BusinessWest will host its 20th annual 40 Under Forty gala tonight, June 11, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield to recognize 40 young professionals in Western Massachusetts. The sold-out event celebrates individuals for their career achievements and community service, while also announcing the recipient of the 12th annual Alumni Achievement Award.
The program, which has been running since 2007, aims to highlight the impact of emerging leaders across various sectors in the region. According to BusinessWest, the honorees are selected not only for their professional milestones but also for their ongoing contributions to the local community.
What is the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty program?
The 40 Under Forty program was established in 2007 to identify and honor rising talent within the Western Massachusetts business landscape. While many professional awards focus strictly on financial metrics or corporate hierarchy, this program incorporates a civic component, evaluating how honorees serve their local municipalities and non-profit organizations.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the initiative. Over the past two decades, the program has served as a benchmark for professional excellence in the region, highlighting the talent pipeline that supports the local economy. The event is held at the MassMutual Center, a major venue in Springfield that hosts significant regional gatherings.
The Alumni Achievement Award (AAA), a separate distinction within the program, was introduced in 2015. This award recognizes a former 40 Under Forty honoree who has demonstrated sustained professional growth and continued to build upon their previous track record of success. The 12th annual iteration of the AAA will be presented during tonight’s ceremony.
Who are the 2024 40 Under Forty honorees?
The 2024 cohort represents a diverse range of industries, from financial services and legal counsel to education and environmental science. To better understand the professional landscape being recognized, the honorees can be categorized by their primary sectors of influence.
Financial Services and Banking
A significant portion of this year’s honorees operate within the regional banking and investment sectors, including:
- Paul Accorsi Jr., Assistant Vice President, Business Banking Lender, PeoplesBank
- Kate Caligaris, Vice President, Human Resources Program Management, Liberty Bank
- Steven Costa, First Vice President, C&I Lending, Beacon Bank
- Kylie LaPlante, Deposit Operations Officer, Monson Savings Bank
- Siobhan Matty, Assistant First Vice President, Financial Advisor, St. Germain Investment Management
- Nicole Stevenson, Vice President, Consumer Lending, PeoplesBank
Education and Academic Leadership
Leaders in the academic and instructional sectors include:
- Alicia Brown, English Teacher, John J. Duggan Academy
- Danielle Delgado, Principal, Brightwood Elementary School
- Jesse McMillan, Principal, Westfield Middle School
- Bianca Romero, Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Residence Life, Bay Path University/Cambridge College
- Yeselie Tulloch, Co-founder, Academic Leadership Assoc.
Community Service and Non-Profit Leadership
Individuals recognized for their work in social services and community advocacy include:
- Lezlie Braxton Campbell, Deputy Director, Neighbor to Neighbor
- Giancarlo Crivelli, Executive Director, Fishing Friends
- Sara Landaverde, Director of Survivor Advocacy & Outreach Programs, YWCA of Western Massachusetts
- Jamillah Joy Medina Nova, Community Relations Coordinator, Springfield City Library
- Brandon Towel, Executive Director, Camp Words Unspoken
- Aimee Salmon, CEO, Positively Africana by Aimee
Professional Services, Law, and Science
This group includes experts in legal, environmental, and corporate consulting roles:
- Tom Dowling, Partner-in-Charge, Holyoke, Whittlesey
- Evan Garber, Vice President, Anthony L. Cignoli & Associates
- Corrine Ryan, Managing Attorney – Hampden County, Community Legal Aid
- Daniel Miller, Senior Environmental Scientist, Tighe & Bond
- April Doroski, Team Leader, Senior Wetland Specialist, Fuss & O’Neill
- Darryl Cole, Global Cyber Product Consultant, Liberty Mutual
Entrepreneurship and Specialized Industries
Local business owners and specialized service providers include:
- Alexandra Balise, Director of Corporate Strategy, Balise Auto Group
- Felicia Barr, Service Director, Bertera Auto Group
- Anthony Boido, President, TNT Tent and Table Rentals
- Brooke Jones, Owner, Lovelo Cycle & Strength
- Leanese Ramos, Owner, RCollaborative
- Amanda Shafii, Owner, CopyCat; President, Downtown Northampton Assoc.
- Isaac Weiner, Owner, Familiars Coffee & Tea and Florence Pie Bar
Who are the Alumni Achievement Award finalists?
The Alumni Achievement Award distinguishes those who have maintained a trajectory of excellence long after their initial recognition. The four finalists for the 12th annual award represent different graduating classes of the 40 Under Forty program:
- James Krupienski, Partner, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (Class of 2010)
- Modesto Montero-Forman, Executive Director, Libertas Academy Charter School (Class of 2020)
- Adam Quenneville, Owner, Adam Quenneville Roofing and Siding (Class of 2009)
- Ciara Speller, Evening Anchor, WWLP-22 News (Class of 2023)
The winner will be announced during the gala proceedings at the MassMutual Center.
Corporate sponsorship and regional impact
The 20th annual program is supported by a coalition of regional institutions. PeoplesBank serves as the primary presenter for the 40 Under Forty program. Additional sponsors for the event include the Dowd Agencies, Mercedes-Benz of Springfield, and the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.
The Alumni Achievement Award specifically is presented by Baystate Health and Health New England. These partnerships underscore the connection between professional recognition and the broader economic and healthcare infrastructure of Western Massachusetts.
Program Overview at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | 20th Annual 40 Under Forty Gala |
| Location | MassMutual Center, Springfield, MA |
| Primary Goal | Recognizing professional and community achievement |
| Key Award | Alumni Achievement Award (AAA) |
| Program Start Year | 2007 |
The recognition of these professionals serves as a vital indicator of regional economic health, signaling the presence of a robust, engaged, and skilled workforce in the Springfield and greater Western Massachusetts area.
The official announcement of the Alumni Achievement Award winner is expected following the conclusion of the gala tonight. For further updates on regional business developments, follow local news outlets covering the Western Massachusetts economic corridor.
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