Berkshire United Way Welcomes New Director of Development

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire United Way (BUW) welcomes Jennifer Baril as the new Director of Development. 
 
"This opportunity feels like a natural and meaningful next step. I've always been drawn to work that centers people, partnerships, and real-world solutions, and this has been BUW's way of being for the past century," said Baril. "I'm energized to help strengthen partnerships, grow community investment, and advance this important work, and I'm looking forward to learning, listening, and building alongside an incredible community." 
 
Baril has over 25 years of fundraising experience designing and implementing results-driven programs for community service, education, and healthcare organizations. Previous positions include director of fund development for Health Equity Solutions, senior director of fundraising for the Center for Human Development, senior major gift officer at Western New England University, philanthropy officer at Baystate Health, director of development for Girls Inc. of Holyoke, and at Smith College as assistant director of the alumnae fund followed by major gifts officer. 
 
She currently serves as president of Holyoke's only free after-school program, Homework House Board of Directors, and previously served with Volunteers in Service to America in Los Angeles, Calif. 
 
"We're thrilled to welcome Jennifer to the team as we continue to strengthen our stewardship, diversify our funding streams, and build long-term funding resiliency," said Katherine von Haefen, BUW president and CEO. "We're excited to hear her ideas and connect her with our incredible supporters." 
 
Baril earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her master's degree from UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management.
  
To connect with Baril, email jbaril@berkshireunitedway.org or call (413) 442-6948 x18. 

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Local Hockey Program's Alum Projected in NHL Draft

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An alumnus of the Atlantic Coast Academy hockey program is generating a lot of buzz heading into next week's National Hockey League entry draft.
 
And that attention can only help build the profile of the program Mike Taylor founded in 2022.
 
"The talent is here," Taylor said this week of ACA, which pairs hockey development and education for players from around the nation and the world. "I don't think as many people locally realize the talent we've had here. I don't think they realized we had a future NHL Draft pick playing in our home rink."
 
That prospect is Maksim Sokolovskii, who the NHL lists as the No. 40 North American skater in the June 26 draft.
 
Sokolovskii, a 6-foot-7 left-shot defenseman, scored 34 goals and collected 50 assists in 65 games playing for ACA in the 2024-25 season.
 
This year, he is playing for the London Knights of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, one of the top leagues of its kind in North America.
 
"Sokolovskii is a massive and highly athletic defenseman," analyst Corey Pronmon wrote this month for The Athletic. "He's a strong, mobile player who's very physical and projects to make a ton of stops."
 
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