40 Under Forty: Michael Alden, 35

Photo | Erika Sidor Winners of the WBJ 2018 40 Under Forty award (from left): Matthew M. Copeland, Courtney E. Pelley, Michael Alden, David Gilchrist.

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Vice president of business development

Ascentria Care Alliance, Worcester

Lives: Westborough

Birthplace: Worcester

Colleges: University of Massachusetts, University of Virginia, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, Stanford University

Alden had a job in midtown Manhattan in corporate restructuring – making strategic and financial assessments of underperforming firms and defending clients in litigation – when he decided to take a career detour into human services. At Ascentria, Alden has made his mark on its Language Bank, an interpretation and translation service based in New Hampshire and since expanded into Massachusetts, securing a major pro-bono contract with Community Action Partners, a program of the Harvard Business School Association of Boston. Alden has executed strategic transactions of Ascentria's largest business units, managed the purchase of two senior-living communities, refocused its sales and marketing strategies, and developed analysis capabilities to help grow key business. Through his help, Ascentria has grown, providing interpretation and translation in more than 60 languages, in-home health care, children and family services, and mental health and and disability services, as well as elderly facilities in West Brookfield, Boston and two locations in Connecticut. He taught economics and entrepreneurship in Ghana while in a study-abroad program, and he is a pastoral council member at St. Luke's Church and does startup consulting work.

From 40 Under Forty judge Milka Njoroge: “Michael's achievements by expanding the Language Bank Program highlight the role that organizations play in reducing social and economic inequalities.”

What is your proudest accomplishment? My kids

What movie character is most like you? Cooper from “Interstellar.” I would travel through space to save my family.

Read about the entire 2018 Class of 40 Under Forty

Michael Alden - Ascentria Care Alliance

Che Anderson - City of Worcester

Victor M. Archila - VMA Electric Inc.

Allison Beckler, DO - YOU, Inc.

Sam Bitar - Webster Five

Mark A. Borenstein - Seder & Chandler LLP

Kate D. Campanale - Massachusetts House of Representatives

Derek Canton - paerpay

Ryan Canuel - Petricore, Inc.