South Mountain Concerts names Lydia Chernicoff as Executive Director
Pittsfield– South Mountain Concerts has announced Lydia Chernicoff as its next Executive Director. Succeeds Lou Steigler, who held the position for four decades, she will join recently announced co-artistic directors, cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han, in leading the institution forward.
Chernicoff began her violin studies with Alla Zernitskaya in Pittsfield before attending the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, where she received the degrees of Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Violin Performance, going on to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Maryland. She was a four-time recipient of South Mountain’s Willem Willeke Memorial Scholarship, in support of her undergraduate studies in music.
In 2019, Chernicoff founded a nonprofit chamber music series in Charleston, South Carolina, called New Muse Concerts, which built a diverse audience for chamber music through thematically programmed concerts and collaborative partnerships with other cultural and educational organizations. Chernicoff served as the organization’s Artistic and Executive Director for six years.
William Bartz, President of South Mountain’s Board of Directors, said, “Lydia brings to South Mountain a rare combination of artistic insight, organizational leadership, and a deep personal connection to our history. Her dedication to our traditions and her eagerness to engage with our patrons make her an ideal leader, and the Board is enthusiastic about the energy and commitment she brings to South Mountain’s future.”
Chernicoff commented, “South Mountain Concerts is celebrated in the world of chamber music for its commitment to superb performances, and for its beautiful, historical setting, as well as for the dedication of its audience. I’m thrilled to join its new Artistic Directors and Board of Directors to honor South Mountain’s unique legacy and to carry this respected and beloved organization forward into the future.”
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Berkshire Community Land Trust names Beth Carlson as Executive Director
Great Barrington– Berkshire Community Land Trust (BCLT) has announced the promotion of Operations Director Beth Carlson to a newly created Executive Director position.
Carlson, a partner in Silo Media, initially got involved with BCLT and the Farmsteads for Farmers initiative through events, video, and graphics projects. She became the Campaign Manager for Farmsteads for Farmers in 2023 and became Director of Operations in 2024. She began full-time in the new Executive Director role in November.
Expressing her passion for the mission of the BCLT, Carlson stated, “Affordable access to land is critical to the health of our local communities. Land speculation had concentrated ownership in fewer and fewer hands. Placing land into a community land trust and making it available in perpetuity for workforce housing, farming, local retail, and light manufacturing can revitalize the local economy.”
No stranger to the nonprofit world, Carlson served as president of the Dewey Memorial Hall Board until recently and is credited with leading the team that brought the organization through COVID and a significant revival. She is a founding board member of the W. E. B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy. Her Silo Media projects were mostly for nonprofits and involved fundraising campaigns, social media, and consulting.
BCLT founder and board member emeritus Susan Witt said, “Thanks to the commitment of a volunteer board and the help of great part-time assistants, BCLT and its sister organization CLTSB has achieved much in its 46-year history. But it is now time for a full-time executive director to build the organizations to their full potential. Grounded in the Berkshires with skills honed in the non-profit community, Beth Carlson is the right person at the right time for this task.”
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Berkshire Community College announces staffing updates
Pittsfield– Berkshire Community College (BCC) has announced the addition of five new staff members and two title changes.
Dr. Thomas Burton-Steele joins BCC as Assistant Professor of Engineering in the Division of Science and Business. He holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from The University of Alabama and a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech. His teaching and research interests span applied physics, electronics, and materials engineering, with a focus on hands-on, student-centered learning.
Steven Carvalho, Ed.D. joins BCC as Coordinator of Disability Services. He earned his Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Supervision from American International College. He has held numerous roles in the Connecticut public school system, including school psychologist, Director of Pupil and Special Education Services, and Supervisor of Special Education. Additionally, he served as an adjunct instructor at Southern Connecticut State University’s Counseling and School Psychology Department, where he taught courses on assessments and behavioral intervention techniques.
Stacie Klinowski joins BCC as the Coordinator of Writing Across the Curriculum in the Division of Teaching and Learning Innovation. Her background is in Writing Studies, and she has worked recently as the Assistant Director and Writing Across the Curriculum Coordinator of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Writing Center.
Kennedy Piper joins BCC as Administrative Assistant I, One Stop. She brings six years of extensive administrative and clerical expertise to the department. She is currently pursuing her degree in community and human services.
Esra Şahin joins BCC as Assistant Professor of Psychology. Originally from Türkiye, she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology in her home country and doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois. In addition to gaining 10 years of teaching experience at various institutions, she recently worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Utah State University. Coming from a background combining teaching and research, Şahin has extensive experience in areas related to adolescent wellbeing, cross-cultural psychology and interpersonal relationships.
Kolumbia Granger is now the Manager, One Stop Enrollment Operations. She had been the Associate Director of Admissions since she joined BCC in October 2023. Georgina Riley is now Assistant Professor of Nursing. She had been adjunct faculty for the Nursing, Health and Wellness Division. She joined BCC in August 2023.
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WAM Theatre welcomes five new members to its board of directors
Lenox– WAM Theatre proudly welcomes five new members to its Board of Directors, expanding a dynamic leadership body dedicated to bold artistic expression and social impact. Each appointee is a recognized leader within the Berkshire community and beyond, bringing expertise, lived experience, and a shared commitment to advancing opportunities for women and girls. The new directors include:
Bryan Binder (Treasurer) is a Managing Partner at Jetty Rock Capital and is co-owner/operator of Doctor Sax House. His career spans across multiple sectors including hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, digital commerce, and consumer products. His involvement with WAM reflects his dedication to supporting the arts, advancing social justice, and empowering women and girls. His commitment aligns deeply with WAM’s mission of creating theatre for gender equity, using storytelling to inspire dialogue, and societal change.
Carolyn Butler has devoted much of her career to supporting organizations that strengthen communities and elevate meaningful stories. Drawn to WAM’s mission of centering the voices of women and girls and creating opportunities for female theatre artists, she felt an immediate alignment with the company’s values and vision. During her previous six-year tenure on WAM’s board, she developed a profound appreciation for the organization’s impact—both on stage and throughout the community. Stepping back into this role feels less like a return and more like a continuation of work that truly matters to her. For Carolyn, supporting WAM is about championing a creative home where vital stories can be heard, celebrated, and uplifted.
Shela Levante is a dedicated philanthropist, connector, and advocate committed to advancing equity through the power of community and storytelling. She currently serves as Senior Director of Philanthropic Engagement at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. A passionate advocate for gender equity, Shela recently chaired the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.She also serves as a court appointed special advocate, supporting children navigating the foster care system with compassion and commitment. Whether mobilizing resources, amplifying marginalized voices, or creating space for change, Shela brings purpose, passion, and deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of equity-driven work.
Peggy Malumphy worked in human resources, focusing on compensation, benefits and systems for mission driven organizations, including The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Martin’s Point Healthcare. She’s volunteered with Berkshire Elder Services, The Jimmy Fund, Training, Inc., and is currently the Board Chair of The Boston House. At her core, she is curios, compassionate, and has a genuine drive to make a difference—whether that’s through professional work, volunteer service, or simply showing up for the people around her.
Elizabeth Nelson’s award-winning work has been widely published and produced. She has produced multiple women-focused art events in the Berkshires. In addition to serving as Greylock Federal Credit Union’s Communications and Multimedia Content Producer, Elizabeth designs graphics for Project SAGE, a domestic violence prevention agency.
Diana L. Knaebe, MSW, serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Use Services. She has over 35 years of experience in the behavioral healthcare sector, having held leadership roles in both nonprofit and governmental organizations. Beginning her career as a therapist, she and the organizations she led received numerous state and national awards for excellence in behavioral health.
“This is a pivotal and energizing moment for WAM Theatre,” added Managing Director Molly Merrihew. “With a growing and deeply engaged Board of Directors, we are strengthening our governance, expanding our community impact, and building shared investment in WAM’s long-term sustainability. As we grow, we are increasing our capacity to leverage philanthropic support, cultivate meaningful cross-sector partnerships, and steward resources in ways that boldly advance our mission. Together—with our staff, board, artists and community—we are expanding opportunities for women and girls across the Berkshires while contributing to the national movement for gender equity.”
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Flying Cloud Institute announces two new members to its board of directors
Great Barrington– Flying Cloud Institute has announced that Faith Gagliardi and Caitlin Greer Meister have joined the organization’s Board of Directors.
Faith Gagliardi is a highly experienced business manager with nearly 20 years of hands-on work experience covering marketing, operations, analytics, and leadership. She currently serves as Account Manager at Working Planet and previously worked as the Senior Director of Owned Media at Go Fish Digital (formerly Agital/Exclusive Concepts.) She earned a Masters of Science degree in Communications from Lasell University, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology.
Caitlin Greer Meister is a specialist in strengths-based learning, neurodiversity-affirming practices, giftedness, and executive functioning. As a parent educator, instructional leader, founder, and mom of two, Caitlin is Orton-Gillingham trained and holds a certificate in Instructional Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her work and words have been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Parents, and more, and she provides professional development for schools, workshops for parents, and speaks for organizations and conferences in the United States and abroad.
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Berkshire Innovation Center appoints four new members to its board of directors
Pittsfield– Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) has announced the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors: Linda Clairmont of Berkshire Community College, Christopher Montferret of General Dynamics Mission Systems, Richard Glejzer of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Chris Ferrone of PrestoArt.ai.
Linda Clairmont serves as Executive Director of Workforce and Community Education at Berkshire Community College, where she leads regional workforce development and lifelong learning initiatives. She previously served as Mayor of Pittsfield, bringing significant executive leadership experience in municipal government and economic development. In her current role, she provides strategic leadership across program design, enrollment, marketing, and grant development, advancing innovative non-credit training opportunities that connect job seekers with employers and respond directly to evolving industry needs.
Christopher Montferret is Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for the Maritime and Strategic Systems Line of Business at General Dynamics Mission Systems. With more than 35 years of experience across engineering, quality assurance, program management, and business development, he leads a business development organization supporting U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and other strategic customers across a substantial advanced technology portfolio.
Chris Ferrone is Vice President of Business Development at PrestoArt.ai, where he leads growth strategy for an AI-driven design platform. With more than three decades of entrepreneurial and executive leadership experience across technology and manufacturing, Ferrone has long been an advocate for innovation in the Berkshires and has served on the BIC Finance Committee since 2022, providing fiscal oversight and strategic guidance.
Dr. Richard Glejzer serves as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. A higher education leader with more than twenty-five years of experience, he advances academic initiatives that connect liberal arts education with applied learning, workforce readiness, and regional industry partnerships.
The BIC also extends its gratitude to Ellen Kennedy (Berkshire Community College,) James Birge (Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts,) and David Valicenti (Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook LLP) as they conclude their service on the Board. The organization is grateful for their leadership and contributions during a period of foundational growth for the center.
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Lee Chamber of Commerce announces new members and officers of its board of directors
Lee– The Lee Chamber of Commerce has announced three new board members and a slate of returning officers whose experience and continuity will guide the organization in the year ahead.
The 2026 officers are Erik Williams of Canna Provisions, President; Doug Bagnasco of Devonfield Inn, Vice President; David Eisenberg, formerly of Adams Savings Bank, Treasurer; Rebecca Clerget of Café Triskele, Secretary; and Phil Smith, Board Member Emeritus, At-Large. Alexandra Heddinger continues to serve as Executive Director. The Chamber also welcomed the following new members to its Board of Directors:
Brett Larmon, Vice President of Northeast Operations at Oldcastle APG (Lee Lime,) brings extensive operational leadership, regional industry insight, and a strong commitment to community engagement to the Lee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. With deep personal ties to Lee, he has worked to expand Oldcastle’s local involvement through initiatives such as participation in Taste of Lee and ongoing support for local youth sports, while exploring additional ways the company can contribute to the community.
Dr. Kerry McGinn, owner of Yoga Lee Studio, brings a wellness-centered, community-building perspective to the Board. McGinn opened Yoga Lee in 2024, creating a studio and healing space that offers more than 25 weekly classes, specialty workshops, continuing education for movement professionals, and massage therapy. McGinn is passionate about fostering sustainable growth and a connected downtown that supports both residents and visitors.
Andrew Consolati, CEO of AMICON Properties and AMICON Capital, brings a lifelong connection to Lee and a thoughtful real estate and investment perspective to the board. A Lee native, Consolati manages and invests in multiple properties along the town’s Main Street corridor. He advocates for responsible investment, strong tenant relationships, and growth that supports small businesses while respecting Lee’s history and character.
“This board reflects the full fabric of Lee’s business community,” said Erik Williams, President of the Lee Chamber of Commerce. “From hospitality and wellness to manufacturing, real estate, and small entrepreneurial businesses, our leadership brings a wide range of perspectives rooted in care for this town. We’re focused on listening to our members, strengthening collaboration, and continuing the work that makes Lee a welcoming and vibrant place to do business.”
