Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1538711
28 Worcester Business Journal | August 25, 2025 | wbjournal.com 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y Christal Brown, 35 Vice president & director of marketing GFA Federal Credit Union, in Gardner Residence: Athol Birthplace: North Palm Beach, Florida Colleges: UMass Amherst, Southern New Hampshire University Christal Brown has grown GFA's marketing approach and com- munity presence for the $720-million financial institution serving more than 33,000 members across 10 locations in Central Mass. and Southern New Hampshire. Through data analytics, segmenta- tion strategies, and targeted outreach, she has driven substantial deposit growth while improving member experience. Her mem- ber-focused campaigns elevated Google review scores across all GFA branches from 2.3 to 4.6. Brown extends beyond traditional mar- keting through her rebranding of multiple branch locations and launch of a community-driven social media campaign. She invited hundreds of local residents to submit photographs to be incorporated into custom murals displayed in GFA's newly renovated branches. As part of GFA's senior leadership team, her influence spans enterprise-level strategy, contributing to new product development, lending initia- tives, operational efficiencies, and technology enhancements. She founded and leads GFA's Employee Community Engagement Com- mittee, which mobilizes more than 100 employees across the credit union's footprint. She leads GFA's student advisory boards at Gardner High School and Keene High School in New Hampshire, creating mixers for students to get face time with local leaders. Favorite Central Mass. community? Anywhere we're outdoors: play- grounds, trails, or hikes. As a family and through my work, we connect by exploring, cleaning, building, and supporting our community. Who helped you the most in your professional journey? My brother, Jim Pond, co-founder of marketing firm JXM, challenges me and models integrity. Your main goal in the next 50 years? I aim to empower parents to ex- cel at work and home, championing supportive workplaces where families thrive, careers grow, and success in one fuels success in the other. Lexi Brissette, 25 Vice president NAI Glickman Kovago and Jacobs, in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Worcester College: Bentley University Lexi Brissette has rapidly established herself as a standout force in Worcester's commercial real estate market as the only female commercial broker at NAI Glickman and one of very few in Greater Worcester. Her 2025 performance includes Worcester trans- actions such as the $6-million sale of 223 Hartford Turnpike for industrial outdoor storage, the $2.2-mil- lion sale of the 482 Southbridge St. multi-tenant retail strip, and the sale of the historic house for the HeartWell Institute at 1015 Pleasant St. She is on track to generate more than $20 million in sales be- tween Q4 2024 and Q4 2025, with projected total sales and leasing volume of $25 million by year's end. Brissette's career breakthrough came early when she led the sale of a restaurant in Webster Square that commanded the highest price per square foot for a restaurant sale in the city, demonstrating her stra- tegic creativity and relentless follow-through. She supports the Alzheimer's Association and Why Me & Sherry's House, which provides critical support for children battling cancer. She serves on the Notre Dame Academy Alumnae Association board and coordinates holiday toy drives through her company's partnership with Friendly House. What movie best describes your life? "The Devil Wears Prada" Best restaurant in Central Mass.? Yama Zakura, in Northborough Proudest moment? Graduating with my MBA from Bentley University PHOTO | JAIME FLORES Kelley Square, in Worcester