Leadership SouthCoast

Please join us in welcoming to our 2025 LSC Cohort, Justin Kopaczewski - Property Manager at the Four Winds Apartments. Justin Kopaczewski is currently the property manager at the Four Winds Apartments in Fall River. Born in New Bedford, he has spent the vast majority of his life on the South Coast. He resides in Dartmouth with his wife and son. With over two years of experience in property management at Claremont, he believes that leadership is about collaborating with and motivating a team to work toward and achieve common. Learn more about our LEAD SouthCoast program on leadershipsouthcoast.org. #EngageEducate #leadsouthcoast #empowerleadership #engageeducateempower #leaderslearn #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipsoco #lsc #leadershipsouthcoast #inclusiveleadership #southcoastma #education #educate #empower #leadership #lead #leaders

Please join us in welcoming to our 2025 LSC Cohort, Daniel Pleach - Assistant Buyer at Blount Fine Foods. Q: Where do you work now? A: I am the Assistant Buyer at Blount Fine Foods. Q: What is your general background? A: I have lived in South East Massachusetts my whole life, and I am thrilled to be joining the LEAD SouthCoast cohort. I started as an indirect procurement intern at Blount two years ago and was promoted to full time in May of 2023 upon the completion of my Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Wheaton College, MA. Q: What does leadership mean to you and/or why this program? A : To me, Leadership is being strong, understanding, and steadfast in your belief of what is right. Combining this with an empathetic approach to business is what builds strong leaders. I chose LEAD SouthCoast due to my strong ties to the local area. The ability to develop my skills as a leader by building my understanding of the challenges and issues facing the region was incredibly appealing to me. Learn more about our LEAD SouthCoast program on leadershipsouthcoast.org. #EngageEducate #leadsouthcoast #empowerleadership #engageeducateempower #leaderslearn #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipsoco #lsc #leadershipsouthcoast #inclusiveleadership #southcoastma #education #educate #empower #leadership #lead #leaders

Please join us in welcoming to our 2025 LSC Cohort, Mike Fox - Internship Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty at Bristol Community College. Q: Where do you work now? A: Bristol Community College. Q: What is your general background? A: As a higher education professional, I have had the opportunity to work closely with a diverse student population in my roles as an administrator, supervisor, advisor, and educator. I find it an exciting challenge to help students balance social support, leadership opportunities, and academic success while also educating them on their responsibilities as members of their community. I have been working on college campuses for 17 years, serving as the Director of Student Activities at Lesley University, the Director of New Student Programs at Rhode Island College, and currently as the Internship Coordinator and an Adjunct Faculty member at Bristol Community College. Q: What does leadership mean to you and/or why this program? A : Leadership, to me, is about empowering others to achieve their full potential while fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. It involves creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and motivated to contribute their unique talents and perspectives. Learn more about our LEAD SouthCoast program on leadershipsouthcoast.org. #EngageEducate #leadsouthcoast #empowerleadership #engageeducateempower #leaderslearn #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipsoco #lsc #leadershipsouthcoast #inclusiveleadership #southcoastma #education #educate #empower #leadership #lead #leaders

Leadership SouthCoast day at the Massachusetts State House! Thank you to all the legislatures that spent time with us, sharing their work and offering their insights into the workings of government. I made sure to find some time to plug my own Berkley town bills that I’m hoping to see on the floor as soon as possible. 😉😀

Tiffany Carrazedo-Pimentel (she/her) is the first-generation daughter of Portuguese immigrants and is fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in Portuguese. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources and is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR). Currently serving as the Employee Relations and Engagement Manager at Child & Family Services, Tiffany has been a dedicated member of the Human Resources team for five years. With over 12 years of diverse professional experience, she has expertise in customer service, case management, operations management, talent acquisition, training, staff development, credentialing, and employee relations, among other managerial skills. Her career spans multiple sectors, including small business, public education, and nonprofits. Tiffany is deeply committed to mission-driven organizations that create a meaningful impact, which fuels her passion for working at Child & Family Services. She strives to be a consistent, thoughtful, empathetic, and authentic leader—one whom others trust, respect, and feel supported and inspired by. She is excited to join Leadership Southcoast, eager to network with other professionals in her local community, and looks forward to the educational opportunity to further develop her leadership skills. Learn more about our LEAD SouthCoast program on leadershipsouthcoast.org. #EngageEducate #leadsouthcoast #empowerleadership #engageeducateempower #leaderslearn #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipsoco #lsc #leadershipsouthcoast #inclusiveleadership #southcoastma #education #educate #empower #leadership #lead #leaders

Please join us in welcoming to our 2025 LSC Cohort, Brian Fernandes - Director of Athletics and Recreation at Bristol Community College. Q: Where do you work now? A: I work at Bristol Community College as the Director of Athletics and Recreation. I'm also the Head Men's Basketball Coach. Q: What is your general background? A: I have a background of working in Higher Education. My various experiences are highlighted by recruitment, partnerships and coaching. Q: What does leadership mean to you and/or why this program? A : Leadership to me is the ability of utilizing people skills to deliver a positive vision. Leaders understand how to get the best version of people to work together. I'm honored to be nominated to this program and to represent the college while furthering my professional development. I plan to take what I learn and put into action in my career. Learn more about our LEAD SouthCoast program on leadershipsouthcoast.org. #EngageEducate #leadsouthcoast #empowerleadership #engageeducateempower #leaderslearn #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipsoco #lsc #leadershipsouthcoast #inclusiveleadership #southcoastma #education #educate #empower #leadership #lead #leaders

Lead with Love. Happy Valentine's Day!

Please join us in welcoming to our 2025 LSC Cohort, Sara Van Wormer - Director of Education at Buttonwood Park Zoological Society. Q: Where do you work now? A: I am the Director of Education for the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society in New Bedford, MA. Q: What is your general background? A: As a lifelong lover of nature and wildlife, I began my career first as an Educator at an aquarium then, after earning my bachelor's degree in biology from Bard College, as a Zookeeper. From there, I attended graduate school for a Master of Arts in Teaching degree and spent the next 3 years as a High School Science Teacher. When I relocated to Massachusetts, I quickly fell in love with the Buttonwood Park Zoo, whose team I joined in 2019 as the Education Programs Supervisor before being promoted to Director of Education in 2022. Q: What does leadership mean to you and/or why this program? A : I am incredibly eager to join LEAD SouthCoast's Class of 2025 during a time of paradigm shifts in both my personal and professional life, with the hope that this program will help me develop my leadership skills so that I can better serve my team at the Zoo, the animals and habitats globally we work to protect, and this amazing community that we call home. Learn more about our LEAD SouthCoast program on leadershipsouthcoast.org. #EngageEducate #leadsouthcoast #empowerleadership #engageeducateempower #leaderslearn #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipsoco #lsc #leadershipsouthcoast #inclusiveleadership #southcoastma #education #educate #empower #leadership #lead #leaders

Please join us in welcoming to our 2025 LSC Cohort, Maria Pacheco - Director of Community & Family Services at LifeStream. Q: Where do you work now? A: I am the Director of Community & Family Services at LifeStream, Inc. Q: What is your general background? A: I have worked in the human service field for 29 years in various programs. I am currently the Director of Community & Family Services and have been a member of the LifeStream team for 14 years. Q: What does leadership mean to you and/or why this program? A : To me leadership is having the ability to lead and guide a team towards a common goal or mission. I chose to participate in this series to grow as an individual, gain knowledge and become a stronger leader for my team. Learn more about our LEAD SouthCoast program on leadershipsouthcoast.org. #EngageEducate #leadsouthcoast #empowerleadership #engageeducateempower #leaderslearn #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipsoco #lsc #leadershipsouthcoast #inclusiveleadership #southcoastma #education #educate #empower #leadership #lead #leaders

Please join us in welcoming to our 2025 LSC Cohort, Vaida Armas - BankFive (mortgage department). Q: Where do you work now? A: BankFive (mortgage department) Q: What is your general background? A: I have over 9 years of banking experience. I started in a retail division and moved to the mortgage department during a mortgage refinance boom in 2020. Q: What does leadership mean to you and/or why this program? A : Leadership is the ability to see a big picture by having a clear vison and values. True leader has the potential to influence people that makes them thrive and succeed. I believe that the Leadership SouthCoast program will provide knowledge, confidence, and other necessary skills for the future leaders. Learn more about our LEAD SouthCoast program on leadershipsouthcoast.org. #EngageEducate #leadsouthcoast #empowerleadership #engageeducateempower #leaderslearn #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipsoco #lsc #leadershipsouthcoast #inclusiveleadership #southcoastma #education #educate #empower #leadership #lead #leaders