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2023 Business Leaders of the Year

Five headshot photos of the 2023 Business Leaders of the Year
Photos | Matt Wright and Edd Cote (Clockwise from top middle) Family Business Leader of the Year: Marieke Cormier; Large Business Leader of the Year: David Klein; Nonprofit Business Leader of the Year: Kaska Yawo; Innovative Business Leader of the Year: Victor Champagne; Small Business Leader of the Year: Jennifer Hylton

The five 2023 Business Leaders of the Year all share one trait, which has led to their success: love.

David Klein started his Greenwood Industries roofing business as a way to connect with his father after the latter was diagnosed with cancer. Jennifer Hylton has sought to destigmatize mental health treatment, in order to increase access to services for the most vulnerable populations. Marieke Cormier took over her mother’s natural foods store in Leominster and infused her legacy into the operations. Kaska Yawo co-founded African Community Education to help immigrants adjust to their new lives in Central Massachusetts and has grown the nonprofit as demand for its services has increased. Victor Champagne revolutionized the way the U.S. military protects its assets from corrosion, in a much more environmentally friendly way.

The March 6 announcement of the 2023 Business Leaders of the Year also included the three new inductions into the WBJ Hall of Fame. Links to the profiles of all eight winners for the awards are below.

WBJ Web Partners

Business Leaders of the Year

WBJ Hall of Fame, Class of 2023

  • Peter Alden
    Peter Alden
    President & CEO, Bay State Savings Bank
    View Profile
  • Chizoma Nosike
    Chizoma Nosike
    President & owner, Acclaim Home Health Care, Inc.
    View Profile
  • Terry Shepherd
    Terry Shepherd
    Managing partner, S&G LLP
    View Profile

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