Worcester Business Journal

8 Worcester Business Journal | May 2, 2022 | wbjournal.com P O W E R 5 0 M O N E Y & I N F L U E N C E JOHN & JEANNE ESLER CO-FOUNDERS ESLER FAMILY FOUNDATION, IN WORCESTER Colleges: John: University at Albany, State University of New York; Babson College; Harvard University; Jeanne: Northwestern University; University at Albany, State University of New York; Brown University; Harvard University Prior to the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, John Esler said he was living blindly in a white, upper-class bubble, unaware of how generations of American history had adversely impacted communities of color. After Floyd died, John Esler said that bubble burst. Now, John, founder of the Rhode Island home improvement firm Esler Cos., and his wife Jeanne Esler, a clinical psychologist, are dedicating their time and money to address systematic racism throughout the country through their Esler Family Foundation. In Central Mass., the Eslers' commitment is mainly playing out through the Entrepreneurship for All initiative, known as EforAll. The program offers guidance and funding for would-be entrepreneurs – with a focus on people from disadvantaged communities – to bring their business ideas through to fruition. The Eslers led the fundraising and rounded up major business players to serve on its board and as mentors. Aside from EforAll, the Eslers' giving has included $500,000 to the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition, in order for the Worcester-based organization to bring on a president and CEO, the gifting of a study to the City of Worcester on how to improve property tax, and other undisclosed sums to organizations like Worcester Together, United Way of Central Massachusetts, Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, Worcester Educational Collaborative, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and the Community Harvest Project. n The start of something big: John and I met at Gold's Gym in a step aerobics class in 1993 and were married in 1995. We are both life-long learners and readers, yet also enjoy outdoor adventures such as boating, hiking, camping, and scuba diving. KIMBERLY SALMON ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS FOR HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP, IN WORCESTER PRESIDENT OF THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP FOUNDATION Residence: Worcester Colleges: Newbury College, The American Women's College at Bay Path University With the power of the national company Hanover Insurance Group and its $5 billion in annual revenues behind her, Salmon directs community giving throughout Greater Worcester, not only providing much-needed funding but lending her expertise in various community initiatives. Since she joined Hanover in 2020 after holding a similar role at Worcester insurer Fallon Health, Salmon has modernized the Hanover foundation's mission to focus on pressing community needs, while fulfilling its core value of helping underserved youth. In 2021, Salmon and the foundation distributed $1.5 million for these causes. Beyond the money, Salmon serves as a board member of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Ascentria Care Alliance, the Worcester State University Foundation, and the Worcester Educational Development Foundation. She is acting as co-chair of the Worcester Tercentennial Celebration Committee and helped lead the search for a new superintendent at Worcester Public Schools. n What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? We have a business community that cares, is deeply connected, and invests in the betterment of all. Our business and nonprofit organizations work closely together to respond quickly to emerging issues. n Getting to a "Yes!" I have never accepted "No" as an answer. A "No" just means I haven't asked the right question, so I re-frame my question and/or approach to get to the place I want to be – the "Yes!" MICHAEL ANGELINI CHAIRMAN BOWDITCH & DEWEY, LLP, IN WORCESTER Residence: Worcester Colleges: Wesleyan University, Duke University School of Law Few professionals in Central Massachusetts have their hands on as many levers of power as Angelini, giving him a unique ability to make deals happen, arrange connections between powerful people, and mentor up-and-coming leaders in the community. Angelini has spent more than 50 years of his law career leading the largest law firm in Central Massachusetts – Bowditch & Dewey, with its 63 local attorneys – and serving on influential boards. That board work has included The Hanover Insurance Group, where he had a hand in picking three CEOs of the $5-billion Worcester public company, and at Massport, where he helped arrange for the state authority to buy and improve the Worcester Regional Airport. Today, Angelini serves on the Worcester Redevelopment Authority, which played a vital role in the construction of the $160-million Polar Park baseball stadium, as well as work on Union Station and other city revitalization efforts. He is also on the board of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, which disperses money across the region's nonprofits. In the 1980s, Angelini co-founded the First Wednesday Club, a largely informal gathering of the region's civic and business leaders, seeking to work cooperatively on various initiatives. In the last year, that included raising $1 million toward efforts to help resettle Afghan refugees in Worcester. n What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? Top-to-bottom engagement. Our business leaders use their feet and their brains, as well as their wallets, to make this a better place. We're all in this together. n What is secret personal trivia or a fun fact about you that most people don't know? I have no secrets or fun facts, but hope for both. PHOTO | MATT WRIGHT

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