By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Photo/ Pascarella Multimedia
Marlborough – Cathy Mogavero, the executive vice president of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, is a woman with a purpose.? For more than 30 years she has worked in the field of nonprofit development and has enjoyed her ability to lead many groups into more successful and profitable enterprises.
Prior to being hired into her present position in 2006, she served on the board of directors, was a vice chair of the executive board and became executive vice president of development in 1999.? In December Mogavero will retire from her position at the Chamber office. She will be honored at a reception on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Courtyard Marriott, 75 Felton St.
As such, Susanne Morreale Leeber, the chamber's president and CEO, is extending an invitation to all to say “thank you to one of the true stars in our business community.”
“She has a heart of gold and knowledge worth more than Fort Knox,” said Mogavero's co-worker Jim Chaffee, the chamber's executive assistant. “She can answer questions on people, business, legal issues relating to business, people to contact on various issues and much more.”
“Cathy is always very welcoming to anyone who comes into the chamber office and has that special ability to go out of her way to help everyone with her vast knowledge.” Jim Hickey, chair of the chamber's board of directors, said.
Maintaining a place of prominence in her busy office is a pink Eveready bunny, which Leeber presented to her at a celebrity roast held by Employment Options in her honor last year.? Leeber said it depicts Mogavero's? nature of being in constant motion and moving about helping people.
One of the many awards Mogavero received through the years is a “Commitment to Character Honor” which was presented to her in October 2004 from the Downey Insurance Agency. The award, which now hangs in her office, states, “Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them.”
Prior to joining the chamber, Mogavero held the position of director of alumni affairs and associate director of admissions at the Chamberlain School of Retailing in Boston and executive director of the former Hudson Youth Center, which is now the Boys and Girls Club of MetroWest.
Her many professional affiliations include? Avidia Bank, Marlborough High School, Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Central MA chapter, State Scholars Committee at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, Women in Development, Boston and Worcester Chapters, Metrowest Nonprofit Networking, Boys & Girls Club of Metrowest, and Together We Can Family Network (formerly Assabet Valley Family Network)
Mogavero holds the designation of Certified Fundraising Executive , is a graduate of the Chamberlain School of Retailing in Boston, and earned a bachelor's degree from Mt. Ida College.
Her future plans are to first spend the winter in Florida with her husband Bob and when they return she will apply her many years of experience towards being an independent consultant.
“If someone needs an extra helping hand in setting up an event or training for an annual appeal, help form a board of directors or other training for nonprofits, I will be able to help them,” she said.
The Mogaveros now live in Ashburnham. But the retiring professional said she will not be a stranger to Marlborough and its many activities because she still, she said, considers it her “home town.”
Tickets are $35 each and may be purchased by calling the chamber's offices at 508-485-7746.
