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.
Last week, TJ Parker, founder and CEO of PillPack, joined us at the Chamber as a featured guest for one of City Awake’s Lunches on Leadership, where he spoke about his journey and gave advice for young professionals who are trying to create a path for themselves in the Greater Boston business community. PillPack is a tech-based pharmaceutical company that makes the management of multiple prescriptions easy.
TJ Parker is no stranger to success – you can tell that much just by meeting him. He has established himself as an innovator within the healthcare industry. He was named one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30” in Healthcare in 2015 and one of Inc’s Most Dynamic Young CEOs in America in 2016 – and is one of the Chamber’s 2017 Ten Outstanding Young Leaders award recipients.
But Parker was not always an award-winning CEO of a company with multimillion dollar investments. He started out like anyone else, with a dream and desire to enact change.
Here are a few lessons to learn from TJ Parker’s origin story:
Don’t risk it all
While Parker certainly took risks when creating and in running PillPack, he never made a decision that could have been detrimental to either his business or personal life. By not having all his assets – and resolve – tied in to one project, he was better able to keep a levelheaded mindset and make logical decisions, a factor that can make or break you in the business world.
Observe, then act
Much of Parker’s story dealt with how he reacted to certain situations, as opposed to how he tried to control them from the beginning. By taking the time to take note of his surroundings – both in terms of business and opportunities – Parker received all the information he needed to make strong decisions, which contributed to the overall success of his business.
Confidence is key
Despite his many accolades and media appearances, Parker did not always have the same level of confidence he has now. As a college student at MIT, Parker found himself as more of a wallflower than vocal and outspoken, but once he saw the positive responses to his business plan and ideas, he gained the momentum he needed to turn them into realities. Although Parker said that ambition is the economic model he follows, he equally credits confidence to his success.
Seize your opportunities
As an MIT alum, Parker utilized his network to build PillPack from the ground up. He secured much of PillPack’s initial funding through these connections and made sure to maintain relationships with those that could help him with his business. As they say, your network is your net worth – something Parker knew and took advantage of.
See a problem? Fix it
TJ Parker is nothing if not driven. As a sensible observer, he noticed a problem within the health care industry and created a company that strived to solve it. When Parker was in college, he noticed that realtor fees were unfairly high, so he obtained his realtor license to remedy this gap. Parker saw problems that were not specifically his and made it his business – pun intended – to remedy them. This tactic allowed Parker to remain engaged in issues and industries he was passionate about, a fact that drives him to work hard each and every day.
Remember, with the right mindset, anyone can be a TJ Parker.
Learn more about City Awake programs and events here.
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