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!
Blair Benjamin
Blair Benjamin is program director at MASS MoCA. He founded Assets for Artists in 2007, which provides professional development, financial and business coaching, grant and loan referrals, artist residencies, and relocation support. Praised for focusing on “things not usually taught in art school,” he meets with hundreds of artists annually to help solve individual problems. Since joining MASS MoCA in 2000, Blair has worked tirelessly, for artists in northern Berkshires. A former Peace Corps volunteer, Blair has a national following. “I moved all the way to the Berkshires from Ohio for the opportunity to work for him,” says artist Molly Rideout.
Katherine Blay-Tandoh and Fleur Sereko
Katherine Blay-Tandoh and Fleur Sereko are recent graduates of Pittsfield High School and co-founders of the NAACP’s growing Berkshire Youth Chapter. Katherine and Fleur have started conversations in the community about voting, police brutality, and the Black Lives Matter Movement. They created youth-focused spaces and strive to lift up the voices of marginalized and oppressed individuals. Shirley Edgerton, founder of Women of Color Giving Circle, compares them to U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, saying, “These gifted young women are brilliant, strategic and insightful. The next wave of historic change is on the horizon and these two will help lead the way.”
Raei Bridges
Raei Bridges is an educator, environmental activist, and founder of The Rusty Anvil, an organization that connects marginalized communities, People of Color, and LGBTQ+ individuals with the natural world through wilderness trips, wildlife study, and outdoor skills. Co-chair of the Berkshire NAACP environmental and climate justice committee, Raei grew up in urban Los Angeles. In 2016, in the Colorado backcountry, Raei discovered the power of the natural environment and realized how few People of Color, especially those from cities, have the opportunity to experience it. He is determined to change that reality.
Will Conklin
Will Conklin is a pioneer of vibrant youth employment and community volunteerism in his role as executive director of Greenagers. Since 2007, Greenagers has instilled teamwork, initiative, and solid work ethics to teens and young adults, while teaching environmental conservation, sustainable farming, and facts about climate change. The organization owns the historic homestead April Hill Conservation and Education Center in South Egremont. A Sheffield native and graduate of Mount Everett High School, Will runs Sky View Farm with his wife Amelia and daughter Vera, and sits on the boards of Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area and Berkshire County Farm Bureau.
Jessica Dils
Jessica Dils is a co-founder of Greylock Together, which has more than 1,000 members dedicated to diversity, racial justice, and police reform in northern Berkshires, among many other issues. Jessica also is Williams Fellow coordinator for the Williams College’s Center for Learning in Action. A lifelong community advocate, Jessica ramped up her efforts in recent years with daily acts of resistance and mobilizing people to support issues including immigration, food access, and inclusiveness. “In addition to her tireless activism, Jess always has time for a kind word, dropping by with a box of ‘pandemic pansies’ to brighten your day,” says Williamstown community leader Wendy Penner.
Tricia Farley-Bouvier
Tricia Farley-Bouvier has represented Pittsfield in the state House of Representatives since 2011. She has taken on increasing rights for foster families, eradicating sexual violence on college campuses, and helping immigrants receive stimulus checks. She has worked to get insurance companies to pay for drug detox treatment, to limit first-time opioid prescriptions, and to increase treatment beds. Tricia works with other leaders to bring about economic, environmental, and social justice. “State government does not happen in a faraway city but right here in our community,” says Farley-Bouvier, whose office door in downtown Pittsfield is always open.
Tracy and Joe Finnegan
Tracy and Joe Finnegan are active cheerleaders for their Williamstown community. Joe, a 30-year veteran of global investing and executive vice president of Berkshire Fairfield Financial, is a tireless supporter of local businesses and community projects, and is on the boards of Pine Cobble School, Williamstown Theater Festival, and Williamstown Film Festival. Tracy is a board member of the Berkshire Immigrant Center and an assistant director with a focus on regional and at-risk education at the Williams Center for Learning in Action. Together, this dynamic couple give their time, energy, resources and expertise to support and improve their local community and beyond.
Mark Franklin
Mark Franklin taught English at Wahconah Regional High School for 38 years and now teaches at MCLA. Using his gift of music, Mark encouraged students to perform at the high school’s Music Cafe, often accompanying them on guitar, recognizing this as a way for students to build confidence. Mark has opened his Facebook page to the community every Sunday night to make music, and those weekly events are going strong and are a welcome escape for students, friends and neighbors. Mark also never declines a music request, performing at Berkshire health facilities and singing in the choir at Pittsfield’s Temple Anshe Amunim.
Tim Gray
Tim Gray founded the Housatonic River Initiative in 1992 and leads the fight to hold GE accountable for contaminating the Housatonic River. He is highlighted in The River Guards, a 2020 documentary by filmmaker Aaron Kalischer-Coggins (a still from the film is above), as an eco-warrior determined to restore the waterway as a safe place to swim, fish, and live near. When the EPA unveiled a long-awaited cleanup plan this year, Tim was not happy and says it removes less than half of the PCBs. The Lee resident continues to lead protests, vowing to find a better way.
Arlo Guthrie
Arlo Guthrie is an American folk singer-songwriter—and Berkshire icon—known for songs against social injustice. Collaborating remotely with Jim Wilson and Vanessa Bryan, Arlo recently released a stunning folk rendition of “Hard Times No More,” inspired by the global pandemic and BLM movement. In 1991, Arlo founded the Guthrie Center at the Trinity Church in Great Barrington, an interfaith church dedicated to uniting individuals and serving the community. It is also the former home of Alice, the subject of his most popular song, “Alice’s Restaurant Massacre” (1965).
Elizabeth Keen
Elizabeth Keen owns and operates Indian Line Farm in South Egremont, one of the oldest community supported agriculture (CSA) programs in the country. Since 1997, she and husband Al Thorp have worked the farm, creating a model of access to local food. The farm offers working shares (a discount for working on the farm); partners with Berkshire Grown’s Share the Bounty; and makes weekly food donations to those in need. Elizabeth’s dedication to the community and equity in the Berkshires is evident in many ways.
Katherine Kidd
Katherine Kidd is a retired professor who teaches at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Berkshire Community College (BCC) in Pittsfield. As chairwoman of OLLI’s University Days committee, she led the creation of a portrait exhibit of older residents, called “Creative Aging,” that was serialized in The Berkshire Eagle and toured the country. Katherine is working with other volunteers to ensure our health systems are age-friendly. “She has made a huge impact in the Berkshires since moving here just a few years ago,” says Megan Whilden, director of OLLI.
Jason LaForest
Jason LaForest is city councilor for North Adams and a nurse at Williamstown Commons. He was quarantined in March but returned to the frontlines. Jason was named executive director of Hoosic River Revival, saying that a revitalized Hoosic River will increase the quality of life in northern Berkshire. He is a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, president of the North Adams Democratic City Committee, and works tirelessly to support charities, agencies and businesses to help promote a growing, healthy, and vibrant region. Jason lives his motto “community enhancement through community projects.”
Katherine Lockridge
Katherine Lockridge is co-owner of Classical Tents & Party Goods, and her role in the community has been far-reaching. While assuring that venues are picture-perfect for any occasion, she champions the beauty and unique space of the Berkshires. Kat founded the Berkshire Wedding Tour, taking full advantage of her “consummate connector” philosophy and friendly, consistent guidance. She is a member of the 1Berkshire Alliance Board of Directors and The Center for EcoTechnology. Her out-of-the-box thinking has lifted the spirit of many individuals and businesses.
Dave Mixer
Dave Mixer founded Pittsfield-based Mill Town Capital in the fall of 2016. A Dalton native, Dave is passionate about improving the quality of life in Berkshire County and is using his extensive experience in international entrepreneurial activity to do so. Through impactful business investments, real estate projects, and outdoor recreation and sports projects, his community impact investment organization’s mission has been to improve the opportunities for people to work, live, and play in the Berkshires. In typical fashion, Mill Town bought and renovated the Kittredge House, and then donated it to the Dalton Community Recreational Association for public use.
Calista Nelson
Calista Nelson is a senior at Monument Mountain Regional High School. As an activist and organizer, she took a stand against racism and police brutality in June, helping to organize a 1,000-person strong protest in front of Great Barrington Town Hall, spreading the word through social media, and coordinating with the Berkshire branch of the NAACP. With fellow students, she is raising money for organizations such as the Minnesota Freedom Fund. Calista is recognized as a changemaker who is using her voice to start conversations on institutional racism, and how her community can make a change.
Katherine O’Neil
Katherine O’Neil is director of the Lenox Library. In her position for only three months before facing the challenges of COVID-19, Katie creatively found ways to serve her patrons and the community—organizing a StoryWalk in downtown Lenox supporting patrons and local business, encouraging virtual storytimes, and holding the summer reading program in the library’s “fairy garden.” Katie developed pandemic policies and curbside pickup procedures to provide as many library services as possible while her staff remained furloughed. The 1997 Lenox High graduate previously served as director of the Stockbridge Library after earning degrees from Harvard and UCLA.
Art Peisner
Art Peisner is cofounder of the nonprofit Volunteers in Medicine (VIM), which provides healthcare services to uninsured and underinsured adults in the Berkshires. For 16 years, he has volunteered his time and energy to help those in need of medical care. Art is committed to changing health systems in our community, so that health equity for all residents is a reality. “He is a true example of what it means to not only volunteer, but to create a career out of volunteering and make change for so many others,” says Ilana Steinhauer, executive director of VIM.
Lauren Piotrowski
Lauren Piotrowski is head gardener and CSA manager at Hancock Shaker Village. She and her crew care for more than five acres of gardens that include flowers, heirloom vegetables, and medicinal herbs. When the village was previously closed at the onset of the pandemic, the gardens were thriving. “It’s vitally important that regional food systems remain intact,” says Lauren. CSA member Patty Melville says, “Lauren is helping to preserve a way of life that grows dearer to me every year, especially in our COVID times. The peacefulness and beauty of nature and design are badly needed in our lives. She’s a gem!”
Colleen Quinn
Colleen Quinn teaches art at Pittsfield High School and at BCC. Always an involved teacher, Colleen took charge when schools were forced to close, and worked tirelessly to make sure that graduating seniors celebrated in style, despite the pandemic. As class advisor and pep club administrator, she plays a pivotal role in the education of many students, often sacrificing her personal time. Also involved with the Berkshire art community, Colleen and her colleagues hosted a walk-through outdoor art gallery in lieu of indoor viewing. “She is a beacon of happiness at PHS,” says recent Pittsfield High graduate Mary Hines.
Maria Rundle
Maria Rundle is executive director of Flying Cloud Institute in Great Barrington, which is dedicated to science and arts education. Described as a strong leader who takes action, Maria finds herself continually adapting so that she can serve as many students as possible. She is where her daughter, not too long ago, had “the best day ever.” Maria is a Richmond native, and was development director at Gould Farm in Monterey for five years, working to raise awareness about mental illness. Says one parent: “Maria works every day to bring exciting and life-changing educational experiences to the Berkshires.”
Jenny Schwartz
Jenny Schwartz was appointed in December by Southern Berkshire Rural Health Network and Fairview Hospital to look at how food access is affecting school-age children in south Berkshire. When schools closed in March, her mandate changed—to make sure all kids in the region were fed. It resulted in what Jenny calls “a stronger foot forward.” These days, she meets regularly via Zoom with representatives from 15 community groups to gain traction on the challenges surrounding food insecurity and, in a few short months, has made significant inroads. Her three-year role is grant-funded by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Andrea Saville White
Andrea Saville White is a speech-language pathologist, autism specialist, and special educator who has worked with hundreds of Berkshire kids. Known as “the kid whisperer” for her ability to reach children, Andrea is described as a compassionate, creative, and dedicated therapist who doesn’t give up. Now offering teletherapy through her Great Barrington practice, Berkshire Speech & Language, she tailors her work to the needs of individual children and their families. Says one colleague: “She has a way of seeing kids as gifts who are evolving at their own pace.” Andrea also uses her professional background and educational skills to support families fighting deportation.
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