Worcester Business Journal

28 Worcester Business Journal | August 19, 2024 | wbjournal.com 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y Shrewsbury Public Library, where the new addition was designed by LPA | Architects PHOTO | EDD COTE Some people find their next lawnmower on Craig- slist, or perhaps a new apartment. Sean Brennan found a career. Receiving his master's degree in architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, Brennan was facing limited employment opportunities. So he moved back to Worcester, making ends meet as a substitute teacher and as a bartender at Via Italian Table. About a year later, he came across a Craigslist post about an opening at LPA | Architects. Finally given the chance to apply the knowledge he learned in college, Brennan quickly became a key player at the firm. He served as the main point of contact on a pro bono project designing the new St. John's Food for the Poor pantry in Worcester and leading design of the $73-million, 800-student Beal Elementary School in Shrewsbury, which resulted in the school being named a Model Elementary School by the Massachu- setts School Building Authority. He's had an impact on the local cultural scene, working as a board member of the Worcester Arts Council to ease access to grants for artists from marginalized communities. – E.C. What superpower would you like to have? Teleportation. Time is too precious, and there is so much I want to do and see. What is the hidden gem of Central Massachusetts? New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill What person from pop culture would be most successful in your job? Keanu Reeves' character Alex Wyler from "The Lake House" What is your favorite place you've ever visited? Barcelona, Spain Class of 2024 Sean Brennan, 38 Marketing & business development director LPA | Architects, in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Worcester College: Wentworth Institute of Technology Alicea Torres grew up with Children's Services of Roxbury. After immigrating to the U.S., her mother opened a daycare within the CSR network with Alicea Torres in tow. She started working for the organization herself in 2005 as a daycare home visitor. After a few-years interlude working at the Mass. Depart- ment of Children and Families, she returned to CSR in 2016 to work in a supervisor role and assumed her current position as program director in 2020. Today, she oversees 40 home daycares in Greater Worcester, while providing services to those receiving help from the Mass. Department of Transitional Assistance, in addition to her work with unhoused families and teen and adult parents involved with DCF. After hours, Alicea Torres works as a lead screener for the Mass. Child Abuse Emergency Line. She is a member of the board at Abby's House in Worcester, a nonprofit providing shelter and supportive housing to unhoused women, and serves on the organization's development committee. She volunteers making floral arrangements for community events, including funerals for low-income families. – M.K.M. What superpower do you want? Read people's minds Most underrated part about working in Central Massachu- setts? Short commute due to not having a lot of traffic. What famous person would be successful in your job? Oprah Winfrey Class of 2024 Rosibel Alicea Torres, 40 Program director Children's Services of Roxbury Worcester Family Childcare, in Worcester Residence: Leicester Birthplace: Dominican Republic College: Springfield College

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