Berkshire United Way Names President and CEO

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire United Way Board of Directors has officially approved Katherine von Haefen as president and CEO.
 
She previously served as interim while continuing her role as director of Community Impact. 
 
"Katherine has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication to our mission," said Board Chair Krystle Blake. "Her deep understanding of community needs and her ability to bring people together to create meaningful change make her the ideal leader for this next chapter. We are thrilled to have her at the helm." 
 
Von Haefen joined BUW in October 2021 and has led region-wide initiatives focused on early childhood education, food security, and nonprofit investment. She also spearheaded BUW's $1 million annual investment strategy and played a key role in shaping the organization's strategic plan. 
 
"I'm honored to officially step into this role and continue the work we've started," said von Haefen. "Berkshire United Way has a long legacy of impact, and I'm excited to build on that foundation with our board, staff, and community partners. Together, we'll keep pushing for solutions that help every member of our community thrive." 
 
Von Haefen brings more than two decades of nonprofit leadership experience, including her tenure at United Way of Greater Houston, where she led major initiatives in early childhood development and public policy advocacy. She will continue to serve on the City of Pittsfield's Preschool Partnership (CPPI) Leadership Committee, the MA Early Childhood Funders Collaborative Steering Committee, and the board of the Berkshire Area Health Education Center. 

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Lee: 3 Miles of Route 20 Being Repaved Next Year

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LEE, Mass. — Beginning next year, the state will repave three miles of Route 20 and reinforce two bridges, one over the Massachusetts Turnpike. 

Last week, the state Department of Transportation held a virtual design public hearing for the project. In addition to milling and resurfacing of the route, bridge structures L-05-024 (over Greenwater Brook) and L-05-052 (over I-90) will see maintenance repairs. 

"We just wanted to thank MassDOT for doing this project. We're very supportive of having the road redone and appreciate the work on it," Town Administrator Christopher Brittain said. 

"The town of Lee is looking forward to having the road repaved." 

Construction will begin in the spring of 2027.  

Traffic will be maintained with short-term flagging operations, and steel plates will conceal deck patching over Greenwater Brook. There will be staged construction on the bridge over the highway, with a single alternating travel lane controlled by a temporary signal. 

The project is estimated to cost $6.8 million, 90 percent from the federal government and 10 percent from the state; it is in the FY26 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. 

The hearing included public information on activities and rights-of-way needs for tree trimming, new utility poles, grading, drainage swales, and a driveway apron along the project corridor, items identified during the late design phases. 

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