Worcester Business Journal

12 Worcester Business Journal | January 13, 2025 | wbjournal.com BEST PUBLIC RELATIONS COMPANY Winner: empHowered PR, in Leominster Website: www.empHoweredPR.com Top executive: Lauren Howe Founded: 2020 Employees: 1 empHowered PR focuses on corporate responsibility, community BY MICA KANNER-MASCOLO WBJ Staff Writer E mpowerment is literally the name of the game for Lauren Howe. It's an integral pillar to the work she does as the principal and owner of her public relations business empHowered PR in Leominster. "By giving my clients the tools of their brand, their messaging, and coming up with those unique creatives that go with it, I'm giving them the empowerment too to say, 'is is your time; share your story,'" she said. Howe's principle of taking control of our own narratives translates directly to her personal life and the inception of her business. She started her PR career in 2002, working throughout the healthcare, manufacturing, and nonprofit sectors for 15 years. And then came 2017. Howe was diagnosed with melanoma and felt the urge to slow down her traveling schedule and be home with her daughter. at didn't mean Howe wanted to give up her career. So on Valentine's Day 2020, just before the onslaught of the COVID pandemic, Howe quit her corporate job, launching empHowered PR that summer. Four and a half years later, Howe has 11 clients and employs five contract workers on an as-needed basis. Working with clients from the U.S. Olympic Luge team to local food pantries means Howe needs to customize her PR strategy to the business at hand. "PR is a practice, and when you're doing your practice, you have to pivot it not only to the industry but also to that specific client," said Howe. With this mindset at the forefront, Howe dives into a needs assessment with all of her clients in order to identify what a business does, how it does it, and who it's doing it for. Probing for these answers allows Howe to identify the overarching message of a business, which not only speaks to the audience it serves but improves its industry as a whole. "I always like to work with clients that are doing things that are making the world a better place than when we le it when we woke up," she said. Howe is a big proponent of corporate responsibility, which for her is integral to a company's branding. "If you are a company in a community … you should have not only an investment in the economic development of that community and in the people that live there, but also in the community as a whole," said Howe. n B E S T O F B U S I N E S S P R O F E S S I O N A L S E R V I C E S BEST BANK Winner: UniBank*, in Whitinsville Notable runners-up: Cornerstone Bank, in Worcester; Webster Five Cents Savings Bank, in Auburn; Rockland Trust, in Rockland UniBank provides community-focused initiatives and personalized banking solutions in Central Massachusetts. After opening its newest branch in De- cember in Worcester's Canal District across from Polar Park, UniBank's expansion and 154 years of banking experience provides customers the services and financial tools aimed to achieve their professional and person- al goals. Website: www.unibank.com Top executives: CEO Michael Welch, President Christopher Foley, Executive Vice President Justine DeNorscia Founded: 1870 Employees: 265 n BEST CREDIT UNION Winner: Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU)*, in Marlborough Notable runners-up: Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union, in Shrewsbury; Webster First Federal Credit Union, in Worcester; Central One Federal Credit Union, in Shrewsbury With more than $12 billion in assets and new partnerships, Digital Federal Credit Union is committed to support- ing the financial goals of 1.2 million members across the U.S., whether assisting with a student loan, a new credit card, the purchase of a new home, or building a business. DCU works to ensure members come first and assists them through all stages of life. Website: www.dcu.org Top executive: Shruti Miyashiro, president and CEO Founded: 1979 Employees: 1,775 total; 717 in Central Massachusetts n BEST LAW FIRM Winner: Mirick*, in Worcester Notable runners-up: Fletcher Tilton, in Worcester; Bowditch & Dewey, in Worcester Mirick takes pride in being a first- class, regional law firm, representing large employers across different industries in the state. Looking to the future, Mirick focuses on continuing to deliver personalized and innovative solutions efficiently, while meeting clients' objectives and creating a workplace environment where attorneys and staff are valued. Website: www.mirickoconnell.com Top executive: Co-Managing Partners Paul Carey and Robert Kilroy Founded: 1916 Employees: 140 total; 132 in Central Massachusetts n BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM Winner: Bollus Lynch*, in Worcester Notable runners-up: Stowe and Degon, in Westborough; Stolberg, Ebbeling & Blanchette, in Worcester; Citrin Cooperman, in Worcester Bollus Lynch is comprised of individuals who are experienced in servicing clients professional and personal needs. While the firm serves clients globally, Bollus Lynch is locally owned and committed to the Worcester community, fostering relationships with the area's business leaders. Website: www.bolluslynch.com Top executive: Michael Bollus, managing partner Founded: 1989 Employees: 39 n

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