Danielle Wence
- May 11, 2022
- 2 min read

2022 Business and Education Forum

On Thursday, March 31st, Blackstone Valley Education Foundation hosted the 2022 Business and Education Forum at Pleasant Valley Country Club, in Sutton, MA. This premiere event, sponsored by Earth Ltd. at Southwick's Zoo, gathered more than 125 participants, representing 28 businesses and 15 member school districts from in and around the Blackstone Valley. Bringing together senior level school administrators, school counselors, educators, and student representatives along with local business leaders and state legislators, attendees worked together in small groups to collaborate on ways to prepare students for the workforce.

Keynote speaker, Kyle Hartung, Associate Vice President of Jobs for the Future, is a regular participant in the ongoing conversation about workforce and education issues, the future of work, and building the college and career pathways ecosystem. Mr. Hartung collaborates with state, regional, and local leaders to design, strengthen, and scale solutions. He discussed ways to fundamentally change existing systems and reimagine the ways in which people—youth, young adults, and adults—experience and move through education and workforce development systems. His goal is to ensure people access the knowledge, skills, credentials, and capital critical to launch, re-enter, or advance in a career, achieve economic advancement, and realize their best possible futures.

Blackstone Valley Education Foundation proudly recognized several individuals who contribute to the success of BVEF and our mission. Jenna Noel-Grinshteyn, Senior Associate Director and Pre-Collegiate Outreach Programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute was recognized for her “Extraordinary service and dedication to BVEF’s mission and students.” Peter Bedigian, President/CEO of Omni Control Technology, Inc. was honored for his “Many years of active involvement contributing to the success of BVEF.” Lisa Gogolinski, Computer Science Teacher and Related Arts Department Head and Elizabeth Wermuth, STEM Explorations and Integration and Science Department Head, both from Northbridge Public Schools, were honored for being “A passionate team committed to exposing students to STEM careers.”