Westfield State staff member named to "Forty Under Forty" list 

BusinessWest has recognized Kelly Galanis of Westfield, systems and research manager at Westfield State College, in the magazine’s second annual  “Forty Under Forty” edition.

“These 40 were chosen, as last year’s were, from a field of roughly 100 nominations,” the magazine reported. “Our five judges agreed that this is a very talented group of individuals, and noteworthy for what they do for a living and how they give back to the community.”

Galanis, 30, worked for the admissions office at Bay Path College before joining Westfield State in March 2005. She currently works in the Division of Advancement and College Relations.

Family, friends and Westfield State colleagues nominated Galanis and their letters read, in part, that she is a “caring, selfless individual who never hesitates to lend a hand, to the extra mile or put others first.”

“When faced with a challenge, she handles it with a smile and does all in power to see that the job gets done,” one nominating letter said.

“We’re very proud of this accomplishment,” said Barry Maloney, vice president for Advancement and College Relations. “Kelly is a valued member of the college team and I think she’s a wonderful role model for other professional women.  We’re very lucky to have her.” “We are very happy for Kelly at Westfield State,” said Robert Ziomek, assistant vice president for Advancement and College Relations. “She is a hard worker, dedicated to her family, job and community.  She is very deserving of this honor.”

She holds associates and bachelor’s degrees in legal studies and a master’s degree in communications and information management, all from Bay Path College.

Galanis works with many organizations outside her job, including the Bay Path College Alumni Association, Women of Philanthropy of Western Massachusetts, and Massachusetts Women in Public Higher Education.

She also sings with The Songbirds, a faculty and staff a capella group at the college that she helped found, was well as at the Massachusetts Girl’s State conference that she brought to the college.