Berkshire Family YMCA Welcomes Interim CEO and Executive Director

02:13PM / Monday, November 27, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Family YMCA announced the appointment of Christian Bianchi as its new Interim CEO and Executive Director.

Bianchi, a member of the Berkshire Family YMCA Board and current Director of Development at The Brien Center, will begin his new role on Dec. 11.

According to a press release, Christian Bianchi brings experience and a deep commitment to community service. His expertise in organizational development and fundraising will guide the Berkshire Family YMCA towards its future goals.

"We are thrilled to welcome Christian Bianchi as our new Interim CEO and Executive Director," said Adam Kelpetar, Chair of the Berkshire Family YMCA Board. "His passion for community work and proven leadership expertise makes him the ideal person to lead our organization into its next chapter."

Christian Bianchi will overlap with the outgoing CEO and Executive Director, Jessica Rumlow, to ensure a seamless transition. This collaboration will maintain the continuity of leadership and the strategic direction of the Berkshire Family YMCA.

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to restructure the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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