BusinessWest & Healthcare News: Business & Health Talk Podcast

In this episode of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien talks with Sandra Doran, president of Bay Path University. In a wide-ranging interview, the two discuss everything from COVID and its impact on campus life, to the many challenges already facing higher education before the pandemic, to the many ways in which COVID may ultimately change the higher education ‘experience.’

Thom Fox interviews Waleska Lugo-DeJesus. Waleska Lugo-DeJesus is the CEO of Inclusive Strategies, LLC and during COVID-19 she has been putting her 18-years of diversity consulting to good use as many companies tackle workplace inequities. Waleska shares why diversity and inclusion is growing in importance, and how organizations are evolving to include more voices in the conversation on equality.

George Interviews James Leahy, Holyoke City Councilor George O’Brien talks with James Leahy, Holyoke City Councilor, official with the Massachusetts State Lottery, and one of five finalists for the magazine’s coveted Alumni Achievement Award. The two discuss his 20-year track record of service to the community as well as recent developments in Holyoke, from the emergence of a cannabis sector in th...

Thom Fox Interviews Amy Allen, Partner at BlumShapiro about how Human Resources Departments are evolving into a profit-centers.  Amy also shares how businesses are navigating challenges brought about by teleworking and managing a decentralized workforce.  

Episode 28: Sept. 21, 2020 George Interviews Carla Cosenzi, President of TommyCar Auto Group George interviews Carla Cosenzi, President of TommyCar Auto Group. This desire to serve the community, and to do things right all the time, is an operating mindset that has earned Cosenzi not only her 40 Under Forty plaque (class of 2012), but another BusinessWest honor as well, the Difference Makers award...

Episode 27: Sept. 14, 2020 George Interviews Peter DePergola, Director of Clinical Ethics, Baystate Health George interviews Peter DePergola, Director of Clinical Ethics at Baystate Health and one of BusinessWest’s 2020 Alumni Achievement Award finalists. When he joined the other members of the 40 Under Forty class of 2015, he was a staff ethicist at Baystate and the only person to hold that title...

Episode 26: Sept. 9, 2020 Thom Fox interviews Samalid Hogan, Regional Director of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC). Thom Fox interviews Samalid Hogan, Regional Director of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC).  The MSBDC provides free and confidential one-to-one business advice.  COVID-19 has created a tremendous amount of challenge throu...

Episode 25: Sept. 7, 2020 George Interviews Mike Fenton, Shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz, and Fentin George interviews Mike Fenton, Shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz, and Fentin, and one of BusinessWest’s Alumni Achievement Award finalists. Fenton is now a multiple-year finalist for the Alumni Achievement Award, previously known as the Continued Excellence Award. He hopes that 2020 will be the year he...

Episode 24: Sept. 2, 2020 Thom Fox interviews Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, Executive Director of EforAll in Holyoke Thom Fox interviews Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, Executive Director of EforAll in Holyoke.  EforAll [Entrepreneurship for All] accelerates economic and social impact in communities through inclusive entrepreneurship. Tessa discusses the organization’s Business Accelerator program, Pitch...

Episode 23: Aug. 31, 2020 George Interviews Paul Kozub, founder of V-One Vodka George interviews Paul Kozub, founder of V-One Vodka and one of the five finalists of the BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty Alumni Achievement Award.  Launched in 2015, and known then as the Continued Excellence honor, BusinessWest’s Alumni Achievement Award recognizes a previous 40 Under Forty honoree who has continue...

Thom Interview Bill Cole, President of Living Local.  Living Local is a grassroots movement in Western Mass that promotes and educates on how and why we need to Eat, Shop and Live Local. Bill and Thom discuss the organization’s economic development efforts, including its partnership with BusinessWest.

George interviews Donna Haghighat, CEO of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts and discuss the mission and program provided by the organization including the LIPP program, Young Women’s Initiative, and the Peace, Power, and Prosperity event and how the pandemic has effected women, and women-owned businesses. 

Scott Foster, Partner at the Buckley Richardson Law Firm, joins Thom Fox to discuss what Western Massachusetts businesses are doing to survive, and thrive, during COVID-19 recovery.  Scott and Thom also discuss, business liability concerns, the Paycheck Protection Program, and how municipalities are making it simpler to do business.

George interviews John Gannon, employment law specialist with Skoler Abbott, and they discuss the top questions and concerns of employers during the pandemic including how companies are struggling bringing their employees back to work, and provides legal guidance moving forward. 

Innovation Accelerator teaches nonprofits how to develop, test, and deploy new mission-aligned, revenue-generating programs. Co-founders Paul Silva and Kelly Minton join Thom Fox to discuss how they are helping Western Massachusetts nonprofits identify unrestrictive revenue streams to offset funding challenges brough about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

George interviews Senator Eric Lesser and they discuss, in detail, the ENDURE Act, which authorizes $455 million to provide relief to communities and stimulate economic development in an effort to combat devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thom Fox chats with Nancy Urbschat, Principal at TSM Design. In 2019, TSM shifted to a remote business model – long before COVID-19.  Nancy shares what she has learned in leading a remote team and managing her award-winning creative services agency through the pandemic.

George Interviews John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and Chairman of The Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau and they discuss how the pandemic has impacted the tourism industry and Springfield’s long-term strategic plan moving forward.

Thom Fox interviews Pia Kumar, Co-Owner and Chief Strategy Officer of Universal Plastics on how empathy, employee engagement, and people-centric leadership are helping her essential-business meet the challenges, and demands, of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

George interviews Chris Thibault, owner, writer and director for Chris Teebo Films and discusses his navigation, along with his wife Missy, through his cancer fight. Chris also gives insight on his company, Chris Teebo Films, what they provide, and how the COVID pandemic, and his health, has affected business.

George interviews Chris Thibault, owner, writer and director for Chris Teebo Films and discusses his navigation, along with his wife Missy, through his cancer fight. Chris also gives insight on his company, Chris Teebo Films, what they provide, and how the COVID pandemic, and his health, has affected business.

Thom Fox interviews Tricia Canavan, President of United Personnel Services. With hundreds of jobs to fill, United Personnel has not slowed down during COVID.  Thom and Tricia discuss the evolving world of work, innovations brought about by the pandemic, and the types of talent WesternMA employers are seeking.

George interviews Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and they discuss how the City of Springfield is coping with the pandemic as it relates to its residents, businesses, school system, and its senior and homeless population, and how the city will regain its momentum.

Thom Fox interviews Westfield Starfires Co-Founder/Owner Christopher Thompson. Thom and Chris discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on the 2020 Futures Collegiate Baseball League, fan safety measures for home games, and how Westfield is ready to ‘play ball’!

Thom Fox interviews Westfield Starfires Co-Founder/Owner Christopher Thompson. Thom and Chris discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on the 2020 Futures Collegiate Baseball League, fan safety measures for home games, and how Westfield is ready to ‘play ball’!