WBJ Staff

Ronald Waddell Jr. and Legendary Legacies are cornerstones of the effort to engage communities of color with jobs and civic responsibility.

As the head of the largest Central Mass. human service nonprofit – with $211 million in assets, more than triple the second-largest – David Jordan holds considerable sway, which he uses to enhance the industry and the lives of people throughout the globe.

As the leader of the Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts for the past 10 years, Anh Vu Sawyer has created an incubator of sorts for the region’s immigrant population, providing resources to help newcomers start their own businesses.

Through her work as a MassDevelopment fellow, Ivette Olmeda has played an instrumental role in redefining a crucial block of Worcester’s Main South neighborhood into a bustling small business hub.

Perhaps more than any other college president in Central Massachusetts, Richard Lapidus has demonstrated the transformative effect a higher education institution can have on its hometown.

At 650 members, Roy Nascimento leads the second-largest Central Massachusetts chamber of commerce, and the only one with its own microloan lending division approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Timothy Murray not only serves as the face of the Greater Worcester business community, but he often is the power behind the scenes making deals happen.

Bill Shaner provides a counterpoint to the City's economic development strategy, by giving voice to negatively impacted groups and decrying the loss of cultural resources.

Troy Siebels has been part of the fabric of Worcester’s arts scene since he took over leadership of Hanover Theatre 18 years ago.

Cliff Rucker has invested so heavily in Worcester’s entertainment industry, he is single-handedly bringing more than a million people to the city each year.