Brittany serves as VHB’s New England Industrial Team Leader and dedicates her time to ensuring VHB is actively building relationships with industrial clients, tracking, and prepositioning for industrial opportunities. She provides quality assurance to industrial development projects to ensure VHB is always delivering excellence for their clients. She manages projects providing site/civil, permitting, traffic, and environmental services for industrial developments, including warehouse, last-mile distribution, manufacturing, cold-storage and GMP facilities.

Mark A. Borenstein is a partner in Prince Lobel’s Real Estate Practice Group.

Mark is a skilled real estate attorney who represents clients in complex land use matters,

acquisitions and dispositions, and leasing matters. Mark has significant experience assisting clients

with the permitting and development of commercial, residential, mixed-use, industrial, life science

and institutional projects across Central Massachusetts. He is a lifelong resident of Worcester, so

clients rely on Mark for his comprehensive knowledge of the local Worcester community, culture,

and businesses. He is known by his clients and colleagues as an inventive professional with a

unique ability to bring different parties together.

Mark also counsels clients in the food and beverage space. He represents breweries, wineries,

As the Executive Vice President of the Worcester Business Development Corporation (WBDC),

Roberta Brien brings a wealth of experience in real estate, project management, and strategic

planning. A key leader within the organization, she collaborates closely with the President and

CFO on high-level decision-making, fi nancial oversight, and staff assignments. She also manages

all WBDC projects and directs fee-for-service activities.

With expertise in real estate, community development, and urban planning, Roberta takes

a holistic approach to project management. She oversees the development of WBDC-owned

properties, facilitates mixed-use projects, industrial parks, and infrastructure expansions, and

leads the acquisition, relocation, and asset management of various properties. Additionally, she plays a pivotal role

in securing project fi nancing through new market tax credits, historic tax credits, conventional loans, and state and

federal grants.

One of Roberta’s most transformative projects was the redevelopment of 20 Franklin Street in downtown Worcester.

This ambitious three-year initiative resulted in a vibrant, multi-use hub featuring an entrepreneurial co-working space, a

downtown campus for Quinsigamond Community College, modern offi ce spaces, a restaurant, and a black box theater.

The project signifi cantly contributed to the revitalization of downtown Worcester, attracting new businesses and

organizations to the area.

PRIOR EXPERIENCE

Before joining WBDC in 2004, Roberta served as a Project Manager in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Offi ce

of Real Estate under the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance. Managing a portfolio with an annual

revenue of $1 million, she spearheaded the planning, redevelopment, and strategic reuse of state-owned properties.

Her career also includes experience as a licensed commercial real estate agent and site selector for national retail

chains, where she identifi ed and negotiated prime development opportunities. Additionally, as a transportation planner

for a regional planning agency, she gained deep expertise in accessing state and federal grants, community planning,

and development strategies.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

Roberta holds a Bachelor of Science in City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning from Westfi eld State University

Sean J. O’Connell serves as President of Fidelity Bank, in addition to his role as Chief Lending Officer, where he oversees all client-facing business lines, community engagement, and philanthropic initiatives. With more than two decades of experience in community and regional banking, he brings a relationship-driven approach and a strong track record of aligning strategy with execution to support the Bank’s continued growth.

O’Connell joined Fidelity Bank in 2025 from UniBank, where he held senior leadership roles overseeing lending operations across 13 retail locations. He holds an MBA from Nichols College and a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State College, and is actively engaged in the community through leadership roles with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and Helix Human Services.

Samantha McDonald is an experienced, client-focused real estate lawyer at Bowditch, concentrating on business and real estate property law. She represents a wide range of clients and matters, including buyers and sellers of commercial real estate, land use, zoning, and development matters, leasing, and surrounding property issues. Samantha's clients include developers, nonprofits, manufacturers, retail, restaurants and educational institutions.