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 15 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 at the end of April, thirty (30) 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 while discussing several areas of opportunities and challenges throughout the County; stops along the bus tour included Lenco in Pittsfield, Common Table in Cheshire, Greylock Glen Outdoor Center in Adams, Studio 9 in North Adams, and wrapping up the day where it began earlier in the day at Balderdash Cellars in Richmond.
We are excited to be working with the following individuals who make up the BLP Class of 2025:
Lauren Beckett (Russo), Berkshire Money Management
Krystal Black, Berkshire Bank
Dan Brien, General Dynamics Mission Systems
Josh Brilliant, General Dynamics Mission Systems
James Capuzzi, Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum
Joanna Case, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Ethan Coe, MountainOne
Shirley Cruz, Nikjoe Housekeeping & Management LLC
Julie Dieterich, Greylock Insurance Agency
Elizabeth Gates, General Dynamics Mission Systems
Lindsey Gaylord, Hillcrest Educational Centers
Jessica Girard, Berkshire Health Systems
Michaela Grady, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
Cassandra Houle, Adelson & Company PC
Casi Kristant, Drag Story Hour Berkshires, Lenox Community Center, Berkshire Pride
Hari Stephen Kumar, Convivo LLC
Wanda LaFrance, BFAIR
Shawn Mille, Berkshire Coalition For Suicide Prevention (BCSP)
Autumn Murray, Berkshire Athenaeum
Ben Nickley, Berkshire Bird Observatory
Hannah Pimenta, 1Berkshire
Desirée Prairie, Berkshire Roots
Erik Ray, MountainOne
Cheryl Richards, Hillcrest Educational Centers
Ruth Russell, Town of Williamstown
Chloe Rychcik, Berkshire United Way
Alyssa Sakowski, Berkshire County Head Start
Cass Santos-China, Berkshire Pride
Micaela Scapin, Berkshire Community College
Rebecca Whery, Berkshire Community College
The Class of 2025 is well on their way with weekly sessions now through the end of June that will focus on Hospitality & Tourism, Creative Economy, Food & Agriculture, Education, Health & Wellness, Housing and Advanced Manufacturing. The Class has already begun to work on their class project which we look forward to hearing about at Commencement on June 26, 2025. For more information about Berkshire Leadership Program, please visit https://1berkshire.com/berkshire-leadership-program-blp/
About 1Berkshire
1Berkshire is a county-wide marketing and economic development organization that works to simultaneously preserve, position, and promote Berkshire County’s profound sense of place. Its mission is to advance Berkshire County’s economy by advocating for the business community and attracting visitors. Powered by membership, 1Berkshire provides programs that connect businesses with resources and potential customers, as well as develop future leaders and support entrepreneurs. For more information, visit 1Berkshire.com.
