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          2025 BIMA Summer Sizzler

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          08/14/2025

          6:00pm - 9:00pm

          Fenway Park

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          Skills for the Future: How to Upskill Early Talent for Success

          Join Boston’s leading educators and industry experts to explore career-aligned high school programs, in-demand workplace skills, and innovative school partnerships driving student success

          07/17/2025

          9:00am - 11:00am

          Omni Boston Hotel Seaport

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          Authentic Professionalism for Early Career Professionals

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          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

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          Doing Business with Mass General Brigham

          Join us for our installment of the Pacesetters Doing Business series featuring Mass General Brigham on August 7, 2025.

          08/07/2025

          1:00pm - 2:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          BIMA
          2025 BIMA Summer Sizzler

          The BIMA Summer Sizzler is a chance to network with your digital media industry peers from the agency, publisher, and adtech community!

          08/14/2025

          6:00pm - 9:00pm

          Fenway Park

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Talent
          Skills for the Future: How to Upskill Early Talent for Success

          Join Boston’s leading educators and industry experts to explore career-aligned high school programs, in-demand workplace skills, and innovative school partnerships driving student success

          07/17/2025

          9:00am - 11:00am

          Omni Boston Hotel Seaport

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

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Insights
        • Transformational DEI Certificate

          This program is in redevelopment. Click this page for DEI resources.

          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
          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
          Authentic Professionalism for Early Career Professionals

          In this highly interactive workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney, you’ll define your professional identity and develop strategies to confidently navigate workplace dynamics.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          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.

          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
        • ...
          Small Business
          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          arrow-go
          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
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          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          Read More
          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 over 30 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
          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
          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
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2018 Pinnacle Awards

January 26, 2018 11:30 am – 1:30 pm Boston Marriott Copley Place

Event Details

  • Join us as we honor nine women for their outstanding achievement in the workplace, demonstrated leadership that has made a difference, and a commitment to enhance the quality of life in the region.

Tickets

  • Individual Member Ticket:$150
  • Member Table of 10:$2,000
  • Individual Non-Member Ticket:$250
  • Non-Member Table of 10:$3,000
  • Register byThursday, January 25, 2018

Join us as we honor nine women for their outstanding achievement in the workplace, demonstrated leadership that has made a difference, and a commitment to enhance the quality of life in the region.

Join us on January 26 for our 2018 Pinnacle Awards, the premier event for women in business! This spectacular and inspiring annual event honors nine leading Greater Boston women for outstanding achievement in the workplace, demonstrated leadership that has made a difference, and a commitment to enhance the quality of life in the region. 

The event attracts more than 1,000 attendees each year for an afternoon of networking, celebration, and learning from our outstanding honorees.

To view a current list of attendees, please click here. 

Celebrate the achievement of Greater Boston’s top women in business.

Celia Richa

Senior Vice President of Programs

[email protected]
617-557-7346

FEATURING

Liz Cheng, General Manager of Television, WGBH and WORLD Channel

Achievement in Health Care, Arts, Education Honoree

Liz Cheng, WGBH’s General Manager for Television, oversees seven local WGBH Channels as well as the WORLD Channel — a 24/7 national multicast on 151 public media…Read more
Liz Cheng, WGBH’s General Manager for Television, oversees seven local WGBH Channels as well as the WORLD Channel — a 24/7 national multicast on 151 public media stations, offering the best in original news/documentary content. For WORLD, Liz co-created the news magazine, Local, USA; the award-winning documentary series featuring diverse makers, America ReFramed; an international series, Doc WORLD; and WORLD’s newest effort, Stories from the Stage, featuring multicultural storytellers riffing about universal themes. Locally, Cheng helped to launch a choral series, Sing That Thing!, and “Boston Holidays! Celebrating with Music.” Prior to WGBH, Liz was the VP and Director of Programming for WCVB-TV Boston and WMUR-TV Manchester, both Hearst Television and ABC-affiliated stations. Liz serves on the boards of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, The Partnership, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the United Way.

Merit E. Cudkowicz, MD, Chief of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital

Achievement in Professions Honoree

As Julieanne Dorn Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Chief of Neurology Service at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Merit E. Cudkowicz directs…Read more
As Julieanne Dorn Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Chief of Neurology Service at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Merit E. Cudkowicz directs the organization’s ALS Program and Neurological Clinical Research Institute. Her research and clinical activities are dedicated to the study and treatment of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). She is one of the founders and former co-directors of the Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS), a group of over 100 clinical sites in the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Middle East dedicated to performing collaborative academic led clinical trials and research studies in ALS. Dr. Cudkowicz is also Principal Investigator of the Clinical Coordination Center for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Neurology Network of Excellence in Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT). The NeuroNEXT network is an efficient phase II network to develop innovative and new treatments for people with neurological disorders. In addition, she mentors many young neurologists in clinical investigation of ALS and related neurodegenerative disorders. 

Karen Keenan, EVP and Chief Administrative Officer, State Street Corporation

Achievement in Management- Private Honoree

As chief administrative officer for State Street, Karen Keenan manages cross-organizational initiatives, oversees the company’s data strategy and leads key components…Read more
As chief administrative officer for State Street, Karen Keenan manages cross-organizational initiatives, oversees the company’s data strategy and leads key components of its regulatory initiatives. She is also a member of State Street’s Management Committee, the company’s most senior strategy and policy-making team. Formerly, Karen led State Street’s Global Markets division worldwide. She joined the company in July 2007 as part of the acquisition of Investors Financial (IBT). She served as chief financial officer at Investors Bank & Trust during its initial public offering and its early years as a public company. Karen is a director on the board of City Year Boston, and a former director of CLS Bank. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Lynn Margherio, Founder and CEO, Cradles to Crayons

Achievement in Management- Non-Profit Honoree

With the conviction that, if donating were easy, families would gladly pass on new or gently used children’s items to families in need, Lynn launched Cradles to…Read more
With the conviction that, if donating were easy, families would gladly pass on new or gently used children’s items to families in need, Lynn launched Cradles to Crayons in Boston in 2002 and later expanded to Philadelphia and Chicago. Annually, Cradles to Crayons now provides nearly 250,000 children in poverty with essential items including clothing, shoes, winter coats and filled backpacks, and the organization’s unique operating model engages volunteers to fill 75,000 work shifts. Lynn began her career as a business strategy consultant. She served as a senior policy analyst on the White House Domestic Policy Council during the Clinton Administration, focusing on health care and the potential impact on the economy of the Internet and electronic commerce. She later served as Executive Vice President of the Clinton Foundation’s HIV/AIDS Initiative where she led international health care and policy teams. Lynn lives in Cambridge with her husband and children. 

Alison Nolan, Principal, Boston Harbor Cruises

Achievement in Entrepreneurship Honoree

As General Manager and 4th generation Principal, Alison Nolan oversees the comprehensive operations of Boston Harbor Cruises’ 60-vessel fleet. With over 600 daily…Read more
As General Manager and 4th generation Principal, Alison Nolan oversees the comprehensive operations of Boston Harbor Cruises’ 60-vessel fleet. With over 600 daily departures, BHC serves 2.5 million passengers annually from 7 ports and 30 facilities. Among her responsibilities are new product development and delivery, public bidding, procurement, contract management and safeguarding exceptional customer service standards. Alison also develops and manages the marketing, PR and digital profiles for BHC. As company spokeswoman, she serves as the public face of BHC and participates in many municipal and non-profit planning meetings, boards and committees. Alison is a proud board member for seven national and local organizations focusing on industry safety, conservation and activation of Boston’s Harbor and waterfront, and the elevation of the Boston experience for residents and visitors alike. Outside of work Alison enjoys travel and diving expeditions to Fiji with her friends from the New England Aquarium.  

Karyn Polito, Lieutenant Governor, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Achievement in Management- Government Honoree

Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito brings her experience as a family business owner and attorney to her work as the 72nd Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of…Read more
Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito brings her experience as a family business owner and attorney to her work as the 72nd Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, travelling across the state to work with people on making Massachusetts a great place to live, work and raise a family. She began her public service in local government serving as a member of the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen, and served for ten years in the House of Representatives. She serves as Chair of the Governor’s Council to reduce sexual assault and domestic violence. She also chairs the Community Compact Cabinet, which works directly with city and town leaders to strengthen municipal-state partnerships. Karyn is a lifelong resident of Shrewsbury, where she lives with her husband and two young children.

Courtney B. Scrubbs, Corporate Counsel, Legal Industrial Affairs, Sanofi

Emerging Executive Honoree

As Corporate Counsel, Courtney B. Scrubbs provides legal support to the Sanofi Industrial Affairs activity. She came to the practice of law as a public health CBPR…Read more
As Corporate Counsel, Courtney B. Scrubbs provides legal support to the Sanofi Industrial Affairs activity. She came to the practice of law as a public health CBPR researcher at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and as a medical trainee. She is a distinguished Paul Ambrose Public Health Scholar and has been recognized for her provision of respite care to children impacted by HIV/AIDS, domestically and internationally, and for her many volunteer hours devoted to advocating for and empowering youth in the most vulnerable of circumstances. Courtney is Founder of The Dawa Investment Network, Inc., a national investment group of 125+ black women physicians, the President of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association, a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee of the Boston Bar Association and a Young Philanthropist with The Philanthropy Connection. She has more than 11 years of non-profit board service, including service with Boston CASA, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Student National Medical Association and Howard University, Inc.

Reverend Liz Walker, Pastor, Roxbury Presbyterian Church

Lifetime Achievement Honoree

Reverend Liz Walker is pastor of Roxbury Presbyterian Church. She was called to this ministry after 21 years as Boston’s first African American Television News…Read more
Reverend Liz Walker is pastor of Roxbury Presbyterian Church. She was called to this ministry after 21 years as Boston’s first African American Television News Anchor on WBZ TV and 12 years of humanitarian work in war-torn Sudan where she helped build a school for girls, one of the first of its kind in that region. Under Liz’s leadership, Roxbury Presbyterian Church is home to the Cory Johnson Program for Post Traumatic Healing, an innovative effort that addresses the epidemic of Post Traumatic Stress in a low-income African American community too often overrun by violence. The Cory Johnson Program works to increase community awareness of PTS as well as improving access to mental health services, and empowering community members with the skills to cope with and respond to PTSD. 

Katy O’Neil, EVP, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Achievement- Advancement of Women Professionals Honoree

Katy O’Neil has been with the Chamber, one of the region’s leading business associations, for a combined 22 years. Today, in her role as Executive Vice President,…Read more
Katy O’Neil has been with the Chamber, one of the region’s leading business associations, for a combined 22 years. Today, in her role as Executive Vice President, Katy oversees all aspects of member development and retention for the Chamber and its more than 1,400 members. She is also responsible for the development of the Chamber’s Leadership Initiative, including the Chamber’s three leadership development programs: Executive Leadership Institute, Boston’s Future Leaders and the Women’s Leadership Program. As the primary overseer of the Chamber’s revenue sources, she is also responsible for all sponsorship programming. She played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Chamber’s Women’s Network and the creation of its annual Pinnacle Awards, the premier celebration of women in business in Greater Boston. She sits on a number of local boards including the Massachusetts March of Dimes, Mayor Walsh’s Boston Women’s Workforce Council, the Boch Center, Babson’s Boston Advisory Council and the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy at UMass Boston. 

Lisa Hughes

Anchor, WBZ-TV News Emcee

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