2020 Power 50: Linda Cavaioli

Linda Cavaioli, executive director of the YWCA Central Massachusetts

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Linda Cavaioli

Title: Executive director
Organization: YWCA Central Massachusetts
Located: Worcester
Residence: Worcester
Colleges: University of New Hampshire & Clark University

For nearly 40 years, Cavaioli has dedicated her life to social service, fighting racism and empowering women.

During her tenure leading YWCA, she has expanded services to include transitional housing, support for pregnant and parenting teens, mentoring for middle-school girls, and domestic violence services for 44 communities. The YWCA serves 13,000 clients annually, 80% of whom are low income, with more than 50% representing communities of color. Last year, Cavaioli and YWCA launched a $24-million renovation project, designed to modernize and enhance its Salem Street facilities. When the coronavirus crisis hit, Cavaioli decided the organization should play an enhanced role, providing child care to essential medical personnel and first responders.

What makes Central Mass. unique? Central Mass. is blessed with in-depth resources. Worcester's diverse workforce community includes the most important and prestigious corporate, health, and educational institutions in New England. Our historic family foundations are generous philanthropists making Worcester the envy of all New England communities. The collaborative spirit allows for people and organizations to come together and develop creative solutions to our community's challenges.

Songbird: My favorite bird is a cardinal because it reminds me of my mom!

Power 50: View the entire Power 50 Class of 2020