Candace Winkler will succeed Kristine HAzzard as CEO of Berkshire United Way. Photo courtesy Berkshire United Way

Business Briefs: New Berkshire United Way CEO; WAM Theatre expands leadership; ‘Smart Fundraising’ board workshop; Jewish Women’s Foundation seeks proposals; Salisbury Bank scholarships

WAM Theatre has announced the addition of two new members to its leadership team: Lia Russell-Self as associate producing director and, Kristen Perlman as philanthropy manager.

Berkshire United Way announces new CEO

Pittsfield — The Berkshire United Way has announced Candace Winkler as the successor to outgoing CEO and executive director Kristine Hazzard. Winkler will overlap with Hazzard for a month and will begin her full-time solo tenure Monday, July 1.

Winkler grew up in South Carolina, attended Vanderbilt University, and earned master’s degrees from Columbia University in social work and public administration. She then spent 14 years in Alaska working on early childhood education initiatives and running the Alaska Community Foundation, before moving with her husband and twins to Santa Barbara, California. There she served as president of the local scholarship foundation.

Winkler has always partnered with the United Way in her professional roles, as a funded partner or as a collaborator. She was supportive as the national United Way shifted to embrace a “community impact model,” which requires funded partners to closely track their organizational goals and targets and how well they meet them over time.

–E.E.

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Expansion of leadership at WAM Theatre

Lia Russell-Self. Photo courtesy WAM Theatre

Lenox — WAM Theatre has announced the addition of two new members to its leadership team: Lia Russell-Self as associate producing director and, Kristen Perlman as philanthropy manager.

As a producer, director, performer, writer and stage manager, Russell-Self is dedicated to creating a change in the arts scene. They have worked with companies locally in the Berkshires and the Chatham/Hudson, New York, area and beyond to bridge the gaps of arts, activism and education with companies such as the rig in Lee, Flying Cloud Institute in Great Barrington and Bazaar Productions in West Stockbridge. Russell-Self holds a Bachelor of Arts in theatrical studies and creative writing from Bard College at Simon’s Rock.

Kristen Perlman. Photo courtesy WAM Theatre

Perlman is a marketing and communications professional with a passion for theater and philanthropy. After spending more than 17 years in financial services marketing in New York City, she and her husband purchased a small inn and relocated to the southern Berkshires in 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics/international careers from Lehigh University.

–E.E.

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Berkshire Taconic to present nonprofit fundraising workshop

Gayle Gifford. Photo courtesy Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Lakeville, Conn. — Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation will present the workshop “Smart Fundraising for Nonprofit Boards” Friday, May 10, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Town Grove Senior Community Building, 42 Ethan Allen St. Appropriate for board members from nonprofits of all sizes, the workshop will be led by consultant and author Gayle L. Gifford, who will help board members be more effective in their roles as fundraising volunteers and offer guidance about fund development.

Gifford, of Cause & Effect Inc., has 30 years of experience providing strategic advising and consultation to the nonprofit and public sectors. She is one of just over 100 fundraisers worldwide to have earned advanced certification in fundraising awarded by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. A board member herself, Gifford also served over 15 years as director of development prior to entering consulting. She is the author of two books and a contributor to four others on nonprofit governance and fundraising.

The cost of the workshop is $35. For more information, contact the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation at (413) 229-0370 or info@berkshiretaconic.org.

–E.E.

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Jewish Women’s Foundation of Berkshire County seeks proposals

Pittsfield — The Jewish Women’s Foundation of Berkshire County, an associate of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, is soliciting grant proposals from nonprofit, Berkshires-based organizations for projects or programs aimed at fulfilling unmet needs in the Berkshire community, specifically those that meet clients’ basic needs for shelter, food and clothing; and promote the development of life skills such as cooperation, communication, academics, literacy and empowerment.

Both Jewish and non-Jewish organizations are encouraged to apply for grants up to $3,500. All proposals must be submitted by Thursday, May 30, via the online grant application. Paper applications will not be accepted. Final decisions will be announced in September. For more information, call (413) 442-4360 x10.

–E.E.

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Salisbury Bank accepting scholarship applications

Lakeville, Conn. — Salisbury Bank is accepting applications for its annual Time to Shine scholarship program. Multiple scholarships may be awarded in the amount of $1,500 each to assist eligible students seeking college degrees in a variety of programs.

Eligible students must be residents of Litchfield, Berkshire, Columbia, Dutchess, Orange or Ulster counties, and must be currently enrolled in a public high school, vocational, technical or private school; be a homeschool student affiliated with such a school; or be a graduate or GED recipient entering their first year of college. Applicants must be planning to enter an accredited college or university as a first-year undergraduate student for the 2019–20 academic year. Applicants will be evaluated according to a 100-point system that takes into account financial need, academic achievement, community service, volunteerism and leadership. The top scorers will also be interviewed by the bank’s scholarship committee.

Online application packets are available. Completed applications and transcripts must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 15.

–E.E.