Five Worcester State University alumni have been chosen for inclusion in the Worcester Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty Class of 2021. The 22-year-old annual award initiative highlights up-and-coming leaders in the Central Massachusetts business community.
The honorees will formally receive their awards at an event on Sept. 15 at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.
The WSU honorees are:
Kat Stevens ’08, CEO of Recovery Centers of America at Westminster
Stevens has spent nearly half her life working in the behavioral healthcare field, mainly in leadership roles. She got her start 16 years ago as a case manager working directly with individuals recovering from addiction. Stevens joined RCA in 2017, and took on the role of CEO in 2020, successfully meeting the immense challenge of providing safe spaces and services for more than 3,600 patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. She hosts RCA Westminster’s Race to Recover 5K and currently is organizing a motorcycle ride in lieu of the 5K.
Alyssa (Mullen) Glennon ’09, vice president and CFO, RCAP Solutions, Worcester
Glennon joined RCAP Solutions, a nonprofit that helps people find affordable housing as well as offering other services, straight out of college as a 21-year-old, entry-level accountant. She rose quickly through the ranks, becoming the youngest RCAP manager at age 23. Nearly a decade later, Glennon now serves as CFO. Under her leadership, RCAP paid off a $355,000 loan with a 15 percent decrease in fees while simultaneously building the organization’s cash reserves to almost $200,000. Glennon is proud of the fact that, in 2021, RCAP is projected to earn $61.6 million in revenue, a 40 percent growth, all while still maintaining strict compliance. Glennon has been described as a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-to-work leader. Her positive nature, enthusiasm, and ability to connect with people help her stand out as a business professional with heart.
Mary E. Roy ’03, vice president, Quaker Special Risk, Worcester
In 18 years with the company, Roy grew the personal line department from $1.3 million in 2004 to $40 million in 2021. Relationship building is crucial to Roy’s work as she brokers hard-to-place insurance for customers with unique needs, and she has built relationships with more than 500 local insurance agents and 25 national insurance companies. Prior to COVID-19, Roy served on the board of the child welfare and behavioral health nonprofit YOU Inc. before the board was dissolved after YOU was acquired by the Seven Hills Foundation of Worcester. Roy is hoping to find another nonprofit to donate time to.
Seth A. Pitts ’10, chief financial officer and executive vice president, Bay State Savings Bank, Worcester
Pitts leads the financials at an institution with $489 million in assets and profits of $2.3 million in 2020. He is a commissioned financial institution risk examiner and certified fraud examiner who previously worked at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on new banks with assets greater than $10 billion. He served on the FDIC chairman’s Diversity Advisory Council for the Boston area and as chairman of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Equal Employment Opportunities Action Council for Western New England. Pitts also chaired the City of Worcester’s Trust Funds Commission for one term and currently is serving a second term as a commission member.
Jonida B. Duque ’09, director, Central Community Health Partnership, a program of Open Sky Community Services, Worcester
Duque’s true motivation is helping every individual access quality health care. In her job, she is innovating new methods of delivering quality health care to oppressed and marginalized populations. She leads a team of 43, which serves more than 2,000 people. In the last year, she worked with MassHealth to build a program providing equitable care for vulnerable children and families. She pulls together a team every year for the Out of Darkness Walk, which raises awareness and funds for suicide prevention. As a first-generation immigrant, she uses her skills, identity, and experiences to build understanding of the experiences shaping different groups.
In this photo: Kat Stevens ’08
Achievers
Helping Worcester’s Youth Keep Their Educational Momentum During the Pandemic
Zakery Dabbagh ’24 was busy this summer. The first-year biology major not only attended classes but also tutored local school children as part of the pilot Woo-Labs network. With luck, and help . . .