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!
John Valente
John Valente recently retired as manager of Beacon Cinema in Pittsfield and Triplex Cinema in Great Barrington, where he frequently hosted events for youth. He has been very involved in the communities where the theaters are located, and his overall goal for the theaters was to make sure that they were more than movie theaters and also venues to help people and give back to areas they served.
Betsy Sherman
Betsy Sherman gives her time, passion, and financial support to many organizations in the Berkshires, from scholarship funds to Lenox High School to chairing Festival of Trees. As the outgoing director at Arrowhead and the Berkshire Historical Society, Sherman conducts her community service in a quiet manner, making the Berkshires a better place.
Dave Barrett
Dave Barrett, an unsung hero of the nonprofit community in the Berkshires, has raised millions of dollars on behalf of numerous good causes in the area, including Railroad Street Youth Project, the Mahaiwe, Berkshire Pulse, Charley’s Fund, Volunteers in Medicine, and Jacob’s Pillow, to name a handful. During his six years at the Pillow, he oversaw the successful capital campaign to rebuild the Inside/Out Stage. He currently is the Mahaiwe’s director of development.
Christa Collier
Christa Collier is the president of Berkshire County Kids Place, where she works with children who have been abused to support their healing process and build up their self-esteem. “The level of commitment she has in her battle to make kids feel whole again is as admirable of an occupation as I’ve ever seen,” says one of the Berkshire 25 selection panelists.
Adam Hinds
Adam Hinds implemented a massive mentoring and outreach program during his directorship of Pittsfield Community Connections, an organization dedicated to addressing the underlying causes of gang and youth violence. Hinds is now the new executive director of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, where he will continue his advocacy for youth across the county.
Don Quinn Kelley & Sandra Burton
Don Quinn Kelley & Sandra Burton have contributed to the cultural life of the Berkshires in many ways. A retired professor and filmmaker, Kelley serves as the founding co-chair of the Lift Ev’ry Voice festival, which celebrates African-American culture and heritage in the Berkshires. Burton serves on the Lift Ev’ry Voice steering committee. She is also the Lipp Family director of dance at Williams College and the cofounder of Stalwart Originality: New Traditions in Black Performance, an annual series at Williams College. She has served on the boards of MASS MoCA, Jacob’s Pillow and the New England Foundation for the Arts. She and Kelley also run their nonprofit organization, ThinkLarge.
Erica Girgenti
Erica Girgenti, director of the town of Adams Council on Aging in Adams, strives to educate the general population and meet the needs of the town’s elderly, a majority of the population. Girgenti has helped those who are 60 and older aware of these services and has improved their lives.
Haley Barbieri
Haley Barbieri, a selfless young woman who graduated from Monument Mountain High School this year, takes part in the arts realm in Berkshire County. She helps with the production of many plays and is also the assistant stage manager for Shakespeare in the Park and volunteers for Music at the Common, Berkshire Festival for Women Writers, and other organizations.
John Bissell
John Bissell is executive VP of Greylock Federal Credit Union, a company committed to supporting the community through charitable contributions and events, and chairman of Pittsfield Promise, through which he partners with schools to promote childhood literacy and close the achievement gap.
Leah Thompson
Leah Thompson, born and raised in Savoy and now residing in Adams, joined Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter as development coordinator. With her help, BART has expanded to better serve its students in preparing for college.
Petrea Mannello
Petrea Mannello, a senior at Mount Greylock, noticed while skating at the Boys and Girls Club that some children were lacking warm clothing during winter. Using her own babysitting money, Mannello bought yarn and started making hats. She has donated 110 hats to Berkshire school children and has established “Like a Mad Hatter,” a company whose proceeds go to Brayton Elementary School.
Ilana Siegal
Ilana Siegal, owner of Lifeworks Studio in Great Barrington, created a community for mothers by offering free support groups that allow children in the classes and by promoting an open-door policy for anyone. The psychological and material support is immeasurable, describes one mom, and Siegal has created a truly welcoming environment for mothers.
Jennifer Dowley
Jennifer Dowley of Millerton, New York, has overseen the growth of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation since 1999. As president, Dowley leads the foundation in managing housing, education, and nonprofit projects. She has admirably visualized and accomplished foundation goals and plans to step down after 17 years, later this year.
Russell Moody
Russell Moody, pastor of Church of Christ in Pittsfield, has reached the goal of feeding the Berkshire community with produce from a mere three acres of organic-vegetable farmland. Those in need of fresh, healthy food are nourished by the church’s Giving Garden.
Nathan Hanford
Nathan Hanford of Becket uses his artistic abilities to go above and beyond. Through art, he helps returned veterans recover from physical and emotional trauma at Soldier On. “It is his full-time work as a case manager and art therapist at Solider On that [is really admired]” by locals.
Ella Baff
Ella Baff, described as “a charming spirit of the woods,” has enchantingly served as the executive and artistic director of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Though she will be leaving Jacob’s Pillow after this season, she has found great success as its leader. As an Order of Arts and Letters honoree, Baff has helped Jacob’s Pillow flourish onstage and off.
Van Shields
Van Shields originally hails from South Carolina and is currently serving as the executive director of the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield. His dynamic vision, skills, and accomplishments are incomparable. As a successful fundraiser, coordinator, and leader, Shields has further developed the history and culture of the Berkshire Museum and made it a go-to destination for families.
Manny Slaughter
Manny Slaughter is a community activist who founded the Marilyn Hamilton Literacy Program, an organization that promotes literacy in youth. The program implements a free camp over the summer, where children play sports, go on educational field trips, and develop their reading skills. Slaughter is also outspoken about how to prevent violence in the community.
Kate Maguire
Kate Maguire is CEO/artistic director of the long-running Berkshire Theatre Group, which combines the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge and the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. She serves as an active advocate and leader in Pittsfield as the president of Downtown, Inc. She is dedicated to bringing accessible, world-renowned performing arts to the area while opening up theaters to the community. She also works with city officials to affect positive change in the county.
Paul LeBlanc
Paul LeBlanc of Richmond has been promoting the Berkshires since he graduated from college. His work is described as developing a full-circle plan to attract not only younger people to the area, but to provide resources toward their overall quality of life. He has triumphed through his works, including Zogics and builtintheberkshires.com, and as a member of The Trustees of Reservations.
Reba Evenchik
Reba Evenchik, a youthful senior, has done it all—for Barrington Stage Company, that is. Evenchik, of Pittsfield, has served as a theater participant and coordinator. She opened up her home to the community after opening night and served on the Education Committee to execute the nationally recognized Playwright Mentoring Program.
Sara Shuff & Kelly Heck
Sara Shuff & Kelly Heck provide incredible support for young LGBTQ people. They are founders of the youth-led Live Out Loud Youth Group. They have helped organize LGBTQ-friendly youth dances, an art show, a documentary, and field trips. Their practice specializes in working with LGBTQ and transgender youth and adults. They embody a friendly, welcoming, accepting spirit.
Scott Kirchner
Scott Kirchner, the owner of Mad Macs, serves on many community boards, focusing on promoting local businesses and building up North Street to be a centerpiece for the city of Pittsfield. “He’s one of the most outspoken entrepreneurs for the city of Pittsfield,” says one of the Berkshire 25 selection panelists
Laurie Tierney
Laurie Tierney is co-owner of the new Hotel on North. Its opening is part of an effort to make Pittsfield attractive to visitors. She is committed to supporting local businesses, using local vendors and contractors, and partnering with local cultural organizations.
Nancy Fitzpatrick
Nancy Fitzpatrick is a second-generation hotelier whose family owns the Red Lion Inn. She is also vice-chair of the parent company of Country Curtains and Housatonic Curtain Company. She is a trustee of her family’s private philanthropic foundation and serves on several boards, including the BSO and MASS MoCA. Fitzpatrick is a central figure in Berkshire County.
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