Ruth P. Boraski Celebration Evening

She Knows Where She’s Going Award

Since 1990, Girls Inc. of the Berkshires has presented the “She Knows Where She’s Going” Award to an area woman, or women, who makes a difference in the Berkshires and serves as a role model for girls. The award is presented in each spring as part of our Ruth P. Boraski Celebration Evening. The evening highlights our recipient’s accomplishments and tells her story and acknowledges excellence in young women from Berkshire County high schools by providing scholarships to assist them as they continue their education.

2026 Award

Girls Inc. of the Berkshires is thrilled to announce its annual Celebration Evening, taking place on Thursday, May 7 at 5:00 PM at the stunning Proprietor’s Lodge in Pittsfield. The evening will shine a spotlight on 12 remarkable female scholars from across Berkshire County and honor Lori Kiely as this year’s “She Knows Where She’s Going” Award recipient.

This signature event celebrates Strong, Smart, Bold young women of Berkshire County, who are blazing their own trails, as well as those in the community who have paved the way through advocacy, mentorship, and service.

About the 2026 Awardee: Lori Kiely

Lori Gazzillo Kiely is Director of the foundation and charitable giving at Beacon Bank, formerly known as Berkshire Bank, and serves as Berkshire County Regional Leader for Beacon Bank. In this role, she oversees the Bank’s community investment initiatives including foundation grants, charitable giving, the Volunteer program, and financial education. She provides strategic direction to the foundation’s philanthropic investments and community engagement activities throughout Beacon Bank’s footprint. Under her leadership, the Bank’s foundation has provided millions of dollars to hundreds of nonprofit organizations working to make Berkshire County a better place to work, live and thrive.

Lori came to Berkshire in 2011 from Legacy Banks, where she spent five years in a similar capacity overseeing public relations, marketing and working with the foundation. Prior to that she worked at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in various communications/public relations capacities. She serves on the Boards of the 1Berkshire Alliance, 1Berkshire Foundation, and Berkshire Community College. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Keene State College and a master’s from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

“Lori has been a Girls Inc. supporter for many years. Her passion for seeing young women and girls succeed can be seen through her work with the Berkshire Bank and now Beacon Bank Foundation.” said Melissa Mazzeo, Board President of the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center. “She is a force for good in the Berkshires and beyond.”

Come hear more about Lori at this years Celebration Evening!