Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | May 2, 2022 | Worcester Business Journal 9 M O N E Y & I N F L U E N C E P O W E R 5 0 PROUDLY SERVING SHREWSBURY SINCE 1908 SHREWSBURY ELECTRIC & CABLE OPERATIONS E L E C T R I C I N T E R N E T T V P H O N E S E L C O . S h r e w s b u r y M A . G O V 1 1 4 Y E A R S A N D C O U N T I N G B E C A U S E O F O U R E M P L O Y E E S we do more for you VALERIE ZOLEZZI-WYNDHAM FOUNDER & CEO PROMOTING GOOD, IN UPTON Residence: Upton Colleges: Boston College, Boston University School of Law In the two years since George Floyd's murder resparked the Black Lives Matter movement, many businesses who tried to improve diversity and inclusion structures have faced burnout, backlash, and other barriers to accomplishing equity goals. As organizations begin to recognize the urgency of anti-racism work, they are finding it to be deeply complex and long-term. Zolezzi-Wyndham is a key leader – perhaps the leader in Central Massachusetts – in guiding businesses to better diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. As the owner of an independent business, Promoting Good LLC, Zolezzi-Wyndham is unafraid to give honest feedback to businesses, facilitate difficult dialogue, and even conclude partnerships when she feels an organization is not ready to make necessary changes. She counts some of the largest and most influential organizations as her clients, including UMass Memorial Health Care, Webster Five, and the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services. She holds strong partnerships throughout the nonprofit sector, and this year led an equity cohort of nonprofit leaders in partnership with the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, aimed at helping organizations enact structural equity changes. Zolezzi-Wyndham is a powerful leader within Greater Worcester's Latinx community, and co-led the inaugural Dia de los Muertos celebration in November focused on the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the Latinx community. n What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? This community is small, and it is a space where one can make a difference, though it is harder for some of us than for others. I have met and built friendships with amazing human beings in this community. It is a special place. n Building strength: I am a member of the Prototype Barbell Club, where I practice Olympic weightlifting. MICHAEL WELCH CEO UNIBANK, IN WHITINSVILLE Colleges: Marquette University, Boston College Even before leading the second largest bank headquartered in Central Massachusetts, Welch was already making huge impressions on Greater Worcester, and on the minds of future generations, as the headmaster of private Saint John's High School in Shrewsbury for 15 years. In the latest chapter of his career, Welch serves as CEO of UniBank, which has $3 billion in assets across 14 branches with 263 employees. He was brought on as the bank's leader not because of his expertise in the financial services industry – since he had almost none – but because of his deep connections to the community and his ability to set a strong strategic vision for the 152-year-old institution. The bank was a leader in dispersing Paycheck Protection Program funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration, in order to help local businesses keep employees working through the coronavirus pandemic. A focus on community is imperative to Welch and is demonstrated in the way he and the bank engage with the world around them. In October, UniBank launched the UniBank Charitable Foundation with $2 million in funds to supplement the pre-existing $750,000 in annual giving UniBank distributes among local charities and community organizations. n What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? There is a work ethic long associated with our area – a grit and determination that harkens back to our days as an industrial workforce, that is manifest in today's workers, whether it be blue collar or white collar. There exists a standard of living that is more within reach of families. Employers and employees are discovering those realities, that we who grew up in the city have known a lifetime. EDWIN SHEA PRESIDENT, BANK OF AMERICA CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS BANK OF AMERICA, HEADQUARTERED IN CHARLOTTE Residence: Shrewsbury Colleges: UMass Amherst, Western New England University As market president of the largest Central Massachusetts bank – with $7 billion in local deposits across 27 branches – Shea sits atop the biggest opportunity to shape the region, by financing business ventures and donating to nonprofits. Shea has been with Bank of America for more than 35 years, and while the bank is global, Shea is mindful of his role in supporting Worcester's unique identity. In November, one of those opportunities was a $50,000 grant for the Family Health Center of Worcester for virtual leadership training. In January, it was giving $100 to the Worcester County Food Bank for every Bank of America employee who received a COVID-19 booster vaccine. Other efforts have included partnering with the New England Patriots Foundation to provide resources to a half dozen nonprofits, including the Worcester women's shelter Abby's House; sponsoring the Worcester Red Sox Foundation's Care-A-Van to aid homeless people; donating to the Worcester Together Fund in helping nonprofits weather the pandemic; and supporting the EforAll initiative to foster entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities. n What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? We have the intellectual resources of some of the country's top colleges and universities, attractively priced commercial and residential housing, a thriving business community, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. And, of course, the WooSox now call Worcester home, which has brought so much vitality and excitement. n Cocktails & dreams: I loved being a bartender nights and weekends for about seven years, which paid for my college education.

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