WAM Theatre congratulates Erica Barreto and Nicole M. Young-Martin as Board co-president team
Lenox— WAM Theatre congratulates Erica Barreto and Nicole M. Young-Martin as their Board’s new co-president team. This will be Nicole’s first year as WAM’s Co-President and Erica’s second year, having been co-presidents with Toni Buckley in 2024.
“It’s really something special to see an organization like WAM own up to its values and elect not only one but two women of color to co-lead its board at a time like this. I’m feeling honored and energized to be re-elected to this leadership position,” said Barreto.
Young-Martin shared, “I’m beyond excited to continue my work with WAM Theatre in this way. People, especially students and early-career professionals, do not realize the important role board members have with the sustainability and vitality of an organization, especially one that has the reach and mission of WAM Theatre. Early in my arts management career, I did not realize that I could lead in this way as those who served in this capacity (and typically do) are white men with money and clout. It means a lot to put to practice everything that I’ve learned in the classroom and in the field to support, uplift, and champion the work of this ground-breaking theatre through the collaborative efforts of the staff, board, artists, volunteers, funders, artists and community members.”
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W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom & Democracy announces Dr. John D. Lloyd as interim director
Great Barrington—The W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom & Democracy announces the appointment of Dr. John D. Lloyd as its interim director.
A seasoned executive with over two decades of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Lloyd brings a wealth of expertise in organizational strategy, financial management, and community engagement to this role. As Interim Director, Dr. Lloyd will oversee the Center’s strategic initiatives, strengthen partnerships, and continue to advance the legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois by promoting scholarship, civic engagement, and social justice advocacy.
Dr. Lloyd is the principal of Agile Consulting Group, a management consulting practice specializing in nonprofit strategy, financial management, board development, and executive transition services. Through his extensive career, he has successfully guided numerous organizations through periods of transformation, stabilizing leadership teams and fostering sustainable growth. His interim leadership roles at organizations such as Community Healing Network, InReach, and Domestic Violence Ended (DOVE) have showcased his ability to enhance operational efficiency and advance mission-driven objectives. His leadership approach is deeply rooted in fostering collaboration, driving mission-driven impact, and enhancing operational efficiency to support long-term organizational success.
Dr. Lloyd holds a Doctorate in Organizational Learning and Development from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from Bentley University, and a Bachelor of Science from Plymouth State University. A dedicated educator, Dr. Lloyd also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Bentley University, where he teaches strategic management and human dynamics in organizations. His commitment to education and leadership development is further reflected in his extensive experience in training and facilitation for nonprofit boards and executives.
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Lee Bank and October Mountain Financial Advisors welcome new team members
Lee— Lee Bank and October Mountain Financial Advisors welcome Maurice Bowerman, CTFA as Vice President, Trust Services & Private Banking, and Tina Archambault as Client Services & Trust Administrator.
Bowerman has been serving clients in the insurance and financial industry for over 35 years. He spent the past nine years as VP Trust & Investment Advisor at Salisbury Bank (now NBT). Maurice holds a B.S. in Business Administration/Finance from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition to his professional expertise, Maurice has been actively involved in his community as a Board Member, Treasurer, and Coach for the Northern Columbia County Pop Warner Football Association. He has also served as a Finance & Planning Committee Member for the Town of Chatham (2019-2023) and has been a Board Member and Treasurer for the Adam’s Point Beach Association since 2016.
Archambault joins the team with 27 years of experience as a customer service professional, including 18 years specializing in trust services. She has extensive experience handling IRA, trust, investment, and estate accounts, as well as overseeing new account openings, asset transfers, and other operational functions. She is a graduate of Berkshire Community College and a Notary Public.
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BFAIR announces the promotion of Kayla Brown-Wood to Director of Community Services
North Adams— BFAIR announces the promotion of Kayla Brown-Wood to Director of Community Services in recognition of her dedication, expertise, and leadership within the organization.
In her new role, Kayla will oversee the Adult Family Care (AFC) and Shared Living programs while continuing to lead the Community Living program. Her leadership will be instrumental in strengthening these essential services and ensuring they continue to meet the needs of the community.
Kayla has been an invaluable member of the BFAIR team, consistently demonstrating a strong work ethic, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to the agency’s mission. Her extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for learning have significantly impacted both her colleagues and the individuals she serves. A 2021 graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Program, Kayla remains actively engaged in professional development. She serves on the Berkshire Leadership Program Steering Committee and the McCann Advisory Committee for Business Technology, where her insights are highly valued. Additionally, she plans to further her education with graduate studies in Healthcare Administration.
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The Triplex hires Amy Handelsman as Executive Director
Great Barrington— The Triplex hires Amy Handelsman as Executive Director. Handelsman comes to The Triplex with wealth of experience in leadership, fundraising, and film.
Handelsman is a producer, writer, and executive who has developed feature films, network and cable movies, television series, and plays. She started her career in the east coast literary department of ICM before working as a story analyst at Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures and as a copy editor for various Time, Inc. publications including Sports Illustrated, Fortune, and People. She worked as a development executive for the reincarnated Disney Sunday Movie on ABC. She went on to develop and produce feature films for Cannon and Tri-Star, a series on ethics for PBS, and television movies and pilots for Warner Bros., ABC, CBS, Showtime, and HBO. In 1998, she was hired as the Creative Director of the Showtime Development Project at the Mark Taper Forum, where she developed films from existing plays or by commissioning original material from theater artists. She served as Director, Writer & Creative Development at TeleNext Media, Inc., where she served as a creative and business liaison for their existing shows and developed new network series. Handelsman produced a pilot on baseball umpires for DiscoveryTimes, developed a series on youth-hockey travel teams. wrote a cover story for Playboy about the women competing in the New York Golden Gloves, and has written a memoir about her boxing training at Gleason’s Gym.
In the non-profit performing arts, Handelsman served as the Managing Director of Shakespeare & Co., Managing Director of GALLIM, the Executive Director for David Dorfman Dance, and the events producer and project manager for Batsheva’s Young Ensemble 2018 tour to Jacob’s Pillow and the Joyce Theater. She has festival experience as a curator, dramaturge and producer for HBO’s U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, the New York Hip-Hop Theater Festival, the New Work Festival, the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Playwrights Festival. FIAF’s Crossing the Line Festival, and Red Bull Theatre’s Short Play Festival.
She has also been a Guest Lecturer at Columbia. Handelsman holds an MFA (pending) in Creative Writing & Literature from Stony Brook University and a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University.
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Olana Partnership elects four new trustees
Hudson, N.Y.— The Olana Partnership (TOP) is pleased to announce the election of Regina Aldisert, Drew Hodges, Young Huh, and Frances Spark to its Board of Trustees.
Regina Aldisert previously worked in finance and banking but since retiring has dedicated herself to social service and cultural organizations. She currently serves as a trustee of The Brooklyn Museum and has a deep interest in historic and contemporary art.
A native of the Hudson Valley, Drew Hodges is one of the country’s most successful branding and advertising professionals with a focus in the theatrical business. Drew has advised TOP on key projects in the past, including the Hudson River Skywalk, and is playing a key role in branding and marketing for Frederic Church 200 in 2026.
Young Huh opened her New York City-based design firm in 2007, finding harmony and dynamism through the application of classic and modern design principles. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, and she was named one of Vogue’s five interior designers on the rise. She is eager to work with TOP to bring the wonder and beauty of Olana forward to the national design world.
Frances Spark brings corporate governance experience to TOP’s board through her work as a CFO, financial expert, and advisor to high growth companies. Raised in the UK, she has been in the Hudson Valley for a decade and is actively involved in various organizations, including serving on the board of the Columbia-Greene Community College Foundation. She supports many arts, environmental, and community services groups.
TOP’s Board also elected Joe Baker and Robin Key as Co-Chairs, taking over from Peter Warwick, who stepped down after serving a three-year term as Chair.
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Bishop West Real Estate welcomes three accomplished agents to growing team
Pittsfield— Bishop West Real Estate is excited to welcome three exceptional agents, Pam Tworig, Kolleen Schmitt, and Shannon Davis to its expanding team.
Tworig was formerly with Moresi Real Estate Partners. With deep-rooted relationships among local business owners, contractors, and residents, she brings invaluable connections and insight to the market. Prior to real estate, she spent more than three decades managing properties and designing commercial and residential landscapes. Licensed in both Massachusetts and Vermont, Tworig will play a key role in expanding Bishop West’s presence in Southern Vermont.
Kolleen Schmitt, a retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer, has been a licensed real estate professional in Massachusetts since 2009. Holding the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certification, she specializes in assisting veterans in achieving their dream of homeownership.
Shannon Davis has been a full-time real estate agent for over seven years. With 20 years of professional customer service experience, Davis excels in communication and staying ahead of technological advancements in the industry.
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Berkshire Natural Resources Council announces new board leadership and members
Lenox— Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) announces the appointment of F. Sydney (Syd) Smithers as the new Chair of its Board of Directors and welcomes Karen Ross and Steve Cunningham to the Board.
Smithers, a retired Berkshire County real estate attorney with over five decades of professional experience, has a long history with BNRC. Before this appointment, he served on its Board for 10 years and rejoined the Board last year. Smithers also brings extensive leadership experience from his 12 years on the board of the Trustees of Reservations, including six as Chair.
Newly appointed Vice Chair John Mancia, a dedicated BNRC Board member since 2018, will join Syd in leadership. She joined the BNRC Board following its launch for the High Road initiative. Mancia recently retired from a distinguished career in publishing, where he spent 30 years in senior management at Elsevier, the world’s largest science and medical publisher.
Karen Ross, a long-time BNRC volunteer, previously served a full term on the Board. Now a returning member, Ross brings her deep local knowledge and conservation experience. She holds a PhD in higher education administration and has taught high school English and computer science at Berkshire Community College.
Steve Cunningham is a new addition to the Board with a rich background in renewable energy and agriculture. After a career expanding renewable energy businesses in developing countries, Cunningham has spent the past 15 years running a USDA-certified organic vegetable farm in New Marlborough. His produce supports and distributes local food pantries in the southern Berkshires through the help of a nonprofit partner. A former Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic, he has a long history of community service through board memberships and volunteer work.
