May 14, 2026

BusinessWest unveils ’40 Under Forty’ young professionals

BY Ashley ShookBusinessWest

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – BusinessWest has announced the annual ’40 Under Forty’ of young professionals.

BusinessWest recognizes young professionals who have made significant achievements, shown leadership, and engaged in community involvement. The Class of 2026 was selected from 120 nominations by a panel of judges.

Class of 2026

1. Paul Accorsi Jr., Assistant Vice President, Business Banking Lender, PeoplesBank
2. Alexandra Balise, Director of Corporate Strategy, Balise Auto Group
3. Felicia Barr, Service Director, Bertera Auto Group
4. Anthony Boido, President, TNT Tent and Table Rentals
5. Alicia Brown, English Teacher, John J. Duggan Academy
6. Kate Caligaris, Vice President, Human Resources Program Management, Liberty Bank
7. Lezlie Braxton Campbell, Deputy Director, Neighbor to Neighbor
8. Darryl Cole, Global Cyber Product Consultant, Liberty Mutual
9. Mychal Connolly Jr., CEO, Realistic CEO
10. Steven Costa, First Vice President, C&I Lending, Beacon Bank
11. Giancarlo Crivelli, Executive Director, Fishing Friends
12. Danielle Delgado, Principal, Brightwood Elementary School
13. Mariana DeLobato, Executive Vice President, Chief Delivery Officer, Farm Credit Financial Partners
14. April Doroski, Senior Wetland Specialist, Team Leader, Fuss & O’Neill
15. Jack Dowd, Partner, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, The Dowd Agencies
16. Tom Dowling, Partner-in-Charge, Holyoke, Whittlesey
17. Jill Foley, Director of Membership, Massachusetts Society of CPAs
18. Evan Garber, Architect of Political Strategy, Anthony L. Cignoli & Associates
19. Ted Hanna, Commercial and Residential Real Estate Agent
20. Ali Haqq, Center Coordinator, Department of Elder Affairs
21. Brooke Jones, Owner, Lovelo Cycle & Strength
22. Sara Landaverde, Director of Survivor Advocacy & Outreach Programs, YWCA of Western Massachusetts
23. Kylie LaPlante, Deposit Operations Officer, Monson Savings Bank
24. Heather Leclerc, Business Partner, Riley Home Realty; Membership & Events Coordinator, Home Builders & Remodelers Assoc. of Western Massachusetts
25. Siobhan Matty, Assistant First Vice President, Financial Advisor, St. Germain Investment Management
26. Jesse McMillan, Principal, Westfield Middle School
27. Daniel Miller, Senior Environmental Scientist, Tighe & Bond
28. Robyn Miller, Owner, MorningBird Media
29. Jamillah Joy Medina Nova, Community Relations Coordinator, Springfield City Library
30. Shannon O’Connell, Facility Manager, The Good Dog Spot
31. John Page, Executive Director, Amherst Business Improvement District
32. Leanese Ramos, Owner, RCollaborative
33. Bianca Romero, Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Residence Life, Adjunct Professor, Bay Path University/Cambridge College
34. Corrine Ryan, Managing Attorney – Hampden County, Community Legal Aid
35. Aimee Salmon, CEO, Positively Africana by Aimee
36. Amanda Shafii, Owner, CopyCat; President, Downtown Northampton Assoc.
37. Nicole Stevenson, Vice President, Consumer Lending, PeoplesBank
38. Brandon Towle, Manager, Rolling Meadows Country Club
39. Yeselie Tulloch, Co-founder, Academic Leadership Assoc.
40. Isaac Weiner, Owner, Familiars Coffee & Tea and Florence Pie Bar

The awards gala for the 20th annual 40 Under Forty program will be held on June 11 at 5 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Tickets can be purchased online.