The Power 50: Jill C. Dagilis

Write a Comment

JILL C. DAGILIS

Executive director

Worcester Community Action Council, Worcester

Residence: Worcester

Colleges: Worcester State University, Clark University

If you've ever served on a volunteer nonprofit board in Central Massachusetts, you've probably met Dagilis, serving right along aside you. In her day job, Dagilis leads a nonprofit with a $22-million annual budget, more than 100 employees and 75,000 clients served through energy, early childhood, youth education, employment and asset development programs. WCAC does everything from helping first-time parents raise newborns to providing heat for seniors' homes. Aside from those duties, Dagilis is the chairwoman of the Worcester Business Development Corp. and vice-chairwoman for the Massachusetts Community Action Parner, and has served on the boards for Worcester State University Foundation, Worcester Regional Research Bureau, Massachusetts Education & Career Opportunities, Inc., the Worcester Redevelopment Authority citizens advisory committee, Dress for Success, and United Way of Central Massachusetts.

What advice would you give up-and-comers? When stress gets to you, do kickboxing – or something that pushes it out of you. I like to mow the lawn and trim my trees and hedges!

Woman of many talents: I love construction, using power tools, scuba diving, and my three grandchildren.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly implied Dagilis was a member of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority board. She did not serve on the formal board but on its citizens advisory committee.

Read about the WBJ’s 2018 Power Players:

Retail

Harry Kokkinis, Table Talk Pies

Steve Rotman, Rotman’s Furniture & Vystar

Ernie Herrman, TJX Cos.

Michael Dundas, Sira Naturals

Ralph Crowley Jr., Polar Corp.

Christopher Baldwin, BJ’s Wholesale Club

Amy Lynn Chase, Crompton Collective & Haberdash

Food & Culture

Robb & Madeline Ahlquist, Worcester Restaurant Group

Troy Siebels, The Hanover Theatre