Clark Art Institute selected Jane Braun as Sylvia and Leonard Marx Director of Collections and Exhibitions
Williamstown— The Clark Art Institute has selected Jane Braun to serve as its Sylvia and Leonard Marx Director of Collections and Exhibitions. Braun comes to the Clark from the Harvard Art Museums where she has worked for the last ten years.
“We are genuinely delighted to welcome Jane Braun to the Clark,” said Esther Bell, Deputy Director and Robert and Martha Berman Lipp Chief Curator of the Clark. “Jane brings deep knowledge and extensive experience to her new role, and we look forward to engaging with her ideas and perspectives as she joins our team. Jane is arriving in the very beginning stages of our work on the upcoming Aso O. Tavitian Wing project, and we trust that her contributions to this exciting new chapter in the Clark’s history will be important in achieving our goals.”
In addition to managing the Clark’s collections team and its special exhibitions program, Braun will supervise the work of the Clark’s Publications Department and its photography studio. Braun currently serves as the Assistant Director for Exhibition and Collection Project Planning at the Harvard Art Museums, having held a series of increasingly responsible roles working on the museum’s temporary exhibition program as well as its permanent collection galleries since joining Harvard in 2015. Prior to joining the Harvard team, Braun served in curatorial and exhibition- related positions at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Braun holds a master’s degree in art history from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in the history of art from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
“I am honored to be joining the extraordinary team at the Clark during this important moment in its history,” said Jane Braun. “I have long admired the Clark’s dynamic exhibition program and commitment to showcasing its collection and look forward to contributing to that work while getting to know the vibrant surrounding community.”
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Berkshire United Way names Katherine von Haefen as President and CEO
Pittsfield— The Berkshire United Way (BUW) Board of Directors has officially approved Katherine von Haefen as president and CEO, effective immediately. She previously served as interim while continuing her role as director of Community Impact.
Von Haefen joined BUW in October 2021 and has led region-wide initiatives focused on early childhood education, food security, and nonprofit investment. She also spearheaded BUW’s $1 million annual investment strategy and played a key role in shaping the organization’s strategic plan.
Von Haefen brings more than two decades of nonprofit leadership experience, including her tenure at United Way of Greater Houston, where she led major initiatives in early childhood development and public policy advocacy. She will continue to serve on the City of Pittsfield’s Preschool Partnership (CPPI) Leadership Committee, the MA Early Childhood Funders Collaborative Steering Committee, and the board of the Berkshire Area Health Education Center.
“Katherine has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication to our mission,” said BUW Board Chair Krystle Blake. “Her deep understanding of community needs and her ability to bring people together to create meaningful change make her the ideal leader for this next chapter. We are thrilled to have her at the helm.”
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NBT Bank announced expanded leadership roles for Aidan Gilligan and Adam Derwitsch
Pittsfield— NBT Bank announced that Aidan Gilligan has assumed an expanded role leading commercial banking for NBT Bank in Berkshire County, supported by Adam Derwitsch, who works closely with clients and team members in Berkshire County as a commercial portfolio manager.
As a senior commercial banking relationship manager, Gilligan oversees NBT’s efforts to deliver commercial banking solutions tailored to the specific needs of local businesses and organizations. In addition to lending, this includes deposit and treasury management services and the bank’s robust digital banking tools.
Gilligan joined NBT in 2023 through its merger with Salisbury Bank and has more than 13 years of experience in financial services. Prior to banking, he worked in the insurance industry as an account executive at Wheeler & Taylor Insurance in Great Barrington. He is a 2025 graduate of NBT’s Emerging Leaders professional development program and he holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University and graduated from the Connecticut School of Finance & Management. In 2021, he received recognition as one of the New Leaders in Banking by the Connecticut Bankers Association. Active in his community, Gilligan coaches with the Berkshire Rattlers Youth Hockey Organization and volunteers with Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington. He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Eagle Fund, Sheffield Kiwanis, Wyantenuck Country Club, and the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce.
Derwitsch joined NBT in 2023 as associate credit officer, contributing to the bank’s strong credit culture. In his expanded role, he will oversee portfolio management of the Berkshire County loan portfolio including credit and risk evaluation, financial analysis and modeling. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Clemson University’s Wilbur O. & Ann Powers College of Business, Derwitsch brings a strategic mindset to support sound lending decisions and long-term client success.
“Aidan and Adam represent the next generation of banking leadership in Berkshire County,” said Regional President Andreas Kapetanopoulos.
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Berkshire Money Management to open new office in Williamstown
Williamstown— Berkshire Money Management will open a new office at 136 Water Street in Williamstown later this year to better serve clients and neighbors in the northern Berkshires and southern Vermont.
With offices now in Dalton, Great Barrington, and Williamstown, clients can meet with their advisors close to home, wherever they live. The Water Street location, just around the corner from Spring Street and the Williams College campus, brings the firm’s financial-planning expertise to the heart of Williamstown’s business district. Advisors will begin meeting clients in Williamstown by appointment later this year, with a grand opening planned for early 2026.
The Williamstown office will be the home base of Financial Advisor Brendan Bullett, who joined BMM earlier this fall. Bullett has nearly two decades of experience helping employees of Williams College, North Adams Regional Hospital, Berkshire Health Systems, and other local organizations make the transition from saving for retirement to retiring with confidence. He will be joined by a full-time office support specialist.
The building is owned by BMM Co-Founder and Chief Engagement Officer Stacey Carver, who purchased the property earlier this year; a personal investment that reflects both her and the firm’s long-term commitment to the region. “The property is in great shape,” Carver shared. “We’re making a few cosmetic updates including new flooring and fresh furniture, but we’re nearly ready to welcome clients. We’re excited to become part of everyday life in Williamstown.”
The company isn’t waiting for a grand opening to become a part of the community. The firm recently joined the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce and is actively seeking ways to support local organizations and causes through sponsorships and community partnerships. Groups in the northern Berkshires interested in sponsorship support can reach out to info@berkshiremm.com for more information.
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MountainOne celebrates Pittsfield Community Food Pantry President Mary Wheat’s 92nd Birthday
Pittsfield— MountainOne recently celebrated Pittsfield Community Food Pantry President Mary Wheat’s 92nd birthday with a donation of 92 boxes of cereal for their annual Cereal Drive.
The Pittsfield Community Food Pantry, formerly the South Community Food Pantry, is the largest food pantry in Berkshire County and is run entirely by volunteers. This year’s Cereal Drive has brought in over 2,000 boxes of cereal.
Brenda Petell, Vice President, Community Engagement Officer, along with Stacy Roman, Margherita Hoffman, and Jennifer Smith from the MountainOne Insurance Team, delivered 92 boxes of Shredded Mini-Wheats, balloons, a card, and a cake in honor of Mary Wheat’s 92nd birthday.
“We are excited to celebrate Mary’s birthday and all of the wonderful work that she does every day at the food pantry,” said Petell. “Our team was happy to deliver a birthday cake, balloons, and a goat-filled bag of goodies along with 92 boxes of cereal to support this vital community organization. I have had the pleasure of volunteering with Mary for over five years, and her leadership and commitment to the community are remarkable.”
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Greylock boosts access to local food through support of Berkshire Grown’s Mobile Farmers Market
Berkshire— The Berkshires is synonymous with farm-to-table culture, yet more than a third of Berkshire County experiences some level of food insecurity, and many farmers struggle to sustain their livelihood. According to the Greater Boston Food Bank, food insecurity rates in the Berkshires is at 39 percent, with children experiencing even higher rates at 43 percent statewide. Rural regions, such as the Berkshires, have limited transportation, higher housing costs, and lower wages, which create obstacles to affording fresh food.
Greylock Insurance Agency, along with partner Arbella Insurance Foundation and Greylock Federal Credit Union, has awarded a combined grant of $4,500 to Berkshire Grown to help fund the Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market.
The Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market is one way Berkshire Grown helps feed people while supporting farmers. “Many areas, like the hill towns and Pittsfield’s inner city, lack nearby, walkable grocery stores or pantries,” said Katie Rubright, Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market Manager. “Not only does the Mobile Market make accessible fresh, nutritious food, it also strives to create an inclusive, stigma-free shopping experience with a tiered payment system. Shoppers can choose a price that fits their budget.”
“The program specifically benefits seniors, children, and historically underserved communities, particularly those in Environmental Justice neighborhoods,” continues Rubright. “We have the highest percentage of people more than 80 years old in the state, and many of them face mobility challenges. Our goal is to make locally grown food more accessible to the people who need it most, and at the same time, support small and mid-sized farms by helping bring their products to a wider market.”
In addition to the tiered payment system, which allows customers to pay retail price, a 50 percent discount, or receive up to $50 worth of food for free, the Mobile Market accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program. A key component of Berkshire Grown’s mission is to assist farmers in growing the food the community needs; the Mobile Market pays full prices for all products, regardless of how much the consumer is able to pay.
