Jan Holder

Leary and two partners launched Running Start in 2012, realizing Worcester had a demand for a membership-based workspace.

Inthirath founded Envision Digital to help businesses create successful marketing plans. His team focuses on clients' online presence to humanize the digital experience for customers. These efforts led to clients increasing bottom-line revenues by upwards of 70 percent.

Since starting at UMass, Akindele has been responsible for developing strategic relationships between UMMS and government and community organizations, especially in the Worcester region.

Since becoming WCTI's executive director last year, Joe Bush led the organization from a virtual network broker to a full-fledged business incubator.

Since joining Keller Williams three years ago, Ortiz has increased the numbers of Latinos purchasing residential and commercial properties and drove participation in first-time homebuyer and U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development programs.

In 2014, Harrigan moved to Worcester here from California to work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest and has made an impact on numerous other nonprofits in the region.

Chartier founded his construction firm in 2008 and has grown it from a crew of three men to more than 20 employees.

At 25, Carbone was one of the youngest people ever elected to Fitchburg City Council, serving one term before being elected to the school committee.

Terpollari arrived in America on his own after escaping civil war in Albania at 17 and has risen through the ranks at Veterans Inc.since joining the organization five years ago.

Dunn works hand-in-hand with the small business community, managing the city's financial assistance programs for businesses as well as the brownfields program.