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          Make Your Voice Heard: Reimagining Nightlife with Corean Reynolds

          Corean Reynold was recently appointed the Director of Nightlife Economy for the City of Boston, where she brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering an equitable and thriving nightlife ecosystem.

          10/04/2023

          6:00pm - 7:30pm

          Roundhead Brewing Company

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          Government Affairs
          2023 Government Affairs Forum: State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg

          Don’t miss our upcoming Government Affairs Forum with Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. Register now!

          10/11/2023

          9:45am - 11:00am

          Bank of America

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          Talent
          MA Apprentice Network Fall Quarterly Event

          Learn about new ways of utilizing the professional apprenticeship model to create diverse, sustainable, and scalable talent pipelines.

          10/12/2023

          10:00am - 11:30am

          Edenred

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        • EQ to Elevate Workplace Well-being

          Designed for mid-level managers and supervisors, this new certificate program addresses workplace well-being through unique, innovative, and actionable methods.

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          Transformational DEI Certificate

          Join our Transformational DEI Certificate! Our comprehensive learning & development offerings are designed to connect and grow strong leaders who lead both inside and out of the office.

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          Women’s Leadership Program

          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.

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          Boston’s Future Leaders

          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.

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          Economic Inclusion
          Economic Inclusion

          Our Economic Inclusion Committee provides strategic support around research, policies, and programs that are focused on building equal opportunity.

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          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

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          Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          09/12/2023 -

          09/16/2023

          Greater Boston

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          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

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          BIMA

          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.

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          Women’s Network

          For nearly 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.

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          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          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.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

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Bostonchamber
Boston Chamber
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          City Awake
          Make Your Voice Heard: Reimagining Nightlife with Corean Reynolds

          Corean Reynold was recently appointed the Director of Nightlife Economy for the City of Boston, where she brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering an equitable and thriving nightlife ecosystem.

          10/04/2023

          6:00pm - 7:30pm

          Roundhead Brewing Company

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Government Affairs
          2023 Government Affairs Forum: State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg

          Don’t miss our upcoming Government Affairs Forum with Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. Register now!

          10/11/2023

          9:45am - 11:00am

          Bank of America

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Talent
          MA Apprentice Network Fall Quarterly Event

          Learn about new ways of utilizing the professional apprenticeship model to create diverse, sustainable, and scalable talent pipelines.

          10/12/2023

          10:00am - 11:30am

          Edenred

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Resources
        • EQ to Elevate Workplace Well-being

          Designed for mid-level managers and supervisors, this new certificate program addresses workplace well-being through unique, innovative, and actionable methods.

          Read More
          Transformational DEI Certificate

          Join our Transformational DEI Certificate! Our comprehensive learning & development offerings are designed to connect and grow strong leaders who lead both inside and out of the office.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          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.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          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.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Economic Inclusion Committee
          • Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Economic Inclusion

          Our Economic Inclusion Committee provides strategic support around research, policies, and programs that are focused on building equal opportunity.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          09/12/2023 -

          09/16/2023

          Greater Boston

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          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.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For nearly 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.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          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.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
          Small Business

          We support small business through public policy initiatives, events designed to connect small businesses in Greater Boston to their peers and established business leaders, professional development offerings, and free small business advising.

          Read More
  • Membership
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          • Overview
          • Membership Benefits
          • Membership Levels
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          • Request a Meeting
          • Join Today
        • Our Impact
        • About Us
          Our Impact

          Explore our mission and values to better understand how we are leading the business community forward.

        • Membership Directory
        • Membership Directory
          Not sure if you’re a member?

          Our member directory is your resource to discover, connect, and engage with Boston’s businesses from every industry and sector.

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Women’s Leadership Program: Now is Your Time. Be Unstoppable.

August 2, 2023 Vasso Dusoe-Galanis, 2023 WLP Graduate & Class Speaker

Women’s Leadership Program is a nine-month learning & development program that empowers women professionals to navigate and propel their careers to the next level while also creating conditions for other women to thrive. Participants graduate with the skills, experiences, & connections needed to lead businesses into the top tiers of success. Women’s Leadership Program Graduation is an opportunity to celebrate the graduating class and all their accomplishments alongside their peers, supporters, and loved ones. Our class speakers were chosen by their cohort to represent their class in their Graduation speeches. 

Thank you, Rachel! Ladies and gentlemen, members of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Simmons University, Zipcar, esteemed guests, and my fellow superstar peers, welcome.

I am Vasso Dusoe-Galanis, my pronouns are she/her, and I am a Human Resources Director with National Grid.

It is my privilege, and I am just thrilled to deliver the commencement address on behalf of the “In-person” WLP Class of 2023 graduates.

Thank you for asking me to represent all of you today. Thank you to National Grid and Chief People Officer Jen Briere for putting me here in the first place by nominating me for this program. And my forever special thanks to my family for being my biggest fans!

Interior Design Directors, Attorneys, Architects, Senior Program Managers, Finance Leads – these are just a few of the careers of women in my cohort this past year. Dynamic professions, women leaders in their industries, many who are trailblazers and several on the verge of that greatness, just looking for a way to unlock their true potential. And we all met at the right place: yes, of course I mean The Seaport… but I also mean The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Leadership Program.

Why did I select the WLP over other leadership programs? Well, it had a pretty powerful hook: the program promised to empower us with the skills we need to excel in our careers and create the conditions for other women to thrive.

To say that it achieved its objective would be an understatement. It did in such a systematic and thoughtful way, with each monthly theme building on one another like pieces to a puzzle that in the end, created a crystal-clear image of the unstoppable force of women.

The formal program was made up of incredible facilitators and speakers, who taught us how to understand our strengths, identify the best ways to lead, network through reciprocity, manage perceptions, negotiate for ourselves and others, and learn how to “break up” with thoughts that are just not good for us! So, from the perspective of its official curriculum, the program delivered on its promise. But I also credit it with another win, just as important, if not more: the relationships we built with one another… I won’t forget 35 weeks ago, during those early sessions, how easy and natural it felt to connect with other female leaders: others who shared the same fears and frustrations as me. It felt like that first breath when you’re underwater and you finally break the surface. The WLP provided a safe forum to discuss challenges and find support. A platform not to spread problems but to spread solutions. One that helped replace negative self-talk with conviction and self-doubt with confidence that “we’ve got this”. Akin to a band of brothers, we developed a sisterhood. Thank you WLP!

In closing, I have a message for my exceptional fellow peers: this is your time. Your time to crush those stereotypes and shatter those ceilings. Your time to take your leadership to the next level, to inspire, to impress and to make a difference. You had the talent. Now you have all the right tools. You symbolize the hopes and dreams of our sisters, daughters, nieces, and all other young girls out there, because you are the next generation of Boston’s finest leaders.

Congratulations! Thank you all. Erin, over to you.

About Vasso Dusoe-Galanis (she/her)

Vasso Dusoe-Galanis is a Director, HR Business Partner for National Grid where she is passionate about people and optimizing the employee experience. She values authenticity and bringing one’s whole self to work safely: both physically and psychologically. Vasso is skilled at building strong stakeholder relationships, she loves to collaborate, coach and challenge, and foster inclusive talent management practices. Remember that one person who impacted your career? Vasso likes being that person but what she likes most is empowering and inspiring others to be that person.

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Vasso Dusoe-Galanis (she/her)

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NE People Partner

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