Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 19, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 29 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y After studying economics at Clark, Connecticut native Valdes stuck around Worcester. Following an interest in all things building-related, she discovered a job at Conservation Services Group, the company then administering the Mass Save energy efficiency program. After a stint in New York City working as an energy auditor on large multifamily buildings, Valdes returned to Worcester and took part in the Leadership Worcester program in 2016 before spending a few years in various roles in the energy auditing space. Striking out on her own in 2023, she founded Athena Build- ing Performance, an insulation contractor focusing on weatherizing existing homes. Six months after the company hit the road, it already weatherized more than 50 homes across Central and Western Mas- sachusetts. When not busy running Athena or raising her two young boys, Valdes serves on the Regional Environmental Council and is active at the First Unitarian Church in downtown Worcester. – E.C. What's a specific instance in which you overcame a significant challenge? My 40 Under Forty experience this summer was inter- rupted by a serious illness, which resulted in a several-day stay in the UMass Memorial Medical Center intensive care unit. My personal and professional challenges and accomplishments pale in comparison to the hard work and dedication of the UMass Memorial staff. I would like to publicly share my sincere gratitude and endless appreciation for the ICU staff, with focus on the incredible nurses who saved my life. Who's career would you like to emulate? My mentor Caitriona Cooke. With her, I felt trusted to take risks and learn. I try to do that for my team. Class of 2024 Margo Valdes, 38 President Athena Building Performance, in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut College: Clark University Recognized as a 40 Under Forty for her work under then Worces- ter city manager Michael O'Brien in 2008, Andreoli referenced her mission to boost the region's tourism sector as one of her career highlights at the time. It turns out this reference provided a glimpse into her future, as she would later move on to help resurrect the region's tourism agency, now known as Discover Central Massachu- setts. The organization played a role in convincing stakeholders the region's 35 cities and towns had potential as a destination for people from near and far, helping re-shape the image of Worcester and beyond. Other career highlights since 2008 include her work with the Worcester Public Library Foundation, where she helped launch the One City, One Library Project, an initiative to bring library access to Worcester's public schools. Andreoli's current role sees her continuing to interact with important stakeholders in the Worcester community, as she's now a senior vice president at the Bankshire Bank. When not busy volunteering with organizations her children are involved in, Andreoli serves on the board of trustees for her school alma mater, Notre Dame Academy in Worcester. – E.C. What did getting the 40u40 award mean to you at the time? It was exciting. I had started my job with the City. Little did I know how much that job would influence the rest of my career. It helped me to understand so much about our community. What does it mean to you now? It feels like a lifetime ago, but the recognition is appreciat- ed. I never thought my career would take the twists and turns that it did, but I am so grateful for every opportunity and feel like I played a small role in some of Worcester's successes. What advice do you have for this year's 40u40 winners? Number 1: Be kind. Do things in life to see others smile. It will be the greatest reward in your career. How has Central Mass. changed since you won the 40u40 award? Significantly. I remember feeling like I was the only young person on Main Street. Kate McEvoy and I held a party at the then Art Bar for young professionals. Four people showed up (one of them is now my husband)! I love how young professionals now have embraced Worcester! Class of 2008 Christina Andreoli Then: Director of communications for the City of Worcester Now: Regional leader & senior vice president, private banking at Berkshire Bank, in Boston 2024 2008 Success in sports is measured in the amount of trophies won and accolades compiled. If we apply those same principles to sports journalism, it's hard to deny that Kevin Shea has had a hall of fame career. Being a part of WBJ's 40 Under Forty Class of 2001 would be only one of the honors he would be bestowed in a quarter-centu- ry that's seen him cover just about every American sport imaginable. On top of being named the 2018 U.S. Lacrosse Man of the Year by USA Lacrosse, other honors he's received include the 2019 Monahan & Wallace Eastern Athletic Communications Association Media Award for outstanding coverage of eastern intercollegiate athletics and the 2008-09 James H. Ellery Memorial Award from the American Hockey League for his radio coverage of the Worcester Sharks. One post-2001 highlight was the week he spent in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, covering Worcester's Jesse Burkett All-Stars team trip to the 2002 Little League World Series, where the team made a run to the semi-finals. But Shea is happy to report the biggest moment of his career has been the chance to watch – and cover – his two oldest children, Brady and Ireland, as they play high school sports. – E.C. What did getting the 40u40 award mean to you at the time? It was humbling to be in the company of so many people I admire who had won the award before or were in my class, just truly great people, who help for the right reasons and are successful personally and professionally. What does it mean to you now? It means I have been around for a long time. It means a lot now, because it means I am doing something that resonates. I have been consistent with trying to give back to the community, which has given me so much and a place I'm lucky to call home. What advice do you have for this year's 40u40 winners? Don't change; keep being the person that got you noticed and recognized. Stay involved with the community and be part of the Central Massachusetts community, because it's so rewarding. Keep making a difference. Class of 2001 Kevin Shea Then: Sports director at Charter TV3 (Spectrum Communications), in Worcester Now: Multimedia journalist at Spectrum News 1, in Worcester 2024 2001 Waitt suffered from imposter syndrome after working his way up the corporate ladder at Albright Technologies from a part-time job to company president, but being named to WBJ's 40 Under Forty in 2013 instilled him with confidence in his abilities as a leader in business. He's now applying those leadership skills at Elkem ASA, a $3-billion, multinational organization with more 7,300 employ- ees, based in Norway. One of the world's leading providers of silicon-based materials utilized in electric mobility, digital communi- cations, and health care, the company's global presence has him spending a large amount of time outside of Massachusetts these days, including trips to manufacturing operations in York, South Carolina and Lyon, France. Now leading the company's strategic marketing efforts, Waitt captained an initiative by Elkem ASA to expand into biomedical-grade silicones. At a point where his ac- crued wisdom is a coveted resource, Waitt says his most rewarding professional accomplishment has been the chance to manage individuals who have gone on to be business leaders. - E.C. What did getting the 40u40 award mean to you at the time? It made me feel fortunate for the circumstances which allowed me to become a young leader. It made me feel recognized and that my accomplishments were impactful. What does it mean to you now? Central Massachusetts is where I grew up and began my professional career, so I'm forever grateful to have this connection to where it all started. The confidence I gained from receiving the WBJ's 40 Under Forty award has helped accelerate my growth and leadership path. What advice do you have for this year's 40u40 winners? Focus on development of their active listening and emotional intelligence skills. I also find reading to be highly beneficial, my favorite book being "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman. How has Central Mass. changed since you won the 40u40 award? One thing that hasn't changed is the quality of the people: high character, hard-working, and talented. Class of 2013 Bob Waitt Then: President, Albright Technologies, in Leominster Now: Global strategic marketing director, life science at Elkem ASA in Oslo, Norway 2024 2013

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