BCC to Present 'AI for Nonprofits' Summit on Nov. 18
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Workforce and Community Education department at Berkshire Community College (BCC) presents "AI for Nonprofits," part of the Berkshire Summit Signature Series, on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Koussevitzky Arts Center, located at 1350 West Street.
The summit is designed for tourism and hospitality leaders, solo business owners and small teams who want practical, strategic ways to use AI to save time, improve operations, enhance guest experiences and stay competitive.
The fee for the summit is $75. The event is free for BCC students, faculty and staff. To register, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/summit.
The half-day summit explores practical ways to use AI more effectively. Hear from industry professionals through a keynote, featured sessions and a closing fireside chat covering tools for market research, knowledge management and software development.
Speakers and Facilitators
Dennis Iodice, director of operations at Berkshire Mountain Bakery, will present "ChatGPT for Market Research." Iodice brings a multidisciplinary background to his work, having previously built a career in interior design with projects across the country. At the bakery, he oversees daily operations, sales channels and process optimization, with a focus on efficiency and sustainable growth. His perspective bridges craftsmanship and systems thinking, offering practical insight into how emerging technologies like AI can support workforce development and operational resilience in hospitality and tourism. Iodice manages the Great Barrington farmers’ market and has a digital marketing consultancy. He also serves on the board of directors for Community Development Corporation South Berkshire and as board president of BerkShares.
Samuel Pascual, digital navigator and digital equity advocate at Pittsfield Community Television (PCTV), will present "NotebookLM for Personal RAG," exploring how AI can be harnessed as a catalyst for creative tourism, powered by human-centric innovation. At PCTV, he works to bridge the digital divide through education and strategic infrastructure. Backed by funding from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute and the AI Hub, Pascual has become a leading voice for AI literacy in Western Massachusetts, delivering specialized training to both next-generation youth entrepreneurs and non-profit leaders. As a champion of the use of locally hosted, specialized AI models, his approach to technology is rooted in ethics, safety and respect for human experience. Pascual’s perspective is shaped by his tenure on the Dalton Redevelopment Authority, where he navigated the intricacies of municipal growth and business recruitment. He also co-founded the Berkshire Waterfront Festival.
Dr. Stacey M. Silkey Schultze, Ed.D., MFA is an education, strategy and research consultant based in the Berkshires. She supports nonprofits through data gathering, analysis, synthesis and application of findings that connect proficient project management with goal realization. Schultze is currently developing a platform using Claude Code to help nonprofit organizations live their missions and achieve their goals with ease and efficiency. As an experienced educator, she seeks to highlight others’ talents and promote their personal and professional growth. Her research centers on leadership and professional practices concerning collective efficacy, perceived insider status, job satisfaction, partnership trust, adult education and lifelong learning. Her artistic practice as a non-objective abstract painter centers on creating shared meaning through memory recall mediated through the art object. She has curated several exhibitions along nature trails and in gallery settings.
AI for Nonprofits is sponsored by BFAIR, a national and state accredited human service agency responsive to the unique needs of people with disabilities and their families.
