBella
Sloane M. PerronBreanna DiBella is quickly becoming a rising star in Worcester.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Dr. Moses S. Dixon
Katherine HamiltonWith a lifelong dedication to serving underprivileged communities in Massachusetts, Dr. Moses S. Dixon is the youngest and first person of color to lead the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging as president and CEO.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Jonida B. Duque
Katherine HamiltonJonida Duque is a fearless leader, but she never loses sight of her true motivation: helping every individual access quality health care.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Ryan Foley
First joining Cunningham & Assciates while an undergraduate at Nichols, Ryan Foley spent nearly the last two decades climbing the company’s ladder, ultimately ascending to partner, specifically in charge of client engagement.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Jared Forman
Sloane M. PerronOne conversation with Jared Forman is all it takes to hear how passionate he is about food and how much the art of cooking has influenced his life journey.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Joanne M. Fowling
Katherine HamiltonSince becoming a volunteer with the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester eight years ago, Joanne M. Fowling has climbed the ranks and made history as the first woman, and woman of color, to hold the 128-year-old club’s director of operations position.
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- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Timothy Geary
Timothy Geary was named president of Weld Power in 2008, at the age of 24, when the company had one service branch in Auburn and employed 12 people.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Brittany Gesner
Katherine HamiltonAs project manager of the VHB Worcester land development team, Brittany Gesner has spent the last nine years creating developments impacting Central Mass.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: David Ginisi
Katherine HamiltonFor most people, it takes a lifelong career to understand the complexities of a community’s small business network and become a collective voice for it. But, David Ginisi is not most people.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Alyssa Glennon
Sloane M. PerronAlyssa Glennon joined RCAP Solutions straight out of college as a 21-year-old, entry-level accountant.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Ryan Hacker
In his capacity at UMass Medical School, Ryan Hacker has been involved in a multitude of projects, including the fit-up of the $400-million Albert Sherman Center and now the newest building on campus, the $325-million New Education and Research Building.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Alicia Haddad
Alicia Haddad has spent the last six years growing her self-funded company, much like her goods, from scratch.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Allison James
Katherine HamiltonAs COO and COVID-19 manager of the $2.1-million nonprofit, Allison James has been an advocate for Worcester’s youth through one of the toughest years young people have seen.
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- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Sean Kelly
Sean Kelly, a three-time Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduate with a PhD in material science and engineering, helped grow his company from two to 36 employees in less than four years, as well as expand from a 1,000-square-foot operation to a 48,000-square-foot operation across three locations, all in Central Mass.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Peter Vani Konneh II
Katherine HamiltonPeter Vani Konneh II not only provides mental health rehabilitation for trauma survivors, but he acts as a role model of the great heights a survivor can achieve. After spending the first 20 years of his life in war-torn parts of Liberia, he has effectively channeled his own traumatic experiences into caring for other survivors.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Grace Lam
If you’ve been on Instagram in the last several years, there’s a solid chance you’re familiar with Fivefork Farms and its resplendent feed of blooming dahlias, fields of peonies, and bouquets of lisianthus. Boasting nearly 60,000 followers, Grace Lam, who worked as an international equities sales trader in a previous life, has found herself a niche market in high demand.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Paul Lincoln
Sloane M. PerronDuring the day Lincoln works as a sales audit supervisor in corporate finance for the $40-billion Framingham retail parent TJX Cos. However, his passion for candle-making has quickly turned into a highly profitable business and an outlet for charitable giving.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Ryan MacKay
As the market demand for locally raised and grown food has increased, Ryan MacKay has been at the forefront of answering that call. A first-generation farmer who bought his first property – 350 acres in Holden in 2016 – and his second – 50 acres in Rutland – MacKay has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to raising livestock and providing protein options to the Central Mass. community and beyond.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Lisa Malo
As creative group manager at Bose, a $4-billion electronics manufacturer, Lisa Malo manages a team of more than 15 creatives who work on global marketing, where she is responsible for leading art directors, copywriters, content strategists, animation designers and more.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Shaun McDonough
Before becoming the heir apparent at FLEXcon, Shaun McDonough spent two years working as a public defender in Worcester County, during which he ran undefeated in trials. Now, however, his work life looks a little different.
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- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Kim Miner
Katherine HamiltonShe runs a minor league baseball team, but Kim Miner’s accomplishments are majorly impressive.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: John Peter Pacheco Jr.
Sloane M. PerronOne of five children in a family who emigrated from Portugal and a first-generation college student, John Peter Pacheco Jr. has leveraged his quick success in the banking sector to better his company, the industry, and his community.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Seth A. Pitts, CFE
Sloane M. PerronBorn and raised in Worcester, Seth Pitts' connection with the city and its residents gives him a unique perspective at Bay State Savings Bank, where he leads the financials at an institution with $469 million in assets and profits of $2.3 million in 2020.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Mary E. Roy
Sloane M. PerronIn the 18 years Mary E. Roy has been with Quaker Special Risk, she grew the personal line department from $1.3 million in 2004 to $40 million in 2021.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Jessica-Lee Sabine
Katherine HamiltonAn unwavering commitment to the local community has fueled Jessica-Lee Sabine and her cafe and bar, the Rose Room, for the past four years.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Amanda Jane ‘AJ’ Setaro, 34
Sloane M. PerronEnvironmental responsibility and high-end designer fashion are typically not topics put together, but at Amanda Jane "AJ" Setaro’s consignment shop, customers can purchase celebrity-worthy styles while focusing on slow fashion, a movement encouraging sustainable practices and fair wages while reducing waste.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Emily M. Sricharoenchaikit, CFP, CRPS, AIF
Sloane M. PerronTo say Emily M. Sricharoenchaikit is driven would be a vast understatement. As a financial advisor, she specializes in helping business owners reach their retirement goals through financial planning and risk management.
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- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Kat Stevens, LMHC
Katherine HamiltonKat Stevens took on the role of CEO in April 2020, successfully meeting the immense challenge of providing safe spaces and services for more than 3,600 patients during the COVID pandemic. Under her leadership, RCA has increased its bed capacity by almost 100%.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Therese Susienka, DMD
Katherine HamiltonAt 28 years old, Therese Susienka, DMD opened her own dentistry practice, which now four years later has more than 1,300 active patients. Dedicated to providing family-oriented, comprehensive dental care, she has grown her practice by 30%.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Emily Swalec, LCSW
Katherine HamiltonAs the leader of Worcester Family Resource Center, typically the busiest of the state’s 27 family resource centers, Emily Swalec has mounted two major emergency response operations, to support Puerto Ricans resettling in Worcester after Hurricane Maria in 2018 and, more recently, to create COVID-19 aid.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Sheena Toscano
Sloane M. PerronSheena Toscano always dreamed of opening her own salon but thought the opportunity was decades in the future. However, her boyfriend (now husband) encouraged her to chase after her dream and with a small loan from her parents and a 600-square-foot space, Sheena’s Salon & Spa was born.
- Focus On 40 Under Forty
Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Ronald Bernard Waddell Jr.
Ronald Bernard Waddell Jr. co-founded the nonprofit Legendary Legacies three years ago and has grown the organization from a startup with $60,000 in June 2020 to a $900,000 nonprofit with multi-year government funding just one year later.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: David Zamarin
Not many people can boast they started their career by launching a company in the 10th grade, but David Zamarin can.
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Focus On 40 Under Forty40 Under Forty 2021: Jessika Zequeira
Katherine HamiltonAt the Shine Initiative, Jessika Zequeira offers mental health and suicide prevention workshops to teens, educators, and parents. During her time with Shine, the nonprofit has grown from 30 to 50 schools in the last two and a half years.
