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        • Events

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        • ...
          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
        • ...
          Series
          Transportation First | State of the Airport

          The Transportation First Series offers a platform to discuss the challenges faced by our region, with the input of experts and changemakers.

          06/12/2025

          2:45pm - 4:30pm

          Hybrid | Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

          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
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          • 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
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City Awake logo

Words of Wisdom | Vivien Li

April 16, 2025 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Event Details

  • Gain valuable insights from climate expert Vivien Li’s journey and experience in environmental advocacy and public access, all while enjoying an intimate dinner with other young professionals.
  • Discover pivotal moments in Vivien Li’s career and learn how her initiatives have transformed Boston’s shoreline to preserve public access.
  • Get the details on Vivien’s waterfront revitalization efforts, including the creation of the HarborWalk trail and cleaner beaches.

Tickets

  • Individual Ticket: $35 (Member & Non-member)

Jump to page section

  • Overview
  • Speakers
  • Agenda
  • FAQs
  • Funders

Get Inspired. Be Empowered.

Nationally recognized environmental and climate expert, Vivien Li, has been instrumental in transforming the Boston Harbor waterfront into a vibrant community space. Her notable achievements include championing the creation of the 43-mile HarborWalk trail and spearheading efforts that have resulted in cleaner beaches. Her advocacy has significantly contributed to preserving public access and revitalizing the city’s shoreline. Li’s visionary initiatives have fundamentally changed how residents engage with and perceive Boston’s waterfront.

Join us for an engaging conversation with Vivien Li as she delves into the pivotal moments of her career as a climate expert. Discover how her transformative work continues to inspire the ways we interact with and appreciate the city of Boston.

City Awake’s Words of Wisdom series brings a senior leader to a small group of young professionals for a conversation about the incredible milestones they have observed in their career. It is a space for young professionals to ask questions about the leader’s experience and learn from their journey.

ABOUT CITY AWAKE

City Awake is the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s premier young professional platform that awakens and empowers the city’s next generation of thought leaders and change makers who are navigating Boston’s business, civic, and cultural communities.

Questions? Contact Us.

Jessica Sanon
Jessica Sanon

Senior Program Manager

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Email Jessica

Speakers

Vivien Li headshot
Vivien Li

Commission Member, Boston Municipal Lobbying Compliance Commission

Vivien Li is a nationally recognized environmental and climate expert, having been President and CEO of Riverlife, where she worked with Pittsburgh’s riverfront…Read more
Vivien Li is a nationally recognized environmental and climate expert, having been President and CEO of Riverlife, where she worked with Pittsburgh’s riverfront property owners to ensure public access and open spaces, and public amenities such as public rest rooms and electric charging stations.

Previously, Vivien headed The Boston Harbor Association for more than two decades, where her advocacy resulted in a cleaner Boston Harbor, enhanced Boston Harbor Beaches for urban residents, an active Working Port, and a 43-mile HarborWalk public access system with amenities for the public to enjoy. Years before Super Storm Sandy in 2012, Vivien convened the first-ever Boston Harbor Sea Level Rise Forum to create awareness and action on climate change.

Vivien’s activism started in high school during the first Earth Day in 1970, and has been documented in an oral history recently released by UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library. She has an honorary doctorate from Allegheny College in PA, and degrees from Barnard College, Columbia University, and Princeton University.

Vivien serves as a trustee of Barnard College, a member of Princeton School of Public and International Affairs’ Advisory Council, a member of the national Sierra Club’s Investment Advisory Committee, and on the Boston Municipal Lobbying Compliance Commission. A long-time Boston resident, Vivien volunteers weekly at local soup kitchens and food pantries to help address food insecurity as a result of climate change.

See on LinkedInarrow-go
JulieEatonErnst
Julie Eaton Ernst

Climate Resilience Practice Leader, HNTB Corporation

Julie Eaton Ernst is HNTB’s Climate Resilience Practice Leader based out of Boston, MA. She is a licensed professional civil engineer (MA #54968), and her background…Read more
Julie Eaton Ernst is HNTB’s Climate Resilience Practice Leader based out of Boston, MA. She is a licensed professional civil engineer (MA #54968), and her background in geotechnical and dam safety engineering and more than 10 years of experience in industry underpins her specialized ability to navigate the uncertainty associated with climate change and complex systems to identify cost-effective and equitable solutions that can adapt over time.

Julie actively supports public sector clients across the United States with implementing resilience programs and policies and delivering resilient solutions. Julie has led multiple award-winning projects that have set standards for resilient transportation planning and design, including the ResilientMass Action Team (RMAT) Statewide Climate Resilience Design Standards Tool and Boston’s Climate Resilience Design Guidelines for protecting rights-of-way.

Julie is a published subject matter expert, including writing “Case Study 3 – From Molasses to Sea Level Rise: Boston’s North End” in Climate Change and the Built Environment, published by ACEC in 2022. She has been nationally recognized for her contributions to the industry, including being a recipient of the 2022 Young Professional of the Year Award from ACEC and the 2018 Ascending Leader Award from EBC. Her unique education, with bachelors degrees in both Political Science (University of Rochester) and Civil and Environmental Engineering (UMass Lowell), and a masters degree in Civil Engineering (UMass Lowell), helps her effectively navigate the intersection of policy and engineered solutions.

Julie resides in Lowell with her husband, daughter, and two kitties, and loves attending musicals and plays.

See on LinkedInarrow-go

Agenda

  • 5:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. | Registration

    At this time, all attendees will be checked in by Chamber staff.

  • 5:20 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Networking & Dinner

    Feel free to grab a plate and dig in. Food will be served throughout the event! Spend this time mingling with others; making endless connections.

  • 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Conversation with Vivien Li

    Sit back, listen, and enjoy Vivien’s story. If time allows it, we will take a few questions from the audience.

FAQs

  • What is included in my registration?

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

  • What should I bring?

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

  • What should I wear?

    Please come dressed for your day!

  • Is the location accessible by public transit or is there parking available?

    The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce office is conveniently accessible via public transportation, with limited metered street parking available nearby. Attendees can reach the office by taking the Orange Line to State Street or the Red Line/Silver Line to South Station, followed by a 7-10 minute walk.

  • Is this location handicap accessible?

    Yes, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is handicap accessible. If you need any accommodations, please contact our team at [email protected].

  • COVID 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 fell 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.

Funders

Barr Foundation logo
New England Aquarium logo

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

265 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110

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.

265 Franklin Street
Suite 1701
Boston, MA 02110
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