PULSE MAGAZINE STAFF 
Written by Irena Kaçi 

Worcester’s juggernauts of talent and ambition are back, and this year the dreams are bigger, the scope is wider and the work is tireless. Here at Pulse, it is one of my happy tasks to connect every year with the who’s who of Worcester and get the scoop on what this year will bring. If you’d like to know what to expect of Worcester’s movers and shakers in 2025, read on. 

Ryan “K1N” Borbone grew up in Worcester and even continued to choose Worcester through his college years. “I went to Becker College and it gave me the chance to get to know the city much better. I actually had a studio in the attic of an IT building right off Sever St. It was nothing glamorous by any means, but I spent day and night honing and refining my skills in that building. Overall Worcester is a city I call home and I’m glad to represent.” On how his values weave into his work: “Music is my first and foremost priority and thing I value most above all, but to me the work goes so much deeper than just the music. It’s about having the community come together and having people experience things in person so they can collect and cherish memories of that moment in time. I feel as though I’m finally able to extend the opportunity to others, and give them what I didn’t have through music, that connection.” Proud moment: “I really loved *Breakway Music Festival* and look very much forward to playing there again (shout out Boston EDM for making their way to the Woo). Some of the first shows I’ve ever attended with my Dad were held at the Palladium.” On what 2025 has in store: Collaboration, and more live performances. I’m looking very much forward to bringing the music my team and I have been working on to so many more people on a much broader scale, especially with Dance Music as a whole. I think it’s a really cool time to be involved in such a rapidly growing community of so many fantastic people.” You might not know it just by looking at him but: “I was born on Groundhog Day, and I can wiggle my ears.” 

Jordan Sealey Ashford came to Worcester via Northeastern’s Co-Op internship program when he landed an internship with the WooSox in 2021. Later in his collegiate career, when given the opportunity to partake in another internship, Sealey-Ashford came back for more. “Since the team was moving to Worcester they really needed interns. A year later, when given a chance, I immediately came back to Polar Park. I have been here since February of 2023.” On how his values weave into his work: “A lot of the work that I do is focused on the community. I love getting out in front of people in and around Worcester to talk about all the initiatives at Polar Park and connect folks from a variety of backgrounds with the work that we do. I really strive to create community through sports and baseball; being able to engage people and with like minded folks and people who they may not have known yet.” Proud moment: “This year I was chosen for the Leadership Worcester class of 2025, a cohort of working professionals that live or work in the city of Worcester that are selected by the city’s Chamber of Commerce to participate in a series of sessions about civic responsibility and all the things that make a city run.” What 2025 will bring: “I would say being more involved in throwing events in the community. I might do a lot of that for work.” You might not know it just by looking at him but: “My great uncle Emmett Ashford was the first black umpire in Major League Baseball.” 

Kendra Mensah is a Program Associate at Court Appointed Special Advocates at CASA Worcester. She feels a lot of gratitude and connection to the role, and that joining the team has been an “incredible opportunity”. On how her values weave into her work: “CASA is people-centered and deeply committed to driving meaningful change within our communities. In any field I work in, I strive to ensure there is a direct and measurable benefit to those who need it most.” Proud moment: “Collaborating with the Communications and Development team to launch our blog has been a very unique experience. It’s been an opportunity to connect with change-makers across the city, providing them with a platform to share their journeys, exchange ideas, and offer valuable insights to our audience.” On Where to find her in 2025: “I am excited about the opportunity to explore innovative ways to leverage software engineering in our sector. As technology becomes an increasingly dominant force in our daily lives, I often think about how it can enhance governance, particularly in protecting vulnerable populations like children. My goal is to push the boundaries and pioneer solutions for the unique groups we serve.” You might not know it just by looking at her but: “I love sewing and thrifting!” 

Veda Bleau grew up in Western Mass and came to Worcester via Worcester State University. A formative step toward her Worcester roots was working at CC Lowell “That’s where I met my husband Brad, and sort of solidified that I was going to be setting my roots down in Worcester. “ Veda is now in her third year at Turn Back Time, a nature based, non profit education center in Paxton. “These days, I am one of two Assistant Directors at Turn Back Time (TBT).” On how her values weave into her work: “I really strongly believe that humanity’s connection to nature is truly the key to changing and saving the world. It wasn’t until working at TBT that I realized how imperative the connection to nature is for teaching children in an authentic way, how imperative it is to their overall development and their ability to navigate the world. Proud moment: “The entirety of my work at TBT honestly. I view everything that I do there as one giant passion project. We’ve been able to expand the programming, we now offer full day preschool which is huge.” What to look for in 2025: “Going out there in the community and establishing more relationships with people in foundations in businesses and developing the support for the work that we do.” You might not know it just by looking at her but: “I am an avid collector and reseller of vintage goods, I really have a large collection of a little bit of everything, from the 70s. Brad and I have a side hustle, we’re vendors @thebleaupig.” 

Amanda Clewes attended Anna Maria College in Paxton, and interned with Veterans Inc., a community-based nonprofit located in the city that provides support services to veterans and their families throughout New England. That work made Clewes feel inspired and connected to Worcester and the way in which the city supports its people. Feeling like a part of something vibrant and nurturing sealed the deal and she continued the work even after graduating. On how her work weaves into her values: “At my core are incredibly strong family values which have evolved to encompass a broader sense of responsibility. These values emphasize that the care and support shared among family should be extended beyond the home, to the wider world. I was always particularly inspired by my grandfather, a United States Navy Veteran, whose example has taught the importance of responding to what your community needs in a meaningful way. This influence shaped one of my personal priorities—serving those who have served us. It has become my driving force; to honor the sacrifice of our nation’s Veterans by ensuring they receive the care, respect, and support they deserve.” Proud moment: “I’m particularly proud to be a part of our ongoing work to incorporate holistic programming into our homeless services. My efforts and commitment to developing sustainable solutions that help people regain stability led to the honor of being named Employee of the Year in 2024.” On where to look for her in 2025: “I am incredibly excited about a project I am currently working on which is a data systems and technology upgrade initiative. As our organization continues to grow, this project is crucial to our mission, providing the necessary tools to capture and analyze data on a larger scale. With this modern, robust solution, we’ll be able to enhance our ability to serve even more Veterans.” You might not know it just by looking at her but: “I love to adventure to new places and experience the natural marvels of our world. Some of my favorite places I’ve visited recently include Yosemite National Park, Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, and New England’s very own, Acadia National 

Alex Monaco has been living in Worcester for the past 10 years. A native of New Jersey, Monaco moved here to study at Clark University. He grew to love his adopted city and worked hard to find a way to best utilize his talents while developing a sense of community. During his early days in Worcester Monaco spent his time working on his music and volunteering with stART. But in 2022, the Business Improvement District (BID) came knocking with a new position seeking to expand programming in the community. Proud moment: “It was really gratifying to implement the ‘Out To Lunch” series in particular.” On how his values weave into his work: “I’m not from Worcester originally, but Worcester has certainly become my home; as a citizen in the city, it’s super important and rewarding to be part of the community.” On what 2025 will bring: “A big priority for the BID is to expand the farmers’ market offerings, and fill that need for fresh produce with local farmers. The REC were great partners for us this past summer, and we hope they will help us make even more inroads with local farmers.” You might not know it just by looking at him but: “I was the drummer for the Dirty Gerund Poetry Show and for a while, I was the drummer in a band who played with Alfee Westgroves’ Beyonce tribute act, “Benonce”. We actually performed at a small theater in Cambridge a few summers back and it was really fun.” 

Jaden Marc is the proud owner of Sneaker Sapphire, which is a specialty sneaker store. Growing up in Rutland, Marc had plenty of contacts and connections to Worcester, which made setting up shop in the city such a great fit. “Sneaker Sapphire aims to provide an exceptional shopping experience for each and every customer, whether visiting us in-store or shopping online. Our team will help you find new favorites by style, brand, size and material to make sure you won’t miss out on any iconic sneakers.” On how his values weave into his work: “I take pride in being able to work for myself and be my own boss. I always believe that you get what you put in. If you want to make it to the top, you gotta outwork everyone and be in the lead. And you shouldn’t stop or rest until you’ve achieved that.” Proud moment: “I’m proud that I was able to start selling shoes at 16 as a side hustle and 3 years later was able to open up my own storefront. After starting at the bottom renting out from another store owner, and then being a manager for someone else’s business. I took my experience and risked it all to do my own thing and I haven’t looked back since.” On Where to find him in 2025: “I want to find more ways to share my story with the youth and inspire them to start a business young too.” You might not know it just by looking at him but: His birthday is a memorable day as 04/04/04. All you astrologers out there, you know what to do. 

Amber Cannalonga was born and raised in Worcester, so she has had the pleasure of watching the city transform over the course of her lifetime. A proud Worcester State Alum, Cannalonga received a Volunteerism Award from President Barack Obama while still in high school. These days she works as an Individual Supports Director for Thrive Support. “Thrive Support and Advocacy is a non-profit organization that services intellectually and developmentally disabled adults in the Worcester and Metro-West areas of Central Massachusetts. Because of my work there, I’ve had the opportunity to enroll in the Clark University School of Professional Studies for a Master’s in Public Administration and Senior Leadership. Proud moment: “The most recent projects I’ve contributed to have been with Thrive Support and Advocacy. These include organizing a community resource fair to educate families in Worcester and assisting with the collection of donations for Thrive’s back-to-school drive. At the end of my first year in graduate school it was a true honor to be awarded the recipient of the Thrive Community Impact Award with a signed Official Citation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Senate.” On how her values weave into her work: “My work weaves into my values by prioritizing collaboration, creativity, and social impact. Actively seeking involvement in projects that allow me to contribute my skills for positive change.” On what 2025 will bring: “I look forward to volunteering and continuing to support local resources that are close to my heart, such as Andy’s Attic at South High Community School—one of the first community projects I became consistently involved with. Additionally, I would love to return as a coach for a former sport, whether it’s volleyball or softball, and contribute as an alumnus.” You might not know it just by looking at her but: “I have a love for board games, which have become a regular bonding activity with my family. We might even have the largest collection of board games in a household, so much so that we store them in storage containers!” 

Katherine Stickney moved to Worcester in October of ’21. Stickney grew up in Maine, and was looking for a nearby state that could help further her education. “I began looking around to see if any institutions could be a good fit. UMass Chan Medical School welcomed me and has been one of the most important parts of my transition to Worcester. Colleagues quickly became friends, and I began making genuine connections with incredible people doing important work. Worcester quickly has become home.” On how her values weave into her work: “I work in the community and government relations office at UMass Chan Medical School, where our work directly aligns with my core values. Our small yet mighty office of three works to strengthen the connection of the medical school with our community on the local, state, and federal level. I’ve worked on projects related to health equity, civic engagement, and youth workforce development, to name a few.” On what 2025 will bring: “I want to work authentically within and for our community, promoting and creating equitable and just policies, initiatives, and programs. I hope to do so both on a macro scale with policy and on a micro scale with direct support work.”. Proud moment: “Without a doubt, Dynamic Futures. Dynamic Futures is a youth behavioral health career pathway program that I have the joy of co-developing and administering annually. Our program is geared towards 16–18-year old’s in Worcester County that are interested in behavioral and mental health. We address educational, financial, and social barriers in underrepresented communities in the hopes of building clear pathways for our scholars to join the behavioral health workforce.” You might not know it just by looking at her but: “I am a board-certified music therapist and classically trained vocalist!” 

Ryan Smith was born and raised in Worcester, and considers himself a local artist. Smith has always had an appreciation for community and art and the ways in which those two things can intersect. “When creating I am always looking to learn. Whether that is learning a new skill to help me improve my works technically or learning about something outside of my art entirely that I can use to inspire my works. Sharing these new skills and ideas with the community through art is exciting and a great way to bring people together.” Proud moment: “I’m most proud of Arsen Fest, a passion project I’ve organized the past few years with the help of friends and family. This event is a show that serves as a memorial to my best friend Arsen Faniko who passed away in 2021. Throughout the planning process for these events I have gained a better understanding of what it takes to put together something for the community. I was able to create designs for shirts, posters, etc. And above all, I learned so much about what Arsen meant to the people in his scene. Putting this show together allowed me to see my friend in a brand new light and allowed me, with the help of his friends and family, to create something in his memory.” On what 2025 has in store: “I love working with a bunch of different groups/organizations that aim to spread positivity and a sense of community in Worcester, like Push Worcester and El Salon. Being able to be a part of these organizations pushes me to create and put together events of my own. Because of this I am very excited to continue my work with these organizations. I am particularly excited to help lead more art focused programs for Worcester youth.” You might not know it just looking at him but: “I screen printed my first T-shirt in 2022 and have been making art this way ever since.” 

Anne Harris was born at the old Saint Vincent Hospital on Vernon Hill. Growing up in Tatnuck square, Harris had the opportunity to use the woods as her backyard and inspiration. “These woods were the foundation to building my artistic practice. I still remember my first independent painting project at Assumption University, it was of an old, hollow tree in my background and how excited I was to paint it. Not only do I paint in these woods but I make paint from soil and rocks found there, practice performance art, record video art, and make outdoor painting installations.” On how her values weave into her work: I’ve always thought of my work as a direct reflection of my values that I live my life by: honesty, a hard work ethic, perseverance through the hard times, and being maybe a little too much of an overachiever and perfectionist. This is all present in my work; without these characteristics I don’t think my work would have the same value. I love my family, my partner, our dogs, my teaching practice, and forest animals. I am extremely passionate and I throw my heart and soul into everything that I do.” Proud moment: “My passion projects are long term commitments where I engage in place based art making. I form relationships with places, and right now I’m building a relationship with the turkey vulture and the black vulture at the Trailside Museum in the Blue Hills Reservations. I visit these birds weekly to draw and paint them from observation and photograph them with my film cameras. The black vulture doesn’t mind when I’m there to draw. It sits on the branch in the very front of the enclosure and watches me as I work. The turkey vulture on the other hand, gives me the impression that it doesn’t really want anything to do with me; maybe it’s shy or just doesn’t like humans, but regardless it has been fun making art with these beautiful and misunderstood birds. Where you might find her in 2025: “I’m looking forward to continuing to learn more about paint making with rocks and minerals, making my own natural paint recipes, having local wildlife interactions, and teaching art at the college level. I want to keep working on my current body of work called “Misunderstood Animals” which currently features the vultures and porcupines.” You might not know it just by looking at her but: “I not only love painting with rocks, but I love to climb them. When I’m not teaching or making art you can find me at a climbing gym or in nicer weather rock climbing outside somewhere.”

Helena Stamatakis is the Community Relations manager for the Worcester Bravehearts. A true blue hometown hero, Stamatakis was born and raised right here in Worcester. “I was a Worcester Public School student all the way through, and I grew up on Grafton Hill.” After graduating from Curry College in Milton with a degree in sports and recreational management and a minor in sports and recreational youth programming, Stamatakis interned for the Bravehearts in 2022, and then worked her way up. “I am in charge of any of our community initiatives; ticket to read programs, pen pals as well as coordinating all the mascot events. Proud moment: “This past season, we had excess food from the season. So, our general manager Dave Peterson, and I planned and executed a gigantic donations measure. We worked with Thrive, Mustard Seed and even the local fire department to make sure that the food surplus was put to good use in all the underserved corners of the city.” On how her values weave into her work: “When I was little I was a ‘try hard’. I wanted to go into forensic science to be like Abbi from NCIS. I didn’t go into forensics, but I still wanted my work to help people. I went into sports and community relations because it’s precisely the work of using a sports team as the vehicle for connecting people with resources.” On what 2025 will bring: “I am looking forward to helping set up the collegiate baseball league all-star game in 2025. We will be hosting it right here in Worcester with a four day city-wide event, which will kick off on July 21st.” You might not know it just by looking at her but “I played football all 4 years of high school and I helped manage Curry’s rugby team the last year of college.” 

Jacob Rucker is a Worcester transplant brought it by his father’s entrepreneurship. “My dad launched the Worcester Railers hockey team, and while the venture brought us here, the city’s warmth and potential kept us.” On how his values weave into his work: “As a co-founder of Auxilium, my work reflects my commitment to empowering others and driving meaningful progress. At Auxilium, we create a space where students, entrepreneurs, and innovators across Central Massachusetts can access mentorship, resources, and a community of support. We offer free workspace, free access to an incredibly vast network built over 30 years across all industries, and investment capital that is more accessible than traditional government funding.” Those experiences shaped my collaborative nature and entrepreneurial mindset—qualities that continue to drive my passion for building meaningful ventures and connections today.” Proud moment: I’m especially proud of my involvement as a judge for local entrepreneurship programs through Venture Forum and visiting Worcester’s college campuses to hear students’ business ideas. It’s inspiring to see the ingenuity and ambition of these young entrepreneurs, and I find it incredibly rewarding to support them as they refine their visions.“ What 2025 will bring: I’m excited to get more involved with the Railers Foundation’s Skate to Success program, which introduces elementary school students to skating while building their confidence and teamwork skills. Programs like this align with my values of empowerment and giving back to the community.“ You might not know it just by looking at him but: “I’m one of five siblings, which means I grew up in a lively, fast-paced environment where teamwork, adaptability, and a little friendly competition were part of daily life.