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          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
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          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
          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

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          Read More
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          Read More
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          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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Women's Network logo

Women’s Network | Leading Beyond Limits

October 8, 2024 9:30 am – 11:00 am ML Strategies

Event Details

  • Thank you for joining us for an inspirational conversation with women leaders who have pioneered new initiatives and made significant impacts in their industries.
  • Our esteemed panelists shared their vision for the future to improve female representation and leadership in the workplace.

Tickets

  • Individual Member Ticket: $75
  • Individual Non-Member Ticket: $100
  • Individual Government Member: $75

Jump to page section

  • Overview
  • Speakers
  • Agenda
  • FAQs
  • Sponsor
  • Location

Redefining Possibilities for Women in Leadership

Building on the September event: “Bridging the Gap: Latinas in Leadership”, the conversation on the importance of “seeing yourself” and women representation in positions of leadership continued.

Attendees heard from a panel of influential women professionals who have successfully navigated and excelled in industries where female representation at the top is traditionally low. Our panelists shared their own narratives of resilience, innovation, and leadership, and offered valuable approaches for overcoming distinct challenges women often face, like career interruptions, gender and systemic biases, and balancing all the various roles they must play personally and at work.

Whether a seasoned professional or just starting a career, this event offered women and male allies from all backgrounds a unique opportunity to gain inspiration, network with like-minded individuals, and contribute to a supportive community that champions women advancement and representation.

ABOUT THE WOMEN’S NETWORK

In our Women’s Network, 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, and industries, and professions, with energy for ensuring that Greater Boston becomes the best place for professional women to thrive.

For 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.

Questions? Contact us.

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Staff
Erica Deese

Senior Program Manager

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Email Erica
Women speaking on a Women's Network event panel
Women speaking on a Women's Network event panel

This event is part of our fall conversation series

In January 2021, Kamala Harris made history by being sworn in as the 49th U.S. Vice President, becoming the first woman, the first Black American, and the first Asian American to hold the office. In July 2023, Barbie hit movie theaters and captivated global audiences by challenging societal expectations, celebrating diversity, and instilling confidence in women and young girls from all backgrounds. In August 2024, the remarkable U.S. women’s gymnastics team became the most ethnically diverse in Olympic history, and Simone Biles secured her spot as the most decorated gymnast in history. Although significant progress is being made, women today are still grappling with gender stereotypes and navigating challenges in advancing inclusion and representation. Continue the conversations as we explore the importance of “seeing yourself” and come together to inspire the next generation of women leaders. Diversity at the top is not just a matter of equity but also a catalyst for innovation and success.

Speakers

Kara South, GW&K
Kara M. South, CFA

Partner, Portfolio Manager, GW&K Investment Management

Kara is partner of the firm and a portfolio manager for all of the firm’s municipal bond strategies. She is a member of GW&K’s Investment Committee and ESG…Read more
Kara is partner of the firm and a portfolio manager for all of the firm’s municipal bond strategies. She is a member of GW&K’s Investment Committee and ESG Committee. As a seasoned fixed income manager with deep knowledge of the market, including experience managing taxable municipal bonds and ESG strategies, she is able to draw on her extensive research and management expertise in the evaluation of market risks, opportunities and strategic portfolio positioning.

Kara joins GW&K from Income Research + Management (IR+M), where she was a senior portfolio manager and co-director of credit research and a member of the Investment Committee. Prior to IR+M, she was a securities valuation analyst at John Hancock Financial. She began her career at Wachovia Corporation (now Wells Fargo) as an interest rate derivative analyst. Kara earned a BA in Economics and Psychology from Cornell University. She is a CFA® charterholder and is a member of the CFA Institute, the CFA Society Boston, the Boston Municipal Analysts Forum, and the National Federation of Municipal Analysts. In addition, she holds the Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting (FSA) certificate.

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April English
April English

Chief Secretary, Massachusetts Governor’s Office

As the Chief Secretary to Governor Maura T. Healey, April English oversees the administration’s efforts to fill appointments on boards and commissions and throughout…Read more
As the Chief Secretary to Governor Maura T. Healey, April English oversees the administration’s efforts to fill appointments on boards and commissions and throughout the administration. Prior to joining the Governor’s office, April worked in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office for over 19 years. She began her career in the Attorney General’s office working as an Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division. Eventually, April transitioned to the Criminal Bureau where she served as Deputy Division Chief and as Director of the Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Division/Unit. During her last 6 years at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, April served as the first Chief of Organization Development & Diversity/Inclusion. She is a graduate of Spelman College and Northeastern University School of Law. She continues to serve on two Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court appointed boards: Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation and as Chair of the Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Oversight Committee. She is also a proud recipient of the 2017 Women’s Bar Association Pioneering Women of Color Award; the 2020 Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Top Women of the Law Award; and the 2023 first ever Justice Geraldine S. Hines Public Service Award from the Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys.

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Julie Chen

Chancellor, UMass Lowell

Julie Chen is the fourth chancellor of UMass Lowell, having assumed the role in July 2023. Under her leadership the university has bolstered efforts to improve student…Read more
Julie Chen is the fourth chancellor of UMass Lowell, having assumed the role in July 2023. Under her leadership the university has bolstered efforts to improve student outcomes, guaranteeing all incoming students the opportunity for a career-connected experience by the time they graduate. In addition, the university continues to grow its research effort, surpassing $111 million in annual expense, putting UMass Lowell in league with the top research institutions in the U.S.

UMass Lowell was recently recognized by the Wall Street Journal as the No. 1 public university in Massachusetts, reflecting return on student investment, student support and the diversity of the university’s community.

Chancellor Chen’s more than two decades at UMass Lowell have included service as chief research officer, which entailed building innovative partnerships among the university, government and industry. Examples of collaborations created under her leadership include the Fabric Discovery Center, weaving together innovation in high-tech fabrics, flexible electronics and robotics; the Rist Center for Sustainability and Energy; the Raytheon-UMass Lowell Research Institute; and the HEROES partnership with the U.S. Army. The university has also expanded access to its specialized laboratories to more than 200 industry users.

Chancellor Chen is an accomplished mechanical engineer and professor. She is an expert in materials processing and nano-manufacturing, having led programs in those areas at the National Science Foundation. She has represented the United States in international workshops; testified before Congress; and earned three degrees from M.I.T.

At UMass Lowell her areas of influence also include Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, exemplified by leadership in the university’s Council on Social Justice and Inclusion as well as a $3.5 million NSF-supported project to remove obstacles for female STEM faculty.

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laurie giandomenico
Laurie Giandomenico, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President and Chief Acceleration Officer, MITRE

Dr. Laurie Giandomenico is the Senior Vice President and Chief Acceleration Officer at MITRE and operates the MITRE-Wide Acceleration Innovation Funnel and its portfolio…Read more
Dr. Laurie Giandomenico is the Senior Vice President and Chief Acceleration Officer at MITRE and operates the MITRE-Wide Acceleration Innovation Funnel and its portfolio of projects (investment, incubation, and transition efforts), and MITRE’s Fund relationships (AFF and GHIC fund investments). She is also the founder, Executive Director and P&L owner for MITRE Engenuity, MITRE’s private sector focused LLC, focused innovation for public good through collaborative R&D with industry and government. Laurie is responsible for private and public sector incubation and acceleration at MITRE including industry R&D collaborations, investments, and new business models including FFS, SAAS platforms, and spin outs/start-ups.

With over 25 years of experience in high-tech and retail industries, and strong financial, technical, brand, marketing, and management experience, Laurie is passionate about accelerating innovation, protecting supply chains, and advancing technical leadership. Her expertise includes launching and leading high-tech PPPs, incubating cybersecurity innovation, energy management, and workforce diversity and inclusion in high tech to achieve national security and economic competitiveness objectives.

Today, she works across industry and government on incubation, acceleration, investment and P&L management of innovation growth and talent diversity including 5G, AI, Cyber, Energy Management, Nutrition/Health, Quantum and Semiconductors. These and other complex technologies, what some call “deep tech” are essential for democracy to survive. The ability to harness ingenuity, innovate, and transform has shaped and evolved civilizations. Her purpose with Engenuity is to work with industries and governments to create generational impact by fostering innovation for public good. This “radical collaboration” is how free countries thrive and in a time of uncertainty, is critical for building a more resilient America.

Her PPP expertise includes launching industry deep tech R&D Collaborations: The Semiconductor Alliance (over 100 companies including Fortune 500 focused on CHIPS+ Act investments), Open Generation 5G Industry Collaboration (use case innovation in UAS and smart cities), and the Cybersecurity Center for Threat Informed Defense (CTID) building a cyber defender ecosystem.

As a management consultant and brand expert, Laurie has been deposed as an expert witness in branding and the field of nutritional science and technology. At McKinsey, Kantar (formerly Effective brands), and Vivaldi partners, she has worked on All, Dove, Enfamil, Nestle, Promise, Schlumberger and Starbucks brands and more, developing strategy and advising global CEOs and brand owners. Laurie has built inside sales, demand generation, channel management and sales operations functions in CRM Systems at Pega Systems and in energy management for EnerNOC/Enel.

Laurie is a sought-after speaker and panelist, a member of Women Executives on Boards (WEOB), and has several Certifications including Corporate Director Academy Certification and Harvard’s Women on Boards (WOB). She has received her Ph.D. in nutritional sciences from the college of human ecology at Cornell University, Her M.A. in archaeology and anthropology from the college of arts and sciences at Cornell University, and her B.S. in electrical engineering at the University of Connecticut.

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Paris Alston
Paris Alston

Host, GBH

Paris Alston is co-host of Morning Edition and The Wake Up podcast at GBH News. In this role she has done live coverage of Massachusetts’ elections, the unveiling…Read more
Paris Alston is co-host of Morning Edition and The Wake Up podcast at GBH News. In this role she has done live coverage of Massachusetts’ elections, the unveiling of the Embrace monument to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, the 2023 national NAACP convention, where she interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris, and the 2024 Celtics Championship Parade. She also does community-based reporting for her award-winning original series “A Walk Down the Block,” and produces regular segments for the original monthly mental health series “Wake Up Well.”

Before joining Morning Edition, Paris was a host of the NPR podcast Consider This, produced in conjunction with GBH and WBUR. She also served as the host of GBH’s digital series Keep it Social about social media trends, targeted at millennial and Gen Z audiences. Prior to that, she broke into the industry as an intern at UNC-TV in North Carolina and NBC10-Philadelphia and a producer at GBH and WBUR. She has reported on stories from Southeast Asia, Morocco, Panama and Brazil.

A North Carolina native, Paris is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she studied media and journalism and global studies. She recently earned a Social Impact MBA from Boston University. She is a member of the Boston and National Associations of Black Journalists and has worked extensively with print, digital, video, audio and social media.

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Agenda

  • 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Registration & Networking

    Guests arrive, sign in at registration, and network with fellow attendees.

  • 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Fireside Chat

    Join our panelists for an informative and insightful moderated discussion.

  • 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Audience Q&A

    Attendees have a chance to ask our featured speakers questions.

FAQs

  • What is included in my registration?

    Access to a welcoming community of professionals over a great conversation!

  • What should I bring?

    An interest in connecting and networking with other professionals. Oh, and don’t forget business cards!

  • What should I wear?

    Please come dressed for your day!

  • When should I arrive?

    9:30 a.m. for Registration – Program begins promptly at 10:00 a.m.

  • Do I need to register in advance?

    Women’s Network events are some of the Chamber’s most popular and we recommend registering in advance to secure your spot!

  • COVID-19 Policy

    The Department of Health and Human Services lifted the Presidential Declaration of a National Public Health Emergency arising from the COVID-19 pandemic on May 11, 2023. Therefore, COVID-19 will no longer be considered a national health emergency. The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce will continue to monitor trends and act accordingly based on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance.

    Your health and safety remain our top priority while attending programs, events, and meetings. COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are strongly recommended. The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce still follows exposure guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

    If you feel ill or learn of an exposure before an event or meeting, whether with COVID-19 symptoms or others, please stay home and contact your healthcare provider.

    *Please note -If the venue or host of the program has additional policies or protocols, we will adhere to them and notify attendees in advance.

Sponsor

GWK Logo

ML Strategies

One Financial Center, 41st Fl, Boston, MA 02111

Get Directions

All cancellations must be received at least three (3) business days prior to the event to avoid being charged or to receive a refund.

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].

265 Franklin Street
Suite 1701
Boston, MA 02110
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