Name: Suzy Helme
Place of Employment: City of North Adams
Title: Director of Tourism and Community Events
What is your 3 sentence biography? / What is your personal elevator pitch? I am passionate about the community of North Adams. I strive to ensure that the people who live here have wonderful and engaging experiences at our events, and I love helping visitors and newcomers discover this gem of a city in hopes that they fall in love with it and put down roots.
Tell us about a challenge you faced on your path, and what you learned from it.
It is a challenge to work with very limited financial and human resources in the department, but I think this is par for the course in local government, and perhaps for all of us? I have learned to make good use of the volunteer resources in our community, and I am grateful for the sponsorships support of the local business community. I would be lost without the volunteers, local business support, and assistance of City departments like Wire & Alarm, DPW, NAPD, and NAFD.
What “secret to success” would you share with young women entering the (Berkshire) workforce? I think it is important to speak up for yourself, your ideas – to be a vocal advocate for your passions and not be afraid of failure. Also, be thankful every day for those around you that inspire you and help you succeed.
What Berkshire women in business inspire you and why? Good question! Wow… there are so many it would be impossible to name them all, but I’ll pick two that I am in constant admiration of because I have the benefit of working with them frequently, and get to see their hard work, firsthand.
Amber Besaw, Ex. Director of the nbCC- I have been a long-term board member of the nbCC and have watched Amber grow from one of the program directors into the Executive Director of the organization. I am so glad we chose her to take the helm. She is doing an amazing job, which is no small feat taking over after the founding Executive Director, Al Bashevkin left after 29 years.
Jess Sweeney(Sweens) Founder of Common Folk Artist Collective/ Executive Director of ROOTS Teen Center – Jess has been a breath of fresh air in our community. Incredibly active in a staggering number of organizations and causes, always articulate and thoughtful when navigating difficult community conversations, and a bold leader for many of the youth in our area. I think Jess will only continue to grow as a leader in North Adams and Berkshire County. We are so lucky she picked North Adams to set down roots.