B y L a u r a M a r s
Just when you think you know the people who make the Berkshires an incredibly special place to be— from cultural leaders to environmental stewards, from farmers to elected officials, from folks who mentor our youth to those who support our vulnerable populations— you realize there’ s more to learn. Those whose contributions fall under the radar, who shy away from the limelight, or who have been in our community for so long that we take their contributions for granted— those are the individuals we honor this year. It’ s likely you’ ve been impacted by these folks, as a visitor at MASS MoCA, in the audience at Barrington Stage, satisfying your sweet tooth at Chocolate Springs, or getting your hair done at The Clip Shop. It’ s not just about what they do, but who they are. How lucky are we!
This is the 12th year that Berkshire Magazine has been honoring individuals in our community. It all began with nominations— your nominations— submitted online at berkshiremag. com. A special committee made up of past Berkshire 25 honorees reviewed the nominations. This year, that committee included Diane Pearlman, executive director of the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative; former State Representative Smitty Pignatelli; and Laurie Kiely, director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation.
The votes were tallied, and after a final review by Berkshire Magazine’ s editorial board, a selection was made. We present to you the 2025 Berkshire 25!
Barbara Alibozek
became a hairdresser soon after she started working at The Clip Shop in Williamstown in 1977. Today, she not only manages the salon and day spa’ s three locations— Williamstown, Pittsfield, and Bennington, Vermont— she teaches in their training program and generously mentors those wanting a career in cosmetology. Barbara has been known to donate her time doing hair and nails at nursing homes and health care facilities, and travels to housebound clients to brighten their day. She is on the board of cosmetology programs at Taconic and Bennington high schools and McCann Technical School. Every five years, Barbara organizes an event for The Clip Shop“ family” and friends to raise money for local charities. Her generosity extends to sharing food that she grows on her farm in her hometown of Adams, with neighbors, employees, and her wider community.“ Barbara is one of the most generous, humble, big-hearted leaders I know,” says former State Representative Smitty Pignatelli.“ I call her the energizer bunny.”
Brian Berkel retired from the State Police force in 2021 only to create a second career of giving back. He works part time at Berkshire County Kids ' Place as the coordinator of CSEC( Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) and does community outreach in schools on Internet safety and human trafficking. Brian serves on the board of the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, and on 1Berkshire Leadership Program’ s steering committee. He is coordinator for the volunteer Berkshire LOSS( Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors) Team. Brian is also a parttime outdoor guide at Canyon Ranch. He volunteers as a radio host on WTBR-FM and is the race director of The Josh Billings Runaground.“ I don’ t know anyone else operating at his level of volunteer and community engagement,” says Liana Toscanini, executive director of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires.
Jonathan Denmark,
president and COO of MountainOne Insurance Agency and executive vice president of MountainOne Bank, has played a pivotal role in the company’ s growth and evolution. Under his leadership, the agency has expanded from four offices to eight in the Berkshires and Pioneer Valley, and is about to open a ninth in Great Barrington. Deeply invested in the future of the region, Jonathan serves as board chair of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority( PEDA), on the Mayor’ s Economic Development Council, the Finance Committee of the Berkshire Innovation Center, 1Berkshire, and as VP of administration of Congregation Knesset Israel in Pittsfield. This Pittsfield native is also in a band— The Housie Shakers— singing and playing guitar, most recently at Hancock Shaker Village, Bousquet, and at the finish line at the Josh Billings Runaground.“ Jonathan is a visionary leader whose professional success and community involvement have made him a respected and influential figure in the Berkshires,” says Brenda Petell, vice president and community engagement officer at MountainOne.
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MAGAZINE
MAGAZINE August Fall 2025 2025