Worcester Business Journal

26 Worcester Business Journal | August 25, 2025 | wbjournal.com 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y Jeff Bercume, 38 CEO Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster, in Leominster Residence: Holden Birthplace: Worcester Colleges: Merrimack College, Boston College After playing professional baseball for the Oakland Athletics minor league organization, Jeff Bercume rapidly ascended at Laddawn, a packaging manufacturer in Devens, rising to lead sales, marketing, and product management. He played a pivot- al role in doubling the company's revenue and profit over eight years until its acquisition by Fortune 500 company Berry Global in 2018. Bercume then led the transformation of Laddawn.com into MyBerry.com, overseeing all aspects of rollout and change management for the new customer portal. In its first full year using his redesigned platform, Berry's flagship product line exceeded profitability targets by 18%. Since becoming CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster in April, Bercume has quickly implemented programming including a professional-grade podcasting studio and a fully equipped esports space. He serves as a volunteer baseball coach at Saint John's High School, where he emphasizes perseverance and equanimity as much as technical skills. Would you choose to be the oldest sibling, middle sibling, youngest sibling, or an only child? I'd choose to be Laura's older brother, son of Jeff and Karen. I'm blessed to have strong relationships with my younger sister and my parents. What should older generations understand about young professionals? Approach youthful ambition with grace. Ea- gerness is not the same as entitlement, though they're easy to conflate. Both benefit from coaching and honest, constructive feedback. What person would you like to meet in the next 40 years? I may not meet every single kid we serve now, but I hope to meet a few later, when they're transformational leaders shaped by how they were nurtured here. Also, Derek Jeter. Ellin Terrill-Kocibelli, 39 Major gift officer Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Worcester College: UMass Amherst Fundraising at the Boys & Girls Club hasn't been the same since Ellin Terrill-Kocibelli began her 14-year tenure at the nonprofit, increasing annual revenue from $2 million to $5 million. Her strategic vision and execution culminated in the launch of the organization's first-ever endowment campaign, raising more than $1 million in the first two years. She is now spearheading the ambitious $42-million "A Club to Call Home" capital campaign to build a cut- ting-edge clubhouse in Great Brook Valley public housing to serve 500+ youth daily. Terrill-Kocibelli's diverse expertise spans grant writing, face-to-face solicitation, special events orchestration, and annual report creation. Her leadership extends beyond fundraising to com- munity building, as demonstrated through the inaugural Festival of Trees event in 2023, which provided essential support to more than 2,000 club members and families with food, clothing, and presents. Before joining the Boys & Girls Club, she served as Clark University associate director of marketing from 2019-2021, where she expanded the Clark Fund through an alumni giving campaign. Prior to that, she was assistant membership and marketing director at Worcester Jewish Community Center from 2008-2011, where she increased membership through strategic open house events. She provides pro bono marketing and graphic design services for local nonprofits including Paka- choag Music School. What actor would play you in a movie? Anne Hathaway, but only in "The Princess Diaries" with the crazy hair before the makeover. Best restaurant in Central Mass.? Mare E Monti What lesson do you have for the next generation? Be intentional with your life. Don't feel pressured to do things that don't feel right because "You're supposed to." Best vacation you ever took? Venice, Italy PHOTO | MATT WRIGHT Fivefork Farms, in Upton (Special thanks to Grace Lam)

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