Worcester Business Journal

34 Worcester Business Journal | June 8, 2026 | wbjournal.com P OW E R 1 0 0 N O N P R O F I T S Ken Bates President & CEO Open Sky Community Services, in Worcester Age: 61 Employees: 1,151 Annual revenue: $130.8 million Bates is working to strengthen and stabilize the human services nonprofit industry as behavioral healthcare providers face intense financial and workforce pressures. Open Sky now operates more than 140 programs serving over 8,000 individuals and families annually. is year, Bates emerged as a key figure in preserving access to mental health ser- vices amid the closure of UMass Memorial Health's Community Healthlink division, agreeing to take over residential recovery programs in Worcester and Leominster while continuing to advocate for broad- er system stability across the region. - B.K. What unique skill sets you apart from others? I genuinely enjoy bringing people and organizations together around difficult challenges. Meaningful progress happens when leaders focus less on organi- zational silos and more on shared purpose, relation- ships, and long-term community impact. What is one habit powerful leaders should prac- tice every day? Change happens when we listen. e best leaders remain connected to people across every level of an organization and community. What is your favorite book on leadership? "Leadership Is an Art" by Max De Pree Angela Bovill President & CEO Ascentria Care Alliance, in Worcester Employees: 2,090 Central Mass. employees: 466 Annual revenue: $153 million Bovill ensures Ascentria offers a broad range of services to the community, providing services rang- ing from senior care and housing to refugee reset- tlement and immigrant support. Despite significant funding challenges facing the social services sector, she guided Ascentria through the opening of its new Lighthouse headquarters in Worcester, raised nearly $1 million for the project, and preserved senior housing through the Goddard and Hall affiliation. She is now spearheading redevelopment of the former St. Peter-Marian campus into an intergener- ational senior living community. - B.K. What unique skill sets you apart from others? My determination and optimism set me apart. ere's always a way to build, even if the world around you is falling apart. at's how lasting change is made. What is one habit powerful leaders should practice every day? Humility. e best leaders stay grounded, remain open to learning, and focus on liing others up. What are your go-to media outlets? e Boston Globe, e Washington Post, e Guardian, Worces- ter Business Journal, and nonprofit and public policy publications focused on community impact. David Connell President & CEO YMCA of Central Massachusetts, in Worcester Employees: 1,302 Annual revenue: $33.4 million Connell helms one of the region's most visible and trusted nonprofits, with a footprint spanning youth development, childcare, workforce programs, public health, and recreation. Since 2025, the YMCA expanded government grants and contracts to more than $14 million annually, served more than 50,000 people, reached a record 36,158 members, and launched its 2030 Strategic Plan. Under Connell's leadership, the organization has become a key convener for partnerships focused on strengthening wide-ranging communities across Central Massa- chusetts. - B.K. What unique skill sets you apart from others? I lead with a relationship-centered approach and have the ability to convene business, government, philanthropy, and community leaders around shared outcomes. What is one habit powerful leaders should practice every day? Leaders should practice inten- tional listening every day. It creates trust, improves decision-making, and keeps leaders grounded in the realities facing the people they serve. Why do you do business in Central Mass.? Cen- tral Massachusetts is defined by resilience, innova- tion, collaboration, and community pride. PHOTO | COURTESY ADVOCATES Regina Marshall Chief operating officer Advocates, in Framingham Age: 50 Employees: 2,572 Central Mass. employees: 1,810 Annual revenue: $237.3 million A changing of the guard is underway at Advo- cates. Marshall will succeed longtime CEO Diane Gould in July, inheriting a nonprofit serving more than 40,000 people with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, autism, and mental health challenges. Over the past year, she guided Advocates' strategic planning process, redesigned its organizational structure, strengthened senior leadership, and helped position the organization for its next phase of growth. - B.K. What unique skill sets you apart from others? Being outcome-focused while leading with kind- ness and empathy has been central to my approach. Strong relationships drive strong results. What is one habit powerful leaders should practice every day? Powerful leaders practice active listening every day. Taking time to understand per- spectives, concerns, and emotions builds trust and strengthens decision-making. How do you unwind? Hanging out with my kids, usually at their sports games or just listening to all the ups and downs of teenage life. I also love watching movies. "When power is shared collectively within a team or community, it creates trust, momentum, and possibility – allowing people to achieve far more together than they ever could alone." - Regina Marshall, Advocates

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