Mica Kanner-Mascolo

mkannermascolo@wbjournal.com

Mica Kanner-Mascolo covers health care and diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Worcester Business Journal. Her freelance writing has been featured in publications including FEMINIST, Byrdie, and Spare Change News. Mica is a graduate of The New School where she studied creative writing. An East Coast native, Mica currently resides in Central Massachusetts.

Covers: Health care and diversity, equity, and inclusion

Banking & Finance

UMass Chan raises alarm over NIH funding, as judge temporarily blocks Trump’s cuts

UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester is sounding the alarms over plans by the Trump Administration to significantly cut the money spent on biomedical and public health research.

Banking & Finance

Center for Women & Enterprise lays off Worcester director amid uncertainty over federal funding, efforts to eliminate DEI

The Center for Women & Enterprise Central MA has laid off Director Racquel Knight.

Economy

Central Mass. business confidence fell in January as owners raise concerns over tariffs

Central Massachusetts began 2025 with a dip in business confidence, yet stayed in optimistic territory for January.

Banking & Finance

🔒Good with money: A new wave of female banking leaders is emerging in Central Mass.

In 2024, the United States celebrated the 50th anniversary of a woman’s ability to obtain a bank account without her father’s or husband’s co-signature.

Arts & Entertainment

🔒Blooming business: The founders behind Worcester plant and decor shop Seed to Stem see their second location as the beginning of a bigger dream

Worcester shoppers know, if you’re in the market for a succulent, incense holder, or even an eel skull, there is a one-stop shop you can’t miss: Seed to Stem.

Economy

Register for WBJ’s upcoming Central MA Economic Forecast Forum

Worcester Business Journal’s will host its 2025 Central MA Economic Forecast Forum this Tuesday to explore the region’s economic and real estate landscapes by tapping into the minds of key industry leaders.

Government & Politics

DPH closes investigations into two Central Mass. hospitals

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has closed its investigations into Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick and Framingham Union Hospital, probing sparked by undisclosed hospital-related incidents and complaints filed by the Massachusetts Nurses Association labor union.

Arts & Entertainment

Mechanics Hall executive director announces June retirement

Kathleen Gagne, executive director of Mechanics Hall in Worcester, will be packing up her desk come June as the event hall’s leader has plans to retire.

Arts & Entertainment

EcoTarium receives narwhale tusk, other rare donations from Southbridge couple

Worcester science museum EcoTarium has enhanced its collection of mammal artifacts and sculptures, along with an unspecified monetary donation, from benefactors Peter and Joan Dirlam of Southbridge.

Economy