Menopause workshops and screenings raise $3000 for Elizabeth Freeman Center
Pittsfield— On Wednesday, February 26th, Mary Campbell and Laura Rowan presented a check for $3000 to the Elizabeth Freeman Center.
The Elizabeth Freeman Center was the beneficiary of proceeds from hormone workshops with local of women’s health professionals, led by Campbell and Rowen held this winter and a showing of the PBS documentary film “The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause, which was held on February 5th at Crissey Farm in Great Barrington to an audience of nearly 200 women.
The remarkable turnout for these events demonstrates women’s burgeoning desire for more information. Many women will spend a third of their lives in menopause, but the impact of hormonal shifts that take place in midlife has often been minimized by the medical community.
More information about these efforts can be found online.
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Riverbrook Residence announces three new board members
Stockbridge— Riverbrook Residence, Inc.,a provider of residential and day program services for women with developmental disabilities, announces three new members to its board of directors, Matthew Chester, Gretchen West, and Rebecca Wolin.
Matthew Chester, JD, CFP® created Tableaux Wealth with this mission: to help clients take control of their financial lives. Trained in both law and finance, he brings a dual perspective to his role in translating complicated topics into easy-to-understand advice. He has always fostered strong relationships, especially when it comes to helping clients bring all the pieces of their financial lives together. Chester received a B.A. in East Asian Studies and a B.S. in Economics from George Washington University and a J.D. from Cardozo School of Law. Before creating Tableaux Wealth, he was a Senior Vice-President at RBC Wealth Management. He is a CFP® professional and member of the Financial Planning Association.
Gretchen West is in her fourth year as the Assistant Director of Special Education for the North Adams Public Schools. She also serves as the Early Childhood Coordinator as well as the Out of District Coordinator for the North Adams Public Schools. She worked for the Pittsfield Public Schools for much of her career, first as a Speech/Language Pathologist, then as the Director of Special Education. She transitioned to become the Director of Student Support Services for the Central Berkshire Regional School Districts. She continues to serve as a consultant Speech/Language Pathologist for various local agencies which support individuals with disabilities. West graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She earned her Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at State University of New York Plattsburgh. She returned to graduate school to obtain a second Master’s degree in Leadership of Educational Institutions from the American Intercontinental University.
Rebecca Wolin fell in love with Riverbrook Residence when her daughter, Danielle, was 13 years old, immediately knowing that Riverbrook was the place where her daughter would thrive. Danielle has now lived at Riverbrook for over 15 years. Wolin joined the Riverbrook Board of Directors in 2024 and brings her experience as both a parent of a daughter with developmental disabilities and her vast background in accounting. She earned her MS in Health Care Management and her BA in Accounting. She has worked in finance departments for both for-profit and non-profit organizations for over 40 years including Gassman and Gassman CPA in New York City; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts; Berkshire South Regional Community Center; Country Curtains; and is currently employed by Sharp Sterile Manufacturing. Rebecca also serves as a trustee on the board of her town’s library, as an election official for her town, and as a Notary in the state of Massachusetts. She has been advocating for children with disabilities for over 30 years. When living in Connecticut, Wolin started the first special education PTA in Fairfield County.
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Berkshire Community College staffing updates
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the addition of three faculty/staff members, four promotions, and three title changes.
Grace Jull joins BCC as Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences. She holds a master’s of science degree in Anatomy Education and Education for Health Professionals from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, a master’s degree in Adult Education from the University of Toronto, and a bachelor’s degree in Humanities from Dalhousie University, Halifax. Jull grew up near the Canadian Rockies, and her formative time in that vast terrain informs her love of teaching the vast inner terrain of the body. She has trained over 3,000 allied health professionals in anatomy and is a licensed massage therapist specializing in neck and shoulder solutions and aquatic bodywork.
Jim Mancall joins BCC as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement. Mancall’s extensive experience includes most recently serving as Chief of Staff at Pikes Peak State College in Colorado, where he led strategic planning and institutional reorganization efforts. His leadership has consistently focused on engaging communities and aligning institutional initiatives with long-term goals. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Trinity College, a master’s degree in English from the University of Virginia, and a Ph.D. in English from New York University. In addition to his role at Pikes Peak State College, Mancall’s career includes leadership roles at Wheaton College and Harvard University. He is a published author with work nominated for Edgar and Silver Falchion awards.
Chongxian (David) Zhao joins BCC as Senior Financial Aid Counselor, bringing two years of financial aid experience from Leech Lake Tribal College at Cass Lake, Minnesota. Born in ShenYang and raised in Shanghai, China, his journey brought him to the United States, where he completed high school before pursuing higher education. He earned a dual degree in Psychology and Economics from Trinity College, followed by a master’s degree in finance with a specialization in risk management from Case Western Reserve University.
Toni Buckley is now Special Assistant to the President for Mission, Values, and Community Impact. Previously, she was Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She joined BCC in 2017. Dylan Carman is now Technical Assistant II. Previously, he was a part-time Tech Assistant in Chemistry as well as Adjunct Faculty for the Science and Business Division. He joined BCC in 2019. Michelle Mellace is now the Director of Auxiliary Services and Procurement. She had been the Administration and Finance Division Manager since joining BCC in 2024. Jessica Pemble is now a Program Manager for Workforce and Community Education. She had been the Administrative Assistant II for Workforce and Community Education since she joined BCC in July 2024.
Shea Callahan is now the permanent Administrative Assistant II for Student Engagement/Dean of Students. She had been the Interim Administrative Assistant II for Student Engagement/Dean of Students. She joined BCC in January 2023. Natalia Eddy is now Administrative Assistant II for the Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement division. Previously, she was the Administrative Assistant II for Enrollment Management. She joined BCC in January 2010. Abby Powers is now Student Engagement and Communications Specialist. Previously, she was Interim Student Engagement and Communications Specialist. She joined BCC in April 2021.
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Berkshire LGBTQ+ leaders launch monthly networking event to connect and empower community leaders
Pittsfield— Berkshire LGBTQ+ business owners, professionals, and community leaders are coming together to launch the new LGBTQ+ Business & Leaders Networking Monthly Networking Event on the third Wednesday each month, beginning March 19th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The inaugural meeting will be hosted at Wander Berkshires, located at 34 Depot Street in Pittsfield, and will include a panel discussion with a local business owner, a community leader, and a representative from the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce. There will also be an opportunity for participants to speak about their businesses and meet other business owners.
The monthly networking event is designed to foster connection, collaboration, and creative dialogue among local LGBTQ+ business owners, professionals, and community leaders, offering a platform to reflect on the rich history, vibrant present, and promising future of LGBTQ+ business in the Berkshires, as well as to support one another and find ways to meet the challenges that the LGBTQ community now faces. Each gathering will feature insights from esteemed LGBTQ leaders in the region. On March 19th, the discussion will focus on the theme of “Berkshire LGBTQ Business: Past, Present, and Future.” The panelists include:
- Past: Jason Vivori, co-founder of the Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition, a long-time community organizer, and Collections Manager for the Berkshire Museum, will share stories of the influential LGBTQ+ businesses and leaders who helped shape our community.
- Present: Jay Santangelo, founder of Wander Berkshires, will provide insights on current innovative gatherings and community building.
- Future: Angie Montalvo-Greene, Member Engagement Director for the Massachusetts LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, will outline new programs aimed at empowering local LGBTQ business leaders.
“It is more essential than ever for our community to come together, support one another, and build strong networks with allied businesses and organizations,” says Jay Santangelo, founder of Wander Berkshires. “This series is an invitation for us to unite, share ideas, and work collaboratively towards a resilient and empowered future.”
This is a free event, Registration and more information can be found online.
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Mahaiwe among Barr Foundation’s Cultural Evolution grantees
Great Barrington— The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is among eight recipients statewide of the Barr Foundation’s $3.3 million Cultural Evolution initiative.
The Cultural Evolution initiative, part of the Barr Foundation’s Arts + Creativity program, seeks to support local arts anchors as they evolve by providing change capital grants and coaching support; fostering community among recipients; and supporting boards to lead through this change. The program will provide multi-year operating grants, as well as technical assistance and peer learning opportunities that support business modifications, adaptation, and risk-taking during a pivotal moment of organizational transformation.
During the selection process, the Barr Foundation considered each organization’s business model transformation proposal and impact; the organization’s financial status and readiness to take on business model transformation; alignment between board and staff on current strategic direction as evidenced by a board-approved strategic plan; the organization’s equity journey; and their ability to adapt to sudden or evolving change.
The Mahaiwe formalized a five-year Strategic Plan, made facility improvements from audio and projection upgrades to architectural and theatrical LED lighting, new stage drapes and a full replacement of the slate roof, and saw back-to-back record-breaking years for sold-out shows in 2023 (seven) and 2024 (11), among other growth. In enacting its recently-adopted Strategic Plan, this year, the Mahaiwe will expand physically, with an intimate second location next door to the theater.
“We are deeply grateful to the Barr Foundation and thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Foundation and these leading Massachusetts cultural organizations as we each navigate transformational growth,” says Mahaiwe Executive Director Janis Martinson. “This grant and collaborative learning will support the Mahaiwe’s vision to expand our artistic and community reach as we put more artists on our stages and create more opportunities for audiences to engage with the performing arts and each other.”
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Dalton Rotary Club provides Soldier On with Super Bowl Meals
Dalton— The Dalton Rotary Club demonstrated its support of veterans on Super Bowl Sunday by providing a feast to the residents of Pittsfield’s Soldier On, a private non-profit committed to ending veteran homelessness with housing and supportive services.
Members of Dalton Rotary Club prepared and delivered enough chili, cornbread, wings, chips, and brownies to feed 60 veterans as part of their commitment to serving the local community. “It was just our way of saying thank you to those who have served this country,” said Michelle Pullano, Club president. “We hope others will follow our lead and support this worthy organization.”
