Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1543986
20 Worcester Business Journal | March 23, 2026 | wbjournal.com Winners will be announced and profiled in WBJ's August 24, 2026 edition. SAVE-THE-DATE: The celebration will be held on September 16, 2026 at Mechanics Hall, Worcester! Do you know a rising star worthy of recognition? NOMINATE THEM TODAY! Nomination deadline: May 8, 2026 Further details and nomination form at www.wbjournal.com/ event/40-under-forty Worcester Business Journal seeks to honor the rising stars of the Central Massachusetts' business community for its annual 40 Under Forty Awards. This special award recognizes outstanding young leaders who share a commitment to business success and personal growth, along with a passion to help strengthen the communities that they live and work in. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS! UNDER FORTY UNDER Corporate sponsor A 100% EMPLOYEE OWNED COMPANY Presenting sponsor Knight-Dik Insur- ance has hired MICHAEL ALFEGO as a commercial lines producer at the Worcester-based firm. In his new capacity, Alfego will support business owners in protecting their employees, assets, and operations. He most recently served as a commercial lines sales executive at AssuredPartners at the insurance agency's Fitchburg office and graduated Brandeis University in Waltham with his bachelor's degree. JEAN MCLEAN, professor at Quinsig- amond Community College in Worces- ter, has received the 2026 Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition award from the American Association of Community Colleges, hon- oring faculty who are making a difference in their classrooms. McLean has worked at QCC for more than 30 years, currently serving as chair of the school's Academic Policy and Standards Council. McLean has worked to grow academic and career pathways for QCC students and has helped create new programs, including the school's insurance and logistics certificates. MICHAEL DAGILIS has joined ERA Key Realty Services as branch director of the real estate firm's Milford, Millis, and Franklin offices. In his new role, Dagilis will manage opera- tions, agent develop- ment, and strategic growth efforts at the three offices. Dagilis previously served as co-owner and realtor at Property Partners and graduated with his bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire. SEAN HARRIS, director of commu- nity engagement at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, has received the 2026 Black Excellence on the Hill award from the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, an award recognizing Harris' commitment to making a differ- ence in his community. Harris joined QCC in 2021 and was named to his current role in 2023. He co-chairs the college's Access to Opportunity Committee and is a member of its Advisory Council for Access & Opportunity. CHRISTIE HAG- ER has assumed her role as the first female board of directors chair of The Health Foun- dation of Central Massachusetts in Worcester. Previous- ly, Hager has worked for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under former President Barack Obama, as the regional director for New England. She graduated with her law degree from University of Connecticut School of Law, her master's degree from Boston University School of Public Health, and her bachelor's degree from Smith College in Northampton. Workers Credit Union has promoted five employees and hired another in the Little- ton-based institution's commercial lending team. KATHLEEN COTE has been pro- moted to vice president, small business development manager. Cote has more than 30 years of banking experience, joining WCU in 2021. She leads the credit union's Small Business Administration lending program. JOHN DECKER has been promoted to vice president, senior commercial lending officer. Decker has more than 25 years of commercial lending and relationship management experience. He graduated with his bachelor's degree from Syracuse University in New York. GLENN DAVIS has been promoted to vice president, commercial lending officer. He has two decades of commercial bank- ing experience and graduated from the Boston-based New England College of Business and Finance. ALISON ISAK- SEN has been promoted to vice presi- dent, commercial lending officer. Before joining WCU in 2024, Isaksen earned her bachelor's degree from University of New Hampshire. CATHERINE COMERFORD has been promoted to assistant vice president, business banking development officer. Comerford serves on the board of the HealthAlliance Guild of Leomin- ster and volunteers as a coach for Little League Baseball and Softball in Gardner. JESSICA FAVREAU has been hired as vice president, commercial lending officer. Before coming to WCU, Favreau worked in a similar capacity at Franklin-based Dean Bank, Worcester-based Bay State Bank, and Clinton Savings Bank. MICHAEL ALFEGO JEAN MCLEAN CHRISTIE HAGER MICHAEL DAGILIS SEAN HARRIS W MOVERS & SHAKERS