Cait Murray honored with MassHire Youth Partner Award
HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union has announced that Community Engagement Manager Cait Murray has been recognized with the MassHire Annual Youth Partner Award, honoring her outstanding contributions to youth financial education and workforce readiness throughout the Valley.
The award recognizes Murray’s leadership in delivering financial literacy workshops, educational programming and UMassFive’s highly successful Reality Fair events, which help students gain practical experience managing personal finances and preparing for adulthood. Over the years, Murray has built a strong partnership with MassHire through a shared commitment to equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions.
“We are incredibly proud of Cait and grateful for her dedication to the youth of our Pioneer Valley,” said Craig Boivin, vice president of marketing at UMassFive. “This recognition reflects the positive impact she has made on hundreds of students and families and reinforces the importance of financial education in building stronger communities.”
Western Massachusetts Junior Achievement president named national award finalist
SPRINGFIELD — Amie Miarecki, president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM), has been named a finalist for the prestigious Karl Flemke Pioneer Achievement Award for 2026. This distinguished national honor recognizes first-time Junior Achievement presidents who demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation and impact within their local organizations and the broader JA network.
The award will be presented at the Junior Achievement USA NEXT National Leadership Conference, taking place July 20 through July 23 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Miarecki is one of four JA leaders from across the country as finalists for this highly competitive recognition.
Miarecki holds a Master of Science degree in corporate and organizational communication with a specialization in leadership from The College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University. She has a certification from the Comprehensive Outreach Education Certificate Program from the Community Health Education Center of The Boston Public Health Commission.
MassHire to highlight job openings at city’s schools
GREENFIELD — On Monday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to noon, representatives from MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center will be at the Greenfield Public Library highlighting job opportunities currently available at Greenfield Public Schools.
Located in western Massachusetts serving preschool through high school students, the district has six schools and more than 1,300 students enrolled. Greenfield Public Schools has openings for the following roles: special education instructor, bus monitor, school psychologist and coaching. For those questions, email bizteam@masshirefhcareers.org or call 413-774-4361.
Kuhn Riddle Architects & Designers welcomes new project designer
AMHERST — Kuhn Riddle Architects & Designers has announced that Clara Danso joined the firm as a Project Designer in January 2026.
Born in Ghana, Danso brings her educational and professional experiences from her years there, as well as her work experience in New York City with Adjaye Associates, a major international architectural firm.
Danso received her bachelor’s degree in architectural studies from Mount Holyoke College in 2017 and expects to receive a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2027. She recently completed the Architect Registration Examination.
Greenfield Savings Bank hosts free security seminar
GREENFIELD — Greenfield Savings Bank will host a free, interactive Business Fraud Prevention Training for owners, managers and employees on Tuesday, July 21, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at its Easthampton branch located at 1 Sierra Vista Blvd. Led by Vice President and Cash Management and Business Development Officer Kim Montague and Assistant Vice President and BSA/AML Officer Michelle Ozdarski, the session addresses the rising sophistication of financial scams by analyzing real-life examples, including a $200,000 fraud loss case. Participants will learn to recognize warning signs and implement immediate protection strategies against common threats such as wire fraud, check washing, business email compromise and identity theft. Registration is required and can be completed at bit.ly/4vLLFtI.
Tech Foundry graduates Spring 2026 Tech Launch cohort
SPRINGFIELD — On Tuesday, June 23, Tech Foundry, a Springfield-based information technology workforce and digital skills training program, graduated its Spring 2026 cohort of Tech Launch students at the Community Music School of Springfield. The graduates dedicated 18 weeks to advancing their technology skills to prepare for entry-level
tech roles in helpdesk, systems and network administration. Students have
completed rigorous classroom training, month-long internships and
earned Google I.T. Support Certificates.
Dr. M. V. Lee Badgett, chief economist and founding partner of Koppa LGBTI+ Economic Power Lab and Professor Emeritx of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst served as keynote speaker.
“The most important parts of an economy are the people in it — the skills, creativity, and knowledge that they bring,” Badgett said. She addressed the graduates directly saying, “The skills and knowledge you’ve learned at Tech Foundry are making you stronger and they will make our economy stronger. Your hard work will benefit us all! It’s hard to predict what will come next on your pathway to a career, but it’s all important. You can learn something and contribute something in any job.”
Jean Corbin and Appolonia Saraci were elected by their peers as class representatives. They both remarked on the incredible sense of community that they encountered throughout the program, thanking their instructors, their fellow graduates and the Tech Foundry staff for their dedication.
“We are constantly in awe of the perseverance and hard work shown by the Tech Launch students,” said Tech Foundry CEO Tricia Canavan. “The ceremony was a testament to their willingness to go above and beyond to advance their careers — uplifting themselves, their families and the entire community. We couldn’t do this work without the incredible generosity of our donors, employer partners, board and advisory board and the commitment of the Tech Foundry team.”