Making News in business, Feb. 17

AMHERST — Real estate agent Chris Kotowicz has joined Coldwell Banker Community Realtors serving Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden counties.

Kotowicz was born and raised in western Massachusetts into a family of home builders. His grandfather started building in 1957 and when he became a draftsman, Chris’ uncle took over. When his uncle retired, Chris’ father started his own company building homes, and Chris has been working with his father since he was a young boy.

After graduating from Western New England College, Chris went directly into the family business and has been helping his father build homes in the Pioneer Valley ever since.

In 2014 Chris decided to get his real estate license to become a realtor. He is a member of the Realtor Association of the Pioneer Valley, the National Association of Realtors and the Massachusetts Association of Realtors.

HCC president to lead Women’s Leadership Series

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College President Christina Royal will be the featured speaker at the Feb. 23 session of HCC’s Spring 2022 Women’s Leadership Series.

Royal will lead a discussion focused on “Growth Mindset” at the February session of the spring series, which meets over Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month.

During each session, participants will join prominent leaders for discussions on relevant topics and ideas to help their professional development. They will also have the opportunity to form a supportive network to help navigate their own careers.

The sessions are interactive and geared for professional women who want to connect. In addition to Royal, other sessions include:

■March 30: “Finding Your Mentors” — Willie Maddox, executive vice president and chief risk officer, Atlantic Community Bankers Bank.

■April 27: “My Ankle is Made of Steel” — Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle.

■May 25: “Self Love” – Shawntsi Baret, leadership coach, owner, SBSWF Consulting.

The cost of each session is $25. Cost, however, will not be a barrier to participation. For more information, contact kittredgecenter@hcc.edu or call 413-552-2500. Space is limited, so advance registration is required. To register, please go to: hcc.edu/womens-leadership

bankESB donates $60K to United Way

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB and its employees recently made donations of more than $60,000 to two United Way organizations in western Massachusetts.

Employees pledged more than $35,000 of their own funds in support of the bank’s United Way workplace campaign. Combined with the bank’s direct contribution, the campaign total of $60,109 will be divided between the United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region and the United Way of Pioneer Valley, as determined by the employees. The campaign provides employees with the opportunity to donate and direct funds, advocating for causes that are most important to them.

As a longtime contributor to the United Way, the bank and its employees have donated nearly $585,000 to United Way organizations in western Massachusetts in the last 10 years alone.