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
Join the Chamber and Massachusetts Business Roundtable for a deep dive into employer insights, featuring analysis from McKinsey and a panel of experts.
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11:00am - 12:00pm
Virtual
Join us for our installment of the Pacesetters Doing Business series featuring Mass General Brigham on June 26, 2025.
1:00pm - 2:00pm
This program is in redevelopment. Click this page for DEI resources.
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.
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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.
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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PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Casey Baines [email protected]
September 13, 2022
BOSTON, MA- The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) and City Awake are pleased to announce the fifth annual Fierce Urgency of Now Festival, a four day festival that convenes diverse young professionals together with their peers, business leaders, and organizations to build connections, advance careers, and ignite positive change. This year, the festival will feature more than 30 virtual and in-person events from September 14 through September 17.
In 2018, the GBCC and City Awake launched the first Fierce Urgency of Now festival to highlight the voices of the next generation and to inspire action, answering the call to action posed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s at the March on Washington: “We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.”
The most recent national and global reckoning on systemic racism continues, and the Greater Boston region and the business community have a responsibility in transforming inequities into opportunity and abundance. The festival’s opening event on September 14 features Brandon P. Fleming, a nationally acclaimed educator, award-winning author of MISEDUCATED, former debate coach at Harvard University, and Founder & CEO of The Veritas School. Fleming, an at-risk youth turned award winning leader, will share his journey that continues to inspire millions around the world. This free event will convene 200 young professionals and their friends, colleagues, and allies at TD Garden’s 1928 Club for transformative networking and an inspiring keynote.
James E. Rooney, the President and CEO of the GBCC, describes the sustained impact of The Fierce Urgency of Now festival, “Since the festival’s launch, more than 10,000 people have attended the festival’s keynotes, events, and workshops. The convening power of this festival – and the empowering results of the transformative connections – makes Greater Boston’s future brighter. Ensuring that the next generation of diverse leaders find their community and career is critical to our region’s success.”
“Gillette is proud to be a partner again to help uplift City Awake’s mission to inspire the next generation in Boston. The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival is dynamic and energizing not only for the young professionals, but for everyone in the city looking to advance equity and amplify the voices of people of color,” said Gary Coombe, CEO, P&G Gillette.
“The Fierce Urgency of Now festival convenes and connects communities throughout Greater Boston, and the Barr Foundation is looking forward to supporting the festival again this year. We are proud to be champions of equity and partner with City Awake to advance the region so that every voice is uplifted and included,” said Kimberly Haskins, Barr’s Senior Program Officer for Sector Effectiveness.
“John Hancock’s partnership with City Awake and the Fierce Urgency of Now festival helps forge meaningful connections and advance equity for the region, furthering our commitment to driving inclusive economic opportunities to create a more even playing field for all. As we enter the fifth year of the festival, it is exciting to reflect on its continued impact not only for diverse young professionals, but also the future of Greater Boston,” said Annie Duong, US Lead, Community Investment, John Hancock.
The hybrid in-person and virtual 2022 Fierce Urgency of Now festival is supported by many, including Presenting Sponsors the Barr Foundation, John Hancock, and P&G Gillette; Platinum Sponsor T.D. Bank; and Gold Sponsor National Grid.
The festival’s 2022 event hosts represent a variety of industries and sectors, corporations, non-profits, and government entities:
About City Awake City Awake empowers the next generation of Greater Boston leaders through programming that builds community and engages young professionals to collectively address the most pressing issues facing our region. Through this work, we deepen their connections to the broader business and civic communities and recognize their important contributions to our thriving economy. Learn more at CityAwake.org.
About the Greater Boston Chamber We are the convener, voice and advocate of our region’s business community, committed to making Greater Boston the best place for all businesses and all people to thrive. We help our members and Greater Boston succeed by convening and connecting the business community; researching, developing and advocating for public policies that contribute to our region’s economic success; and providing comprehensive leadership development programs designed to grow strong business and civic leaders. Learn more at BostonChamber.com.
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