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wbjournal.com | August 25, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 29 Our 2025 Annual Fall Fundraising Event will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of our du Lac Assisted Living Community and include an Awards and Recognition Celebration honoring some truly remarkable individuals in our community. We will present the Sister Jon Julie Sullivan SNDdeN Mission Award to Sister Marna Rogers, SNDdeN to recognize her many contributions to Notre Dame Health Care and the greater Worcester community in ways that embody the spirit and creativity of the award's namesake, the late Sister Jon Julie Sullivan. And we will present the Notre Dame Health Care Quiet Hero Award to recognize Julie Lian McDonald and her Board of Directors from Juniper Outreach Foundation for their selfless acts of support in the greater Worcester community. We will also present the Saint Julie Billiart Employee Award to recognize the kindness, leadership, compassion and care of a special Notre Dame Health Care employee. NOTRE DAME HEALTH CARE 2025 ANNUAL FALL EVENT Wednesday, October 29, 2025 7:30AM at The College of the Holy Cross Please JOIN US for this important fundraiser Seating is $50 (includes full breakfast) Advance Registration Required (by October 3) http://weblink.donorperfect.com/AnnualFallEvent2025 For seating & sponsorship opportunities Contact Paige Thayer pthayer@notredamehealthcare.org (508) 852-5800 x2509 notredamehealthcare.org PRESENTING CO-SPONSORS Proceeds from our 2025 Annual Fall Fundraising Event will support the healthcare mission of Notre Dame Health Care, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, strengthening our ability to provide exceptional programs and services to our residents, patients, families and students. 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y Allison Gomez, 33 Program manager Ascentria Care Alliance, in Worcester Residence: Palmer Birthplace: Queens, New York Colleges: Worcester State University, Marywood University Allison Gomez has dedicated her career to bettering out- comes for vulnerable populations, particularly through her leadership as program manager for the unaccompanied refugee minors program at Ascentria. Since joining the nonprofit, she has increased URM participant assur- ances by 20% in eight months while expanding her leadership scope to oversee the family resource team, managing a combined staff of 12 and integrating service delivery across programs. She oversees budgets exceeding $1 million annually while strengthening community partnerships to increase employment readiness and housing stability oppor- tunities. Her research at Worcester State University focused on poverty reduction strategies and self-sufficiency in urban areas, while she is pursuing her Ph.D. in strategic leadership and administrative studies at Marywood University. Her community service began early through childhood visits to oncology wards and was solidified by witnessing 9/11's impact while growing up in New York City. As a New England Patriots Cheerleader from 2015-2018, she collaborated with nonprofits regionally and inter- nationally, notably bringing the Lombardi Trophy to Worcester. What lesson do you have for the next generation? We are each powerful puzzle pieces. Even without seeing the full picture, our unique contributions may be the ones that complete meaningful change. What do you want to accomplish in the next 50 years? As Dr. Gomez, use my research to build sustainable systems to expand access to education, housing, and opportunity, empowering future generations of leaders. Amanda Risch, 38 Shareholder Fletcher Tilton, in Worcester Residence: Belmont Birthplace: Concord College: Boston University Amanda Risch is one of the youngest attorneys to ever attain share- holder status at Fletcher Tilton, a 200-year-old firm, becoming the fourth woman in the firm's history to achieve equity status in March. Her expertise in commercial finance and real estate transactions spans deals from $100,000 to $250 million. Notable transactions include representing the buyer of Mercantile Center to bring ownership back to the Worcester community, representing the developer in connection with Polar Park development, and repre- senting a buyer in the $50-million purchase of 20 different properties involving four different lenders. Risch started as a summer associate at Fletcher Tilton and advanced through associate and junior part- ner roles to achieve her partnership status. Her dual Boston Univer- sity degrees in finance and business law provide a multidisciplinary perspective enhancing her effectiveness with complex business transactions. She has been instrumental in transforming Downtown Worcester's commercial real estate market through acquisitions, refinancing, and recapitalization. Risch serves on the board for the YMCA of Central Massachusetts. She maintains active membership in professional associations including the Women's Bar Association, Real Estate Bar Association for Massachusetts, Massachusetts Bar Association, and Worcester County Bar Association, while par- ticipating with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and Worcester Business Development Corp. What actor would play you in a movie? Amy Adams Best restaurant in Central Mass.? One Eleven Chop House What should older generations understand about young pro- fessionals? We desire flexibility. If we are getting our work done promptly and effectively, where and how is irrelevant. Best vacation you ever took? Beijing