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          ...
          Premier Event
          2026 Pinnacle Awards

          Join on us on Friday, January 30, as we host our highly anticipated 2026 Pinnacle Awards Luncheon.

          01/30/2026

          11:00am - 1:30pm

          Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport

          arrow-go
          Read More
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          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          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
          Partnership with Boston Public Schools 

          The Chamber Foundation invites the business community to engage with Boston Public Schools leaders and their students to help build the future workforce.

          Read More
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Eight Greater Boston Women Leaders Awarded 2020 Pinnacle Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Business and Management

December 10, 2019

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) Women’s Network is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020 Pinnacle Awards, honoring eight remarkable female professionals in Greater Boston for outstanding achievement in business and management. The Pinnacle Awards were formed 26 years ago by the Chamber’s Women’s Network to honor leading women for outstanding achievement in the workplace, demonstrated leadership that has made a difference, and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the region. The award is the most prestigious honor for female professionals in the region.

This year’s honorees will be recognized on Friday, January 31, 2020 at the annual Pinnacle Awards luncheon held at the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel. Lisa Hughes, News Anchor for WBZ-TV will serve as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. The luncheon attracts more than 1,200 attendees, and past honorees include Anita Hill, Sandra Fenwick, Vicary Graham, Penni McLean-Conner, Liz Cheng, Courtney Scrubbs, and Sheila Lirio Marcelo. View all past honorees by achievement here.

The 2020 Pinnacle Award honorees are listed below:

Entrepreneurship Ashley McCown, President Solomon McCown & Company
Management – Private Jane Steinmetz, Boston Office Managing Principal Ernst & Young
Management – Government Maura Healey, Attorney General Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Management – Nonprofit Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA)
Professions Jennifer Tseng, MD, MPH, Surgeon-in-Chief Boston Medical Center
Health Care, Arts, & Education Shari Nethersole, MD, Executive Director for Community Health; Attending Physician, Primary Care Center Boston Children’s Hospital
Emerging Executive Rita German, Director, Community Investments John Hancock
Lifetime Achievement Phyllis Yale, Advisory Partner Bain & Company

Learn more about each of our 2020 honorees here.

“Our 2020 honorees are gamechangers within their organizations, their communities, and throughout our region,” said Yvonne Garcia, Chair of the GBCC Women’s Network and Chief of Staff to the CEO at State Street. “We are thrilled to honor and thank them for all that they have done to advance their professions, industries, our business community, and female professionals across the region and beyond.”

The Pinnacle Award for Lifetime Achievement is awarded annually to an honoree who has not only demonstrated an exemplary career of outstanding leadership within her organization and industry, but who has also worked to advance women in the workplace. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree is Phyllis Yale, Advisory Partner at Bain and Company. Yale has been a leader in the US healthcare system over the course of her career and helped build Bain’s healthcare practice. She also led the Boston office, served on Bain’s Board of Directors, and held other firm-wide leadership roles. At Bain, Yale continues to work as an advisor to healthcare payers and providers. She also serves on the boards of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts – where she was the first female Chair of the Board – Bristol-Myers Squibb and DaVita, as well as on the nonprofit boards for The Bridgespan Group and The Trustees of Reservations.

“I would first like to congratulate my fellow honorees and thank the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce for this exceptional honor. It truly is humbling,” said Yale. “Whatever success I may have achieved is indebted to a vast support system of family, friends, colleagues at Bain & Company and the broader Boston business community. Without this rich environment I would not have been able to have had the career I’ve been privileged to have. I’m committed to give back to this community by continuing to mentor the next generation of women leaders.”

The Pinnacle Honorees were announced at this afternoon’s Women’s Network Luncheon featuring guest speaker Betty Liu, Executive Vice Chairman, NYSE Group and Chief Experience Officer, Intercontinental Exchange. At the event, the Chamber also unveiled new branding and messaging for the Women’s Network.

“In 2019, we marked the 25th anniversary of the Women’s Network with a year-long celebration,” said James E. Rooney, president & CEO of the GBCC. “As we wrap up this special year, we want to strongly position the Women’s Network for its next 25 years by giving it the presence it deserves with a standalone brand, and messaging that underscores the impact the Network has had in making Greater Boston the best city for women professionals to thrive.”

The Greater Boston Chamber’s Women’s Network was founded in 1994 to promote and expand economic opportunities throughout the Greater Boston region for all women in business through shared leadership and expertise. The Women’s Network offers programs that provide career enrichment and development opportunities for women at all professional levels, spotlight the accomplishments of women, and promote the positive influence that women have upon the Greater Boston region

Members of the press wishing to cover the 2020 Pinnacle Awards on January 31 should RSVP to Katie Hauser at [email protected]. 

About the Greater Boston Chamber

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is the convener, voice and advocate of our region’s business community, committed to making Greater Boston the best place for businesses and people to thrive. It helps its members and Greater Boston succeed by convening and connecting the business community; researching, developing and advocating for public policies that contribute to our region’s economic success; and providing comprehensive leadership development programs designed to grow strong business and civic leaders. Learn more at BostonChamber.com.

Katie Hauser

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

[email protected]
617-557-7354

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