Quaboag Valley’s 2023 Woman of the Year has had an eventful year. Dr. Royal retired as President of Holyoke Community College, got married to her partner, Karen, is traveling internationally, was appointed by Governor Healey to the Mass Board of Higher Education, and launched Infinite Unlearning, LLC, a woman, BIPOC, and queer-owned executive coaching and consultancy service supporting mid to senior leaders and their organizations. She is also making time to give back – including a return to Zonta’s International Women’s Day event in 2024 to shine the spotlight on four local women who are making a difference for women and youth and deserve recognition. The members of the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley have voted to award Dr. Royal its first-ever Honorary Membership. This exclusive designation is given out by Zonta to individuals who have helped to change societal attitudes about women, or have improved conditions for women in a significant way.

Wearing many hats in her professional life – CEO of DESCO Service, Managing Partner of Generative Leadership Consulting, Founder of Lead Yourself Youth, the Principal of Venture Way Collaborative, and co-founder of the Women’s Collaborative, to name a few – Andrea works with organizations committed to equity, engagement & mental health.

Her focus in helping women & non-binary leaders is to set boundaries while elevating their team. With youth and educators, she strives to break the self-limiting barriers that are common within adolescent development in order to set them up for being the best version of themselves.

“I thrive when people of all ages, races, and genders are in a dialogue together, and believe that the only way toward systemic change is by bringing all community stakeholders together to create change together.”

Lisa Bakowski has been working with and for children and women from a very early age.   At the age of 12, she gathered the neighborhood kids and brought them into her parents’ dining room and created “Little School”.   Twice a week, she would teach the children and provide arts and crafts for them to do.   It was no surprise when she announced that she would be attending college (first one in her family) to get a degree to teach.   After college, she served the students of Springfield Public Schools and continues to do so to this day.    Professionally, she worked as a teacher for 13 years.  She had tremendous relationships with families and visited students in their homes often.  She attended their sporting events, plays and other activities that they had during weekends and evenings.    When she was 31 and a mother of a two year old and one on the way, she attended graduate school.   After graduation, she began her career as a school principal where she continues to serve.   She works in Springfield; one of the poorest communities in the state. 

Lisa serves her community in a variety of ways.   She is very active in her church having served in a variety of roles including past President of the United Methodist Women’s group.  The group’s focus is on women and children missions.   She has, prior to COVID, volunteered as a presenter for Healing Racism of Pioneer Valley.    She has also served, in the past, on the Children’s Chorus of Springfield board of directors.   She has served on advisory boards at the Springfield YMCA Children’s Education and American International College’s Occupational Therapy Committee.   She currently is the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for Girls on The Run—a non profit whose focus is on elementary school girls.  The curriculum teaches self-advocacy, self-awareness and empowerment and is also combined with physical activity.  There are two sessions—fall and spring and both culminate with girls running a 5K.   

Lisa has been a lifelong advocate for children.  She is a community activist whose volunteer work has focused on women and children.  

Charlotte Cote and her husband, Guy, own Cote Cattle Company which raises Texas Longhorn cows in Granby with the help of their five children and her mother. Both her and her husband work full time in addition to managing the ranch: Charlotte at her dental consulting company and Guy at Amherst College. They refer to the ranch lovingly as their “full time hobby.”

Charlotte began her career working in a dental practice and realized her path was set. As President of CLC Dental Consulting, she often walks in when things aren’t at their best or not as awesome as they could be. She creates an environment where people work with the company not just for the company. She encourages growth and opportunity for those around her. Charlotte continues to be involved with private practices, multi specialty and some with multi locations. She provides offices with the basic systems they need to allow strategic growth. Working one-on-one with both the doctor and team, Charlotte creates positive change in dental practices with a unique approach. By combining best practices in three key areas (business, cultural, and clinical), she provides successful outcomes for dental practices from Pennsylvania to Boston.

Currently Interim Executive Director of Baystate Home Health, Hospice and Palliative Care, Roxanna has worked with BHH for 30 years dedicating her career to caring for patients at home and most recently at end of life. Her mission is to keep patients where they are most comfortable and supporting families and staff to make that possible.

She has shown exceptional leadership skills and encourages her staff (mainly women) to empower themselves in home health.