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          BIMA
          BIMA Summer Sizzler

          The BIMA Summer Sizzler is the must-attend networking event for marketing and media professionals.

          08/11/2022

          5:30pm - 8:30pm

          Museum of Science

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Events
          2022 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Members-only
          Maximize Your Membership September

          This is an opportunity to meet the Chamber staff as you learn how to leverage your Chamber benefits effectively to meet your goals through our offerings.

          09/29/2022

          2:00pm - 3:30pm

          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce 

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Resources
        • Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Transformational DEI Certificate

          We are now recruiting for our 2022 fall DEI cohort! We hope you’ll join us in our mission to increase DEI fluency and change in the Boston business community – starting with you.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Economic Inclusion Committee
          • Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Economic Inclusion

          Our Economic Inclusion Committee provides strategic support around research, policies, and programs that are focused on building equal opportunity.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Events
          2022 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For more than 25 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          MITX

          Through MITX (the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange), we’re building valuable connections between the people and ideas behind technology and its impact on the future of customer experiences, all to create a community that’s finding tomorrow’s solutions together.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
          Small Business

          We support small business through public policy initiatives, events designed to connect small businesses in Greater Boston to their peers and established business leaders, professional development offerings, and free small business advising.

          Read More
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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. 

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