Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1525409
wbjournal.com | August 19, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 35 LEARN MORE & PURCHASE TICKETS: YWCACM.ORG/EVENTS/TRIBUTE TUESDAY, SEPT. 24 | 12:00 PM | AC HOTEL WORCESTER Join us in celebrating our 30th year in honoring outstanding women for their commitment to the YWCA's mission, their profession and community. 2024 KATHARINE F. ERSKINE AWARD RECIPIENTS Christina Connolly Community Resources Manager Worcester Public Library Laxmi Bissoondial Director, Office of Multicultural Affairs Worcester State University Maydee Morales Resiliency Center Director Worcester Community Action Council The Honorable Margaret Guzman Judge, U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts Fontaine Community Foundation National Grid Repligen, Inc. Saint-Gobain Synergy UMass Memorial Health Care UMass Chan Medical School WPI BROKERAGE | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT | CONSTRUCTION TIM WHITTREDGE CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FRIEND AND VICE PRESIDENT ON BEING RECOGNIZED IN WORCESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL'S 40 UNDER FORTY WWW.GLICKMANKOVAGO.COM 508.753.9100 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y Since being honored as a WBJ 40 Under Forty in 2021, in- part for his work helping the business through the COVID-19 pandemic, Pitts has ascended to the top leadership at Bay State Savings Bank. Joining the bank after stints at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., he's now the 12th president in the financial institution's 129-year history, having taken the position at age 35 and becoming the first person of color to lead the bank. Just a few years after being named chief financial officer, he's now at the helm of a bank with upward of 75 employees and more than $632 million in total assets. A Worcester native, Pitts now sits in a powerful position to help spur economic growth in his community and ensure every neighborhood in Central Massachusetts has access to banking services. Outside of his role at Bay State, Pitts is active in a number of key roles in the local business and nonprofit scene, serving on the Seven Hills Foundation Board of Trustees, the Worcester State University Foundation Board, the Worcester Business Improvement District Board, and the Worcester Trust Fund Commission, to name a few. - E.C. What did getting the 40u40 award mean to you at the time? Gratitude and apprecia- tion for and from our local communities. What does it mean to you now? Genuine continued connection with the next generation of our community's future leaders. What advice do you have for this year's 40u40 winners? Keep moving forward, no matter the circumstance, and choose progress over perfection. How has Central Massachusetts changed since you won the 40u40 award? It just keeps getting better and better. So many wonderful people, places, and opportunities. I'm lucky to be part of something so special. Class of 2021 Seth Pitts Then: Executive vice president & chief financial officer at Bay State Savings Bank, in Worcester Now: President & CEO at Bay State Savings Bank, in Worcester 2024 2021