Empowering Leadership: Highlights from the 2025 Pinnacle Awards
February 20, 2025 Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
On Friday, January 31, the 2025 Pinnacle Awards Luncheon was abuzz with excitement as we celebrated the powerful women who are transforming Greater Boston through their leadership in entrepreneurship, management, and lifetime achievement. This premier event, attended by over 1,200 people, including elected officials, business innovators, and next-gen leaders, honored the contributions of dynamic female leaders to the workplace and their commitment to the community. Our featured speakers highlighted the inspiration this year’s honorees have cultivated and each honoree shared a glimpse into their unique story and imparted words of wisdom to the crowd.
Lisa Hughes, Anchor for WBZ-TV News, opened the event with a warm welcome, setting the tone for an inspiring afternoon. “Every year, we’re reminded of the incredible leadership in our midst – women who are our friends, our bosses, our mentors. And we’re also reminded that these women who are the top of their game see the pinnacle not as an ending point but as a jumping off point to the next thing. And it’s that curiosity, that love of being with people, that interest in innovating that makes them who they are.”
Caitlin Dodge, CEO of Argus and Chair of the Women’s Network Advisory Board, highlighted the positive impact of her involvement with the Women’s Network over the past three years and encouraged attendees to invite others to join empowering communities. Caitlin inspired everyone to elevate the women around them, stressing that 2025 is the year to make meaningful connections. She shared, “As I continue to grow in my career… I’m reminded that as we reach new heights in our communities and in our careers, how important it is to make sure we’re elevating all the women that we can.”
Celia Richa, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Policy at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, expressed her gratitude for living in Massachusetts (ranked the #1 state for women) and being part of such a supportive community. She said, “Today would not be possible without an engaged business and civic community. All of you are a constant reminder of how fortunate we feel to live and work in Massachusetts.”
Tiffany Chu, Chief of Staff to Mayor Michelle Wu, echoed that sentiment, highlighting the role of the Women’s Network in fostering a supportive community. Tiffany noted, “This afternoon, we’re honoring nine Pinnacle honorees that come from an array of industries… they’ve created jobs and inspired their colleagues, and proved that our workplaces can uplift everyone without sacrificing the bottom line.”
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll
Achievement in Management – Government
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll shared her career journey and encouraged women to pursue their goals despite fear or anxiety. She underscored the value of doing a good job in one’s current role as a steppingstone to future opportunities. She passionately encouraged the audience “to ignore those people who say you’re not ready. To turn the other way when people think you need the perfect, exact scenario to advance your career. Even if you’re scared, you’re anxious, or you’re nervous, if you have a fire in your belly to do something… Do it. Do it scared. Do it nervous. Do it anxious. You’re going to be better off for it.”
Grace Cotter Regan
Achievement in Arts & Education
Grace Cotter Regan, President of Boston College High School, spoke about the duty of building a better community and the importance of every voice in shaping the world. She urged attendees to think about their call to action, saying, “Building a better community is not just a goal, it’s a duty that we all share. Together we’re shaping a world where every voice matters.”
Rachel Felix
Achievement in Health Care
Rachel Felix, SVP, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Boston Medical Center Health System, shared her personal story of moving from New York to Boston, embracing change, and seeking greater purpose in her career. She encouraged everyone to lean into their creative intuition and challenge themselves to think outside the box. Rachel advised, “Have confidence even if you don’t always believe it. If you don’t project that, no one else will place their confidence in you.”
Eneida Román
Achievement in Management – Non-Profit
Eneida Román, President & CEO of Amplify LatinX, reminded everyone of their purpose to plant seeds of good and create a lasting impact. Referring to a lesson her abuela taught her and that inspired her to become a servant leader, Eneida said, “We are put on this earth to plant seeds of good, and that true impact is intended to last beyond our days on this earth.”
Josiane Martinez
Achievement in Entrepreneurship
Josiane Martinez, Founder & CEO of ASG, highlighted the importance of resilience and adaptability, advising to never shy away from opportunities. While talking about her journey to make her community better, Josiane stated, “Along the way, I was inspired by many women, some of whom are in this room today, whose courage and commitment showed me anything is possible.”
Grace Lee
Achievement in Management – Private
Grace Lee, MA Regional President, EVP at M&T Bank, emphasized the significance of surrounding oneself with supportive people and the importance of using one’s power positively to impact others. Grace reflected, “Great leaders are great leaders because of the people that surround them… One consistent thing I have with my supporters is that through their eyes, I saw the reflection of me that was the best version of me. It was how they saw me that would sustain me.”
Laura Wood
Achievement in the Professions
Laura Wood, EVP Patient Care Operations & System Chief Nurse Executive at Boston Children’s Hospital, reflected on the many influential people who have made an impact on her career journey and who have inspired her in the field of medicine and patient care. Emphasizing the critical role that nurses play in society, Laura quoted one of her favorite filmmakers, Carolyn Jones, saying: “At some point in our lives each of us will encounter a nurse, whether it be as a patient or as a loved one. And that encounter can mean the difference between suffering and peace; between chaos and order. Nurses matter.”
Margaret Low
Lifetime Achievement
Margaret Low, CEO of WBUR, shared the story of how she found her way to journalism, crediting her inspirational sources and breaking down the equation that brought her to where she is today as “Making sense of the world, understanding why things are the way they are, following the facts, finding stories that make you sit up and listen, learn something, and feel something deeply.”
The 2025 Pinnacle Awards was a powerful reminder of the incredible impact that women leaders are having within their communities and industries, and throughout the Commonwealth. The event not only celebrated the honorees’ achievements but also inspired us all to continue supporting and uplifting one another.
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About the Chamber’s Women’s Network
In the Chamber’s Women’s Network, there is a diverse group of more than 3,000 women and male allies at all levels of their careers, from all backgrounds, sectors, and industries, and professions, with the collective mission to make Greater Boston the best place for professional women to thrive. For more than 30 years, the Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all backgrounds and career levels. The Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women.
About the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
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 learning and development programs designed to grow strong business and civic leaders. Learn more at BostonChamber.com.