Three new staff members bolster the Westfield State Foundation, Inc.
The Westfield State Foundation, Inc., has four new staff members who are eager to lend their support to the Foundation’s recently appointed leader, Michael Knapik. Bringing them on board has nearly doubled the Foundation’s staff team.
Amy Carignan
Amy Carignan is also excited to be on the Foundation team. In her new position as staff assistant, Carignan is reaching out to faculty and learning how they can best partner on future fundraising initiatives and scholarship opportunities.
She says, “I am excited to make a difference within the Foundation and to work hard for the students to ensure that they have as many opportunities as possible.”
Carignan has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Merrimack College and has previously worked in fundraising for Bay Path College, where she also earned certification in strategic fundraising.
Bo Sullivan
For the past 17 years, Bo Sullivan has worked for NewsRadio 560 WHYN as a producer, sports director and morning show co-host.
He also serves as the president of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield. “We just completed a $2.6 million capital campaign that added a new gymnasium and many new classrooms, which will let the educational programs in the club thrive,” Sullivan says.
In his new position as development officer for the Foundation, Sullivan will be working extensively with the Athletic Department, seeking new corporate sponsors to make sure that the department continues to grow.
He’s looking forward to helping student athletes. “It’s important to help them enjoy college and make sure they have the time of their lives—both in the classroom and on the athletic field,” Sullivan says.
Lisa McMahon
Lisa McMahon serves as the manager of advancement and stewardship, and she has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, program development and community engagement.
A graduate of the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, McMahon was the first executive director of the Westfield Business Improvement District, and she spent the last two years away from the nonprofit arena, focusing on financial planning at Merrill Lynch.
She looks forward to working with Knapik to build a strong team in advancement, one that can work with scholarship donors, faculty and staff to increase the opportunities available to students. “Our students are our niche,” she says. “I am excited to identify new ways to connect our donor’s passions with exciting initiatives here at Westfield State – initiatives that provide opportunities that have a positive impact on the lives of our students, our donors and overall community.”
