Smith College alumna joins board of Women’s Money Matters
BOSTON — Women’s Money Matters (WMM), a Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing financial wellness programs for women and girls living on low incomes, announced that Smith College alumna Imani Missouri has joined its board of directors.
Missouri is a leadership development practitioner, philanthropic strategist and emerging philanthropic advisor whose work focuses on how individuals and communities build economic empowerment through philanthropy, leadership and collective action. She has led strategy, partnership development, and leadership initiatives across the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, including roles with CFLeads, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the Center for Creative Leadership and Faith & Prejudice.
Missouri currently serves on the board of the Oikos Institute for Social Impact and co-leads the Global Youth Philanthropy Network. She previously served on Smith College’s Medal and Nominating Committee. She is also a doctoral candidate at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Missouri’s connection to WMM is both professional and personal. Growing up without consistent access to intergenerational financial knowledge, she understands firsthand how gaps in financial education and economic opportunity can shape life choices and limit possibilities. Those experiences have fueled her commitment to advancing financial capability, economic inclusion, and pathways to greater self-determination for women and families.
Imani holds degrees from Smith College and The New School, along with certificates in Religious Fundraising from the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and in Women’s Entrepreneurship and Financial Management through Cornell University.
ILI earns five-year reaccreditation
NORTHAMPTON — The International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI) has been reaccredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET), thus extending the school’s current accreditation for five years—the Council’s highest rating—through Aug. 31, 2031.
ACCET’s Accrediting Commission made the decision during its August 2026 meeting following an extensive process that included an on-site evaluation of ILI in June.
In its official notification, the Commission commended ILI for its efforts to meet ACCET standards for accreditation and expressed confidence in ILI’s continued commitment to maintaining and enhancing the quality of its education and training.
The reaccreditation encompasses ILI’s programs in English language instruction, world languages, workplace language training, and teacher training, including the SIT TESOL (teaching English for speakers of other languages) certification.
“This five-year reaccreditation means a great deal to us,” said ILI executive director Caroline Gear. “It reflects not just the quality of our programs but also, and importantly, the extraordinary commitment of students, teachers, staff, volunteers, board members, and community supporters.”
Founded in 1984, ILI is a nonprofit language learning center in downtown Northampton, serving communities throughout western Massachusetts. ACCET has accredited ILI since the school’s first year of operation.
Baystate Health announces promotion
SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health announced today that Dr. Seth Gemme has been promoted to chief physician executive of Baystate Health and president of Baystate Medical Practices. In this role, Gemme will serve as a trusted advisor to Baystate Health and Health New England leadership and a strong physician voice in enterprise decision-making and building a clinically driven and physician-led healthcare system.
Gemme joined the Department of Emergency Medicine at Baystate in 2017 and has served in progressively advancing leadership roles across the organization. In his most recent position, he served as chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine for both Baystate Health and UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate. His previous leadership roles include system vice chair of Clinical Operations for Emergency Medicine, chief of the Emergency Department at Baystate Wing Hospital, and associate chief and education director of the Emergency Department at Baystate Noble Hospital.
Gemme earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Westfield State University and Doctor of Medicine from the University at Buffalo. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration degree from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is a recipient of Modern Healthcare magazine’s 40 Under 40 award.
Florence Bank names manager of Florence branch office
FLORENCE — Florence Bank has announced it has hired Kim Zabek of Chicopee as assistant vice president and branch manager of the Florence branch office.
With more than 28 years of banking experience, Zabek has previously held the positions of branch manager officer, call center manager and assistant branch manager. In addition to managing Florence Bank’s Florence branch, she will oversee community outreach and engagement, growing customer relationships and customer service.
President and CEO Matt Garrity said he is pleased to welcome Zabek to the bank. “Kim comes to us with a wealth of experience in banking,” said Garrity. “With her prior experience and incredible skillset, I am confident she will provide exceptional service to Florence Bank’s customers.”
Window World of Western Mass named among Top 500 Remodelers of 2026
BELCHERTOWN — Window World of Western Mass. has announced that the company has been ranked No. 112 in the country on Qualified Remodeler’s 48th annual TOP 500 Remodelers of 2026, climbing 13 spots from No. 125 in 2025. Once again, Window World of Western Mass. holds the No. 1 spot in western Massachusetts, making this recognition a reflection of both our continued growth nationally and our commitment to the customers and communities we serve locally.
The Belchertown-based exterior remodeling company was selected as a 2026 TOP 500 remodeler by the Qualified Remodeler editorial staff based on a range of criteria, including installed remodeling dollar volume, total years in business, industry association membership, industry certifications, industry awards and community service.