Ferris returns to Trustees of Reservation as VP

FLORENCE — Wendy Sweetser Ferris of Shelburne Falls has returned to The Trustees of Reservations as vice president for the Central and Valley region, encompassing special places from the Connecticut River Valley to central Massachusetts. Ferris previously worked for The Trustees from 2002-2012 and will be based at the organization’s Florence office.

Ferris said western Massachusetts will be a special focus in the organization’s new strategic plan that launches later this year.

Ferris most recently served as development director for Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) from 2021 until her return to The Trustees. Prior to that, she was the director of philanthropy at Retreat Farm from 2018-21. Ferris also spent 2012-18 working for the Franklin Land Trust as director of community outreach and spent a year as its assistant executive director.

Her previous stint at The Trustees started in 2002 as a project coordinator for the Highland Communities Initiative (HCI) and she was promoted to director of the HCI in 2004, a position she held until 2012. From 2010-12, she also was the property manager at the Bullitt Reservation in Ashfield, managing the 262-acre property and its renovated energy-efficient farmhouse while coordinating the planning, designing, permitting, and building of two multi-use trail systems.

Ferris holds a bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania; a master of regional planning from UMass Amherst; and a certificate in nonprofit management from Marlboro College. She currently serves as a volunteer with the Buckland Recreation Committee.

Easthampton Chamber to hold coffee, connections at WorkHub

EASTHAMPTON — The Chamber of Greater Easthampton will hold its first Coffee & Connections of the new year on Feb. 28 from 8 to 9 a.m. at its WorkHub on Union co-working space at 33 Union St. in Easthampton.

Chamber Executive Director Moe Belliveau said the event is a way to build relationships, strengthen professional networks, and grow stronger connections.

Registration is complimentary and open to all business, organizational and community leaders; however, registration is required due to limited registrations available. For more information or to register, visit the Chamber’s events calendar at www.easthamptonchamber.org, or email info@easthamptonchamber.org.

Mooney a luxury home marketing specialist

Wanda Mooney, a real estate professional with Coldwell Banker Community Realtors, has completed the luxury home marketing training offered by The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. This premier independent authority provides training and designation for real estate agents specializing in the upper-end residential market.

By completing this training, Mooney has also earned membership in The Institute, granting her access to exclusive resources and benefits that enhance her ability to market upscale residential listings.

In addition to this achievement, Mooney is a Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Home Specialist, adding another level of premier marketing to showcase her clients’ properties at the highest level.

Mooney brings over 30 years of real estate experience.

Shriners Children’s New England welcomes orthopedic surgeon

SPRINGFIELD — Shriners Children’s New England has hired orthopedic surgeon Dr. Elizabeth “Libby” Bizier as a new member of its medical staff. Bizier is a board-certified pediatric orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the treatment of children with limb and gait differences, and movement disorders.

Bizier graduated from the University of Maine before serving in the United States Air Force, flying jets and completing over 50 missions during Operation Desert Storm. After her distinguished military service, Bizier earned her medical degree at Indiana University’s School of Medicine. She completed her orthopedic surgery internship and residency at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and fellowships at Brown University and Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia.

She completed an orthopedic surgery residency rotation at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. She eventually joined the surgical staff at Connecticut Children’s before being named medical director of the Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota trauma program.

Bizier is currently accepting new patients. For more information about the care available at Shriners Children’s New England for children from birth to age 18 with orthopedic needs, visit shrinersnewengland.org.

PeoplesBank, Cornerstone complete merger of holding companies

WORCESTER — Cornerstone Bank, with locations throughout central Massachusetts, has merged holding companies with PeoplesBank of Holyoke.

PeoplesBank and Cornerstone Bank announced that they will now operate under PeoplesBancorp, MHC, as of Jan. 31. The holding company will have over $6 billion in assets.

PeoplesBank and Cornerstone Bank will continue to operate independently under their own names and brands, and there will be no changes from a customer perspective. Both banks are adding new branches, with PeoplesBank opening two new banking centers in February.

With the completion of the merger, Thomas Senecal remains CEO and chairman, Todd Tallman has become president, and Brian Canina has become the chief operating officer of PeoplesBancorp, MHC, and will remain president of PeoplesBank.