Press Release
December 20, 2023
Media Contact: Casey Baines cbaines@bostonchamber.com
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Announces Bold New Course for Foundation
New Foundation Pillars Designed to Invest in People & Advance the Region’s Competitiveness
BOSTON, MA –
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is charting a new course for its Foundation, a dynamic non-profit, with strategic pillars of Transformative Talent Pathways, Thriving and Successful Commerce, and Breakthrough Leadership. By uplifting the Commonwealth’s untapped talent, championing small businesses, and creating tomorrow’s leaders, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation (the “Chamber Foundation”) is transforming the lives of people and communities to urgently advance the Commonwealth into the 21st-century economy.
Founded in 1984, the Chamber Foundation previously operated with a modest agenda, but now the Foundation is positioned to boldly invest in the success of people by providing solutions to the region’s challenges. Leveraging the success of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce as the convener, voice, and advocate of the business community, the Chamber Foundation’s focus areas will expand and deepen the impact of systems change programs. This includes apprenticeships, small business support, and leadership development that will advance the economic mobility of every person and build generational wealth in every community.
The Chamber Foundation’s initiatives are intentionally designed to further elevate the focus on the Commonwealth’s talent and workforce needs. This is how the Chamber and its Foundation will make this the best place for all businesses and all people to succeed. As the Commonwealth has lost more than 110,000 people to other cities and states and employers struggle to hire and retain workers, the Foundation is primed to deliver solutions to attract and retain people and families with innovative initiatives and programs.
“The 21st century economy demands a strategic approach to ensure that every person is successful. Our Chamber Foundation activates programs and initiatives that yield transformative results for the Commonwealth’s talent. We must ensure that meaningful investments will uplift their careers and lives because students, the workforce, entrepreneurs, and small businesses are the key to our collective success,” said James E. Rooney, President of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
The Board of Directors of the Chamber Foundation includes:
James E. Rooney, President & CEO, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and President, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Kevin Bynoe, Chief Executive Officer, UHM Properties
Sandy Edgerley, Founder and President, Hexagon Properties
Yvonne Garcia, Chief of Staff to Chairman & CEO, Ron O’Hanley, Global Head of Internal Communications and CEO Experience Program, State Street
Melissa Sampson McMorrow, Chair, Tax Department; Executive Committee, Nutter
Vikki Spruill, President and CEO, New England Aquarium
To learn more about the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation, click here.
About the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Founded in 1984, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation (the “Chamber Foundation”) transforms the lives of current and future residents by leveraging the Commonwealth’s untapped talent, championing small businesses, and creating tomorrow’s leaders in support of a 21st century economy.