Berkshire BPW thanks Claire Richards and Sopheap Nhim for their years of service to BBPW.
Claire Richards served as Board President for 3 years.
Claire Richards, a native of New York City, moved to the Berkshires in 2009 not knowing anyone in the area. Berkshire BPW offered a welcoming environment to connect, network, and build wonderful friendships. Claire worked 22 years in the municipal bond insurance in New York City. In the Berkshires, she shifted into the not-for-profit environment as Director of Business at Berkshire South Regional Community Center. From there she built and ran her own business importing organic extra virgin olive oil from Jordan to help the women. For the past year, she has been building a bookkeeping business helping small businesses and individuals with their books.Claire served 3 years as Berkshire BPW’s President. Of this experience, she says: “This opportunity to serve Berkshire BPW as President has been incredible for me. I have grown and expanded not only in my business, but also personally and it’s been through Berkshire BPW and the women in our group who have supported me and encouraged me that’s been the most important aspect. Thank you.”
We appreciate Claires dedication and commitment to BBPW, and welcome Celia Clancy to co-carry the torch as new Board President!
Sopheap Nhim served as Co-Programming director for 3 years.
Sopheap Nhim is a Board Certified and Massachusetts Licensed, Behavior Analyst for Positive Behavior Supports Corporation. In this role, she oversees in-home and community-based ABA services, including behavior consultation, caregiver training, functional behavioral assessments (FBAs), development of treatment plans and supervision of behavior technicians and registered behavior technicians working directly with individuals and staff on implementation of behavior plans.
Sopheap was born in Cambodia and came to the United States as a toddler in 1979. She has lived in the Berkshires since age two and considers herself a Berkshires girl. She is a licensed Speech and Language Assistant and is trained in the Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS). Sopheap is also a citizen advocate and youth mentor, a human rights advocate and has been appointed to the Human Rights Commission for the City of Pittsfield. In addition to being a Board Member of Berkshire Business and Professional Women she also on their Women of Achievement Committee and Scholarship Committee.
Throughout her career, she has worked with all age levels, from birth through adulthood. She has over 20 years’ experience working with individuals with Downs syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, and other learning differences. Sopheap has a wide range of interests and enjoys hiking, travel, live music, and cooking, but most of all, time with her family.
We appreciate Sopheap’s energetic input to BBPW, and welcome Bethany Kirchmann to co-carry the programming torch going forward!
