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          A Fireside Chat with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, Boston University

          This Women's Network event will offer an insightful conversation with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, the 11th President of Boston University and both the first woman and the first Black woman to lead the institution since its founding in 1869.

          06/18/2025

          11:30am - 1:00pm

          Fairmont Copley Plaza

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          Special Event
          Talent and Competitiveness in 2025: Finding Opportunity in Uncertain Times

          Join the Chamber and Massachusetts Business Roundtable for a deep dive into employer insights, featuring analysis from McKinsey and a panel of experts.

          06/26/2025

          11:00am - 12:00pm

          Virtual

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          Pacesetters
          Doing Business with Mass General Brigham

          Join us for our installment of the Pacesetters Doing Business series featuring Mass General Brigham on June 26, 2025.

          06/26/2025

          1:00pm - 2:00pm

          Virtual

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          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.

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

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

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

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          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.

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          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.

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          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).

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Bostonchamber
Boston Chamber
  • Events
        • Events

          • Overview
          • Events Calendar
          • Chamber Awards
          • New Chamber Event Series
        • ...
          Women's Network
          A Fireside Chat with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, Boston University

          This Women's Network event will offer an insightful conversation with Dr. Melissa Gilliam, the 11th President of Boston University and both the first woman and the first Black woman to lead the institution since its founding in 1869.

          06/18/2025

          11:30am - 1:00pm

          Fairmont Copley Plaza

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Special Event
          Talent and Competitiveness in 2025: Finding Opportunity in Uncertain Times

          Join the Chamber and Massachusetts Business Roundtable for a deep dive into employer insights, featuring analysis from McKinsey and a panel of experts.

          06/26/2025

          11:00am - 12:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Pacesetters
          Doing Business with Mass General Brigham

          Join us for our installment of the Pacesetters Doing Business series featuring Mass General Brigham on June 26, 2025.

          06/26/2025

          1:00pm - 2:00pm

          Virtual

          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
        • ...
          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
  • 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

          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
  • Membership
        • Membership

          • Overview
          • Membership Benefits
          • Membership Levels
          • Member Stories
          • Request a Meeting
          • Join Today
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Women's Network

Karen Kaplan, Hill Holliday

March 29, 2022 8:00 am – 9:30 am City Winery

Event Details

  • This fireside chat featured Karen Kaplan, Chair & CEO of Hill Holliday, one of Boston’s biggest ad agencies!
  • We got Karen’s perspective on the disruption and challenges the advertising industry is facing with the transformation of technology, how she continues to trailblaze as one of the few female agency chairs in the country, and much more!

Tickets

  • Members & Government: Individual $65
  • Members & Government: Table of 10 $650
  • Non-Members: Individual $110
  • Non-Members: Table of 10 $1,100

ABOUT THE EVENT

In a conversation led by Susan Loconto Penta, Managing Partner & Co-founder, MIDIOR Consulting, we will hear from Karen on her unique journey from the receptionist to CEO at Hill Holliday, and how her fresh perspective on business, her determination, and her drive developed into her now being a key player in Hill Holliday’s significant growth as a national powerhouse.

This event is part of our Women’s Network series. Our Women’s Network isn’t a club you join, but a place where you belong – you’ll find a diverse group of more than 3,000 (and growing) women and male allies at all levels of their careers, from all backgrounds, sectors, industries, and professions, with energy for ensuring that Greater Boston becomes the best place for professional women to thrive.
Learn More

Questions?

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Staff
Danielle Dorey

Vice President, Programs

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Email Danielle

Watch the Event Here

Karen Kaplan
View Album

Speakers

Karen Kaplan
Karen Kaplan

Chair & CEO, Hill Holliday Group

Karen Kaplan joined Hill Holliday as a receptionist, hoping to save enough money for law school. Four decades later, she’s had just about every job there is to…Read more
Karen Kaplan joined Hill Holliday as a receptionist, hoping to save enough money for law school. Four decades later, she’s had just about every job there is to have at an agency, gaining valuable insight into how to approach each business challenge with a fresh perspective. A key player in Hill Holliday’s significant growth as a national powerhouse, Karen is now Chair & CEO overseeing the network of three agency brands: Hill Holliday, EP+Co, and Trilia Media. With an executive team composed of over half women, Karen is also one of the few female agency chairmen in the country. Honored by both Business Insider, Campaign US, and Ad Age as one of the most influential women in advertising, she’s helped the agency develop a proven ability to help brands fight a daily share battle in the noisiest categories. The proof lies in the success of brands such as Bank of America, Johnson & Johnson, and Dunkin’ Donuts. She has been a contributor to and featured in numerous publications including Ad Age, Adweek, Forbes, Fortune, and Inc. She serves on the Boards of Trustees of Brigham Health, The Ad Council and several other civic and professional organizations and is a Trustee of Fidelity Investments’ Strategic Advisers Funds.

Susan Loconto Penta
Susan Loconto Penta

Managing Partner & Co-Founder, MIDIOR Consulting

Susan Loconto Penta is an engineer, entrepreneur, educator and consultant with a passion for products, technology and teams that has underscored her 33-year career….Read more
Susan Loconto Penta is an engineer, entrepreneur, educator and consultant with a passion for products, technology and teams that has underscored her 33-year career. In her capacity as Co-Founder and Managing Partner at MIDIOR, Susan oversees the delivery of professional services and MIDIOR’s operations. For her clients, Susan is uniquely able to cross organizational and cultural boundaries to facilitate a common product and technology perspective, inspire innovative thinking, optimize organization output and improve financial performance. For 18 years, Susan has also served as an Executive Professor on the adjunct faculty at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business as well as in Northeastern’s Corporate Education programs where she teaches graduate courses in entrepreneurship and innovation. Susan is a frequent speaker on the topics of innovation, entrepreneurship and product organizations. Susan is an active supporter of non-profit organizations in the Boston area with a particular focus at the intersection of education, entrepreneurship and disadvantaged populations. Susan currently serves as a Director and immediate past Chairman of the Board for the Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE), as Trustee and past Chairman of the Board for Schools for Children, as an active member of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network Advisory Board, as a trustee with the Children’s Trust, as the Chair of PDMA’s Webcast Committee and as a Program Committee member for The Possible Project. Susan is a founding member of WPI’s Women’s Impact Network (WIN), was a founding board member for WPI’s Collaborative for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and has served on the Management Executive Council for WPI’s Foisie Business School and the Technology Advisors Network. Susan also serves as an advisor to The Third Piece, a retail store and internet property focused on women’s high end accessories and fashion. In the past, Susan served as Treasurer, Chair of Finance and Trustee for Belmont Day School, as Director on the International Board of Directors for the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA), as President of the New England Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) and as a Trustee for the Healthworks Foundation. Susan has received multiple awards including, in 2017, the Center for Women & Enterprise Advocate of the Year award and in 2016, the prestigious Pinnacle Award for Achievement in Entrepreneurship from the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Other past awards include in 2004, being named to the Boston Business Journal’s “40 under 40” and in 2001, receiving the Ichabod Washburn Young Alumni Award for Professional Achievement from WPI. Prior to founding MIDIOR, Susan held founding, executive, product management and engineering roles at companies including MODA Systems, IDEAssociates, Alcatel and Sprague Electric Company. Susan holds a BSEE degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and an MBA from The CASS Business School in London, England. When not supporting a MIDIOR client or one of her favorite non-profits, Susan can be found outside, in an exercise class or in her kitchen, testing and optimizing recipes.

Agenda

  • 8:00am-8:30am | Registration & Networking

    Sign in at the registration table and network with fellow attendees.

  • 8:30am-9:15am | Breakfast Program

    A moderated discussion with our featured speaker.

  • 9:15am-9:30am | Audience Q&A

    Our keynote speaker will answer questions from the audience.

City Winery

80 Beverly St Boston , MA 02114

Get Directions

FAQs

  • WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY REGISTRATION?

    -Access to a welcoming community of professionals over a great conversation and breakfast!
    -Water & Soft Drinks

  • WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

    An interest in connecting with women professionals from all industries and career stages. Oh, and don’t forget business cards & your appetite.

  • WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

    Please come dressed for your day!

  • WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?

    Registration & networking begins at 8:00 a.m.

  • DO I NEED TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE?

    -We have a limited number of tickets available for this event due to capacity limits. Women’s Network events are some of the Chamber’s most popular and we recommend registering in advance to secure your spot!
    -Onsite Registration will not be accepted.

  • COVID-19 POLICY

    -You are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the CDC.
    -You will wear a mask indoors when not eating or drinking. We will be asking attendees to show proof of vaccination onsite
    -You have not had a fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell that cannot be attributed to another health condition.
    -You have not had contact with a person known to be infected, potentially infected, or exposed to someone infected with COVID-19 within the previous 14 days. (Prior to the event date)

Sponsor

MFS Logo

265 Franklin Street
Suite 1701
Boston, MA 02110
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