Berkshire United Way Board Welcomes Three New Members

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Berkshire United Way (BUW) welcomes three community leaders – Stephanie Ham, Jennifer Kerwood and Bethany Kieley – to its board of directors. 
 
At a time when our neighbors are facing growing challenges and uncertainty, the mission of Berkshire United Way is more important than ever," offered BUW Interim President and CEO Katherine von Haefen.  "The leadership, experience and commitment that Stephanie, Jennifer and Bethany each bring to the table will be invaluable in ensuring that everyone in our community has an opportunity to thrive." 
 
Ham is an assistant branch manager and digital banking guru for Adams Community Bank. She has nearly two decades of experience in retail banking. As a member of the bank's Culture Committee and ACB Impact Committee, she has led the annual snack drive for Morris Elementary School as well as efforts to support POPCares, The AYJ Fund and The Alzheimer's Association. 
 
"I have a passion for giving back and volunteering in the Berkshire community. BUW's and ACB's approach to supporting our community are very much aligned and I look forward to representing both organizations. I hope to inspire others to get involved and make a meaningful impact in Berkshire County," said Ham. 
 
Kieley is the CEO of Community Health Programs and has nearly two decades of leadership experience in the healthcare field. She once served as a table captain for a United Way Women United's Power of the Purse event and has volunteered with a food pantry in Connecticut and Literacy Volunteers of Southern Connecticut. 
 
"Serving on the Berkshire United Way board is a perfect extension of the community impact we have at CHP Berkshires. I'm inspired and motivated by BUW's work providing financial support to critical community resources and bringing together organizations, volunteers and other community members to tackle some of our biggest problems," said Kieley. 
 
Kerwood is the director of philanthropy at Miss Hall's School. She has almost 30 years of experience advancing the missions and fundraising for local organizations including Berkshire Community College and Berkshire United Way. Prior to her development career, she worked in Massachusetts government and politics, mostly campaigning with Jane Swift from North Adams, the first woman to serve as governor of the Commonwealth. She is an appointed member of the Board of Registrars of Voters in Pittsfield and formerly served as a director and treasurer on the board for Berkshire Arts and Technology (BART) Charter Public School in Adams. 
 
"I love my community and I am honored to join this team as we work to help more of our neighbors thrive," said Kerwood. 
 
The board also includes Krystle Blake (chair), Melissa Orazio (vice chair), Jaime Campbell (treasurer), David Reinhart (clerk), Dr. William DeMarco, Laurie Gallagher, David Harrington, Rachel Melendez Mabee, Arthur Milano, Chris Montferret, Tiffany Moreno, Michael Obasohan, Timothy O'Donnell, Kristin Pedrotti, Stephanie Storie and Daltrey Turner. 
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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

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 rename 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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