Shiwen “Wendy” Kanel accepting BCArc’s Employee of the Year Award.
Berkshire County Arc elected its Board of Directors and presented its Employee of the Year award, selected from more than 800 employees, at its Annual Meeting on Sept, 18, 2025, at the Country Club of Pittsfield.
Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier delivered the keynote speech. A former employee of Berkshire County Arc, she focused on the importance of the direct care workforce to the community, and the courage of the families who started the Agency 71 years ago.
Shiwen “Wendy” Kanel was awarded Employee of the Year. Wendy has worked the same shift for 14 years at a house supporting a group of ladies each with a brain injury, where she arranges all their medical appointments, transports them, advocates for them, tracks their progress and follows-up for each of them. She brings all these skills with her from a job she once held in Hangzhou, China, where she managed a restaurant staff of 500 people – 100 of them in the kitchen.
“Even with my accent, we have a unique understanding of each other,” said Wendy about the individuals she supports.
Michael Ferry, Board Chair, and Maryann Hyatt, President & CEO, presided over the meeting.
“You may have noticed all the headlines this year about federal cuts in social services,” said Hyatt to the group. “For agency’s like ours, it can be distracting and devastating. Fortunately we live in a great state where leadership understands the value of our work with the most vulnerable population, and that the support we provide is critical to the communities across the Commonwealth.”
Seth Nash of Blue Q accepting BCArc’s Employer of the Year Award.
Blue Q received Employer of the Year. The employer has been working with Berkshire County Arc for more than 30 years, currently employing 10 individuals through BCArc. Blue Q provides a creative, innovative employment program that allows individuals with disabilities to thrive, earn a paycheck, feel proud of their work, and be part of a fantastic work culture. Blue Q offers community gardens, impromptu music jam sessions at lunch time, called Abstract Sandwich, painting, singing, and more.
Other winners included:
Innovative Business Partner of the Year — The Notch Insurance
Individuals with Disabilities Supported by BCArc
Work Achievement Award – Gus Gundlach (works at Kelly’s Package Store)
Work Achievement Award – Bruce Stiles (works at Blue Q)
Personal Achievement Award – Jill Reed (focused on getting healthy and lost 50 pounds)
Personal Achievement Award – Cesar Martinez (achieved several personal goals)
Community Achievement Award –Katherine Butler
Community Achievement Award – RosemarieTessier
Staff awards
Nicole Negri for this year’s Carol Craighead Mission Award (works with the public schools to place and train students)
Sharon Johnson for the Debra Jarck Advocacy Award
About Berkshire County Arc
Berkshire County Arc provides a range of services to 1,000-plus individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and brain injuries throughout Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley since 1954. With 860 employees, the agency offers 44 residential programs, employment services, self-advocacy programs, respite services, a brain injury community center, family support services, four day habilitation programs, community-based day services, transitional services, and an adult family care program (known as adult foster care). The Agency employs individuals with disabilities to run a bottle and can recycling center (The Green Redeem) and a fulfillment operation (Speedy Fulfillment).
