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          Join us for our highly anticipated Annual Meeting, Greater Boston's top business convening of the year.

          05/20/2025

          4:30pm - 8:00pm

          Omni Boston Hotel

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Pacesetters
          Doing Business with Columbia Construction

          This virtual event gives small business owners the chance to hear directly from procurement officers about opportunities to work with them.

          05/29/2025

          12:00pm - 1:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          City Awake
          Art of Connection: An Evening at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

          Join us for an exclusive networking event at the Museum of Fine Arts and enjoy self-guided tours of John Wilson and Van Gogh, showcasing the deep bond of family, friendship, and community.

          06/05/2025

          5:30pm - 8:30pm

          Museum of Fine Arts

          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

          Join us on June 12 for a highly interactive virtual workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney.

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

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          Read More
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          Read More
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          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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Pacesetters: Doing Business with National Grid, Part II

April 26, 2021 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Virtual

Event Details

  • Join us for the next installment of the Doing Business series featuring National Grid!

Tickets

  • Free & Open to the Public
  • Online registration will close 90 minutes before the start of the program. If you would like to register after we have closed online registration, please reach out to [email protected].

Join us for the next installment of the Doing Business series featuring National Grid!

The Pacesetters Doing Business virtual series will allow small and minority-owned companies to hear directly from procurement officers at participating Pacesetter companies to learn about specific contract opportunities that may be unique to each company, including procurement procedures, RFP and bidding preferences, contract cycles, supplier diversity goals and more! We also hope each event will serve as a virtual networking opportunity for small and minority-owned companies to meet Pacesetters. 

Launched in 2018, Pacesetters is a partnership of large and midsized companies and anchor institutions who use their collective purchasing power to create opportunities at scale for businesses of color in the Commonwealth of MA. Pacesetters is aligned with the work of the Chamber’s Committee on Economic Opportunity which is charged with developing the united response of the business community to economic inequality. You can learn more about Pacesetters here. 

This event will be the final event of a two-part series featuring the procurement leadership team at National Grid. To learn more about National Grid, visit here.

Briana Hughey

Economic Opportunity Coordinator

[email protected]
617-557-7327

FEATURING

Carla Hunter Ramsey

Global Sr. Director of Supply Chain Corporate Social Responsibility

Carla Hunter Ramsey joined National Grid, one of the nation’s largest electricity and gas delivery companies and one of the largest publicly-owned energy companies…Read more
Carla Hunter Ramsey joined National Grid, one of the nation’s largest electricity and gas delivery companies and one of the largest publicly-owned energy companies in the world, as Global Sr. Director of Supply Chain Corporate Social Responsibility. In her role, she leads the coordination, integration and implementation of all supply chain diversity and sustainability strategies across the global footprint. Hunter Ramsey joined National Grid after more than 20 years in procurement, leading purchasing departments in higher education. Prior to joining National Grid, she was the director of purchasing, contracts and property management at York College, City University of New York and prior to York, oversaw procurement for The New School in New York City, in which she purchased goods and services for nine different colleges. Hunter Ramsey’s background is a perfect match supply chain corporate social responsibility. She understands the intricacies of being a supplier as well as a procurement professional and minority business owner. She worked as an executive in her father’s printing company, Black and White Impressions, Inc. for almost 15 years, and recalls the challenges she encountered in trying to secure contracts from corporations, state agencies and the federal government. Her multi-faceted work experience uniquely positioned her to see things from both sides of the table to effectively negotiate on behalf of the supplier as well as National Grid. Hunter Ramsey is committed to helping change the landscape of the business world to level the playing field for diverse companies across the U.S, as well as setting National Grid’s ambition to transform the way we do business and provide a sustainable legacy. She understands that National Grid’s long-term growth objectives depend on the ability to effectively expand business opportunities through the creation of powerful partnerships with diverse sustainable companies. Over the past eight years, National Grid’s supplier diversity program has received over 50 awards. The program has been recognized by Diversity Inc., Black EOE Magazine, Diversity Plus, Professional Women Magazine, US Black Chamber, Diversity Careers Inc., Color Magazine, the Greater New England Supplier Development Council, National Minority Business Council, Frazer Net and others. Black EOE Magazine has profiled Ms. Ramsey as one of the top supplier diversity executives in the nation. Hunter Ramsey has also been recognized by numerous organizations including NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives), was honored by the Queens Women’s Center for her achievements as a Women Entrepreneur. In addition to those accolades, she was nominated as one of the top influential black women in business –The Network Journal, recognized as one of the top 25 champions of diversity in the nation and received a prestigious award from the African American Chamber of Commerce at their Women’s Leaders Recognition. She holds a bachelors degree from Queens College and an Executive Masters Degree in Public Administration from Baruch College, The City University of New York and she is pursuing her Masters in Divinity degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. Hunter Ramsey is married with 3 children and resides in Queens, New York.

Leonard Durant

Principal Program Manager- Resource Strategy Global Procurement-Wholesale Networks & National Grid Ventures

Leonard Durant joined National Grid, a leading global utility company in the Northeast and the UK in delivery of gas and electricity to its customers in 2009 as…Read more
Leonard Durant joined National Grid, a leading global utility company in the Northeast and the UK in delivery of gas and electricity to its customers in 2009 as Senior Buyer, Global IS and Telecommunications. In 2013 Len migrated to the Transmission and Overhead Lines group responsible for “contracting out” electric construction for National Grid’s electric infrastructure. Len has been involved in the procurement profession for over 30 years and has watched the industry changes and the increased emphasis on cost savings through the implementation of supplier diversity programs throughout major corporations worldwide. Most recently (2018) Len transitioned to a new role as Principle Program Manager at National Grid. In this new role he will develop a strategy for enlarging external contractor resources for National Grid’s gas business. Len is a passionate “champion” of supplier diversity and is constantly involved in diversity initiatives both inside and outside National Grid. He has watched National Grid grow it’s diversity spend from literally nothing to a multi-million dollar, award-winning program that stands as an example in the industry. The National Grid procurement team has partnered with their Supplier Diversity group to identify, validate and attract minority suppliers worldwide. The Supplier Diversity program at National Grid has won numerous awards and recognition in the diversity arena and is now a “bell-weather” for others. Len has worked for numerous corporations throughout his career including, Smith & Nephew, Massachusetts Port Authority, Tufts University and Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from Cambridge College. He is Past President of the Greater Boston Chapter of AABE (American Association of Blacks in Energy) and within National Grid served on the Executive Council of the Alliance of Black Professionals. Len also mentors both within National Grid as well as outside. He is a former board member for Bird Street Community Center and recently completed in a leadership program, LeadBoston which prepares leaders for stewardship in their communities.

Nicola Rigby White

Director – Procurement US Gas Construction

Nicola Rigby White is the Director of Gas Procurement at National Grid and oversees 3 commercial gas categories, accounting for approx. $2BN of annual spend. She…Read more
Nicola Rigby White is the Director of Gas Procurement at National Grid and oversees 3 commercial gas categories, accounting for approx. $2BN of annual spend. She began her career in the Utility Industry in 2001 within the National Grid UK gas division (formerly Transco Plc.) as an Associate Buyer. Nicola has since led various teams with great success in both the UK and US, relocating to the United States in 2010 and continuing to excel in delivering strategic initiatives across the global organization. Notable accomplishments include delivering the first Agile (LEAN) procurement event in the US organization generating over 10% value and mitigating risk, ensuring continuity of supply for critical gas materials during the pandemic, and leading the delivery of the first fully virtual Strategic Sourcing Process training to all 100+ US procurement employees in 2020. Nicola continues to develop strategic partnerships across the supply chain, she is a staunch supporter of empowering her team and is proud of how the Procurement organization has evolved to create long-term sustainable solutions for their customers. Outside of work, Nicola is active within the Boston area community and is the President of a Non-Profit school organization. She also completed the Boston Future Leaders program, sponsored by the Boston Chamber of Commerce in 2018, and continues to support its ambitions. National Grid’s vision, “to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future”, is core to what Nicola and her team use to guide their procurement principles. She hopes that the diverse talent that resides in our Boston community can be a part of turning that vision a reality.

Brianna LaGuardia

Buyer – Gas Construction Pipeline Services

Brianna LaGuardia joined National Grid, one of the nation’s largest electricity and gas delivery companies and one of the largest publicly owned energy companies…Read more
Brianna LaGuardia joined National Grid, one of the nation’s largest electricity and gas delivery companies and one of the largest publicly owned energy companies in the world. Brianna joined the US Procurement Team as an Associate Buyer shortly after graduating from Bryant University with degrees in Global Supply Chain Management and Social Entrepreneurship. Brianna’s expertise is in the Environmental Services sector of Gas Construction. She focuses on sourcing events related to spill response and transportation and disposal of regulated waste. Brianna is a champion of supplier diversity through her sourcing events as well as through outside initiatives, such as a former Corporate Social Responsibility Champion for National Grid and a former lead of the Carbon Disclosure Project- 2020 Initiative. She works hard to build lasting and trustworthy relationships with the prime contractors and their subcontractors. Brianna currently resides in Massachusetts.

Eric Crawford

Category Manager Global Procurement – (FFLAPS) Facilities, Fleet, Logistics, Aviation, Property and Security

Eric Crawford is the Procurement Manager for National Grid’s US Facilities, Fleet, Logistics, Aviation, Property and Security businesses. He has a wide range of…Read more
Eric Crawford is the Procurement Manager for National Grid’s US Facilities, Fleet, Logistics, Aviation, Property and Security businesses. He has a wide range of category management expertise and facilitates communication and operations within the Indirect Team. The Indirect team manages Energy Efficiency, Information Technology, Information Systems, Corporate Services, Technical Consulting, General Management Consulting, MRO, Safety, Spares, and the departments under his control. In this capacity, Eric is committed to the engagement and development of a diverse supply chain that reflects the communities in which we provide gas and electricity services. Primary focus is given to tier II enablement, where teams work with key prime contractors and subcontractors. Eric is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Business earning an MBA, MoIS and Slippery Rock University. Eric has a diversified background in Healthcare, Retail, Heavy Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Utilities. He and his family currently reside in in New Hampshire with their cats Snow and Storm.

Simon Harnett

Vice President of US Procurement for National Grid

In this role Simon is accountable for leading the US Procurement team to ensure that National Grid’s US supply chain provides high quality, cost competitive services….Read more
In this role Simon is accountable for leading the US Procurement team to ensure that National Grid’s US supply chain provides high quality, cost competitive services. As part of this Simon and his team work alongside the supply chains to ensure that together they reflect the diversity of the communities that National Grid serves using its procurement spend to support local economic growth, provide opportunities for diverse businesses and build strong, vibrant communities. Simon joined National Grid as a graduate some 20 years ago and since then has held a number of commercial and procurement roles within National Grid’s UK and US businesses. Simon holds a BSc in Environmental Biology from the University of Liverpool and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply.

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The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce encourages persons with disabilities to participate, and engage fully, in its programs and events. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, including but not limited to, listening devices, closed captioning, large print, wheelchair access, allergies and environmental sensitivities, or if you have any questions about the venue, event format, or virtual platform, please contact us at [email protected].

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