iBerkshires Profiles: Woman of Achievement Christine Singer

By Jen Thomas11:02PM / Monday, August 13, 2007Print Story | Email Story

Christine Singer follows her own path to success, with great results.

Berkshire Profile is pleased to return as "iBerkshires Profiles." The feature will continue to focus on individuals making a difference in their communities and iBerkshires Profiles plan to showcase the everyday folks and entities making our region a unique and wonderful place to call home. PITTSFIELD - "Do not follow where the path may lead - Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." This is the philosophy that defines the life of Christine Singer - volunteer, musician, organizer and all-around amazing woman. With these words (sometimes attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson) on proud display in her office at United Cerebral Palsy Association of Berkshire County, Singer exemplifies the leadership it requires to blaze a trail and have it followed by others. "Weâ€™re only here [on this planet] for a short time and I always think I can make more of a difference," said Singer, 47, who was named the Berkshire Business and Professional Womenâ€™s Woman of Achievement last month. With a hand in several major projects around Berkshire County, Singer is surely making the best of her time. In addition to acting as the executive director for UCP, Singer also heads her own company called "Personal Best: Workshops for Success" and is the president and concertmaster of Stockbridge Sinfonia. She was the co-chair of the Berkshire United Way campaign from 1999 to 2000 and the Pittsfield division in 2003-2004. She also volunteers at Tanglewood and serves on the board of the Berkshire Music School, The Literacy Network of the Southern Berkshires, and the Rotary Club of Pittsfield Foundation. "Success motivates success," said Singer, who has lived in Berkshire County for 25 years. "At the end of it all, youâ€™re overwhelmed but happy." In her capacity as a motivational speaker, Singer said she preaches the value of saying "yes" to opportunities, while many around her criticize her inability to say "no." "People tell me my problem is that I canâ€™t say 'no.' But I think the opposite. We only have a little bit of time, so say 'yes' if you feel moved or if you feel you can be a mover," she said. For Singer, being a "mover" means accomplishing every goal she sets and raising the bar even higher when those goals are reached and surpassed. "Christineâ€™s always been a go-getter. Everything she does, she gives it her all," said Dawn Perotti, the assistive technology demonstration and Loan Center coordinator at UCP. "Itâ€™s pretty inspirational." Woman of Achievement "The Woman of Achievement award honors a Berkshire County woman for her achievements and commitment to community," said Christine "Chris" M. Schaefer, the Berkshire Business and Professional Women's (BBPW) membership chairwoman. This year, BBPW received 10 nominations for the recognition that is based on three criteria - community involvement, career accomplishments/personal achievement and achievements and awards. Schaefer said Singer's impressive list of activities secured her the honor. "Her achievements and awards really put her over the top," said Schaefer. "Itâ€™s not just one area sheâ€™s involved in." Singer, a Norwich, Conn. native, said being a woman of achievement is more than a recognition. "Besides an honor, itâ€™s also a responsibility. It reminds me that the gifts I have shouldnâ€™t be wasted," she said. But, she said she couldnâ€™t do it on her own. "A woman of achievement never does it by herself. It's a wonderful honor and it emphasizes the people who have helped me become successful. We all add something - to inspire and be inspired is what itâ€™s all about. It all fits into my theme of I didn't do it by myself," Singer said. "She doesnâ€™t give herself enough credit," said Perotti. UCP Accomplishments During the 11 years she has been executive director, UCP has grown 60 percent because of Singerâ€™s fundraising efforts. One particular area of which Singer is most proud is the extensive assistive technology program. As the only loan center of assistive devices for people with developmental or physical handicaps in western Massachusetts, UCP allows the general public to "borrow" helpful devices for 2 to 6 weeks. "Itâ€™s amazing to hear someone come in and say 'Your device has changed my life,'" said Singer. "We help people connect the dots and stay as independent as possible. Our goal is to allow people to do things for themselves." Molly Murphy, a 10-year-old Pittsfield resident, suffers from muscular dystrophy and frequents the UCP office. Murphy is Singer's biggest fan and will speak at the awards dinner on October 15. "Christine Singer is a leader. She fights for people with disabilitiesâ€¦Christine is a great example of what a woman can be," said Murphy in a winning essay she wrote earlier this year about Singer. To Singer, Murphy is an inspiration. In 2006, she headed a project to create a "boundless playground" on Springside Avenue that would be accessible to all children, including those in wheelchairs. "The inspiration for that project was Molly. I thought she should be able to play in a playground just like any other child," said Singer. The Other Passion For Singer, the call of helping others overshadowed her other passions, but there is one area of her life she had not been able to let go. "Finding a way to make money is one thing but there's another way to enjoy life and thatâ€™s through music," said Singer, who has been playing the violin since she was 9-years old. As president of the Stockbridge Sinfonia, the only community orchestra in Berkshire County, Singer turned the agency into a non-profit. "Our mission is simple. We raise funds and encourage students to join us," she said. This year, a record 15 high school students played with the orchestra. "I love to play music," said Singer. "I always could see myself being a music teacher but human services was always more of a draw," she said. And her co-workers are thankful she made that decision. "She goes above and beyond," said Maneera Murphy, director of assistive technology at UCP and Mollyâ€™s mother. "Sheâ€™s like family." "Itâ€™s all about the paths we take," Singer said. The BBPW awards dinner will take place on October 15. The proceeds from the dinner event will benefit the BBPW scholarship program. These scholarships provide support to woman seeking higher education, who are working and/or living in Berkshire County. For more information, contact the event co-chairs, Judy Sayers at jsayers@arrowpressonline.com 413-442-3500, or Chris Schaefer at chris@orchardshotel.com 413-458-9611. Jen Thomas may be reached via email at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, ext. 23.

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Pittsfield Police Chief Retiring in January

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:28PM / Monday, December 22, 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police Chief Thomas Dawley will retire next month after 24 years with the Pittsfield Police Department, and the mayor will appoint his successor.

Dawley's last day will be on Jan. 9, and he told iBerkshires that it was "just time." He began his law enforcement career in 1995 at the Berkshire County House of Corrections and was appointed police chief in June 2024.

"Reasons for leaving are cumulative. I have been in law enforcement for almost 30 years. There is no particular reason for my retirement, I just feel that it is time," he wrote in an email.

"I love the profession and love this department. The duties, responsibilities and obligations as a Chief are very demanding. It is a lifestyle, not a job. It is a 24/7–365 days a year responsibility."

According to The Berkshire Eagle, Dawley told Mayor Peter Marchetti of his intention to retire back in April but had kept the decision quiet. Marchetti is expected to choose his successor in the next couple of weeks.

Dawley, 52, was "honored and humbled" when he was chosen two years ago to succeed Michael Wynn, he said, and he misses being an officer out in the community, as the role of chief is more administrative by nature. He described the officers and civilian staff at the department as "the best of the best" and is proud of the "second to none" dedication, professionalism, and commitment they bring to work every day.

"Policing is different than it was 10-20 years ago and the profession is being tested daily," he noted.

"I want a new challenge and preferably something that does not involve law enforcement, but I am definitely not ruling it out!"

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