Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 25, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 37 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y 202 Brigham St., Northborough, MA • 508-393-2444 For Tee Times: www.juniperhillgc.com Juniper Hill Golf Course Celebrating 90 Years of Golf • Friendly Atmosphere • Two well groomed, established courses • No membership fee • Excellent meeting facilities • 36 Challenging Holes • Top 10 Public Golf Course in Massachusetts • Golf Teaching Center Call us at 508-351-9500 Give the gift of golf Gift certificates for golf, lunch, lessons and equipment are available in the Pro Shop 508-393-2444 Outings & Functions 3 to 300 guests in a variety of settings Kait Urlaub, 39 Vice president, talent acquisition & workforce development UMass Memorial Health, in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Rochester, New York College: University of Pittsburgh During a turbulent labor market, Kait Urlaub's leadership proved essential to workforce stabilization and growth at UMass Memorial Health, the largest Central Mass. health- care system with 20,000+ employees. In fiscal 2023, her team achieved 632 net new hires against a goal of 400, followed by 1,134 net new employees the following year. Her strategic redesign of talent acquisition operations increased efficiency and delivered $2.8 million in cost savings over 21 months. She co-chaired the Anchor Mission Hiring Pillar, deepening the organization's investment in hiring from local neighborhoods while participating in 50+ recruiting and outreach events annually and building partnerships with Worcester Public Schools. Urlaub launched Walk-in Wednesdays, an open-door hiring initiative demystifying the healthcare application process for Worcester residents. This program removes employment barriers, allowing candidates to meet recruiters and interview on the spot. What song best describes your life journey so far? "Follow Your Dreams" - It has fueled my drive and inspired me since I was a young girl. What lesson do you have for the next generation? Cherish time with older generations; their wisdom is priceless. After losing my grandfather, Big Dad, earlier this year, I've realized how much their stories shape who we become. What do you want to accomplish in the next 50 years? I am striving to become a chief human resources officer who drives transformative change, inspires teams, and shapes workplaces empowering both people and communities. Hamilton Soriano, 34 Financial advisor Edward Jones, in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Boston College: UMass Amherst Hamilton Soriano has built a thriving financial advisory prac- tice focused on economic empowerment, particularly for underrepresented communities in an industry where people of color remain rare. As a first-generation Latino and son of immigrants, he has navigated the financial services industry without connections or mentorship, ultimately establishing his own Edward Jones office on West Boylston Street in 2022. His practice has grown from operating within a veteran advisor's office to running his own location with dedicated administrative support and plans to add a junior advisor to further serve clients. Soriano provides financial literacy classes for Ghanaian immigrants through Open Sky Community Services' career pipeline program, teaches at Worcester Technical High School, and mentors students from UMass Amherst. He was nominated by the Latin American Business Organization as a Worcester Red Sox Hometown Hero, where he threw out the first pitch at Polar Park. He serves on the board at Open Sky, where he is a strong voice for BIPOC and other underrepresent- ed populations. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Soriano leverages his bilingual abilities and first-generation perspective to bring valuable insights to every committee, meeting, and board he joins. His goal of providing economic empowerment "to all, not just a few" reflects his commitment to expanding financial literacy and opportunity. What actor would play you in a movie? Jeffrey Wright What lesson do you have for the next generation? Believe in yourself; ignore those who say you can't. Best vacation you ever took? El Salvador, my parents' homeland

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