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Executive Director

The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking its next Executive Director! Learn more about this exciting leadership opportunity and view the full job description here.

2026 Polina Headshot Framed
Polina Potochevska
Marketing & Events Coordinator

Polina serves as the Marketing & Events Coordinator for the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. In her role, she leads the Chamber's marketing efforts through newsletters, social media, press releases, and other communications that highlight member stories and community impact. Additionally, Polina plans and supports Chamber signature events, working closely with dedicated committee members and partners to create engaging, inclusive, and memorable experiences for the Amherst Area community.

Polina holds a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Brandeis University and an M.A. in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College. Prior to her role at the Chamber, she was an Instructional Design Manager at NewGlobe Schools in Cambridge, MA, creating English Studies curriculum and examinations for schools in Nigeria, Liberia, and Rwanda. Outside of work, Polina enjoys knitting and crocheting, reading, and trying out all of the great local cuisine that the area has to offer.

Board of Directors

StefanoSecchiaPhotographyA+2026-310

Executive Committee

Kishore Parmar, President
Vice President
Pioneer Valley Hotel Group

Amy Watts, Treasurer
Vice President and Financial Advisor
Greenfield Savings Bank

Sarah Barr, Secretary
Advisor to the Provost on Campus Initiatives and Director of Community Engagement
Amherst College

Heidi Flanders, Immediate Past President 
Owner and Principal Designer
Integrity Development and Construction, Inc.

Nancy Buffone
Associate Vice Chancellor for University Relations
University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Jonathan Scully
Executive Director of Community Relations
University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Alex Laguerra Sierra
Director of Property Management
Amherst Innovative Living

 

Board of Directors

Robin Brown
Director of Sales
Inn on Boltwood

Steve Duffy
Senior Director of Facilities and Grounds
Hampshire College

Jennifer Faulkner
Founder
Innovate Culture Lab, LLC

Jamie Fitzgibbon
Regional Sales Manager
Superior Plus Energy

Jenicca Gallagher
VP - Branch Manager
Greenfield Northampton Cooperative Bank

George Michelakis
Branch Officer
bankESB

Ben Palkowski
Attorney, CPA
Old Colony Law

Brian Pearson
Founder
Adventure East

Alden Peotter
Operations Manager
Protocol

Steven Prothers
Consultant

Aelan Tierney
President
Kuhn Riddle Architects

Kishore Parmar, Pioneer Valley Hotel Group
Heidi Flanders, Integrity Development & Construction
Alex Laguerra Sierra, Amherst Innovative Living
Jennifer Faulkner, Innovate Culture Lab
George Michelakis, bankESB
Alden Peotter, Protocol
Amy Watts, Greenfield Savings Bank
Nancy Buffone, UMass Amherst
Robin Brown, Inn on Boltwood
Jamie Fitzgibbon, Superior Plus Energy
Ben Palkowski, Old Colony Law
Steve Prothers, Consultant
Steve Prothers, Consultant
Sarah Barr, Amherst College
Jonathan Scully, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Steve Duffy, Hampshire College
Jenicca Gallagher, Greenfield Northampton Cooperative Bank
Brian Pearson, Adventure East
Aelan Tierney, Kuhn Riddle Architects

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