The Age of Excellence Awards honor older adults over 60 who embody the vigor, purpose, and contributions that come with age and experience. It is a privilege for Glenmeadow to lead this effort, recognizing the accomplishments and inspiring stories of our community’s older adults.
Thank you to our sponsors
A special thank you to the 2026 Age of Excellence Awards sponsors, whose generous support helps us recognize remarkable individuals over 60 whose leadership, service, and contributions continue to make a meaningful difference throughout our communities.
2026 Age of Excellence Award Honorees
Jean Canosa Albano
Jean is the Assistant Director for Public Services at the Springfield City Library and a dedicated community volunteer. She champions education, literacy, civic engagement, and opportunities for families. Jean is also widely recognized as one of the Springfield Thunderbirds’ most devoted supporters.
Brooks Fitch
Following a successful career with IBM, Brooks returned to his hometown of Springfield and dedicated himself to service. He recently established the Harrison Fitch Leadership Fund, a youth leadership initiative honoring his father’s legacy as UConn’s first Black basketball player. Brooks is known for his quiet leadership, lasting impact, and unwavering commitment to doing good.
Denise Jordan
Denise is the Executive Director of the Springfield Housing Authority and previously served for more than a decade as Chief of Staff to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. A true daughter of Springfield, she is a visible and dedicated community leader with a lifelong passion for service and Western Massachusetts.
Denise Kelcey
After retiring from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Correctional Industries Business Office, Denise continued her commitment to public service through the Sheriff’s Office Workforce Initiative. She is a visionary leader dedicated to empowering job seekers, strengthening the local workforce, and expanding economic opportunities.
Liz O’Gilvie
Liz is a visionary leader working to address systemic food insecurity in Springfield’s most vulnerable neighborhoods. Through Gardening the Community and the Springfield Food Policy Council, she advocates fearlessly for local families and works to combat food apartheid across Massachusetts.
Paul Picknelly
Paul has been a driving force behind downtown Springfield’s revitalization, helping create new opportunities for business, entertainment, and tourism. His commitment to keeping professional hockey in Springfield has also helped the Thunderbirds become a community-centered organization that supports local nonprofits and connects people throughout the region.
Margaret Toomey
Margaret is the Program Director at Cancer House of Hope in West Springfield, where she supports individuals and families affected by cancer. A former culinary arts teacher, she also organizes the annual Bikes Fight Cancer charity ride, raising funds for families, treatment programs, and cancer research.
Gloria Wilson
Drawing upon her four-decade nursing career, Gloria empowers older adults to view aging as a transformative experience. She is a compassionate mentor, advocate, collaborator, and connector known for her integrity and commitment to faith-based health ministry and successful longevity initiatives.
Brenda Garton-Sjoberg, Honorary Recipient
Brenda is a respected Western Massachusetts leader and former WWLP anchor. Following her broadcasting career, she mentored the next generation as a Professor of Communications at Western New England University. She continues to support local organizations and lends her voice and presence to the Age of Excellence Awards as emcee.
The Age of Excellence Awards honor older adults over 60 who embody the vigor, purpose, and contributions that come with age and experience. It is a privilege for Glenmeadow to lead this effort, recognizing the accomplishments and inspiring stories of our community’s older adults.
Thank you to our sponsors
A special thank you to the 2026 Age of Excellence Awards sponsors, whose generous support helps us recognize remarkable individuals over 60 whose leadership, service, and contributions continue to make a meaningful difference throughout our communities.
2026 Age of Excellence Award Honorees
Jean Canosa Albano
Jean is the Assistant Director for Public Services at the Springfield City Library and a dedicated community volunteer. She champions education, literacy, civic engagement, and opportunities for families. Jean is also widely recognized as one of the Springfield Thunderbirds’ most devoted supporters.
Brooks Fitch
Following a successful career with IBM, Brooks returned to his hometown of Springfield and dedicated himself to service. He recently established the Harrison Fitch Leadership Fund, a youth leadership initiative honoring his father’s legacy as UConn’s first Black basketball player. Brooks is known for his quiet leadership, lasting impact, and unwavering commitment to doing good.
Denise Jordan
Denise is the Executive Director of the Springfield Housing Authority and previously served for more than a decade as Chief of Staff to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. A true daughter of Springfield, she is a visible and dedicated community leader with a lifelong passion for service and Western Massachusetts.
Denise Kelcey
After retiring from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Correctional Industries Business Office, Denise continued her commitment to public service through the Sheriff’s Office Workforce Initiative. She is a visionary leader dedicated to empowering job seekers, strengthening the local workforce, and expanding economic opportunities.
Liz O’Gilvie
Liz is a visionary leader working to address systemic food insecurity in Springfield’s most vulnerable neighborhoods. Through Gardening the Community and the Springfield Food Policy Council, she advocates fearlessly for local families and works to combat food apartheid across Massachusetts.
Paul Picknelly
Paul has been a driving force behind downtown Springfield’s revitalization, helping create new opportunities for business, entertainment, and tourism. His commitment to keeping professional hockey in Springfield has also helped the Thunderbirds become a community-centered organization that supports local nonprofits and connects people throughout the region.
Margaret Toomey
Margaret is the Program Director at Cancer House of Hope in West Springfield, where she supports individuals and families affected by cancer. A former culinary arts teacher, she also organizes the annual Bikes Fight Cancer charity ride, raising funds for families, treatment programs, and cancer research.
Gloria Wilson
Drawing upon her four-decade nursing career, Gloria empowers older adults to view aging as a transformative experience. She is a compassionate mentor, advocate, collaborator, and connector known for her integrity and commitment to faith-based health ministry and successful longevity initiatives.
