Worcester Business Journal

26 Worcester Business Journal | October 29, 2018 | wbjournal.com F O C U S O U T S T A N D I N G W O M E N I N B U S I N E S S 2016 ALUMNAE M uch has happened since Katie Crockett of Worcester's Lamoureux Pagano won an Outstanding Women in Business Award. e main thing? She moved up even further in the architecture firm where she's worked since the 1990s – and now leads the company – the third president in the history of the firm and the first woman. Crockett's career was taking off just as their daughter was born. Her husband was their daughter's main caregiver while Crockett worked. e arrangement was not as common then as it's becoming now. "It allowed me to do what I am doing," she said of the couple's teamwork. But over the past few years, Crockett happily sees a shi in the overall work-family balance in the once-male-dominated field. "ese women are quality architects, working things out," she said. She tells of men and women alternating sick days to care for their ill children, or men working part time to help with child care. "is evolution is exciting to see," she said. Some things, however, won't change at Lamoureux Pagano, Crockett said. Namely, its commitment to Central Mass. projects, like the Mechanics Hall renovation and Fitchburg City Hall, and community-service activities. Team members prefer their projects be close to home. Foundation work is underway for a $200-million, 360,000-square-foot South High Community School in Worcester, one of the firm's biggest projects ever. Expected to open in 2021, it's an example of the kind of local project Crockett is proud to take on. More than 1,400 low-income and homeless students from 70 countries will attend the new school, behind the existing one. e 70 countries theme is being worked into the design, she said. "Someone who understands the context for the building has the potential to do the best job," she said. "To bring forward all that information early in design so it's embedded as it evolves," she said. "It makes it fun." is kind of project with purpose will continue for Crockett and her team. - Written by Susan Shalhoub Katie Crockett 2016: Vice president at Lamoureux Pagano Associates in Worcester Now: President at Lamoureux Pagano & Associates in Worcester Matilde Castiel, M.D. 2016 & now: Commissioner of health and human services for the City of Worcester What have been your career highlights since 2016? Agency collab- orations to improve health care for our community. How about your personal highlights? e Outstanding Women in Business Award made me believe in myself. I so wanted my share with my father – whom had passed away – that he did it all. I couldn't have done it without him. Julie Crowley 2016: Regional project manager for the Advanced Manufacturing, Mechatronics and Quality Consortium at Mount Wachusett Community College in Devens Now: Community outreach counselor for MassHire North Central Career Center in Leominster What have been your career highlights since 2016? Our regional and national teams on the Massachusetts Department of Labor-funded AMMQC completed the four-year grant, meeting or exceed- ing our goals. is grant provided train- ing programs to underemployed and unemployed individuals, building their skills to allow them to enter living-wage positions. e grant allowed MWCC to purchase more than $1 million in state- of-the-art equipment ordered with input from local manufactures. And personally? I've partially retired from the state in 2016 to spend more time with my family, especially my grandchildren. I work part-time at the local career center under the adult basic education program as an outstationed community outreach counselor. How has the world changed since 2016? For the public services sector, I see greater opportunities to partner with other agencies to provide greater services to our clients. Michelle Drolet 2016 & now: CEO of Towerwall, Inc. in Framingham What have been your career high- lights since being a 2016 honoree? Expanded our information service offerings to include GDPR and SOC2 readiness assistance. Expanded our team too! And personally? Cancer free! How has the world changed? It is a little darker and more intolerant. I am hope- ful no matter your views, we can be civil and able to listen without getting violent. It is ok to disagree. Antonia "Toni" McGuire 2016 & now: Presi- dent & CEO of Ed- ward M. Kennedy Community Health Center in Worcester (retiring in July) What have been your career highlights since being a 2016 honoree? A perfect score on the Health Resource & Services Administra- tion federal site visit. e growth of our Milford site from just a few thousand to over 6,000 patients. Kennedy CHC developed both a fall event and a spring walk. Framingham site expanded phar- macy and dental into new site on Wa- verly Street. e health center has joined two accountable care organizations. And personally? I've become a grand- mother (Nanny) to two amazing girls, Amelia and Beatrix! I've joined the board of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Massachusetts. I have announced my retirement aer working with health centers for 30 years! How has the world changed since 2016? Just like the weather in New England, health care is always in a state of change. e current market trend shi to ac- countable care requires us to work a bit differently and to adapt our systems of patient care and payment accordingly. I love the current market trend to active living and healthy eating – farmers markets and community events teaching kids how to live well. at should always be the goal of health care institutions, to teach populations to "Be well, live well." Liora Stone 2016 & now: Pres- ident of Precision Engineering Inc. in Uxbridge What have been your career high- lights since 2016? Celebrating 30 years in business, and my continued development as a leader. And personally? Over the past two years, I have developed so many new and wonderful relationships, with peo- ple who started as business colleagues and are now true friends. Along with my beloved family and cherished long-time friends, these new friends cheer me on and li me up. How has the world changed since 2016? e evolution in the breaking of the glass ceiling. e continued increase in oppor- tunities for women to pursue whatever possibility they choose, the growth of women's confidence in doing so, and their ability to achieve success. W W

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