Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | February 23, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 23 BY SUSAN SHALHOUB Special to WBJ L iz Hamilton came to know and love Worcester as part of a two-year Jesuit Vol- unteer Corps stint. She volunteered at Rainbow Child Development Center during that time, which was then located at Plumley Village, which has since become the home of the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. Hamilton now leads the Boys & Girls Club as its president and CEO, expanding services to the city's youth and at-risk populations and undertaking an am- bitious $42-million upgrade of its Great Brook Valley neighborhood facility. "Liz is one of the most talented and hard-working people I know in the nonprofit community," said Linda Cavaioli, who retired in 2021 aer 30 years as execu- tive director of the YWCA Central Massachusetts. Hamilton shone during the early stages of the COVID pandemic, providing access to social services difficult to find during shutdown, Cavaioli said. Simi- lar challenges remain today in breaking down barriers to access to important services like mental-health assistance, food pantries, tutoring, aquatics, athlet- ics, arts programming, leadership initiatives, and job readiness. "Liz shows unending commitment to the mission, even in difficult times," Cavaioli said. As leader of the Boys & Girls Club since 2015, Hamilton has built relationships and delivered services to youth and the community at large, as needs evolve. Traditionally serving youth 5-19, the club is now launching certificate programs in fields like IT and health care, recognizing workforce needs for people through age 30. An even bigger project is the expansion of the club's Great Brook Valley facility from 7,800 to 37,000 square feet, complete with a pool. Where that neighborhood facility now serves 50 kids and teens a day, the expan- sion will be able to serve 1,000 people per day, with evening hours as well. Near Green Hill Park, Great Brook Valley was de- veloped as public housing in 1954, with 91 buildings now housing more than 1,000 residents, according to Worcester Housing Authority. WHA eventually will bring in more residents to the neighborhood as it adds more housing through the redevelopment of the Curtis Street Apartments and Great Brook Valley Gardens. For the Boys & Girls Club expansion in the neigh- borhood, Phase 1 is already financed with $42 million raised, an architect hired, strong interest in naming opportunities, and design plans complete with the help of important consultants: club kids. "We are excited to serve residents of the Burncoat Quadrant of Worcester," Hamilton said. e expansion is expected to be complete around 2030. More than a person who gets things done, Hamilton serves as a sounding board and source of support for others in the nonprofit sector. Whether it is through her past work as a teacher; as an industry networker; or leader of her own organization, Hamilton develops and brings up future leaders. Hamilton and Cavaioli taught a nonprofit management course together at Clark University in Worcester for four years, ending in 2025. "She is tough but fair," said Cavaioli. "People follow her. She hears them and brings them into the loop. She provides opportunities for them to grow." She is always willing to learn and help other agen- cies. Hamilton knows nonprofit leadership is lonely at times. Programming means fundraising, which can be stressful. She makes the effort to reach out to new heads of area organizations. "I remember what it was like, being new. I had folks who took me under their wing, and I valued that," Hamilton said. She tries to be that person to others whenever possible. ough she didn't expect to be in Worcester this long, working with children and teens gives Hamilton hope for the future. She is truly impressed with club members and enjoys seeing how programs (and com- munity donors and volunteers) help them bloom. HALL OF FAME F O C U S W Hamilton leads a $42M effort to help youth WBJ Hall of Fame Liz Hamilton President & CEO Boys & Girls Club of Worcester Employees: 77 full-time; 125 in summer Annual revenue: $4.5 million Her age: 57 Year she started at B&G Club: 2006 Year she became CEO: 2015 PHOTO | MATT WRIGHT

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