The Berkshire Leadership Program (BLP) has been preparing leaders in the Berkshires since 1997. BLP seeks, prepares, involves, and sustains leaders from diverse backgrounds who are committed to addressing community challenges and improving the quality of life in the Berkshires. BLP is a program of 1Berkshire, planned by a Steering Committee of 16 volunteers and supported by individuals and businesses in the community who donate their time for our sessions. The Steering Committee carefully reviews each application for the program and selects a wide variety of leaders in Berkshire County.
Kicking off with a two-day retreat at Jiminy Peak this April, 26 individuals began a journey that focused on their leadership styles and working within a team. Following the retreat, the class spent a day on an economic development bus tour highlighting several areas of opportunities and challenges throughout the County; stops along the bus tour included The Mount, Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing, the Pittsfield Municipal Airport, Adams Theater, and the Norad Mill.
The weekly sessions focused on the industry clusters highlighted in the Berkshire Blueprint 2.0 – Advanced Manufacturing, Creative Economy, Education, Food & Agriculture, Healthcare, Hospitality & Tourism, and Housing. The committee was appreciative of the many speakers who gave of their time to participate in the sessions and the locations who hosted the group – The Williams Inn, Jacob’s Pillow, Ioka Farm, Berkshire Community College, North Adams Regional Hospital, The Common Room, and Lenco Armored Vehicles.
On June 27, at Norman Rockwell Museum, the Class of 2024 heard from 1Berkshire President and CEO Jonathan Butler and Norman Rockwell Museusm’s Chief Philanthropy Officer Hilary Dunne Ferrone about how to get involved in their community and information about board service and the opportunities that exist to serve on a board or committee. The Class of 2024 also presented their project as part of the Commencement ceremony.
Throughout the program, the class worked together on a project of their choosing. After much discussion and deliberation, the class chose to focus on education, specifically the journey beyond high school graduation. The Class of 2024 developed, designed and produced the Berkshire Bright Futures Guide – a website with content designed to illuminate the path ahead for high school students and their families. Check out the Berkshire Bright Futures Guide by clicking here.
1Berkshire and the BLP Steering Committee is proud to announce and celebrate the Class of 2024!
BLP Class of 2024
Crystal Adelt, Town of Adams
Anthony Arevalo, Best Western
Luke Brady, Carr Hardware
Karrie Buratto, Berkshire United Way
Catheryn Chacon Ortega, Smith, Watson & Co.
Farrell Garrity, General Dynamics Mission Systems
Kara Graziola, Elder Services of Berkshire County
Cameron Hadley, Northwestern Mutual
Scott Haviland, General Dynamics Mission Systems
Caitlin Healy, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Vanessa Justice, Berkshire Athenaeum, City of Pittsfield Library
Cathleen King, 1Berkshire
Megan Lussier, Berkshire Community College
Bill MacFarlane, General Dynamics Mission Systems
Madeleine McKeon, MCLA
Miranda Meyers, Berkshire Health Systems
Max Mirabello, Onyx Specialty Papers
Sarah Mitchell, General Dynamics Mission Systems
Kaitlyn Moresi, BFAIR
Olivia Nealon, Smith, Watson & Co.
Nicole Pelczynski, Williams College
Deborah Salmon, Choices Mentoring Initiative
Jonn Semexant, Pittsfield Cooperative Bank
Tyler Shedd, City of Pittsfield
Colin Wilson, Berkshire Community College
Applications for the Class of 2025 will be made available in November. And stay tuned for an alumni trivia night to be held this fall!
For more information about the program please visit 1Berkshire’s website: https://1berkshire.com/berkshire-leadership-program-blp/ .