The following individuals are leaders from across the region who have committed to working together by lending their professional expertise and guidance to advance the common good of the Berkshire County community. They help make so much of our work growing the economy and promoting the Berkshires possible.
Lori Gazzillo Kiely
Managing Director, Berkshire Bank Foundation, Regional President
Lori Gazzillo Kiely, Managing Director, Berkshire Bank Foundation and Regional President, is responsible for coordinating collaboration amongst all business lines in the Berkshire County region to grow and expand customer relationships. She also serves as Berkshire’s leader in the local community to drive brand awareness and increase market share. In addition to her responsibilities as Regional President, Kiely serves as Director of Berkshire Bank Foundation, providing strategic oversight to the Berkshire Bank Foundation’s philanthropic activities across the Bank’s philanthropic activities across the Bank’s five-state footprint. Kiely joined Berkshire Bank after its acquisition of Legacy Banks, where she spent five years overseeing marketing and working with the Legacy Banks Foundation. Prior to her banking career, Kiely worked for nine years at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, overseeing public relations and communications. Kiely is a graduate of the ABA School of Bank Marketing and Management, holds a M.Ed. from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and a B.A. from Keene State College. She serves on the Boards of the 1Berkshire Alliance and Foundation, the Brien Center, and Berkshire Community College.
Scott Kirchner 
Owner, President, Director of Operations, Mad Macs, Inc.
Scott E. Kirchner is the Founder & President of both Mad Macs Inc. & Evolution MSP, with over 25 years of experience in the Information Technology and Audio Visual industries. Prior to his entrepreneurial pursuits, he held positions at Berkshire Community College, Kleiser-Walczak/Synthespian Studios, Derek Recording Studio, and National Music Foundation. Kirchner possesses a degree in Audio/Video Engineering and holds various certifications from Apple, Goldman Sachs 10k Small Business, and Berkshire Enterprises. In 2015, he was recognized as one of Berkshire Magazine’s “Berkshire 25.” Beyond his professional achievements, Scott actively contributes to the community, serving on the 1Berkshire Alliance Board and Berkshire Theater Group Emeritus Board, while also participating in volunteer committees at WTBR Radio, Pittsfield Schools CTE program, and E-For All. Scott resides in Pittsfield with wife Bonnie and daughters Isla and Layla.
Sue Kristjansson
President & COO, Berkshire Gas Company
Sue Kristjansson is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Berkshire Gas. Previously, she was President and CEO of the Oak Ridge Utility District in Tennessee. She also worked in a variety of roles at the Southern California Gas Company in Los Angeles. Kristjansson has significant experience in strategic planning and tactical implementation, energy and environmental policy, and regulatory issues, as well as brand management and crisis communications. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from National University of La Jolla, Calif. and taught as an adjunct professor at Mt. St. Jacinto Community College in Menifee, Calif. Kristjansson is active in community and professional associations and is a board member of the American Gas Association and the American Public Gas Association.
Katherine Lockridge
Proprietor, Classical Tents & Party Goods
Katherine Lockridge has worked in the wedding and events industry for over 25 years. During her time as a Co-Owner of Classical Tents, Lockridge has been a pivotal part of changing the wedding industry in Berkshire County. Not only have she and her team grown Classical Tents into a stylish, service-oriented party rental business, they have also gained tremendous knowledge and experience in the engineering of tents and flooring through their attendance at trade shows, and work they have done on larger projects throughout New England. The Berkshire Wedding Tour and the Berkshire Wedding Company are both efforts that have come from Lockridge’s dedication to marketing the Berkshires to clients in and beyond the region. On her off time you can find Lockridge hiking, kayaking, and attending theater, dance, and musical events.
Jason Lyon
Box Office Manager, Boston Symphony Orchestra
Jason Lyon is the Box Office Manager with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Riad Maher
President, MLCC Properties, LLC
Riad Maher is the Co-owner and Manager of MLCC Properties, LLC. He is the former President and CEO of MRA Laboratories Inc. (2006-2018). Maher began at MRA after graduating with an MBA in 1994, holding numerous roles from Director of Marketing, Human Resources, Sales, Operations, and Vice President to eventually President and CEO. During this 25 year period, Maher also served on numerous local boards and committees, including the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce (now 1Berkshire) for over 20 years, and the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC). He is a Corporator of Adams Community Bank. Maher is a native of Berkshire County and enjoys many of the scenic beauties the Berkshires has to offer including skiing, hiking, and fishing.
Mindi Morin
Managing Director, Canyon Ranch
Mindi Morin is the Managing Director of Canyon Ranch in Lenox, where she oversees all resort operations. Morin brings a wealth of knowledge from a variety of high-end hotels and resorts throughout North America and from her family’s experience running successful bed & breakfasts and fine dining restaurants in Canada. For more than 16 years, Morin worked for Fairmont Hotels and Resorts at six of their properties in various aspects of the hotels’ operations, including Director of Rooms and Director of Restaurants. Morin received a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Administration and Management from California State University, East Bay.
Richard Pollard
Vice President – Pricing & Underwriting, Guardian Life Insurance
Richard Pollard, FSA, MAAA, is an insurance executive that has served in a variety of roles over his 40+ year career. These include Chief Actuary, Chief Financial Officer, and Managing Director. Currently, Pollard is employed by the Guardian Life Insurance Company, heading the Individual Disability Product Development, Pricing, and Underwriting Policy areas.
Vicki Saltzman
Director of Communications, Clark Art Institute
Victoria Tanner Saltzman is the Director of Communications for the Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts. Saltzman oversees a team of eight professionals in managing the Clark’s external communications, public relations, marketing, advertising, digital communications, social media, and the Institute’s website. She also works closely with community and state-wide organizations promoting travel and tourism, both for cultural activities and in support of regional tourism initiatives. With more than 40 years of experience, Saltzman has extensive expertise in museum communications and has received numerous awards and acknowledgments for her work. Saltzman is a member of the Board of Directors for 1Berkshire, and is a member of the Williamstown Cultural District Committee. Prior to joining the Clark’s staff in 2010, Saltzman managed communications for Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library in Winterthur, Delaware. She also has an extensive background in communications and editorial work in the construction industry, having managed communications activities for OMNI Construction, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, and for the Associated Builders and Contractors, a national trade association based in Washington, D.C. Saltzman has written extensively for several leading construction industry publications, including Engineering News-Record (ENR) and Architectural Record, among others. Saltzman is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism.
Mary Skorupa
Technical & Quality Director, Onyx Specialty Papers, Inc
Mary Skorupa is the Technical Director with Onyx Speciality Papers, Inc in Lee MA, with over 30 years’ experience in manufacturing, with emphasis in project management, product development, and process improvements. She has more than 20 years’ concurrent experience in professional recruiting.
Anastasia Stanmeyer
Editor-In-Chief, Berkshire Magazine
Anastasia Stanmeyer has been editor of Berkshire Magazine since its debut in 2012. She began her journalism career with daily newspapers, writing for publications such as The Tampa Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, and Dallas Morning News. Then she moved over to magazines, contributing to Time, Asiaweek, Newsweek, and Stern, among others. She was based in Asia for 12 years and has covered regions under major political and social change. Anastasia has sat and interviewed individuals such as Mother Teresa, James Taylor, Annie Lennox, and Governor Maura Healey, among others. She received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Kansas and was an MCLA Hardman Journalist in Residence in 2015. She has been a guest speaker in schools and organizations in the region, as well as mentoring students interested in a career in journalism.
Peter Stasiowski
Director of Communications, Interprint, Inc.
A Williamstown native, Peter Stasiowski is the Director of Communications at Interprint, Inc. in Pittsfield, a designer and printer for the decorative surfacing industries. He joined the company in 2006 and is responsible for its communications and human resources functions. Stasiowski began his career as a commercial artist and creative director in the advertising industry. He earned a B.A. in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida in Pensacola. Stasiowski and his family reside in Dalton.
Betsy Strickler
Chief Communications Officer, Solasta Strategies
Betsy Strickler is a marketing, communication, and business growth consultant with experience in education, agency, hospitality, healthcare and entrepreneurial ventures. She has led strategic marketing, communication and fundraising initiatives in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Most recently the Chief Communications Officer at Community Health Programs, Strickler previously worked as Director of External Relations for Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Director of Admission at Darrow School, and Director of Sales and Marketing at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort. Strickler has prior experience as an account executive at Winstanley Partners, a Lenox-based advertising agency. She also worked in the education sector at both independent schools and universities. Strickler earned her B.A. in Political Science from Hood College in Frederick, MD, and is also a graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Program and the alt MBA program. She serves on the board of 1Berkshire, serves as a judge in pitch contests for E for All, and is a member of the Lee, MA school committee. She lives in Lee with her family.
Colleen Taylor
Owner, Freight Yard Pub & Restaurant; Trail House Kitchen & Bar
Colleen Taylor is the owner of the Trail House Restaurant, the Freight Yard Pub & Restaurant, the Food Barn restaurant, and Berkshire Catering.
Kristen Van Ginhoven
Artistic Director and Co-Founder, WAM Theatre
Kristen van Ginhoven (she/her) is the Producing Artistic Director of WAM Theatre. WAM’s vision is to create opportunity for women and girls through a mission of theatre as philanthropy. WAM has donated over $85,000 to organizations taking action in girls education, women’s leadership, teen pregnancy prevention, sexual trafficking awareness, midwife training and more. Member of the 2013 Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and the prestigious Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction at the Stratford Festival of Canada. Credits include ANN (Arena Stage, Dallas Theatre Center, co-production with WAM/Dorset Theatre Festival), In Darfur (New England Premiere), Emilie (New England Premiere). Disgraced, I and You (Chester Theatre), The Whale (Adirondack Theatre Festival), 10 Minute Play Festival (Barrington Stage Company), Petticoats of Steel (Capital Repertory Theatre). She has an MA from Emerson College, where she received the Presidential Fellowship. Kristen is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and Canadian Actor’s Equity Association. She was a member of the 2013 Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and is a member of the Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction at the Stratford Festival of Canada. Kristen is a social entrepreneur working at the intersection of arts and activism, with a focus on intersectional feminism and philanthropy.
Christina L. Wynn
Interim Vice President of Administration & Finance/CFO, Berkshire Community College
Christina Wynn is currently the Interim Vice President of Administration & Finance/CFO for Berkshire Community College (BCC). During her thirteen years with BCC, Wynn has served in several capacities including Director of Marketing & Student Recruitment, Interim Dean for Business & Outreach, Interim Director of Information Technology, and most recently, Dean of Enrollment Management. Prior to joining BCC, Wynn held positions with the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, Legacy Banks, and MountainOne Financial Partners. A native of Marlboro, MA, Wynn came to the Berkshires to attend Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). She graduated with a B.S. in business administration in 2003 and in 2008, Wynn earned an MBA from the University of Massachusetts. In 2021, Wynn earned a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in organizational leadership from Northeastern University. Wynn has had board and officer roles with the Berkshire United Way and the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority (PEDA). She is a 2005 graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Program and has previously served on its steering committee. Wynn is also a founding member of 1Berkshire’s Youth Leadership Program where she has served as chair twice. Wynn has been recognized by Berkshire Business and Professional Women as the 2006 Young Careerist, as one of BCC’s inaugural 40 Under Forty recipients, was awarded 1Berkshire’s Trendsetter Award for Under Forty Change Maker in 2016, and was the 2018 recipient of the Esther Quinn Award for community volunteerism. Wynn lives in Pittsfield with her husband, Mike, their son, Gabriel, two dogs, and a cat.
