Worcester Business Journal

www.wbjournal.com August 29, 2016 • Worcester Business Journal 15 >> 40 U N D E R F O R T Y Since starting at UMass, Akindele has been responsible for developing strategic relationships between UMMS and gov- ernment and community organizations, especially in the Worcester region. He cultivated the institution's multi-depart- mental public health collaboration with the Worcester Division of Public Health. Previously, he served as community relations manager in the department of community and government alliances at Hartford Hospital, overseeing commu- nity benefit initiatives. His proudest achievement was bringing a mobile market to neighborhoods designated as food deserts in Hartford, allowing resi- dents with limited access to food to have affordable, high quality produce. Akindele is a founding member of The African Council, seeking to increase civic engagement among Africans in Massachusetts. What is your main professional goal? Having a successful career with- out sacrificing success at home. What is your advice to young business people? Find a mentor. I prepare for the unexpected by... praying for God's grace. If I hadn't gone down this career path, I would have liked to...be a sports agent. n Baer joined Mirick O'Connell in 2011, after graduating magna cum laude from Georgetown, where she served as senior editor for the Georgetown Journal of International Law and was a global law fellow. As a litigator, she represents employers in state and federal court and before administrative agencies, while provid- ing day-to-day client advice. Baer serves on the board of the YWCA of Central Massachusetts. She is married to Jared Baer, and they have a two-year-old daughter, Madeleine. What will the title of your mem- oirs be? "Iced Coffee Diaries" – iced coffee plays an undeniably central role in my life, and the first morning sip signals the official start of my day. What would you like to tell your 10-year-old self? Enjoy. You will have a wonderful childhood, so savor it. The people I work with would tell you I am...a tenacious litigator – deter- mined, engaging, warm, friendly and intelligent. (This is actually what they said – I didn't even bribe them!) If you could have dinner with any four people, who would they be? Francis Silk (my grandfather), Abraham Lincoln, Sandra Day O'Connor, Saint Thomas Aquinas. n At 25, Carbone was one of the youngest people ever elected to Fitchburg City Council, serving one term before being elected to the school committee. He is a founding partner of Boyle & Carbone, P.C., a boutique firm serving Worcester County focus- ing on trial work in criminal defense, family law and plaintiff 's rights. "Am I worthy of this award? Maybe not," Carbone said. "What I am is very hungry for success. Maybe I was born with it or maybe I developed it some- where along the way, but I have an excruciating work ethic." Whose career would you most like to emulate? Former Gov. Bill Weld, who played by common sense rules during his political career. Who gave you the best career advice? My father, whose advice was seen in his actions proving you can always work harder for the things that you want and believe in. What is the first impression you want to leave with business con- tacts? They not only would hire me but they would recommend me to their friends, colleagues and relatives. Who is the fictional character you are most like? Winnie the Pooh – I like half shirts and honey. n Misilo started working for Commerce Bank as a part-time teller at the age of 19 and became its youngest branch manager four years later. At that branch in Holden, she rose to assistant vice president and then managed the Grafton Street office in Worcester, with both offices realizing record growth and sales and service awards. She has been involved with Dress for Success Worcester, Grafton Hill Business Association, Worcester CultureLEAP, Junior Achievement, FDIC: Money Smarts, and the United Way's Dollar Scholar program. By the time I am 50, I would like to have...become a banking executive. What should older generations know about the up-and-coming workforce? We want to be challenged and feel that our work is making a worthwhile impact on the future. Where do you get your motiva- tion to succeed? From within. I see every day as a new opportunity to grow and be the best version of myself. Why do you work in Central Massachusetts? My family has deep roots in the manufacturing industry. I see working here as my chance to make my own mark and give back to the com- munity that has given us so much. n Residence: N. Grafton Birthplace: Worcester Colleges: Providence College, Georgetown University Law Center Amanda Marie Baer, 30 Associate attorney, Mirick O'Connell, Westborough Nicholas J. Carbone, 29 Founding partner, Boyle & Carbone, P.C., Fitchburg Residence: Fitchburg Birthplace: Worcester Colleges: Fitchburg State University, Massachusetts School of Law Residence: Sterling Birthplace: Mount Clemens, Mich. College: Worcester State University Amanda Misilo, 33 Assistant vice president & customer care manager, Commerce Bank, Worcester Kola A. Akindele, 36 Senior director for community & government relations, UMass Medical School, Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Worcester Colleges: UMass Boston, UMass Lowell, Northeastern University School of Law P H O T O / E R I K A S I D O R

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