Curran and Keegan adds to team

HADLEY — Curran and Keegan Financial welcomes two employees to its firm, Amy Watts Bovaird and Megan Rooney.

Bovaird spent more than a decade fundraising for an academic institution, nonprofits, and a trade association, sparking her interest in personal finance. In 2020, she made a career transition and spent more than a year advising at a major firm. At Curran and Keegan, she is a financial advisor and is pursuing the certified financial planner certification.

Rooney joined the team as client services associate. She is a recent graduate of Mount Holyoke College, where she received her bachelor’s degree with a concentration in politics. It was during her studies that she became fascinated with personal finance and decided to venture into financial planning.

Curran and Keegan is located at 104 Middle St. in Hadley.

7 join Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Services Committee

SPRINGFIELD — The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts has hired seven professionals to take part in the foundation’s philanthropic work. The new members are:

Xiomara DeLobato, who currently serves as the vice president and chief of staff for the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council where she facilitates the growth and development of a regional economy by encouraging, influencing and sustaining capital investment and quality job growth in the region.

■Since 2014, Jessica Holloway has been an invaluable member of The Jamrog Group. Previously she served as an investment consultant for MassMutual. Holloway regularly researches and implements evidence-based planning strategies to best serve her planning clients.

Terrell Joyner is the principal of RJ Consulting, a firm specializing in financial planning and business coaching services. As an entrepreneur, Joyner understands firsthand the struggle faced in balancing workloads and personal lives. For this reason, he believes that proper planning and understanding of one’s goals helps individuals to overcome financial restraints.

Amie Miarecki is executive director of Christopher Heights of Belchertown, an assisted living community. Prior to this position, she was the director of community relations for Sunshine Village and director of marketing and development at Porchlight VNA/Home Care. Miarecki has over 20 years of experience working in health and human services, serving vulnerable populations with her strengths in marketing, resource development, and advocacy.

Lillian Ortiz previously served as vice president of strategic enrollment management and student engagement at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester. Over the past 30 years, she has worked in the areas of education, training, employment, and philanthropy, within community colleges and nonprofits in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Kathryn Wakefield is a lawyer who joined Advanced Sales in 2010 and currently serves as the CLU director. She began her career as a financial advisor for American Express Financial Advisors prior to joining MassMutual, as well as working for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Springfield. Additionally, Wakefield has spent time in private practice offering estate planning, business succession planning, and entrepreneurial law.

Sarah Lapolice is an accountant at a regional firm in western Massachusetts. She is involved in the tax, consulting, and accounting areas of the practice. She is an adjunct faculty in the MBA Accounting program at Elms College and a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Smith Brothers Insurance acquires Worcester firm

NORTHAMPTON — Smith Brothers Insurance, with headquarters in Hartford and an office on Main Street in Northampton, has acquired Rawson & Sons Insurance Group, an independent insurance agency in Worcester. The acquisition expands Smith Brothers Insurance footprint in Massachusetts with Rawson & Sons to maintain local presence.

Rich Rawson, founder of Rawson & Sons, will stay fully engaged in business development, sales, and client service, alongside the same team of insurance professionals. All Rawson & Sons team members will be joining Smith Brothers.

Smith Brothers Insurance has over 200 team members in locations across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.

Dance apparel store to close

EASTHAMPTON — Mary Ann’s Dance and More, a dance apparel store located at 163B Northampton Street in Easthampton, will close after 15 years. The store’s owner, Mary Ann Hanlon, is set to retire.

Hanlon said it’s been rewarding working with studio owners, dancers and dance teachers over the years.

The store is currently having a retirement sale through the end of September. Apparel, shoes, gift items and bags will be 50% off with some restrictions, limited to in stock items only with no special orders.

Gift cards must be redeemed for merchandise, not cash, by Aug. 15. Gift certificates or Dance Rewards must be redeemed by Aug. 8 for merchandise.

Store fixtures will also be for sale.

Opened since 2007, Mary Ann’s Dance and More offers customers dance supplies, including apparel and accessories, as well as novelty and gift items.

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