Trustees join Eric Carle Museum

AMHERST — The board of trustees of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art have three new trustees: Ines Aslan, Tyrone M. Fripp and Namrata Tripathi. With these appointments, the museum now has a board made up of 17 trustees from around the country.

Aslan is the chief external affairs officer at AILEY (Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation). A native of Buenos Aires who has lived and worked in New York City for more than 30 years, Aslan’s experience in the nonprofit cultural field includes serving as vice president of marketing, communications, and visitor experience at the New-York Historical Society; communications and programming roles at Film at Lincoln Center and the Tribeca Film Festival; and more.

Fripp is a senior executive with over 30 years of experience working with organizations to create strategic advantage through coaching individuals at work. He is the founder and principal of Talent Ascent, a coaching and human resources consulting practice, and a senior human resources business partner at Liberty Bank. Fripp serves as a representative of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation on the Museum Board, replacing the Foundation’s Vice President Teresa Toro.

Tripathi is president and publisher at Kokila, an imprint of Penguin, which brings together an inclusive community of authors and illustrators, publishing professionals, and readers to examine and celebrate stories that reflect the richness of our world. Previously, Tripathi held editorial positions at HarperCollins, Disney-Hyperion, and Simon and Schuster.

UMass Amherst prof joins BCBS of Mass. Foundation board

BOSTON — Anna Maria Siega-Riz, dean of the School of Public Health and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has joined the board of directors of the The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation.

Siega-Riz’s research focuses on maternal and child health, including nutrition and health outcomes during critical early-life periods. She received a bachelor’s degree in public health and a doctorate in nutrition from the University of North Carolina School of Public Health and completed a master’s in food, nutrition and food service management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Also joining the board is Sarah Iselin, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Meanwhile, Dr. Thomas H. Lee, a primary care physician and cardiologist, clinical researcher and health policy expert who presently serves on the board, has been appointed board chair.

The mission of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation is to ensure equitable access to health care for all those in the commonwealth who are economically, racially, culturally or socially marginalized.

Changes afoot at Holyoke Mall

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Mall announces several additions and renovations in 2025, including:

■Pickleball Kingdom: A new indoor pickleball club that features 15 individually fenced courts, a pro shop, snack bar and outdoor playing surfaces with the benefits of being inside. Construction is expected to start soon with an opening of late 2025 on the lower level near JCPenney.

<sbull value="sbull"><text xmlns="urn:schemas-teradp-com:gn4tera"></text></sbull>Footlocker: Recently reopened after a $1.1 million remodel. The refresh features their latest prototype with a new storefront, open ceiling concept, more space, and new lighting.

■JD Sports: Known for its innovative athletic footwear and apparel, JD Sports is set to open in April on the lower level near Hobby Lobby.

■Altitude Trampoline Park: Altitude added four new attractions in February, including Freedom Gaming Strike Arena, a fast-paced hunt-the-lights arena challenge; AeroTower, an interactive target attraction for single or multiplayer games; FreeStyle Duo, with dual interactive reaction walls that challenge speed and reaction; and PowrPlay, an interactive soccer target game.

■Uncle Cho’s Fish & Chips: The latest addition to our food court and is expected to open soon.

Leadership changes at Behavioral Health Network

SPRINGFIELD — Behavioral Health Network, Inc. (BHN) has announced new appointments and promotions to its executive leadership team: Lisa Yin, assistant vice president of addiction and recovery services; Jessica DeFlumer, chief operating officer; and Toni Hendrix, senior vice president of human resources.

Yin has been with BHN for over six years, initially hired in 2018 as the program director of Franklin Recovery Center and then promoted to senior program manager in 2020. As assistant vice president, Yin will oversee all 400 SUD residential treatment beds in programs located throughout Franklin, Hampden, and Suffolk counties.

Prior to her employment at BHN, Yin worked as a behavioral health navigator at Athol Memorial Hospital; clinical supervisor of crisis services at CSO; and psychiatric technician at Cheshire Medical Center.

DeFlumer has served BHN in various leadership roles since her hire in 2017 as the senior program manager for Population Health with the responsibility of overseeing BHN’s integration and care management departments. DeFlumer’s responsibilities have grown steadily in her time at BHN, taking on a vice president role in 2019, senior vice president in 2020, and executive vice president in 2021.

Hendrix, who originally joined BHN as vice president of human resources in September 2023, has been instrumental in the strategic leadership and growth of the department. In her new role, she will continue to lead the development and execution of HR strategies to support BHN’s expanding workforce, while also overseeing recruitment and the continued enhancement of employee engagement and wellness programs.

Notably, Hendrix was recently named Springfield’s 2024 Veteran of the Year, an award given annually to a local veteran who selflessly volunteers to improve the community. She is only the fourth woman to receive this honor in its 38-year history.