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12/15/2026
9:00am - 10:30am
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12/01/2026
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Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
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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.
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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Meet alumni of the Chamber’s leadership programs and hear their stories of challenge, growth, and leadership transformation.
For 20 years, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce has helped professionals across the region grow as leaders through two of its premier leadership development experiences: the Women’s Leadership Program (WLP), in partnership with the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership, and Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL), in partnership with Harvard Business School.
Designed for professionals ready to accelerate their growth, these programs blend expert facilitation, cross-industry learning, and powerful cohort experiences that give participants something internal development programs often can’t: a network of high-performing peers, space to grow and lead authentically, and the tools to navigate the realities of today’s workplace.
Over the past two decades, WLP and BFL have helped professionals across Greater Boston strengthen their leadership styles, expand their influence, build confidence, and make meaningful career moves, all while becoming part of communities that continue to champion their growth.
Leadership Reimagined is a storytelling series that shares the real experiences of WLP and BFL alumni who have navigated challenge, change, and growth throughout their leadership journeys. Each spotlight offers an honest look at the moments that shaped them: the setbacks they faced, the breakthroughs they earned, the confidence they built, and the communities that helped them move forward.
Through these stories, you’ll meet professionals who turned uncertainty into momentum, found strength in connection, and discovered new clarity in their careers. Leadership Reimagined shows that leadership isn’t defined by titles or milestones, but by resilience, support, and the self-belief that carries us forward.
Explore their journeys, learn from their insights, and see how community can transform the way we lead.
Nora McCarthy is a clean energy and climate technology professional specializing in stakeholder engagement, business development, and strategic partnerships. She began her career with Vineyard Wind 1, the nation’s first commercial‑scale offshore wind farm, and continued with Vineyard Offshore, progressing from RFP Intern to Workforce & Outreach Coordinator and later Stakeholder Relations Specialist. In these roles, she supported workforce development initiatives and built partnerships across industry, government, and local communities.
Nora now serves as the Business Engagement and Navigator Services Lead for the New Bedford Ocean Cluster, a nonprofit marine industry association advancing the region’s growing blue economy. She helps businesses access resources, fosters strategic collaborations, and strengthens the region’s clean energy and marine innovation ecosystem.
Throughout her career, Nora has been passionate about bridging technical innovation with community engagement — translating complex clean energy concepts into meaningful opportunities for businesses and stakeholders. As a graduate of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Women’s Leadership Program, she is committed to leading with collaboration, advancing the clean energy transition, and creating pathways for more women to thrive in the industry.
She earned her B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with a concentration in Renewable Energy and Environmental Policy.
“The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Program was a defining step in my journey as an emerging leader. Midway through the program, I was laid off — a challenging moment that ultimately became a turning point. My WLP cohort became an incredible source of encouragement, advice, and support. Being surrounded by nearly 60 accomplished women who genuinely wanted to see me succeed reminded me of the power of community and gave me the confidence to move forward.
The program strengthened my networking, public speaking, and leadership skills while helping me recognize and embrace my own leadership style. I was able to put those skills into practice immediately during my job search, ultimately securing a new role just as the program concluded.
One of the most interesting experiences was completing my Individual Action Project (IAP). Although I was no longer employed at the organization where I had planned to complete the project, the WLP team encouraged me to adapt rather than start over. With their guidance, I developed a framework for an alumni network for my former employer — an experience that reinforced the importance of resilience, creativity, and leading through change.
I am immensely grateful for my experience throughout the Women’s Leadership Program, and I would highly recommend it to any woman, regardless of your career stage.”
Nora’s story is a powerful reminder that community support is often the foundation of becoming a stronger, more resilient leader. Before the tactical skills, tools, frameworks, and research came into play, it was the collective strength of her cohort that gave her the confidence to take her next step.
Challenges feel heavier when faced alone — but Nora wasn’t alone. Supported by insightful, influential women who showed up with encouragement, perspective, and genuine belief in her potential, she found the momentum she needed to rise from a difficult moment and step into her next chapter with clarity and strength.
Her experience underscores a truth many leaders learn the hard way: growth accelerates when you’re surrounded by people who want to see you succeed.
If you’d like to explore more stories like Nora’s, you can read additional alumni testimonials here.
Interested in the Women’s Leadership Program? Learn more today.
Business Engagement and Navigator Services Lead
New Bedford Ocean Cluster
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