Freedom Credit Union collecting donations for A Bed for Every Child

SPRINGFIELD — During May, Freedom Credit Union is inviting the community to donate money at any of its branches throughout western Massachusetts to benefit A Bed for Every Child.

The Lynn-based organization builds and donates beds for children who lack proper sleeping arrangements. A Bed for Every Child teams up with community groups such as schools and health care agencies to identify needs and engage volunteers to participate in the Build a Bed Project.

“Every child deserves a comfortable place where big dreams can happen,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said in a statement. “We’re excited to support this effort because we know a good night’s sleep can boost focus, mental health and well-being.”

This donation is part of Freedom Credit Union’s ongoing effort to collect donations for a different charity each month as part of its Month of Giving campaign. In January, nearly $703 was raised for the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. In February, donations added up to more than $1,091 for the Foundation for TJO Animals in Springfield and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter in Turners Falls. In March, more than $944 went to Shriners Children’s New England in Springfield.

Freedom Credit Union has branches across western Massachusetts, including in Greenfield and Turners Falls.

40 Under Forty Class of 2025 includes Franklin County honorees

SPRINGFIELD — The 40 Under Forty Class of 2025 has been announced by BusinessWest. The honorees are:

■Olivia Calcasola, tax supervisor, Meyers Brothers Kalicka P.C.

■Tatiana Cole, business connector and coach, Free to Flourish LLC.

■Sherleen Crespo, vice president, branch manager and mortgage specialist, Westfield Bank.

■Chelsea Depault, vice president, commercial loan officer, Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

■Amber Estelle, clinical director, YWCA of Western Massachusetts.

■Paris Felogloy, school-age child care director and camp director, Franklin County’s YMCA.

■Mo Freniere, deputy director of sales, Eastern States Exposition.

■Koby Gardner-Levine, regional manager, Office of Congressman Jim McGovern.

■Diana Guzman, vice president of human resources, YWCA of Western Massachusetts.

■Angela Hansberry, financial planning assistant, The Jamrog Group.

■Brenton Jenkins, founder, Vision Entertainment.

■Tashea Jenkins, executive director, One Village Inc.

■Sarah Lapolice, tax department manager, Burkhart Pizzanelli P.C.

■Shannon Lynch, assistant vice president of compliance, Mount Holyoke College.

■Dr. Nathan Macedo, assistant professor of family medicine, UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate; associate program director, Greenfield Family Medicine Residency Program.

■Liz Martinek, EMS coordinator, Baystate Health.

■Mia McDonald, senior associate, Meyers Brothers Kalicka P.C.

■Jessica Menard, advanced practice clinician manager of care delivery, education and training, Commonwealth Care Alliance.

■Kate Minifie, farm and food products program director, Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center.

■Jason Moran, president, Morduct LLC.

■Dr. Divya Mudumba, practice owner, Smileworks Family Dentistry and Palmer Smiles.

■Marc Murphy, co-owner, Lock and Key Realty.

■Geoff Naunheim, executive director, United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region.

■Brigid Owino, birth and postpartum doula and childbirth educator, Perinatal Wellness Partners.

■Kerry Parsons, service operations manager, Colonial Life.

■Jennifer Reynolds, project manager, Tighe & Bond.

■Catherine Rioux, assistant vice president, commercial loan officer, Monson Savings Bank.

■Lidia Rodríguez, CEO, Rewarding Insurance Agency.

■Kashawn Sanders, president and CEO, Follow My Steps Foundation Inc.

■Davis Snow, program supervisor, Hampden County Sheriff’s Office.

■Nicole Taylor, senior marketing specialist, Trinity Health of New England.

■Savannah Taylor, director of editorial, EBONY.

■Tori Thompson, vice president, head of internal audit, PeoplesBank.

■Kerri Tichy, senior director of philanthropy, Shriners Children’s New England.

■Vadim Tulchinsky, partner, director of acquisitions, Urbanist Development.

■Dr. Allison van der Velden, CEO, Community Health Center of Franklin County.

■Mydalis Vera, owner, Guerrera Writer LLC.

■Matt Waldrip, manager of licensing and permitting, Eversource.

■Elizabeth Wambui, director of diversity, inclusion and community impact, Fontaine Brothers Inc.

■Janna White, director, Five College Center for World Languages.

Their stories were featured in the April 28 issue of BusinessWest, published digitally at businesswest.com/issues/april-28-2025/#p=1.

The awards gala will take place on Thursday, June 19, at 5 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Tickets are now on sale.

The 40 Under Forty program was launched in 2007 to honor young professionals in western Massachusetts, not only for their career achievements, but for their service to the community. Winners hail from a host of different industries. Many are advancing the work of long-established businesses, while others have created their own entrepreneurial opportunities.

Child Protection Unit chief honored at awards ceremony

Northwestern Assistant District Attorney and Child Protection Unit Chief Lori Odierna was honored April 3 with the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association’s Spotlight Award at the organization’s annual conference in Boston.

Odierna began working at the Northwestern DA’s office in 2016, joined its Child Protection Unit in 2018 and was promoted to lead the unit in 2022. Previously, she worked for 20 years as an ADA in Hampden County.

In bestowing the award at the MDAA’s yearly prosecutors’ conference, Northwestern First Assistant District Attorney Steven Gagne described Odierna as resilient, compassionate, relentless and steady.

“Lori and her team manage a never-ending stream of referrals and new cases involving some of the most heinous and heartbreaking cases of abuse and neglect,” Gagne said at the ceremony held at Seaport Hotel in Boston.

“Lori is also exceptionally humble and would be the first to acknowledge that she’s but one member of our entire CPU team,” Gagne continued. “But every good team needs a good leader, someone skilled in managing chaos and keeping everyone rowing in the same direction. That’s the kind of leader Lori is.”

Odierna was one of 11 prosecutors from across the state honored by the MDAA, an independent state agency supporting the 11 elected district attorneys, 785 prosecutors and 260 victim witness advocates. The Spotlight Award is given for outstanding service, spirit and professionalism.

Additionally, in honor of Victim Rights Month, the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance announced length-of-service milestones at DA’s offices. Victim Witness Advocates Kate Clogston, Kathleen Bengtson and Kimberly Devine of the Northwestern DA’s office each have logged 15 years as advocates.

“Victim witness advocates are an indispensable source of strength and reassurance for victims and witnesses thrust into the unfamiliar waters of the criminal justice system,” Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan said in a statement. “We are fortunate to have such an exceptionally talented and dedicated staff of advocates. I congratulate Kate, Kathleen and Kimberly on well-deserved recognition.”

GCC professor honored

GREENFIELD — Alyssa Arnell, an associate professor of history and department chair at Greenfield Community College, has been honored with a 2025 Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship.

This award supports 45 doctoral students nationwide in the humanities and social sciences who are pioneering innovative approaches to dissertation research. The program, launched by the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) in 2023, aims to foster innovation and risk-taking in scholarly research.

Arnell’s research delves into the historical narrative of the 1962 removal of Fazendeville, a historic Black community, to extend the Chalmette National Battlefield near New Orleans. Her project investigates how historical preservationists and political leaders used patriotic rhetoric to influence congressional action against a community with a tradition of political and economic independence. This work challenges prevailing historical narratives and seeks to expand the understanding of democracy in the United States.

“We are incredibly proud of Alyssa’s recognition and her contribution to both our academic community and historical scholarship,” GCC President Michelle Schutt said in a statement. “Her work embodies the college’s commitment to equity and excellence in education.”

Alison Chang, ACLS program officer in US Programs Team, also expressed support for Arnell’s project, stating, “ACLS is proud to support these fellows, who are poised to conduct groundbreaking dissertation research and broaden the audience for humanistic scholarship.”

Arnell was selected as one of 45 fellows from nearly 900 applicants through a peer review process involving more than 150 scholars nationwide. The fellowship provides each recipient a stipend and funds for research and professional development.

In her role at GCC, Arnell has contributed to the college by emphasizing social justice and inclusive historical inquiry. Under her guidance, GCC has broadened its curriculum, incorporating courses on civil rights, Indigenous history and queer history.

Franklin First partners with tech school on Financial Reality Fair

GREENFIELD — In conjunction with Financial Literacy Month in April, Franklin First Federal Credit Union held a Financial Reality Fair at Franklin County Technical School, providing a hands-on learning experience for the school’s senior class.

The April 4 event tasked students with making critical financial decisions based on an assigned salary, simulating real-world scenarios they may face after graduation. Throughout the fair, students navigated a variety of life situations, such as choosing an apartment, determining whether they need a roommate, and deciding if they could get by with a bus pass or if they would need to purchase a car. Students also factored in other essential expenses like utilities, electronics, insurance, clothing and food, all while aligning their decisions with their future career goals and lifestyle aspirations.

The Financial Reality Fair is designed to help students make informed and realistic financial choices, preparing them for the financial responsibilities of adulthood. Volunteers from a range of backgrounds — business leaders, community members, Franklin First Federal Credit Union board members and staff, and Franklin Tech staff — were on hand to guide students, answer questions and offer insight into budgeting, managing expenses and understanding the impact of their financial decisions.

“Financial education early in life is an important practice in ensuring that good financial habits are in place as teenagers transition to adulthood,” Michelle Dwyer, president and CEO of Franklin First Federal Credit Union, said in a statement. “It’s important for us to be a catalyst for this education and achieve our mission of bringing value to our community through more than just our products and services. Partnering with local high schools, like Franklin County Tech, who see the importance of financial education for the students is key to increasing financial knowledge and setting goals in preparation for the future.”