Boston’s Top 9 Women in Business | 2021 Pinnacle Awards Honorees
March 4, 2021
Arlene Fortunato, The Greater Boston Food Bank
Achievement in Management – Non-profit Honoree
GBCC: Arlene, what was your first job?
Arlene: Community Organizer. The actions of one person, are insignificant compared to the actions of the collective group.
GBCC: Who was your most impactful mentor?
Arlene: As a middle child, my grandmother believed that I wouldn’t be able to do anything right – since then I spent my life proving that she was wrong.
Jennifer Harrington, Hatch
Achievement in Entrepreneurship
GBCC: Jennifer, what was your first job?
Jennifer: My first job was in a small art gallery. I loved the opportunity to work with artists which helped inspire my desire to work with other creative people.
GBCC: Who was your most impactful mentor?
Jennifer: The most impactful mentor was my art schoolteacher, who showed me what true creativity is. He explained that there are careers in the art community, and that set me off to college with both passion and curiosity.
Jessie M. Gaeta, M.D., Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
Achievement in Health Care & Sciences
GBCC: Jessie, what was your first job?
Jessie: My first job was as a volunteer at the local community hospital, where I became fascinated with patient care — that I was never part of before.
GBCC: Who was your most impactful mentor?
Jessie: Barry Bock, who is a partner at work and CEO at the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. He taught me so much about leadership, operations, patience, and healthcare. He is someone who brings a tremendous amount of heart to the work he does.
Nia Grace, Darryl’s Corner Bar and Kitchen and Boston Black Hospitality Coalition
Emerging Executive
GBCC: Nia, what was your first job?
Nia: My first job was as a camp counselor at a community camp. This is where I learned how to deal with people in terms of interactions, moods, feelings, as well as be a leader.
GBCC: Who was your most impactful mentor?
Nia: My mentor was the CEO of Volunteer America of MA who understands the value of teamwork, and that my role plays a very large part in succeeding.
The Honorable Karen E. Spilka, Massachusetts State Senate
Achievement in Management – Government
GBCC: Karen, what was your first job?
Karen: My first job was at a lumber yard, giving me an incredible sense of responsibility, where I became more self-sufficient, and able to provide for things I needed. It gave me a sense of discipline and served me off on a great future.
GBCC: Who was your most impactful mentor?
Karen: The person who made the most impact on me was a friend, who recently passed from COVID-19. From my friend’s experiences, I translated her fundamental beliefs in problem solving and resolving differences.
Kathy Horgan of State Street Corporation
Achievement in Management – Private
GBCC: Kathy, what was your first job?
Kathy: It was with a catering company started by a woman in the neighborhood. She learned to provide good service and to be pleasant and friendly which helped make good connections with people.
GBCC: Who was your most impactful mentor?
Kathy: The most impactful person to me, is
Ron O’ Hanley of State Street Corporation. He always had confidence in my abilities and included me in tremendous learning opportunities. He made sure that I had a seat at the table, which gave me the platform to show what I can contribute.
Marianne Harrison, John Hancock
Achievement in the Professions
GBCC: Marianne, what was your first job?
Marianne: My first job was at PwC, where I was given the opportunity to try a lot of different things, in different cities, giving me a great opportunity to learn.
GBCC: Who was your most impactful mentor?
Marianne: The people who made the most impact on my life are my
parents. My mother was a stay-at-home mom, who always wanted her two daughters to be successful. And my father, who had an incredibly amazing work ethic. Seeing him work through his career inspired me.
Pam Y. Eddinger, Ph.D. of Bunker Hill Community College
Achievement in Arts & Education
GBCC: Pam, what was your first job?
Pam: My first job was at a takeout counter at a Chinese restaurant, where I learned a deep understanding for the immigrant work ethic. The restaurant was in a Spanish enclave where I learned the entire menu in Spanish to better help the customers.
GBCC: Who was your most impactful mentor?
Pam: The person who made an impact in my life was my teacher at Miami Park Elementary school. When I arrived to the states in 6th grade, I was in the lowest level of English. Thanks to my teacher’s support and recognition, 3-4 months later, I was in the honors class.
Pamela D. Everhart, Fidelity Investments
Lifetime Achievement
GBCC: Pam, what was your first job?
Pamela: My first job was at the Human Resources Department at Citizens Bank, here I learned the importance of high performing teams.
GBCC: Who was your most impactful mentor?
Pamela: Most influential person to me is Benaree (Bennie) Wiley. Wiley gave me her time and guidance, someone who just gives, gives, and gives more.