Williamstown Woman To Head Berkshire Creative
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"Jodi Joseph brings a wonderful mix of experience in the creative economy and enthusiasm for the work of Berkshire Creative," said Cathy Deely, chairman of the non-profit organization's board of trustees. "We are very much looking forward to the work she will be doing to promote the creative economy, provide program and event support to creatives in the Berkshires, and to launch our soon-to-be announced membership program, featuring an online directory for the creative economy."
Joseph, of Williamstown, fills the vacancy left by Helena Fruscio, who was named the state's creative economy industry director back in September 2011.
"I am thrilled to lead Berkshire Creative, acknowledged as a pace-setter in creative economy work, at a pivotal time in the organization's development as it formalizes its working partnership with 1Berkshire," said Joseph of the council partnering under the umbrella of 1Berkshire with the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Berkshire Visitors Bureau. "The structure 1Berkshire provides allows Berkshire Creative to be part of an innovative, collaborative approach to the region's business, tourism, economic and creative development efforts."
Stuart Chase, CEO of 1Berkshire, said Joseph will be a "great partner" in the collaborative work of attracting ad retaining business and marketing the Berkshires.
The 5-year-old Berkshire Creative has worked to "spark" collaboration and innovation between the county's creative component and local businesses, as well as provide resources and represenation to the creative sector. It represents the interests of 6,500 creative economy workers in a region that's No. 2 in per capita spending on arts and culture in the United States.
Joseph is a magna cum laude graduate of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams with experience in marketing and freelance sales, including for the DreamAway Lodge in Becket, Inland Management in Williamstown, Braza Corp. in Lee and for Berkshire Arts and Technology Public Charter School in Adams.
She earlier worked with Blue Q in Pittsfield, Mair Hill and Associates Inc. in Chicago, Elements/Jill Schwartz in Great Barrington and Pulp Paper Products in Torrington, Conn.
At Mass MoCA, she coordinated the museum's participation in 2010 in Berkshire Creative's Berkshire Creative Challenge.
"The Mass MoCA Creative Challenge initially brought in $6,000 worth of locally sourced goods to the museum store shelves," she said. "In two years, Mass MoCA has more than doubled that number, selling over $15,000 of Berkshire-sourced product to visitors from around world."
An active Berkshire native, she enjoys outdoor activities and is a trustee and board secretary for BArT.
Tags: 1Berkshire, Berkshire Creative,
