Women in Business Summit returns for 20th year
SPRINGFIELD — The 20th Annual Women in Business Summit (WIB Summit) returns on Sept. 25 at the Marriott Springfield Downtown, with an exclusive VIP reception on the evening of Sept. 24.
With the theme “Community & Connection,” this milestone conference will unite women entrepreneurs, executives, innovators and change-makers for a full day of networking, inspiration, and actionable strategies — kicked off by an evening designed to foster
meaningful connections.
This year’s program features dynamic speakers from across industries leading workshops in leadership, entrepreneurship and wellness. Topics will include the future of work, authentic leadership, inclusive storytelling, financial and mental wellbeing, leveraging
technology (including AI) with purpose, and more.
The keynote speaker will be Endia M. DeCordova, MBA, vice president for institutional advancement at Morgan State University and executive director of the Morgan State University Foundation, who will headline an outstanding lineup of 15 speakers from across the country.
Tickets are limited and include access to both the VIP reception and the full-day conference. Register at www.wibsummit.com.
Florence Bank breaks ground on Holyoke branch
HOLYOKE — Florence Bank broke ground on a new 2,500-square-foot office at 1504 Northampton St. in Holyoke late last month.
The full-service branch is expected to open in the spring of 2026 and will be the bank’s fourth in Hampden County. Florence Bank also has branches in Springfield, West Springfield and Chicopee. The bank has over 1,200 retail and business customers in Holyoke.
The new branch will be located in a shopping center that includes a Dollar Tree store and not far from new Citizens Bank branch that recently opened across the street at the site of the former Lynch School.
The Holyoke branch will be a free-standing structure in the shopping center’s parking lot. Designed by HAI Architecture in Northampton, it will include a spacious lobby, traditional teller stations, five offices, a drive-up teller window and a drive-up ATM. Six employees and a Spanish speaking mortgage originator will staff the branch.
Florence Bank is a mutual savings bank chartered in 1873, and the Holyoke location marks its fourth to be established in Hampden County since 2017.
HCC names Douglas interim VP
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College recently welcomed Katherine P. Douglas of South Hadley as interim vice president of academic and student affairs.
Douglas brings a distinguished record of leadership in higher education, with more than four decades of experience as an educator, administrator, and advocate for student success.
Her career has included executive roles such as interim president of SUNY Monroe Community College and president of SUNY Corning Community College in New York State, vice president of academic affairs at Sussex Community College in New Jersey, and associate dean of behavioral sciences at Greenfield Community College.
Her HCC appointment marks a meaningful homecoming, as Douglas previously served as dean of the division of social sciences from 2005 to 2008. From 2023 to July 2025, she also served on the HCC Foundation Board of Directors, stepping down to take the interim position as vice president.
Douglas is a three-time graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she earned a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and doctorate in education.
This is her second interim posting since retiring from Corning Community College in 2019.
Her first day back at HCC was Aug. 4. Douglas will serve as interim until the permanent vice president’s position is filled.
bankESB promotes Costa
EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Carlos Costa to facilities maintenance and operations officer, based at its 36 Main St., Easthampton office.
Costa, of Ludlow, has nearly 20 years of facilities experience, and joined bankESB in 2006 as a maintenance specialist. With this expanded leadership role, he will oversee the daily operations of the facilities departments for his assigned region within Hometown Financial Group’s family of banks, which includes bankESB, bankHometown, North Shore Bank, and Abington Bank, a division of North Shore Bank.
Costa earned an associate degree in law enforcement from Holyoke Community College.
Amherst-Pelham schools announce appointments
AMHERST — The Amherst-Pelham Regional School District has appointed three educational leaders to key administrative positions this school year. They include:
Jess Nardizzi, assistant principal at Amherst Regional Middle School. Nardizzi brings more than 15 years of experience as an equity-driven educational leader. She holds an Ed.S. in Administration, Planning, and Policy from UMass Lowell, a Master of Social Work from New York University, and a B.A. in Psychology and Women’s Studies from Wheaton College.
A licensed clinical social worker, Nardizzi also holds Massachusetts licensure as an administrator (K–8) and school adjustment counselor (all levels). Her career spans roles as assistant principal, interim principal, school adjustment counselor and behavioral health consultant. Previously serving at Pelham Elementary, Nardizzi returns to the district after gaining additional administrative experience in another district.
Celia Senckowski, multilingual education administrator with two decades of experience as a world language educator and advocate for English Learner (EL/L) students. As a former EL learner, Senckowski is committed to advancing educational equity and promoting cultural understanding.
She holds dual M.A. degrees in School Leadership and Secondary Education (Spanish) from American International College, as well as a B.A. in Spanish/Secondary Education from Worcester State University, with additional coursework at UMass Amherst. She is certified in Foreign Language Spanish, (grades 5–12) and SEI for Administrators, and is pursuing bilingual certification.
Kristin Worgess, interim assistant principal at Wildwood Elementary School. Worgess has more than 20 years of expertise in special education as a licensed occupational therapist and educational team leader.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from American International College and is currently pursuing a Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (Mental Health) at Bay Path University. Her background includes leadership in adaptive recreation programs, development of intensive therapeutic summer camps, and service as a board member for multiple organizations, as well as coaching for Amherst Youth Sports.