Name: Lori Gazzillo Kiely
Place of Employment: Berkshire Bank
Title: Senior Vice President, Foundation Director
What is your 3 sentence biography? / What is your personal elevator pitch?
I oversee the Berkshire Bank Foundation and help direct our philanthropic support to the many non-profit organizations doing important work in all of the markets that we serve. Berkshire County is our operational hub and where we direct the largest percentage of our resources, including funding and employee volunteer work through our X-Team. We pride ourselves on our commitment to helping our community to thrive.
Tell us about the challenges you faced on your path, and what you learned from it.
One of the largest challenges, as I’ve navigated my career, has been a work-life balance. I was a full-time working mom, with two children, and when they were younger (and even now with one in high school), it has sometimes been a bit challenging to manage the demands of both work and home. What I have learned is that it’s important to make time for those big moments in the life of your family, and I am so lucky to work at a company today that shares that value.
What “secret to success” would you share with young women entering the (Berkshire) workforce?
Go above and beyond (while maintaining a work-life balance), take the extra step, take chances (failure is a learning experience), welcome constructive criticism, do something you love, and become involved with the community.
What Berkshire women in business inspire you and why?
Linda Johnston – Berkshire Bank – Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer – She has been my boss for the past five years and has truly been a mentor to me in my current role. She has helped guide me in a variety of areas including financial management, staff development and overall leadership. She has been with the banking industry for over 30 years – most of those years with our institution and has worked her way up to now being the highest ranking woman at Berkshire Bank.
Dr. Ellen Kennedy, BCC President – She has been a mentor of mine for many years. She leads an important institution and has a lot of demands of her time, but her commitment to the community is unwavering. She worked her way up through the ranks of higher education, and then went on to further her own education to advance her career to where it is today. She is compassionate and truly cares about those with whom she interacts.