BusinessWest celebrates 20th Class of 40 Under Forty Honorees
SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest will celebrate the 20th annual class of its 40 Under Forty awards, a regional recognition program honoring outstanding young professionals who are shaping the future of western Massachusetts. For two decades, the program has spotlighted emerging leaders under age 40 whose professional achievements, leadership and community involvement distinguish them among their peers.
With more than 120 unique nominations, the 40 Under Forty class of 2026 honorees were selected by a panel of five independent judges who are all 40 Under Forty Alumni: from the class of 2007, Patrick Leary, partner at MP CPAs; Scott Foster, partner at Bulkley Richardson and member of the class of 2011; Shannon Rudder, president and CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services and member of the class of 2016; Matthew Kushi, academic advisor at Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, owner of Kushi Farm and North Hadley Chili Pepper Co., and member of the class of 2021; and Tori Thompson, vice president and head of internal audit at PeoplesBank and member of the class of 2025.
To read more about the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty Class of 2026, visit businesswest.com/guides/40_under_forty_2026/#p=1
The awards gala will take place on Thursday, June 11 at 5 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Tickets are $140 per person, and tables of 10 are available. Tickets for this event can be purchased at businesswest.com/eventcalendar/40-under-forty-gala-2026/
Greenfield Cooperative Bank launches food drive, hosts Coffee & Conversation event
GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank is partnering with Rachel’s Table and the Northfield Regional Food Pantry for nonperishable food drives. Throughout May, the Greenfield, Shelburne Falls, and Turners Falls branches will collect donations for Rachel’s Table — a local nonprofit dedicated to alleviating hunger and reducing food waste in western Massachusetts. Simultaneously, the Northfield branch will collect for the Northfield Regional Food Pantry.
Requested nonperishable items include canned meats and fish, rice, peanut butter, infant formula, pasta, cooking oils, shelf-stable dairy, cereal and dried fruit.
“Rachel’s Table is an organization that effectively responds to gaps in the food supply chain by getting fresh food to those most in need,” said Harlin Glovacki, branch manager of the Shelburne Falls branch. “We’re proud to support an organization that plays such a central role in food security throughout the region.”
For those who prefer to give financially, monetary donations can be made at feedwma.org/give-funds.
The bank also invites the community to its Greenfield headquarters located at 63 Federal St. for a Coffee & Conversation on Thursday, May 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. The event offers residents a chance to enjoy a cup of coffee and connect with new Vice President and Mortgage Originator, Katya Krasnova. Coffee and small bites will be provided by Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters.
Athol Savings Bank makes a donation to support Fields & Forest Forever Music Festival
ATHOL — Athol Savings Bank, a Division of Cornerstone Bank, has donated $7,500 to support the fourth annual Fields & Forest Forever Music Festival, hosted by Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust on Sept. 12.
The festival is a popular annual event and fundraiser for local land conservation, drawing more than 2,000 attendees.
“Supporting the landscapes and local agriculture that sustain our communities is deeply important to us,” said Daniel Zona, president of Cornerstone Bank and former president and CEO of Athol Savings Bank. “This festival connects people to the land in a meaningful way, and we are proud to support Mount Grace and its mission.”
The bank’s support will help Mount Grace promote and organize the event, which brings the community together while supporting the protection of farms and forests across North Central Massachusetts.
Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust works to protect natural resources, strengthen local food systems and expand access to the outdoors. The festival serves as a key outreach effort, engaging new audiences and building support for conservation to address climate challenges, strengthen relationships with farmers and foresters and build inclusive partnerships.
Eversource recognized by VETS Indexes
BOSTON — In recognition of its dedication to prioritizing veterans in the workplace, Eversource has been named one of the nation’s top veteran employers by VETS Indexes for the third year in a row. This year, the energy company has been honored with VETS Indexes’ 5 Star Employer Award — the highest award level offered by the organization.
Eversource Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Information Technology Susan Sgroi said the company was deeply honored to receive the recognition.
“We have more than 830 veterans who work at Eversource representing all branches of the U.S. military, and every day we see how their service-oriented work ethic, strong leadership abilities and high integrity bring an unmatched dynamic to our workforce, resulting in direct benefits for our customers and communities,” Sgroi said. “From our country to our company, our nation’s heroes have made immense contributions through their service to the public, and we take great pride in being able to provide them with specialized support, resources and development that will help advance their professional careers.”
“Eversource Energy has demonstrated meaningful and measurable support for veterans and the military-connected community through its commitment to building opportunities for those who served,” said President of VETS Indexes Nicholas Antaki. “Employers like Eversource continue to set the standard and help drive the future of veteran employment forward, and we want to congratulate them for their remarkable progress in creating a welcoming and empowering workplace for veterans across New England.”
Eversource is one of nearly 350 organizations that were considered by VETS Indexes this year for their efforts to strengthen employment opportunities and support systems for veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves and military spouses. Participating organizations who submitted surveys to showcase their progress in veteran employment included companies both large and small, government agencies and departments, nonprofit groups, colleges and universities.
In addition to being recognized by VETS indexes for the last three years, Eversource has also been honored with the U.S. Department of Labor’s prestigious HIRE Vets Medallion Award for six consecutive years — a powerful testament to the energy company’s unwavering efforts to recruit, retain and develop veterans in the workforce.