For 11 years running, Berkshire Magazine has recognized individuals who work to make a better Berkshires. What stands out among this year’s honorees is not only their actions, but their attitudes. No matter how challenging the path or how long the road, these Berkshire 25 get to “yes we can” with unmatched determination. From giving voice to individuals with disabilities to taking care of the terminally ill, from teaching our students to make smart decisions to creating affordable housing, from creating a healthy, natural environment to making our cultural richness the envy of the world, these 25 individuals—your neighbors, friends, and coworkers—are shining examples of extraordinary. This year was not easy for the judges. We had more nominees than ever. The result is an A-list that is superlative and diverse, with a healthy dose of positive attitude. With the guidance of an advisory committee consisting of Berkshire 25 alumni, we are thrilled to bring you this year’s Berkshire 25!
Barbara Zheutlin
Barbara Zheutlin is executive director of Berkshire Grown, which links local farmers and the community. She started with the non-profit as a volunteer director of Share the Bounty, raising money to buy shares in community-supported agriculture farms (CSAs) to benefit area food pantries; meal sites; and Women, Infants & Children.
Benjamin Lamb
Benjamin Lamb is a steering committee member for the Berkshire Youth Leadership Program and a city councilor for North Adams. He is also the assistant director for student involvement at Williams College, where he inspires students to become involved in their community through student groups and activities.
Jerry Burke
Jerry Burke is president/CEO of Hillcrest Educational Centers. He has also been on the Massachusetts Business Roundtable since 2012, after being recognized for his leadership in the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and his dedication to bettering education and providing services for citizens.
Brooke Mead
Brooke Mead is program coordinator at the Berkshire Immigrant Center. The former high-school Spanish teacher, once an immigrant herself in Venezuela and Mexico, has a deep understanding of how difficult an immigrant’s cultural adjustment can be.
Ananda Timpane
Ananda Timpane, executive director of Railroad Street Youth Project, grew up in South County and is dedicated to empowering young people to make good choices. She encourages adolescents to further their education, give back through service, set ambitious goals, and uphold high standards.
Barby Cardillo
Barby Cardillo, a local actress, teaching artist, and social worker, blends two passions—acting and helping those in need—into a positive force. Working with both Community Access to the Arts (CATA) and Women’s Action Movement (WAM) Theatre, she encourages creativity in everyone, from young women to adults with disabilities.
David Phelps
David Phelps has served as president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems since 1993. Born and raised in Pittsfield, he is active in civic affairs and a leader in the Massachusetts healthcare industry. His mission has always been to provide excellent emergency, specialty, and basic healthcare to everyone in the community.
Jennifer Michaels
Jennifer Michaels, a psychiatrist in Pittsfield, has dedicated over 25 years of her life to helping people conquer their addictions. She is also a medical director of the Brien Center, counseling and lecturing on the issue of substance abuse, and works tirelessly in pursuit of a healthier Berkshire County.
Lola Jaffe
Lola Jaffe is the founder of the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. She is also the vice president and secretary of the Jaffe Foundation. She is the former chairman of the board of directors of Berkshire Opera Company and was a member of the board of directors of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Company.
Laura Najimy
Laura Najimy is the assistant cross-country and track-and-field coach for Lenox Memorial Middle and High School. She is also a coach for the Lenox Youth Basketball Association. Najimy is a positive force and brings out the best in students who need a little help bringing out their best. A wellness nurse, Najimy encourages good health and physical activity for all Berkshire residents.
Wray Gunn
Wray Gunn is a community activist and Berkshire historical preserver. The first African-American to play on the UMass basketball team and to captain a varsity sport, he graduated in 1952 with a degree in chemistry and minors in physics and math. He was a referee in the Berkshires for 40 years, he now serves on a number of local historical groups.
Todd Mack
Todd Mack is a musician and founder of Music in Common, a non-profit that brings communities who have experienced conflict closer together through music. The program has reached thousands in the U.S., the Middle East, and the Far East, with the intention of changing the world for the better through music.
Debbie Zecher
Debbie Zecher guided Hevreh of Southern Berkshire’s physical and spiritual growth for 22 years. She retired this summer as rabbi emerita, after quadrupling the Reform Jewish community’s membership to 400 families and expanding its programs and services. She is also a cabaret singer who performs around the Berkshires.
Deval Patrick
Deval Patrick in his second term as Massachusetts governor, is the first African-American to hold the post. In addition to a Milton home, Patrick and wife Diane own a home here in Richmond. He has “put the Berkshires on the map,” raising the area’s profile with his commitment to the community.
Rachel Fletcher
Rachel Fletcher is a writer, geometer, designer, teacher at the New York School of Interior Design, volunteer, and artist. She is the founder of the Great Barrington Housatonic River Walk, which is now a National Recreation Trail. She is also a founding committee member of the WEB Du Bois National Historical Site, co-director of the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail, and a contributing editor to the Nexus Network Journal.
Caroline “Kim” Taylor
Caroline “Kim” Taylor, a BSO trustee, also serves on the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. She and her husband, James, and their two sons, Rufus and Henry, live in Lenox. A strong supporter of the Berkshire community, she has acted in regional theater, including Berkshire Theatre Group productions.
Carolyn Mower Burns
Carolyn Mower Burns has been president and CEO for 25 years of Berkshire Children & Families, which partners with families in need to ensure all children have the opportunity to grow into healthy adults. A long-time leader in the child-welfare field, she helped create Kids 4 Harmony, which offers a free music-education program.
Shirley Edgerton
Shirley Edgerton is co-chair of Lift Ev’ry Voice, founder of Women of Color Giving Circle, and director of Youth Alive step-dance program, using the arts to engage young women in educational and mentoring programs. She is an MCLA trustee and director of residential programs for Berkshire County’s Department of Developmental Services.
Dan Bosley
Dan Bosley, a former representative in Massachusetts and current president of North Adams SteepleCats baseball team, helped make possible the new Science Center at MCLA and co-authored a billion-dollar life-science initiative for the Commonwealth. He influences job development, clean energy, and is a visiting professor at MCLA.
Howard Wineberg
Howard Wineberg, of Adams, took the lead in raising the money to create the ACE Fund (Adams Cheshire Education Fund) that has over $340,000 and is overseen by the Berkshire Taconic Foundation. He helped oversee the renovation of the high school, bringing in volunteers where possible.
Mary Grant
Mary Grant, MCLA’s president for 12 years, is described as an inspiring and visionary leader. During her tenure, MCLA has provided leadership to advance the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) agenda in Berkshire County and statewide. Grant leaves MCLA at year’s end to be chancellor at the University of North Carolina.
Ellen Kennedy
Ellen Kennedy, president of Berkshire Community College for two years, previously served as CFO. She has become a local leader by promoting a diverse environment that prepares students for life in the 21st century. Named the 2013 Woman of Achievement by Berkshire Business and Professional Women, Kennedy positively changes many lives.
Jonathan Secor
Jonathan Secor is director of MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, connecting the college to the cultural community and educating, supporting and nurturing the growing creative economy. The center oversees B-HIP, MCLA Gallery 51, MCLA Presents!, Tricks of the Trade and DownStreet Art. Secor also teaches arts management at MCLA.
George Wislocki
George Wislocki co-founded the Berkshire Natural Resources Council in 1967, helping to lead a movement of land conservation across the nation. Throughout his career, he has worked with landowners to help negotiate agreements to conserve land throughout Berkshire County for people to enjoy now and into the future. His efforts are responsible, in part, for the preservation of the Berkshire landscape.
Michael Conforti
Michael Conforti, director of The Clark Art Institute for 20 years, has overseen the renovation and expansion of the 140-acre campus. Under Conforti’s leadership The Clark also has increased its public outreach, research and academic programs. Other contributions include serving on the trustee executive committee of the Amon Carter Museum, being a trustee of MASS MoCA, and teaching history of art in the Williams College graduate program.
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