The 2023 Pinnacle Awards Recap
Inspiration, Connection, and Celebration of Nine Exemplary Leaders
Sherline Heriveaux, Senior Marketing Manager, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
Last month, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce honored nine of the region’s distinct leaders. The 2023 Pinnacle Awards took place on Friday, January 27, at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. With over 1,100 attendees, the energy in the room was nothing short of electrifying.
Legendary CBS Boston news anchor, Lisa Hughes, kicked off the ceremony, describing how “our incredible honorees have shown outstanding commitment to their leadership roles in the Greater Boston business community. Their words of wisdom today are certain to inspire us.” Our very own Senior Vice President of Programs, Celia Richa, followed by emphasizing the importance of empowerment and recognition: “Own your worth and the recognition that it deserves.”
Our Women’s Network Advisory Board Chair, Susan Loconto Penta of MIDIOR Consulting, introduced Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey who congratulated the honorees and offered encouragement to the women in the room: “[Looking around], I see a room full of incredibly talented, strong, accomplished women who day in and day out are driving change across this state.” Governor Healey’s remarks uplifted the audience, and her mere presence is a reminder that with persistence and keen vision, anything is possible.
As the 2023 Pinnacle Honorees were called one by one to accept their awards, career anecdotes, wisdom, and motivational affirmations poured off the stage:
Devanshi Purohit
Emerging Executive
“I have the choice and agency to redefine my normal… And my normal will always include local, national, and international dialogue, and that will make this world better for future generations.”
– Devanshi Purohit, Associate Principal, Urban Design, CBT
Dr. Maya R. Said
Achievement in Entrepreneurship
“If I had accepted the millions of nos I’ve gotten in my life, I would not be where I am today. I mean, a Syrian Muslim woman growing up in Syria in the 80’s pre-internet and pre-cell phone…what are the odds of me standing in front of you today? … I am sure you can imagine how many nos I have gotten and continue to get.”
– Dr. Maya R. Said, Founder & CEO, Outcomes4Me Inc.
Lauren Baker
Achievement in Management – Non-Profit
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and try something new. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, or a raise. Don’t be afraid to try something and fail. As long as it isn’t life threatening, trying and failing will be the most instructive efforts you make.”
– Lauren Baker, Founder, Wonderfund
Sandra Cotterell
Achievement in Health Care & Life Sciences
“The more recognition or attention we bring to the work we do and how we do it goes a long way in creating opportunities for us. Women comprise two thirds of the healthcare workforce, but only a third of senior leadership, and only 13% of the CEO roles. That means there is plenty of room for us to grow!”
– Sandra Cotterell, CEO, Codman Square Health Center
Dr. Aisha Francis
Achievement in Arts & Education
“I am driven by the recognition that the work my team at Franklin Cummings Tech and I carry out. It extends the legacy of my Aunt Georgia Cash Frierson and so many other educators who came before us who were committed to removing historic barriers to equity, opportunity, and focused on building generational wealth.”
– Dr. Aisha Francis, President & CEO, Franklin Cummings Tech
Democratic Whip Katherine Clark
Achievement in Management – Government
“Whether it be in the boardroom, the courtroom, or the hearing room, we know that when women have a seat at the table, families have a voice in setting the agenda.”
– Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, 5th District of Massachusetts, U.S. House of Representatives
Mary Anne Heino
Achievement in Management – Private
“‘Doing well for having done right’ is a mantle that can be claimed from any position in a company… It also invites leadership generosity because there is no limit on who can claim that prize and, as leaders, our ‘doing well’ is magnified by how many under our leadership can, in fact, claim it.”
– Mary Anne Heino, President & CEO, Lantheus
Jess Ackerman
Achievement in the Professions
“This is a time for each of us to set goals heading into a new year, a new work environment, a new way of coming together, a new way of working as we reimagine the workplace, our interaction with it, and what it means to make work WORK for all of us.”
– Jess Ackerman, Audit & Assurance Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP
Juliette Kayyem
Lifetime Achievement
“While we may not be able to stop all bad things from happening, we can still do much to minimize the harms that can come to pass.”
– Juliette Kayyem, Faculty Chair of the Homeland Security & Global Health Projects, Harvard Kennedy School
Congratulations again to our 2023 Pinnacle Award Honorees. Thank you for your contributions in advancing the Greater Boston region. Thank you to our presenting sponsors, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Seyfarth, and The TJX Companies. Thank you to our past honoree sponsors, Deloitte & Suffolk, and our media partner, WBZ-TV.
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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 25 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.