For immediate release:

SPRINGFIELD, MA, January 21, 2022 — Laura Masulis and Michael Di Pasquale, the co-founders of “Make-It Springfield”, the six-year-old collaborative workspace at 168 Worthington Street in downtown Springfield are happy to announce that Maria Canales has joined our Board of Directors.

Ms. Canales brings many years of experience in the banking and real estate development sectors.

This includes almost ten years working for Wells Fargo bank, in New York, as a mortgage lender, and later as the administrative manager for retail branch management and relationship building, where she supported methods to promote collaboration across various Wells Fargo business units.

In addition, Ms. Canales has extensive experience working with developers and private investors to fund, and implement local community development projects that emphasize affordability and equity.

She also has demonstrated a longtime commitment to working with nonprofits, as a volunteer and Board member, with a specialty in community renewal, grassroots organizing, and empowering children and families. She has spent many years working with Spanish-speaking youth and is a strong advocate for women’s rights and marginalized populations, generally.

Ms.Canales has a graduate degree in City Planning & Real Estate Development from MIT, and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations from Pace University.

As a Board member at Make-It Springfield, Ms. Canales will focus on assessing and highlighting the diverse partnerships needed to support our interest in a strong creative economy in the greater Springfield area that is holistic, inclusive, prosperous, and unique.

We are excited to welcome Maria Canales to our team.