18 Degrees President and CEO To Resign

03:11PM / Thursday, October 08, 2020Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 18 Degrees President and CEO Colleen Holmes, has resigned to accept another opportunity in the nonprofit sector in Springfield.

"That I have loved serving 18 Degrees' mission and people over the past three years made this a tough decision," Holmes said. "It's been life-changing to be a part of our communities and this amazing 18 Degrees team and to work with all of you to advance 18 Degrees' vision of welcome, inclusion, growth, and social justice change. What we have accomplished together makes me very grateful and unabashedly proud."

Holmes will leave the organization as of Oct. 30, 2020.

"For the past three years, our organization has been uplifted and transformed by our President and CEO, Colleen Holmes, for which we are very thankful," Chris King, chair of the board of directors for 18 Degrees said. "When the board of directors began their search for a new President and CEO in 2017, we sought to ensure ongoing programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of finance, administration, fundraising, and communications. We got all that with Colleen and more."

Stephanie Steed, vice president of programs, will step up to serve as the Interim Executive Director.

Steed, who has a master's degree in education and is a licensed social worker, began her career with 18 Degrees fifteen years ago. She oversees a range of programs in the Berkshires and Pioneer Valley, including Foster Care, Adoption, Child and Family Support in the Pioneer Valley, Family Networks, Young Woman's Initiative, and RAP Inc, and is well acquainted with state funding sources.

The board has begun a search for Holmes' successor.

18 Degrees, formerly Berkshire Children and Families, promotes the well-being and strengths of children, youth, adults and families to build better communities in Western Massachusetts. We provide education, parenting skills and support, prevention and intervention, advocacy, and life skills across a spectrum of program serving young people, adults, and families in four areas: early education and care; foster care and adoption; child and family well-being; youth and community development.

"This organization has a 133-year history of helping children, youth, and families thrive in Western Massachusetts, and we have the utmost confidence this will continue. We are fortunate to have five highly capable Senior Directors who will work with Steed through the transition," King said.

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:30AM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back over 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

"I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference," committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

"The city could have use for that difference over the next three years."

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has been vocally in favor of the independent audit for years, said the city doesn't have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, "We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional, and a looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is."

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have equitable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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