Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 20, 2018 | Worcester Business Journal 23 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y F O C U S CONGRATULATIONS to Sam Bitar, Vice President/Business Systems Manager, and Executive Director of the Webster Five Foundation, for his recognition as a 2018 40 Under Forty honoree. Thank you to the Worcester Business Journal for recognizing the best young professionals in our community. 20 Park Avenue Worcester, MA 01605 | 508.795.0264 | www.CarrFinancial.net Tax Strategy | Investments | College | Retirement Financial / Investment Planning It's Your Money, It's Your Future Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Private Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor. Private Advisor Group & Carr Financial Group are separate entities from LPL Financial. Join Carr Financial Group FINANCIAL FREEDOM SHOW 20 Park Avenue Worcester, MA 01605 | 508.795.0264 | www.CarrFinancial.net Tax Strategy | Investments | College | Retirement Financial / Investment Planning It's Your Money, It's Your Future Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Private Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor. Private Advisor Group & Carr Financial Group are separate entities from LPL Financial. Join Carr Financial Group FINANCIAL FREEDOM SHOW Carr Financial Group Congratulations to all the 40 Under Forty Winners UNDER FORTY UNDER 20 Park Avenue Worcester, MA 01605 | 508.795.0264 | www.CarrFinancial.net Tax Strategy | Investments | College | Retirement Financial / Investment Planning It's Your Money, It's Your Future Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Private Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor. Private Advisor Group & Carr Financial Group are separate entities from LPL Financial. Join Carr Financial Group FINANCIAL FREEDOM SHOW The Worcester native has been instrumental in bringing homeownership and financial literacy to North Central Massachusetts. Mendoza, an employee of NewVue since she was 19 years old, began work as part of the Massachusetts jobs training program as a front desk attendant and worked her way through the ranks to administrative assistant, property manager, housing counselor and now manager of the housing services department. She oversees three housing counselors and programs like first-time homebuyers, financial coaching and foreclosure prevention. She has expanded the company's geographical reach to all of North Central Massachusetts. Mendoza, who is both bilingual and bicultural, introduced a bilingual homeownership program to the area and launched an online program to allow residents in rural areas to access MassHousing programs. Fitchburg's North of Main neighborhood, one of the more economically depressed in the area, is getting a big helping hand from Mendoza, who started a downpayment program and helps homeowners access cash. The mom of three boys volunteers with the Spanish American Center and the Clinton Seventh Day Adventist Church. – Z.C. From judge Michael Arnum: "Madeline is a financial literacy evangelist, using her considerable knowledge to improve the financial fluency of an at-risk community." Who is most responsible for your accomplishments? God is first and then my mother, a single mother raising four kids at a young age. She taught me to make education important, not limit my choices, and not give up when faced with challenges. Which actress is most like you? Julia Roberts. She is always smiling and laughing, mirroring who I am. Madeline Mendoza, 37 Homeownership program manager NewVue Communities, Fitchburg Lives: Fitchburg Birthplace: Worcester In 2010, when her husband hired her into the business he cofounded and then left to pursue a different passion, Unic Pro was generating $350,000 in revenue and had three employees. After eight years with Radke at the helm, the cleaning company has grown to $5 million in annual sales and 124 employees, adding accounts for commercial, medical, military, educational and professional clients, as well as YMCAs and child care centers. Radke immigrated from Brazil to attend the University of Arkansas, where she later became the captain of the volleyball team, and one of her passions now as a company owner is to mentor others – especially women – in developing their own business ventures. Every year, Radke rallies the Unic Pro team to do one community project. In 2017, the company took a shelter with 100 people, and bought a new outfit for each of the 40 children there before their first day of school. Unic Pro donated the materials and the employees donated their time to clean and wash the carpets for the shelter. This year, the U.S. Small Business Administration named Radke the Massachusetts Woman Small Business Owner of the Year. – B.K. From judge Michael Arnum: "Lilian has catapulted her entrepreneurship skills to not only achieve business success, but to use it to the benefit of her community." If you could go back in time, when would you go back to? To 2007 when I separated from my husband for three months. I am very glad we got back together, and today we have beautiful family. What is the best advice you've ever gotten? My pastor and father-in-law said, "First prioritize your relationship with God, second your family and third work." If you follow this order, you will always have peace and feel accomplished. Lilian Radke, 33 President Unic Pro Inc., Shrewsbury Lives: Worcester Birthplace: Sao Paulo, Brazil College: University of Arkansas

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