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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
This year is a celebration of everything the 40 Under Forty has meant to the Central Massachusetts business community over the last 25 years, with a heavy focus on the incoming Class of 2024. In their story below, you’ll read about the great professional and personal achievements of this year’s 40 winners, including startup founders, ascending executives, and nonprofit leaders.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversaryWBJ celebrates the 25th anniversary of the 40 Under Forty, names the Class of 2024
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty: Catch up with 25 alumni for the 25th anniversary
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversarySlideshow: Outtakes from the 40 Under Forty photo shoots around Central Mass.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Rosibel Alicea Torres, child advocate
Today, Alicea Torres oversees 40 home daycares in Greater Worcester, while providing services to those receiving help from the Mass. Department of Transitional Assistance, in addition to her work with unhoused families and teen and adult parents involved with DCF.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Dominic Arsenault, plumbing and heating entrepreneur
Arsenault branched out on his own by founding Domination Plumbing & Heating in 2019. Since then, the multimillion-dollar company has grown to more than 15 employees, offering a variety of plumbing, HVAC, and heating-related services to 39 communities across Central Massachusetts.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Sean Brennan, architectural marketing director
Some people find their next lawnmower on Craigslist, or perhaps a new apartment. Sean Brennan found a career.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Denis Brown, dining services manager
Brown is leading the dining service program at WPI with precision and expertise.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Tori Buerschaper, feeding the community
Buerschaper is making her community healthier every day.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Jennessa Burks, artist educating the community
Burks has left her mark on Worcester. Literally. She has collaboratively painted more than 20 murals throughout the city and has been commissioned to create more than 45 works of art total to be displayed across 18 states.
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- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Christon Carney, singer teaching the next generation
Carney headed west to Worcester following graduation, finding a city with a culture that reminded him of his hometown before it was changed by gentrification.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Jessica Casey, improves palliative care
Casey entered the hospice and palliative care field in 2014 and hasn’t looked back.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Raquel Castro-Corazzini, leads Worcester recreation
Not only did Castro-Corazzini found Worcester’s Division of Youth Opportunities, she herself grew the department's team from a staff from one in 2016 to more than 100 in less than a decade.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Elisa Chan, grew personal practice 500%
Since joining G9 in June 2020, Chan has grown her personal practice by 500%, playing a key role in G9 more than tripling its revenue since bringing her on board.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Paul "Paulie" Chlebecek, well-connected financial advisor
If you run a business in North Central Massachusetts, you might be familiar with Paulie Chlebecek.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Anthony Consolmagno, nonprofit financial wizard
At 30, Consolmagno stepped into his previous role as CFO of Worcester-based Open Sky Community Services, helping grow the nonprofit’s revenue by more than 50% from $77 million in 2019 to $119 million in fiscal 2023.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Jim Cozza, award-winning real estate broker
Rejecting the notion that Worcester is a stepping stone to working in bigger markets, Cozza has contributed to the growth of his birthplace through his involvement in $125-million worth of property sales and $150-million worth of leases.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Ariana Dello Stritto, Pride festival director
Dello Stritto involves herself in all aspects of the Worcester community, whether it be her former role as marketing outreach officer at Bay State Savings Bank or serving as festival director at Pride Worcester.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Lora Dumas, promotes successful health outcomes
Lora Dumas has played a role in keeping tens of thousands of Central Massachusetts residents safe, even if they don’t know her name.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Luisa Fernandez, makes a difference in her adopted community
At Fitchburg Public Schools, Fernandez creates and facilitates programs for parents and children, building strong relationships between the school system and the community.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Timothy Hally, creative agency entrepreneur
As most recent college graduates are looking to find entry-level jobs, Hally decided to start his own company.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Hayley Haywood, equity entrepreneur
Haywood left the security of her 9-to-5 position in higher education to set out on her own, launching her equity-based consulting firm in April 2023.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Dan Joslyn, takes his family business to new heights
Before taking over Ace, a business founded by his grandfather in 1963, Dan Joslyn sought to put his criminal justice degree to good use by signing up for the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office academy.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Leonard Jusme, mental health pioneer
Since opening, Jusme has grown his practice from one provider to three providers of color on a staff offering a range of expertise including depression treatment, trauma therapy, and racial identity.
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- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Olivia Jusme, diversifies the supply chain
Jusme is a talented multitasker, a skill she picked up during her years at AIC pursuing a business management degree, where she balanced classes, being a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, supporting her household, and raising a child.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: James Kalogeropoulos, real estate entrepreneur
The real estate industry space can be an intimidating place for outsiders, but the always jovial Jimmy K aims to put clients at ease.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Elizabeth Kazinskas, groundbreaking city councillor
Kazinskas hit the ground running as a city counselor. During her first term in 2018, she played an integral leadership role in getting Gardner’s $3.5-million public school athletic complex project passed by the City Council.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Racquel Knight, supports women entrepreneurs
As the director of CWE Central MA, Knight works to support entrepreneurs, especially women of color, through developing and implementing programs including the Black Entrepreneurs Business Summit, a collaborative effort executed with community organizations.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Alex Mazin, cannabis trailblazer
In a city where some of the most well-capitalized cannabis companies on the planet have struggled to keep their doors open, Worcester’s Alex Mazin has created a homegrown cannabis company that has connected with the local community.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Julia McGuinn, recycling manager
After working in the jewelry industry for 12 years, McGuinn decided to make a drastic career change to construction and recycling.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Idaliana Medina, pastry chef and nonprofit leader
Managing more than 1,000 volunteers completing unfinished projects throughout Central Massachusetts may seem like a daunting task for some, but it’s all in a day’s work for Medina.
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- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Erjon Metohu, design entrepreneur
Erjon Metohu grew his digital design firm from a one-person operation in his father’s auto body shop office to a team of 18 professionals, serving businesses in Greater Worcester and becoming a leader in higher education digital strategy.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Emily Molstad, tech executive
Upon receiving her master’s degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2019, Molstad quickly got to work tackling the issue of sustainability by co-founding VALIS in 2022.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Katie Najjar, banking executive
Even before the age of 40, Najjar already has a wealth of banking experience.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Melissa Randall, corporate communications director
Now at Fallon, she’s brought all facets of corporate video capabilities in-house, including video production, on-camera hosting, and editing.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Robert Rios, achieved his entrepreneurial dreams
When Rios was offered the opportunity to work in sales and marketing at the young age of 18, he never looked back, and in 2013, he achieved his dream of establishing his own corporation.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Brandon Robbins, helps feed those in need
Robbins is all about forging genuine and meaningful connections.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Theona Scola, directs WPI donor strategy
As director of donor strategy and stewardship at WPI, she works closely with academic leaders and other university partners to strategize outreach efforts for donors and support philanthropic efforts.
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- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Andrew Shepherd, a man of many talents
A business owner, farmer, firefighter, and active community member, Shepherd is a bit of a renaissance man.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Margo Valdes, energy expert founded a building performance firm
Striking out on her own in 2023, she founded Athena Building Performance, an insulation contractor focusing on weatherizing existing homes.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Galen Verney, fueled by boundless energy
Starting as a social & media relations manager at The DAVIS Cos. in 2012, Galen Verney has methodically climbed his way up the corporate ladder for the past 12 years.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Kim Welch, mental health art therapist
Having worked as a clinical services coordinator, school-based counselor, and art therapist throughout her career, Welch had helped children, adults, and families through workshops and individual and group counseling, all services she now offers through her private practice.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty 2024: Tim Whittredge, real estate broker for Worcester's urban core
Despite his young age, Whittredge has already had a large impact on the Central Massachusetts commercial real estate scene, particularly in Worcester’s urban core.
40 Under Forty 2024: Matt Wright, the photographer you want
Leaders and institutions turn to Wright again and again not just because he takes great photographs, but because of how he does it.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Stacey Luster, Class of 2000 - groundbreaking education executive
Before she was named to the inaugural class of WBJ’s 40 Under Forty, Stacey Luster was breaking new ground as the first Black woman elected to Worcester City Council.
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- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Kevin Shea, Class of 2001 - a hall of fame sports journalism career
Success in sports is measured in the amount of trophies won and accolades compiled. If we apply those same principles to sports journalism, it’s hard to deny that Kevin Shea has had a hall of fame career.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Joe Santa Maria, Class of 2002 - made it by striking out on his own
After putting in two decades as general manager of Worcester Fitness, Santa Maria officially set out on his own to make his passion for photography into a full-time business.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Walter Dwyer, Class of 2003 - navigated the ups and downs of the banking industry
The banking industry has certainly seen some turmoil in the past 25 years, but Walter Dwyer has navigated those troublesome waters just fine.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Kelsa Zereski, Class of 2004 - now leads a high-profile foundation
At Reliant Foundation, Zereski leads fundraising efforts, allowing the organization to provide funding to nonprofits serving 70 towns throughout Central Massachusetts.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Todd Bailey, Class of 2005 - led Fallon Health in the interim
After a three-decade career in the healthcare field, Bailey took on one of his most critical roles in January, when the board of Fallon Health made him interim president and CEO.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Ron Ernenwein, Class of 2006 - he 4X his transportation company
Ron Ernenwein has grown his transportation business from transporting 10,750 children home to school each day in 2006, to 43,000 today, creating the largest independent school bus contractor in Massachusetts.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Melissa Fetterhoff, Class of 2007 - elevated the Nashoba Valley chamber
Since 2007, Fetterhoff has managed the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce through COVID-19, while maintaining membership, building strong relationships with community leaders, and enhancing the chamber’s visibility and reputation.
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- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Christina Andreoli, Class of 2008 - from tourism advocate to banking executive
Recognized as a 40 Under Forty for her work under then Worcester city manager Michael O’Brien in 2008, Andreoli referenced her mission to boost the region’s tourism sector as one of her career highlights at the time.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Albert Rose, Class of 2010 - diversified his family farm
Rose is striving to steer and evolve the fourth-generation family farm into a sustainable, viable, and year-round business with his wife, Nancy Rose.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty alumni: Albert Rose, Class of 2010 - diversified his family farm
Rose is striving to steer and evolve the fourth-generation family farm into a sustainable, viable, and year-round business with his wife, Nancy Rose.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Joshua Lee Smith, Class of 2011 - sought-out real estate attorney
Since 2011, Smith’s name has become a mainstay of Central Massachusetts real estate, as he has guided countless local businesses and developments through the local planning process.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Ed Hardy, Class of 2012 - grew his climbing gym across six states
Central Rock Gym is one of the largest rock climbing chains in the world, with millions of visits each year.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Bob Waitt, Class of 2013 - leads marketing for a global life sciences manufacturer
Waitt suffered from imposter syndrome after working his way up the corporate ladder at Albright Technologies from a part-time job to company president, but being named to WBJ’s 40 Under Forty in 2013 instilled him with confidence in his abilities as a leader in business.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Jake Sanders, Class of 2014 - leading the restoration of a Worcester gem
A lot has changed in the decade since Jake Sanders’ class of WBJ 40 under Forty winners.
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- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Casey Cormier, Class of 2015 - took over leadership of Worcester manufacturer
A number of 40 Under Forty alumni saw themselves receive promotions in the aftermath of receiving the award, but Cormier went straight to the top.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Nicole Zea, Class of 2016 - moving up the ranks at Saint-Gobain
Nicole Zea first joined French manufacturing firm Saint-Gobain in 2002 and has played an important role in the company’s Mass. presence ever since.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Lindiana Flores Semidei, Class of 2017 - restarted her dancing company
Flores Semidei left the GWCF at the conclusion of 2022 to re-open her dance company, Raices Latin Dance.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Ché Anderson, Class of 2018 - community advocate advises Gov. Healey
In the past six years, Anderson has shifted his career away from municipal government and toward higher education, working to connect with the Worcester community through the lens of health equity.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Derek Canton, Class of 2018 - entrepreneur caught the NBA's attention
In just the six years since his 40 under Forty award, Canton has made Paerpay, his contactless payment solution for restaurants, an internationally utilized brand
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Sonia Sharma, Class of 2019 - decided to be her own boss
Though she has enough professional achievements to healthily pack any resume, Sonia Sharma considers taking control of her career as her single biggest accomplishment since receiving her 40 under Forty award in 2019.
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40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Robyn Kennedy, Class of 2020 - Worcester's newest state senator
Robyn Kennedy assumed her role as a Massachusetts state senator in January 2023, but not before doing some very heavy lifting back at the YWCA.
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- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Sarah Connell Sanders, Class of 2020 - co-authored a book on teacher burnout
In the four years since her original recognition, Connell Sanders has experienced many firsts.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Seth Pitts, Class of 2021 - took over Bay State Savings Bank
Since being honored as a WBJ 40 Under Forty in 2021, in-part for his work helping the business through the COVID-19 pandemic, Pitts has ascended to the top leadership at Bay State Savings Bank.
- 40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary
40 Under Forty, 25th anniversary40 Under Forty alumni: Ashley Randle, Class of 2022 - leads state department of agriculture
In the short time since she was honored as a 40 Under Forty in 2022, Randle has risen to the top of the department tasked with nurturing the state’s agricultural industry, becoming the first female leader in the 100+ year history of MDAR.
