Sunshine Village welcomes Theroux as new president and CEO

Michelle Theroux
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

CHICOPEE — Michelle Theroux has been appointed as the next president and chief executive officer of Sunshine Village.

She began her role on March 30, succeeding Gina Kos, who will retire at the end of April after more than 30 years of leadership.

SunShine Village Board of Directors Chairman Peter S. Benton announced the appointment on March 30. Theroux brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in nonprofit, healthcare and educational organizations. Most recently, she served as CEO of Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley for more than 12 years.

Theroux talked with Reminder Publishing about her recent appointment. “It’s certainly an honor to take the helm of such an organization with a deep-rooted legacy here in Western Massachusetts, providing the services that they do,” she stated.

Established in 1967, Sunshine Village is a CARF [Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities] accredited organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities and those on the autism spectrum. With several locations throughout Western Massachusetts, Sunshine Village serves more than 400 individuals each year through employment, community integration and day habilitation services.

Theroux said the transition to her new role should go smoothly because she and Kos have known each other for 20 years as “colleagues and friends.”

Before taking this role, Theroux held senior management positions at the Center for Human Development and Child and Family Services of Pioneer Valley, where she oversaw multi-site operations and expanded clinical services.

She currently serves as chair of Mercy Medical Center, is a regional board member for Trinity Health of New England, and sits on the boards of the ERC5 Chamber of Commerce and MicroTek. She also serves as chair of the South Hadley Redevelopment Authority.

Theroux’s contributions have been recognized by BusinessWest, where she was named a 40 Under Forty honoree and a Woman of Impact. She also has a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Springfield College and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and politics from Assumption University.

Theroux said her first goal at Sunshine Village is to get to know the clients and employees, and learn why they choose the organization and how she can build off that strength.

“I really am going to take the first several months to acquaint myself with our community and our stakeholders and really get a sense of their perspective, and incorporate it into what I would like to see alongside our board of directors,” Theroux stated.

After that, she said she plans to evaluate the different services Sunshine Village can provide, and how those services can expand to as many populations as possible.

Theroux also highlighted the fact that Sunshine Village is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. She noted that the transition into her new role will be easy due to the organization’s well-established legacy in multiple communities.

“Sunshine Village has been an amazing place where every day is a great day, and that certainly will continue,” she said. “It is a very strong organization financially, culturally, and it’s a great space for somebody to come in and have the privilege of taking some time to get to know the people, to get to know the programs, and then make really some thoughtful and strategic decisions after that.”

In a farewell message on the Sunshine Village website, Kos stated, “It has been my greatest honor to serve this organization and to witness the dedication, passion and generosity of the extraordinary community that surrounds us.”

Kos also stated that the organization is in good hands with Theroux taking over.

“Our new president/CEO will be starting on March 30, 2026, and as I step away, I do so with deep confidence in the future,” Kos shared. “Sunshine Village is in capable hands, both new and familiar, and I know the days ahead will be bright. The opportunities before this organization are tremendous, and the journey forward is filled with promise.”

For more information on the organization, readers can visit sunshine.us.