Celebrating Leadership Excellence: 2024 Leadership Challenge Winners
January 16, 2025 Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
The Leadership Challenge is the dynamic capstone experience of the Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program. Each year, participants gain exclusive, “behind-the-scenes” access to one of Boston’s most interesting and influential businesses, exploring a pressing topic directly affecting both the organization and the broader Greater Boston community. The partnering business or organization changes every year as does the topic of the challenge.
Over the course of several months, participants work in cross-sector project teams applying what they are learning in the program and combining their shared expertise to develop solutions to the challenge. This aspect of the curriculum provides real-world, real-time practical experience for the participants outside of their own companies and provides what they often describe as one of the best and most fun parts of the program!
The 2024 Leadership Challenge partnered with Salesforce and invited the BFL class of 2024 to tackle a timely issue:
With the incredible uncertainty around AI, how should companies within the Chamber’s broad membership take advantage of AI in a trusted way? What are the parameters that should guide AI usage in a business setting?
Guided by an expert panel featuring Hannah Francini (Salesforce), Trupti Sanikop (Slalom Boston), and Ben Stuart (Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce), participants reviewed literature on AI adoption challenges, engaged in interviews and Q&A discussions, and developed actionable frameworks for ethical AI usage. Teams were tasked with delivering three recommendations grounded in research, professional experience, and collaborative insights, reflecting Salesforce’s values of trust and inclusivity at a live charrette in November.
This year’s winning team, Team Ocho, excelled with their innovative approach to addressing these challenges, impressing the judges so much that their selection was unanimous. We connected with these exceptional leaders to hear how their journey through the BFL program and Leadership Challenge (LC) shaped their professional growth.
Meet the Winners
Heather Furbish
Capital Systems Manager | Procter & Gamble – Gillette
- On Growth as a Leader: “Collaboration with diverse professionals invigorated my leadership style and broadened my perspective.”
- Why BFL? “BFL bridges the gap between internal and external networking, equipping professionals to tackle challenges with fresh insights.”
Terrence Green
Senior Consultant, Organizational Effectiveness | Slalom Consulting
- Why BFL? “The program broadened my perspective on authentic leadership and coalition building, all while fostering invaluable connections across Boston.”
Mike Murphy
Senior Manager, Strategic Communications | American Student Assistance® (ASA)
- On Growth as a Leader: “This experience reinforced the power of clear expectations and collaboration. The opportunity to discuss timely topics like AI while fostering collective ownership was transformational.”
- Why BFL? “BFL offers a unique blend of skill-building and connections, inspiring professionals to lead authentically and make an impact.”
Sheila Namirembe, PhD
Senior Research Scientist | Vertex Pharmaceuticals
- On Growth as a Leader: “LC taught me the value of leveraging team strengths, active listening, and effective communication to drive results in complex settings.”
- Why BFL? “BFL encourages leaders to reflect, grow, and engage intentionally, offering tools to elevate leadership impact.”
Vanessa Okonkwo
Counsel | Massachusetts Housing Partnership
- On Growth as a Leader: “Through collaboration and applying my expertise to real-world challenges, I grew as a confident, impactful leader.”
- Why BFL? “This program fosters confidence, reframing, and meaningful connections, inspiring leaders to navigate professional challenges thoughtfully.”
Jonathan Pfefer
Consultant | Liberty Mutual Insurance
- On Growth as a Leader: “Balancing active listening and leading discussions expanded my knowledge and taught me the importance of trust and effective communication.”
- Why BFL? “BFL pushes you outside your comfort zone and silos, empowering you to contribute meaningfully across industries.”
Emily Rodon
Manager, Project Contract Controls & Data Analytics | Eversource
- On Growth as a Leader: “Building trust and maintaining accountability within a dynamic team sharpened my collaborative leadership skills.”
- Why BFL? “BFL’s multi-faceted approach and thought-provoking curriculum make it a game-changer for leadership development.”
Jay York
Senior Product Specialist | Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
- On Growth as a Leader: “LC boosted my confidence in public speaking and presenting recommendations to senior management.”
- Why BFL? “The program equips leaders to make impactful contributions to their organizations and communities alike.”
Leadership Challenge Impact
This year’s challenge focused on ethical AI adoption, highlighting the critical importance of trust and inclusivity. Moving forward, Team Ocho’s recommendations will guide businesses across Greater Boston on effectively integrating AI into their practices.
From the Chamber, we extend sincere congratulations to Team Ocho for their impactful contributions to the community. They exemplify true leadership by driving innovation—a vital factor in keeping Greater Boston competitive.
Want to take your leadership to the next level? Learn more about the Boston Future Leaders program and join a network of changemakers shaping the future of Greater Boston.
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