Announcing the Massachusetts Founders Network, a new supportive community for Massachusetts startup founders
North Adams— Lever welcomed friends and colleagues from across the state on October 3rd and 4th to announce the launch of The Massachusetts Founders Network (MFN), a new initiative that gives startup founders equitable access to resources that will help their companies grow.
“We know that there are innovative, brilliant companies across Massachusetts with the potential to scale, and we know they don’t all have connections to resources, friends and family to fundraise from, and existing networks from which to tap talent,” said Lever Executive Director Jeffrey Thomas. “With MFN, we can support founders no matter where they are in Massachusetts–and ultimately level the playing field when it comes to connections, capital, and other support.”
Leaders from entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) in every Massachusetts region, as well as Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) Secretary Yvonne Hao, were present to celebrate the announcement.
“We work every day to make sure companies across the state – regardless of their size, geography, or sector – can start and grow here in Massachusetts,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, who chairs MassTech’s Board of Directors. “Our support of the Massachusetts Founder Network through MassTech will give founders opportunities in every part of the state by providing the tools and resources they need to put their big ideas into action.”
MFN resources include connections, guidance from industry experts, networking, skill-building, insurance and funding guides, directory of support organizations, assistance, direction, support, and access to the MFN Journal full of advice, perspective, and experience from founders and experts.
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CHP Barrington OB/GYN welcomes new physician
Great Barrington— Yi-Lo Yu, MD, has joined the medical staff at CHP Barrington OB/GYN. She practiced most recently as an OB/GYN hospitalist at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield and Heywood Hospital in Gardner. She has also practiced as a generalist, specializing in minimally invasive surgery, at Holyoke Medical Group Women’s Services and RiverBend Medical Group in the Greater Springfield area. She has also served as adjunct faculty at Quinnipiac University, New England Medical School, and Baystate/Tufts Medical School.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Yu completed her residency at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, covering Hartford Hospital, the Hospital of Central Connecticut, and John Dempsey Hospital, as well as Connecticut Children’s Hospital. Yu earned her bachelor’s in psychology and neuroscience and behavior, and her master’s degree in neuroscience and behavior from Wesleyan University. During her medical education, she received numerous academic honors and fellowship appointments, and she has published research on topics in neurology, melanoma and memory recovery. She is board certified by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
During the COVID pandemic, she was the supervising director of Mobile Mamas, a telehealth program for pregnant women. She is now a consultant for Maven Clinic, a women’s telehealth service, and she is a medical editor of the Maven Clinic website.
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Balance Rock Investment Group adds client services administrator to financial services team
Pittsfield— Balance Rock Investment Group has added Lia Palermo in the position of Client Services Administrator to its financial services team. Palermo joins a team that includes two financial advisors and seven support staff dedicated to providing an array of financial products and services that best serve their clients’ needs.
Lia Palermo joins Balance Rock most recently from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga Springs, an agriculturally focused non-profit, where she worked as a Digital Marketing and Social Media Coordinator, while simultaneously freelancing as a special media specialist for a realty company. Prior to CCE, Palermo worked in a number of administrative and managerial roles in the hospitality, health, and trade industries, where she was responsible for daily business operations, billing, customer service, and much more. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Lemoyne College and her New Manager Certification from Siena College.
As Client Services Administrator, Palermo will work in client relations, including processing account openings and closings, maintaining client information, Qualified Plan processing, and working with outside representatives and business professionals to coordinate clients’ specific needs as they arise. She will also provide administrative support to the Operations Manager and advisors and assist with special projects.
“We are thrilled to welcome Lia to the team in a position that will allow us to enhance our efforts in providing the highest level of service possible,” said Dave Milligan, President of Balance Rock Investment Group.
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MassHire Berkshire Workforce board hosts Massachusetts Workforce Skills Cabinet
Pittsfield— The Berkshire Skills Cabinet, led by MassHire Berkshire, Berkshire Community College, and 1Berkshire, convened with area leaders today, to showcase alignment efforts with workforce, economic development and education in the Berkshires to prepare for the development of the Berkshire Workforce Blueprint 3.0. This Blueprint identifies key industry sectors and occupations to direct resources for pathway development and employment. The current Blueprint can be found online.
Secretary Lauren Jones from Labor and Workforce Development; Secretary Patrick Tutwiler from Executive Office of Education, and Secretary Yvonne Hao from Executive Office of Economic Development & Housing hosted breakout sessions in current priority sectors of Healthcare/Social Assistance/Behavioral Health; Manufacturing/Engineering/Trades; and Hospitality/Culinary/Management to hear from local businesses and education/training providers on where the gaps are, how programs can replicated, and to identify ways for the State to eliminate potential barriers.
The regional planning initiative is aimed at addressing the skills gap by bringing together regional teams of educators, workforce, and economic development professionals to create a regional blueprint for growth strategies in every region of the Commonwealth.
The meeting also included a discussion of a report on the region presented by the regional planning team, a panel with the Secretaries, and breakout sessions with local business leadership focused on the work the regional planning team is doing to scale and advance career pathways in the region.
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Berkshire Humane Society hires new veterinarians and secures grant to provide accessible care
Pittsfield— Berkshire Humane Society’s Wellness Clinic on Dalton Avenue in Pittsfield is expanding services to underserved dog and cat owners in Berkshire County by hiring veterinarians, Dr. Melissa Brady and Dr. Dinah Russell and securing a $20,000 grant from the John T. and Jane A. Weiderhold Foundation.
The grant will help develop a business model for the clinic through the Open Door Veterinary Collective to expand affordable veterinary care in the Berkshires. “When we sat down last year to update our strategic plan, the number one concern for keeping pets in homes and out of shelters was affordable medical care for pets,” said John Perreault, Executive Director of Berkshire Humane Society. “Opening the Wellness Clinic was the cornerstone to fulfilling this need.” He explained that the goal of the clinic will be “expanding low-cost basic veterinary services, establishing an urgent care program for non- emergency treatment for common ailments and increasing low-cost spay and neuter services to pet owners in need.”
“These are exciting new developments,” said Perreault. “It’s the first time we’re hiring our own veterinarian.” Dr. Dinah Russell practiced for 11 years with a variety of clients in the Northeast and has an interest in educating and providing care to local communities, especially those of low income. Dr. Melissa Brady has more than 25 years of working as a veterinarian for private practices and government agencies along the east coast from Florida to Massachusetts. A native of Dalton, she looks forward to coming home to work in Berkshire County.
According to Open Door Veterinary Collective’s website, their guiding principles include “all pets and people deserve access to affordable veterinary care” The principles also include “partnerships and engagement within communities that support keeping pets and people together”. “Those beliefs describe Berkshire Humane Society, too,” said Perreault. We’re an adoption organization with a focus on keeping pets in their loving homes.
Back in March, Berkshire Humane Society opened the Wellness Clinic at the former Allen Heights Veterinary Hospital to meet the needs of Berkshire County dog and cat owners who had a hard time finding available or affordable veterinary care. To schedule an appointment, call 413- 203-4330.
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BerkShare will hold its Annual Membership Meeting at the new Lee Bank branch in Pittsfield
Pittsfield— At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11th at Lee Bank at 180 South Street in Pittsfield, BerkShare will hold its Annual Membership Meeting.
The meeting will feature a presentation by Matt Stinchcomb of Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley on our neighboring region’s new Library of Local initiative. Before co-founding Partners for Climate Action, Matt Stinchcomb founded and led the Good Work Institute, a local organization committed to working towards a Just Transition in the Hudson Valley. Additionally, he is a co-founder of Place Corps, an educational program dedicated to cultivating a call to know, love, and serve our places. Prior to working in the non-profit sector, Matt was the VP, Values and Impact at Etsy. Matt serves on the board of directors for the Schumacher Center for New Economics (chair) and the Hawthorne Valley Association (co-chair).
Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley started Library of Local to affect more place-based, ecologically sound ways of living. Partnering with area libraries in our neighboring region, this citizen-led initiative places locally-constructed kiosks that include books, tools, seeds, A.V. equipment, and other resources that equip neighbors to take action on the climate crisis and advance ecological repair. Additionally, it provides a monthly schedule of in-person, virtual educational events, and community meetings.
Light food and refreshments will be offered. Attendance to this annual gathering is free and open to all residents, businesses, and organizations of the area. Attendees will receive an annual update on the local currency initiative and members will approve new officers. To become a member or to renew, visit: BerkShares.org/donate.
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U.S. News and World Report announces new rankings for Simon’s Rock
Great Barrington— The U.S. News & World Report 2023 Best Colleges rankings have awarded Bard College at Simon’s Rock top-tier rankings in a number of categories. Within the Regional Colleges North ranking, Simon’s Rock was tied in first place for Best Undergraduate Teaching and tied in second place in Most Innovative Schools. Simon’s Rock was also tied 32nd in Regional Colleges North and 41 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.
The colleges for Best Undergraduate Teaching were based on nominations by college presidents, provosts, and admissions deans who participated in a peer assessment survey focusing on their view of schools with strength in undergraduate teaching. Similarly, the Most Innovative Schools received the most nominations in a peer assessment survey based on colleges thought to be making the most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology, or facilities.
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Simon’s Rock seeks local business partners for family weekend
Great Barrington— Simon’s Rock will hold its annual Family Weekend this year from Friday, October 20th to Sunday, October 22nd.
This weekend is an opportunity for students’ families to meet professors, advisors, community directors, and other members of the Simon’s Rock community on campus. Events include student performances, a library-hosted book sale, a harvest festival, an intercollegiate soccer game, a faculty reading, and much more. Students and their families are also invited to explore the surrounding area of Great Barrington and the Berkshires in beautiful fall weather.
Simon’s Rock would like to partner with local businesses interested in offering discounts to our students and families over family weekend. If your business is interested in participating, please reach out to Asa Cade, Operations Coordinator for Communications & Marketing, at acade@simons-rock.edu for more information.
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Berkshire Community College to host fall open house
Pittsfield— Thinking about college, but not sure where to start? Earn an associate’s degree from Berkshire Community College (BCC), a great way to get a quality education, save money and transfer to a four-year school or enter the workforce. Learn more at BCC’s Fall 2023 Open House on Saturday, October 21st at 9 a.m., followed by a financial aid workshop at 11 a.m.. The event takes place in the SBA Lounge on BCC’s main campus, located at 1350 West Street in Pittsfield.
Prospective students and their guests are invited to meet one-on-one with BCC representatives from various offices. Participants can speak with faculty about the programs that interest them, take a campus tour, and learn about paying for college, transferring to a four-year school, internships, and career opportunities. A light breakfast will be served, and all attendees will receive a discount at the BCC Bookstore and a chance to win BCC swag.
Prospective students interested in MassReconnect, a program provided by the Commonwealth that ensures any Massachusetts resident over the age of 25 who does not have a degree can attend BCC for free, can learn more about the process during the fall open house as well.
For more information, contact the Admissions Office at 413-236-1636.
