Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 19, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 17 In the past six years, Anderson has shifted his career away from municipal government and toward higher education, working to connect with the Worcester community through the lens of health equity. Now at UMass Chan, Anderson has developed Dynam- ic Futures, a novel program providing educational access and career pathways into the field of behavioral health for students underrepresented in medicine. Having raised $300,000 for the initiative, Dynamic Futures is on its third cohort of students with former students now in college as psychology majors. Off the clock, Anderson launched the Barbershop Run Club, an open- for-all community running group he founded with his barber Michaelangelo Mangual. Anderson serves on the boards of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, United Way of Central Massachusetts, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Governor's Advisory Council on Black Empowerment. In 2021, former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker appointed Anderson to the Mass Cultural Council's governing board, and he is the sole board member from Worcester County to currently serve. – M.K.M. What did getting the 40u40 award mean to you at the time? It was an honor to be listed with so many peers and friends doing amazing work in Worcester. I was also very excited to tell my family back home. What does it mean to you now? It's helped launch me to higher heights. What advice do you have for this year's 40u40 winners? Don't forget the feeling you had when you first were notified of this accomplishment; use it to fuel your work, passions, and to figure your next steps on those days that are harder than others. How has Central Massachusetts changed since you won the 40u40 award? The world has changed so drastically in the last six years, and I believe Central Massachusetts has seen lots of development, paired with tons of community engagement to ask questions of "Who are we?" and "Who do we wish to be?" Class of 2018 Ché Anderson Then: Project manager in the Office of the City Manager for the City of Worcester Now: Assistant vice chancellor for city & community relations at UMass Chan Medical School, in Worcester 2024 2018 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y Before she was named to the inaugural class of WBJ's 40 Under Forty, Stacey Luster was breaking new ground as the first Black woman elected to Worcester City Council. In the nearly quarter century since her Class of 2000, she hasn't slowed down, continu- ing to break new ground and promote equity within Worcester's education systems. Throughout her 15-year tenure with WPS, she hired and fostered the professional development of thousands of teachers and staff while growing the number of teachers of color in the city by more than 100%. Now at WSU, Luster works to amplify the needs of the university's faculty, students, and staff by establishing working committees to make recommendations to the president including campus climate, affirmative action and equal opportunities, and LGBTQ+ accessibility. Luster became the first Black person to be elected president of the organization behind Mechanics Hall in Worcester, and as a current trustee of the organization, Luster spearheaded the initiative to include Black Americans in the building's Great Hall, resulting in a campaign that raised $500,000 to commission and install the portraits of Freder- ick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and William and Martha Brown. – M.K.M. What did getting the 40u40 award mean to you at the time? It validated my work as an advocate. As the first Black member of the City Council in 60 years and the first black female councillor ever, bringing voice to the issues and concerns of underrepresented members of our community was not always popular. It felt like WBJ had my back! What does it mean to you now? Today, I feel like the WBJ 40 Under Forty award pro- vides visibility to the legacy of my life's work. What advice do you have for this year's 40u40 winners? Use this recognition as permission to be bold and embrace good trouble. How has Central Mass. changed since you won the 40u40 award? It's more diverse with professionals who work remotely and/or in Boston. Worcester is a major city, with a vibrant downtown and arts scene. I am a third generation Worcesterite, and I still love Worcester! Class of 2000 Stacey Luster Then: Human resource manager at Worcester Public Schools Now: General counsel and assistant to the president at Worcester State University 2024 2000 Scola is a distinguished WPI staff member and an inspiring role mod- el in the Worcester community. As director of donor strategy and stewardship at WPI, she works closely with academic leaders and other university partners to strategize outreach efforts for donors and support philanthropic efforts. Scola served as chair of WPI's inaugural Staff Council, where she developed the constitution and bylaws, implemented a multi-year strategic plan, and increased staff representation on working groups. She was on the planning com- mittee for the inaugural women's leadership program, and designed and facilitated a half-day course about communication. In recogni- tion of her work, she was nominated for the WPI Board of Trustees' Outstanding Staff Award this year. Her contributions to Worcester do not stop at WPI, as she serves on two committees with the United Way's Women's Initiative in Worcester to empower females. Using her strength to seek opportunity, she established the Leader- ship Worcester Alumni Scholarship Fund to provide support to members of the incoming Leadership Worcester class. The committee has raised and awarded more than $9,000 to offset tuition for 12 participants. – S.B. For a year, would you rather give up your cell phone or favorite food? I hate to admit this, but I rely on my phone too much, so I could live if you took away my favorite food. What piece of advice guides you? "Everything is figureoutable." You can craft a solution for any problem, slow down to ask a friend, and take some time to think through all angles. What is the best book you ever read? There are so many great takeaways in Marie Forleos's "Everything is Figureoutable" or anything written by Brene Brown. Class of 2024 Theona Scola, 40 Director of donor strategy and stewardship Worcester Polytechnic Institute Residence: West Boylston Birthplace: Oahu, Hawaii Colleges: Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Salem State University Despite his young age, Whittredge has already had a large impact on the Central Massachusetts commercial real estate scene, particularly in Worcester's urban core. In the Canal District, he has assisted NAI Glickman Kovago & Jacobs with sales and leases of a number of high-profile properties, including landing Wachusett Brewery as a tenant for the Worcester Public Market's brew yard. A few blocks over in downtown, Whittredge serves as a trusted advisor for MG2 Group, the Boston-based developers behind The Grid District. Executing around 50 retail leases since 2021 and contributing to commercial sales in excess of $14.5 million in 2023 alone, Whittredge's perspective has encouraged the firm to expand into the sale of mobile home parks and campgrounds, creating new avenues of growth. In addition to playing a role in shaping the firm's scope, Whittredge lends a hand in shaping the company's philanthropy through his role on its culture committee, which is responsible for an annual toy drive for Worcester's Friend- ly House, a nonprofit focused on families in need. – E.C. If you had your own late night talk show, who would be your first guest? I'd invite Bobby Jones to discuss his legendary career, his impact on golf, and his insights on overcoming chal- lenges and achieving greatness in the sport. What is the hidden gem of Central Massachusetts? Indian Ranch in Webster, which is a premiere country music venue and entertainment resort What is your next immediate goal? To get engaged. This personal milestone is important to me as I continue to balance professional achievements with meaningful life experiences. Class of 2024 Tim Whittredge, 27 Vice president NAI Glickman Kovago & Jacobs, in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Worcester College: Bryant University

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