Program and Events Coordinator, Economic Development Associate, and Marketing and Communications Assistant
Worcester, Mass.— President and CEO Timothy P. Murray announced today that the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce has hired Gliceria (Lili) Zannotti, Vaske Gjino, and Zaven Donoian. Zannotti, the Program and Events Coordinator, will help manage over 200 annual events. Gjino, the Economic Development Associate, will work with Murray to promote the region to expanding, relocating and new businesses. Donoian, who completed a full time internship with the Chamber last year, will assist the vice president of marketing and communications will a full slate of media outreach, promotions, and outreach efforts. These three positions, support the Chamber’s strategic effort to Recruit, Retain and Incubate businesses in the region.
In addition, Karen Pelletier, the Chamber’s first ever director of higher education and business partnerships has been promoted to the organization’s vice president of operations and director of education and workforce development. The new responsibilities are in addition to her current duties as director of education and workforce development. In her new role, Pelletier will provide consistent direction and supervision of staff, provide support services to members, and advance the Chamber’s strategy to recruit, retain, and incubate businesses. She will oversee the daily operations of the Chamber.
Pelletier began her career with the Chamber in 2014 in a new position established to support Chamber members by creating more conduits to colleges and universities to help them fill positions in their company. In her role, she has made valuable connections with placement offices, HR departments, workforce agencies, training programs and many other employee-related organizations. Karen earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from Plymouth State University and a Masters in teaching from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.
Pelletier, Zannotti, Gjino, and Donoian, all Worcester residents, are committed to enhancing member experiences and contributing to the goals and objectives of the Chamber. “We want our members to continue to feel heard, appreciated, and have a positive experience – whether at one of our monthly seminars, our golf tournament, or one of our larger events like the Women’s Conference, Woostapreneurs, and our many other high profile events,” stated Murray. “The Chamber’s new hires will provide first-class customer service and bring a passion to their respective positions that will help companies grow and improve their business.”
Lili Zannotti worked in higher education at both the College of the Holy Cross and most recently for nearly 15 years at Assumption College. She brings an abundance of administrative and event planning experience to the Chamber. Raised in Worcester, she relocated to Worcester from Cuba as a child when her parents emigrated to the U.S. Lili is fluent in Spanish and English and has two grown children.
Vaske Gjino is a graduate of Clark University where he earned his B.A. in economics and where he is currently working toward his MBA in public administration. Previously, he worked as a research assistant for the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, where his research supported economic development initiatives. When he was four years old, he moved from Albania to the United States with his parents.
Zaven Donoian, graduated from Fitchburg State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in professional communications with experience in video production and photography. Some of Donoian’s previous experience includes working on a variety of large scale multimedia projects ranging from live concerts and broadcasts to a rebranding proposal for the Fitchburg Art Museum. He manages the Chamber’s radio and TV shows as well as the e-news and media communications.
