‘Creating extraordinary impact’

FITCHBURG — The inaugural Local Luminaries Gala drew hundreds of people from all over the region dressed in their finest, channeling Hollywood red carpet style to celebrate leadership, innovation, and community impact.

Lifelong city resident Tuyen Nguyen organized the special event held on May 8 at Great Wolf Lodge New England that she said was “created to recognize and celebrate the entrepreneurs, creators, and community leaders who are quietly shaping the culture and economy of North Central Massachusetts.”

“While many prestigious awards honor nationally recognized figures, countless local business owners are creating extraordinary impact every day without receiving the visibility they deserve,” she said. “The gala was designed to change that.”

The female entrepreneur, leadership speaker, and business owner went on to say that the elegant evening was designed to bring together “entrepreneurs and professionals from diverse industries to celebrate the people who are helping our communities thrive.”

“Behind every successful business is a story of sacrifice,” Nguyen said. “Many entrepreneurs begin with uncertainty, limited resources, and tremendous personal responsibility. They work long hours, carry financial risk, and continue showing up even when recognition is absent. The Local Luminaries Gala exists to say we see you. Your work matters. Your impact deserves to be celebrated.”

Dozens of small business owners and entrepreneurs from around the region were recognized at the event, with over 200 local businesses nominated and tens of thousands of votes cast — a staggering 10,000 within the first 24 hours — which Nguyen said, “really speaks to how much this event is resonating.”

“We had an incredible response from the community,” she relayed. “It’s truly become a celebration of the small business and entrepreneurial spirit in our area, especially within the beauty, wellness, and service industries that are often overlooked.”

When Nguyen thanked everyone for coming, she urged people not to leave “without connecting. That’s what this is all about.”

Fitchburg State University alum Christian Lopez spoke to the attendees about his company Autom8, which works directly with founders and small teams to implement AI-powered systems, helping them scale and operate like larger companies. He praised Nguyen for her determination in putting together the event that highlighted so many hardworking people in the greater community.

“Shoot for the stars and land on the moon, that’s what she did,” Lopez said of the gala that sold 250 tickets.

He went on to say that while AI and other tech services can certainly enhance how people do business, it will never replace the human aspect.

“You all are service providers,” Lopez said. “That’s one thing AI can’t provide.”

Eladia Romero, the first Latina elected to Leominster City Council, presented Nguyen with a citation from U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, for whose office Romero is the regional manager.

“Community has always been at the heart of what she does,” Romero said of Nguyen, calling the gala a “lovely and beautiful event.”

All the award recipients were given glass Local Luminaries awards in the shape of a flame, people nominated in all kinds of different categories. The Inferno Hot Yoga & Pilates Studio Manager and instructor Anjum Virostko accepted the glow up award on behalf of the Fitchburg studio owned by Kate McMilleon and Cie Morin, owner of Aesthetics by Cie inside Manestream Day Spa in Fitchburg, was thrilled to take home an award from the community impact category.

“Winning filled me with joy, especially to be able to accept the award with Lindsey English by my side,” the lifelong city resident said of the woman who serves as the president of Fostering Change, Inc., a Leominster-based nonprofit English founded in 2018 that Morin is deeply involved with. “This accolade brings so much awareness to the work we do in supporting our children of the community who live in foster care. It was a beautiful moment for us as friends, celebrating over 20 years of affecting our community in a positive way.”

Nguyen’s own story reflects the same resilience, reinvention, and power of community that was highlighted at the Local Luminaries Gala. Born in Vietnam, she spent part of her early childhood in a refugee camp before immigrating to the United States with her family.

Those formative experiences instilled a profound appreciation for opportunity, perseverance, and the sacrifices required to build a better life and, throughout her career, Nguyen has consistently reinvented herself. She served as an investigator for USIS, later built a successful corporate career, and ultimately became an human resources director in manufacturing, where she led initiatives in leadership development, organizational culture, and employee engagement.

Despite her professional success, Nguyen felt called to create something more deeply aligned with her purpose. She attended esthetics school at night while working full-time and went on to build Flutter Yen Aesthetics, a thriving beauty and wellness business located at 217 State Rd. in Westminster.

Through Nguyen Impact — a leadership and speaking platform dedicated to creating experiences that move people, from inspiration into action — she combines her experience in business, leadership, and personal transformation to inspire entrepreneurs and professionals to turn adversity into purpose.

As an entrepreneur herself, Nguyen said that she “understands what happens behind the scenes before success becomes visible” and “knows what it feels like to question whether the hard work will pay off, to carry responsibilities quietly, and to continue building despite uncertainty.”

Her own personal journey and the desire to recognize fellow luminaries in the community were what inspired her to establish the gala, which she said, “was born from a simple but powerful belief — greatness exists in our own communities, and the people creating meaningful impact deserve to be seen.”

Core themes of the event that will now be held annually include entrepreneurship and innovation, resilience and perseverance, community impact, leadership and legacy, diversity and representation, and local economic growth — ideas and attributes Nguyen is familiar with and has channeled in her personal and professional life.

“This event was created to shine a light on the people who are building extraordinary things in our own communities,” she said. “Many entrepreneurs spend years working quietly behind the scenes. The Local Luminaries Gala is our opportunity to say we see you, and your impact matters. When we celebrate local leaders, we inspire others to believe that success is possible right here in our own communities.”