The Transportation First Series offers a platform to discuss the challenges faced by our region, with the input of experts and changemakers.
06/12/2025
2:45pm - 4:30pm
Hybrid | Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
Hear from Senator Edward J. Markey, a consumer champion and leader on energy, environmental protection, and telecommunications policy.
06/16/2025
9:45am - 11:00am
Boston Marriott Long Wharf
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
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.
Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.
Join us on June 12 for a highly interactive virtual workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney.
City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.
We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).
Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.
BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.
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.
Explore our mission and values to better understand how we are leading the business community forward.
Our member directory is your resource to discover, connect, and engage with Boston’s businesses from every industry and sector.
Early on in life, I had the notion that I had to conform to a certain type of personality to be successful. For most of my career I have worked primarily in male-dominated fields, and at times I felt that if I didn’t act like “one of the boys,” I wouldn’t be accepted. As I took on more leadership roles and trusted my instincts more frequently, I began to realize being true to myself not only felt good; it didn’t alter my effectiveness — it actually heightened it.
I attribute much of my success to two critical factors I know are far easier said than done: confronting the reality of failure but trying anyway, and playing to my strengths.
We all are aware that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone enables growth, but we also know it can be scary to expose yourself to potential failure. This happens especially among female professionals, where there can be a confidence gap, creating hesitation in moving forward. But by believing in your abilities and pursuing opportunities, you will yield a stronger skill set, more confidence and better experiences. My advice: even if you are scared, do it anyway. Swap hesitation for an absolute “will not fail” attitude. Don’t let fear block your advancement.
One way to help face your fears and discover what a great leader you can be is by highlighting your strengths. When you start to advance, approach your new role with your own style and not that of your predecessors. It’s not mandatory to play by a former leader’s playbook, and it’s not the only way to achieve desired results. Be comfortable in the fact that you can and will do your job differently than anyone else. Discovering this for myself allowed me to become a successful leader and form the roles that fit into my life at a particular time.
I also consider a big strength of mine as being an authentic leader who strongly supports inclusion and diversity. I have witnessed the trust and creativity it fosters and how it enables teams to perform better and produce quality results. Leaders should focus on creating diverse teams and continue to be aware of unconscious bias. Supporting inclusivity is an ongoing journey.
I know breaking through your comfort zone presents a number of challenges, and at times it seems easier to go with the status quo. I firmly believe that if you trust yourself and believe in the abilities you possess, everything will fall into place.
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