The Boston Club

The 2025 Census is Live

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 16:39:23 GMT

New Report Shows Slowest Progress for Women in Corporate Leadership in Nearly a Decade and Sharp Decline in Demographic Reporting

The Boston Club and Bentley University Annual Census Finds Corporate Transparency on the Decline as Companies Withhold Data

BOSTON, Dec. 10, 2025 -- The Boston Club , the region’s top community of professional and executive women working to advance women leaders, in collaboration with Bentley University , today released their annual report, Women in Corporate Leadership and the Challenges Ahead: The 2025 Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers of Massachusetts Public Companies . The 2025 Census reveals stagnant progress for women in corporate governance and leadership, alongside a significant drop in demographic transparency among the 100 largest public companies by net revenue in Massachusetts.

Published for 23 consecutive years, the Census relies on publicly available, corporate demographic data to track the progress of women attaining corporate leadership positions. However, 42 out of 100 companies chose not to disclose board or leadership demographics, compared to just eight last year . This trend follows recent judicial and policy shifts, including the 2023 Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action and a 2024 Federal Appeals Court decision invalidating the Nasdaq’s Board Diversity Disclosure Rules.

“The ready availability of corporate demographic data has facilitated not only our work but numerous studies showing a positive correlation between the presence of accomplished women in corporate leadership and the overall financial health of publicly traded companies,” says Ann LaFrance, co-chair of The Boston Club’s Corporate Board Committee. “It remains to be seen whether there will be sufficient reliable data going forward to continue monitoring developments in these areas.”

Key Findings

This year, the available data shows that the representation of women directors and executive officers has experienced the slowest annual increase since 2017:

21 companies still report no women executive officers , up from 20 in 2024.
Women directors increased by less than a percentage point, from 32.5% in 2024 to 33.1%.
Women executive officers also rose by less than a percentage point, from 23.4% to 24.2%.
There are 653 executive officers in the 100 Census companies. Women hold just 158 of these positions.
Data for women of color are at a near standstill .
Women of color account for just 8% of all directors serving on Census company boards and 3.62% of the executive officers, reflecting little to no progress.
Additionally, they account for 15% of all women executive officers.
78% of Census companies have fewer than three female executive officers.

While there are no “zero-zeros” – companies with no women directors nor women executive officers – this year, there has been little forward progress since the 2024 report:

68 (vs. 64 in 2024) Census companies have at least three women directors.
19 companies have at least three women directors and at least three women executive officers, marking no change from 2024.
Three of the 100 companies reached gender parity (50%+ women) in the boardroom in 2025, up from two in 2024; 12 (vs. nine in 2024) reached gender parity among executive officers.
56 (vs. 56 in 2024) Census companies have at least one director who is a woman of color; 24 (vs. 22 in 2024) have at least one woman-of-color executive officer.

“We posited in last year’s Census that companies would not reach gender parity for another 18 years at the previous rate of growth. Even these lackluster projections now seem jeopardized,” said Kari Borroel, The Boston Club Chair. “As The Boston Club celebrates its 50th year, this sad reality is exactly why we must continue to deliver this annual Census, educate the broader community on the state of women’s corporate advancement and work toward our vision of a future where women’s leadership potential knows no bounds.”

To read the full report, visit the website .

About The Boston Club
Founded in 1976 by bold women executives who broke down barriers to advance women leaders, The Boston Club celebrates 50 years as New England’s leading executive women’s network of top-tier, diverse women leaders. The Boston Club draws on the significant resources and expertise of its diverse and accomplished women leaders, to empower thousands through board readiness, mentoring, professional development and member-initiated programs. This 50th anniversary milestone marks more than a celebration – it’s a recommitment. Through impactful programs and events and a new focus on civic leadership and engagement, we honor the trailblazers who came before us and champion a future where women’s voices are heard, leadership is shared, and women’s potential knows no bounds. More at https://www.thebostonclub.com/

The Boston Club Announces FY25 Board of Directors and Leadership Council

veronica@thebostonclub.com (Veronica Accardo) — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 18:58:33 GMT

The Boston Club is Thrilled to Announce our FY25 Board of Directors and Leadership Council

The Boston Club, New England’s leading professional organization of more than 400 diverse women representing New England’s business, innovation, and nonprofit sectors, is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Board of Directors.

“Thanks to the vision and foresight of our Board of Directors, The Boston Club is poised for significant impact, elevating and advancing women leaders across all sectors of the New England professional community,” said The Boston Club’s Executive Director Barbara Hayes. “Guided by the strategic vision of our Board, we are building on our nearly 50-year legacy in the Boston and beyond to advance our extraordinary, diverse community of women who lead, mentor, support, and inspire women on their professional and personal journeys.”

The new Board was instated on July 1, 2024, and the members are:

Michele Liu Baillie , Chair: Michele is an award-winning attorney with Sunstein LLP and recognized leader in her field. For more than 25 years, Michele has worked closely with many Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized companies, and startups, and individual investors in the U.S. and abroad.

Marianne Herlihy , Secretary: Marianne had a distinguished professional career that included extensive experience in collaborative leadership in various divisions of a major financial services company and private foundation.

Lisa Pattinson , Treasurer: With a broad range of experience including managing banking relationships with finance, transportation, and broadcasting companies as well as nonprofit and health care institutions, Lisa is familiar with a wide range of banking structures and services. She is currently a Senior Vice President with SVB – a division of FCB.

Kari Borroel , Member-at-Large: Kari is an accomplished, strategic executive who drives global business transformation and continuous improvement in the pharmaceutical and technology spaces. She is the Head of Operations Quality Learning & Development, GxP Learning at AstraZeneca/Alexion.

Stephanie Browne, M.Ed. , Member-at-Large: Stephanie is a strategic and innovative healthcare leader with 30+ years in strategic healthcare organizational design experience. She is the Founder and CEO of Talent Management Consulting Services, LLC as well as the Founder and CEO of Sipping Sense.

Katie Cella , Member-at-Large: Katie is the CEO and Chief Growth Officer & Strategist of Baltoro Consulting. She has more than 20 years of experience serving as an executive and consultant for startups to multibillion dollar organizations, increasing revenues 30%-5x, the Ignite Growth System is a rapid blueprint for revenue generation success.

Chandra Clark , Member-at-Large: Chandra has more than 20 years of experience designing and implementing highly impactful partnerships and community initiatives in the nonprofit space that improve the lives of marginalized populations to this new role. She currently serves as the President of the Corey C. Griffin Foundation.

Jodi Detjen, DBA , Member-at-Large: Jodi is an accomplished organizational consultant and educator with a foundation in operational change management. Her mission is to help realize inclusion in the workplace as soon as possible. She is the Associate Dean of Innovative Education and Programs at Suffolk University.

Åsa Fanelli , Member-at-Large: Åsa is the Principal and Chief Strategist of IdeaLift Group, a boutique strategic consulting firm. She has over 20 years of leadership experience in the global corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Terri Mock , Member-at-Large: Terri is a seasoned executive with achievements delivering revenue growth, driving go-to-market, and scaling operations from startups to $450M global companies. She is the Chief Executive Office of MarketIQ Group based in Boston.

Deniz Razon , Member-at-Large: Deniz Razon is currently Chief Business Officer at reporting to the CEO at Servier Pharmaceuticals, U.S. subsidiary of Servier Group, a private global pharmaceutical group. She is a strategic C-suite executive with broad global biopharmaceutical experience.

Marnie Seif , Member-at-Large: Marnie is an independent board director with expertise in business strategy, M&A, corporate governance and executive compensation. She currently serves on boards of a publicly traded company and not for profit organizations.

Shakenna Williams, PhD , Member-at-Large: Shakenna is the Executive Director of the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership and founder of the Black Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program at Babson College. She also owns Kenna Business Solutions, and previously served as Deputy Academic Director and Lead Faculty Director of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program.

Lisa Prior , Immediate Past Chair: Lisa is the founder and CEO of Prior Consulting. She is a seasoned business advisor and recognized authority in leadership development and culture change.

This group of top-tier professionals represents key areas of New England’s business, innovation, and nonprofit sectors and will lead The Boston Club in its mission of driving demonstrable impact advancing all women to tables that matter in corporate and community life.

TBC’s new Chair Michele Liu Baillie remarked, "I am honored to take on the role of Chair for The Boston Club. Our new Board is comprised of a dynamic and diverse group of leaders who are passionate about advancing our mission. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the outgoing Board members, whose dedication and leadership have significantly contributed to the organization's success."

In addition to the Board of Directors, The Boston Club has created a new Leadership Council to provide insight and advice to the Executive Director that supports the engagement of members in activities and programming that aligns with the Board’s strategic priorities and goals.

The Leadership Council is comprised of dedicated members and business leaders with a broad range of skills and representing multiple business sectors in the Boston area. As Council members, they are leading the development of programs and events in several key areas including board placement (corporate and nonprofit); corporate relations; diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; marketing; membership; and mentorship. The members of the Leadership Council are:

Rita Advani , VNA Care, Board Member

Lynne Ahearn , Vice President Business Development, Brown & Brown

Vicki Amalfitano , Principal, Dalton Marketing Advisors

Carisue Bench , Associate Director, Workforce Transformation, Guidehouse

Julia Chandler , Retired Financial Executive, Carlisle Companies

Joanne Derr , Principal, Joanne Derr Consulting

Molly Doyle , Fractional Chief Product Officer, CHC Advisory

Carmen Duarte , Vice President, DEI & Social Impact, Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions

Christy Egun , Executive Director, Center for Community Health Improvement at Massachusetts General Hospital

Daylana Ervin-Parker , Director, Budget and Supplier Diversity, BlueCross BlueShield of Massachusetts

Martha Felch , Nonprofit Consultant, MSF Consulting

Ann LaFrance , International Consultant, Retired Partner, Squire Patton Boggs, LLC

Amina Lobban , Senior Director, Head of Culture Engagement & HR Business Excellence, Global Manufacturing, Supply & Quality, Takeda

Cathy McKone-Simons , Retired Global Retail Operations Manager, Bose Corp.

Edith Onderick-Harvey , Managing Partner, NextBridge Consulting, LLC

Janet Swaysland , Principal, Culture & Engagement Strategy, Bluefire Partners

Vicki Vakiener , Commercial Business Consultant

Jen White , Founder and Chief Brand Strategist, Drawing From Memory

June is Pride Month

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 19:01:58 GMT

June is Pride Month

By Allison Bauer

Member, DEIB Working Group

Every June we celebrate Pride Month, which commemorates the Stonewall Uprising in June 1969, a series of protests of police harassment of LGBTQIA+ patrons at a New York City bar. These protests became a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights and sparked the modern Gay Liberation Movement.

The LGBTQIA+ community has faced various forms of discrimination throughout history based on identity alone. Pride Month is a chance to acknowledge the challenges faced by the community as well as celebrating its resilience, its contributions to society, and the progress that has been made toward equality.

What can you do?

There are many ways to get involved and support the LGBTQIA+ community, even outside of Pride Month:

Learn about LGBTQIA+ history, identity, and current issues. There are resources available online and in libraries.
Be an ally by speaking out against discrimination and prejudice whenever you see it. Stand up for your LGBTQIA+ friends, family, and colleagues.
Support LGBTQIA+ organizations by volunteering or donating to these organizations.
Engage in respectful conversations: Listen to the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people and try to understand their perspectives. Be open to learning and challenging your own biases.

The LGBTQIA+ Community has made great strides recently, especially in Massachusetts. This year marked the 20 ^th anniversary of the start of legal marriages between same-sex couples after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health. That decision paved the way for same-sex couples to enjoy the protection that comes with marriage. It allowed them to be understood as a family, and be valued as part of the fabric of our state, the community, and the nation.

While there is so much to celebrate, there is still more that can be done to support the young LGBTQIA+ members of our community, and we can use our voices to continue to advance equity and equality.

2024 Women’s History Month

veronica@thebostonclub.com (Veronica Accardo) — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:15:55 GMT

The Boston Club Celebrates Women’s History Month

by Danielle Frankel, DEI Committee Member

Women’s History Month takes place each March in the US, UK & Australia, coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8th This celebration began in the early 1900’s in connection with the labor and suffrage movements. Eventually being turned into week-long and then month-long honorary celebrations, these events are all meant to recognize and honor the contributions of women while speaking up for gender equality & reproductive rights and against gender violence.

Over the course of the month you’ll find major events taking place in honor of these different aspects of the day, whether they are raising awareness and funds in the fight for equality and safety, or increasing awareness about the many contributions women have made without recognition. From artists to architects, engineers to executives, women’s contributions to shaping the world we live in today have often been undervalued or ignored. Women’s History Month is an opportunity to recognize the difference that women who came before us have made, and find ways to listen to those who are willing to stand-up and make a difference today.

What can you do?

We’ve come so far, and yet, there’s so much we can still do. As leaders, where can you have the greatest impact?

Can you identify a TBC member you would like to get to know even better, to offer your allyship or support?
Is there an opportunity for you to connect with a leader in your organization to share your thoughts and ideas of promoting leadership diversity?
Could you outreach, connect with and mentor younger women in your organization?
Might you contact a local college to engage with their professional groups or speak with students about how to get involved in your field?

Let’s celebrate the progress we’ve made. It is equally important to recognize the power we hold and to ensure that we are pulling each other and the next generation forward and launching them higher if that’s where they want to go.

2024 Community Salute

veronica@thebostonclub.com (Veronica Accardo) — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 21:56:07 GMT

Women’s Leadership In Times Of Disruption | A Focus On Higher Education

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Suffolk University

5:00 – 8 PM

The 2024 Community Salute is one TBC’s signature annual networking events and will be hosted at Suffolk University on Wednesday, March 27 from 5 to 8 pm. This hybrid event features four Boston-area university leaders in a wide-ranging panel conversation on the challenges women in top-leadership roles in higher education face given today’s fast-changing and complex environment. The confirmed panel of speakers includes:

Julie Chen | Chancellor, UMass Lowell
Marisa Kelly | President, Suffolk University
Lynn Perry Wooten | President, Simmons University
Shakenna Williams | Executive Director, Frank & EileenTM Center for Women’s Entreprenurial Leadership, Babson College (Moderator)

The 2024 Advancement Award winner will also be announced at this event. This year’s Award will be presented to a qualified regional nonprofit to support a program or initiative that advances post-secondary education access and success for women.

Sponsorship opportunities are available and can be downloaded here . For questions about sponsorship, or to create a custom package, please contact Barbara Hayes at barbara@thebostonclub.com .

Click here for more information and to register (in person or virtual)

Tickets

Members attend for free

Non-Members: $100 In Person, $65 Virtual

2024 Black History Month

veronica@thebostonclub.com (Veronica Accardo) — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:11:49 GMT

The Boston Club Celebrates Black History Month

As the month of February launches, we once again celebrate Black History Month. We also recognize that Black History is American History, which we should acknowledge each and every month.

This month reminds us of the many commitments and sacrifices by members of our Black community throughout the years that have shaped our society and defined who we are today. We pause to honor the resilience, depth and breadth of contributions which have positively impacted our lives in countless ways.

This month also offers a time for self-reflection. We look to understand other perspectives, create inclusion, foster sisterhood, and amplify voices of the voiceless.

At The Boston Club, while we continue to evolve to best meet the needs of our members, we remain steadfast in our commitment to elevate DE&I and racial equity.

Through programming such as our Ally series, (Ally Couch, Ally Circle) and recognition of business leaders and Allies through our Racial Equity Awards, we highlight members of our community who are making a difference. These leaders live and work in alignment with our values of inclusion and equity. Regardless of where you may be on your journey of increasing your DE&I knowledge, we invite you to join us and your fellow TBC members at upcoming Circle and Couch events. You will be warmly welcomed and share an inspiring experience.

We know there is more to be done to realize our vision of diverse women’s leadership. We are proud to lead an organization continuously striving as the community of choice for 21st century leaders.

Sincerely,

Donna Bonaparte, Board Member & DEIC Chair

Lisa Prior, Board Chair

To learn more about Black History Month, please visit www.blackhistorymonth.gov .

2023 Corporate Salute: Passion, Purpose, Breaking Barriers

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 20:30:00 GMT

Join us for The Boston Club’s 2023 Corporate Salute ⏤Passion, Purpose, Breaking Barriers on Tuesday, December 5 from 7 – 10 AM at PwC Boston. We will celebrate the extraordinary impact of diverse women across business sectors. This year’s focus is on innovation and breaking barriers in medicine and biotechnology.

We are pleased to announce that Noubar Afeyan , Co-founder and Chairman of Moderna Therapeutics, will offer opening remarks at the Salute. The event program will feature an in-depth conversation with Sandra J. Horning, MD , Retired Chief Medical Officer of Roche Inc. and a Member of the Board of Directors at Moderna, Inc. She will share her professional journey with David Schenkein, MD , General Partner and Co-Head Life Science at GV and Chair of the Board of Directors of Agios Pharmaceuticals. In addition to the conversation with Dr. Horning and Dr. Schenkein, we will present The 2023 Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers in MA Public Companies, a research partnership betweenThe Boston Club and Bentley University.

We will also present our 2023 Women in Business Racial Equity Awards, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, to two entrepreneurs making an impact in diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community. Nominations for these awards are closed.

We hope you will join us in person at PwC in Boston, or virtually. Please be sure to invite your colleagues and friends to this signature event! Registration is open through noon on Thursday, November 30.

Register to attend (in person or virtually)

Sponsor the event

Special thanks to our 2023 Corporate Salute Sponsors

The post 2023 Corporate Salute: Passion, Purpose, Breaking Barriers appeared first on The Boston Club .

Colette Phillips, CEO and President of Colette Phillips Communications, Receives The Boston Club’s 2022 Women in Business Racial Equity Award

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 15:07:00 GMT

The Boston Club is pleased to announce that Colette Phillips, CEO and President of Colette Phillips Communications , is the recipient of its 2022 Women in Business Racial Equity A ward. Ms. Phillips accepted her award at T he Boston Club’s
annual Corporate Salute , held on November 15 .

The Women in Business Racial Equity Ally Award allows The Boston Club to annually recognize a leader in the business community who demonstrates a commitment to the development of all women and people of color through access to jobs, mentorship, and community support.

“ I am honored to be recognized by The Boston Club, one of the city’s most well – respected organization s dedicated to advancing the careers of all women executives. Th is award shines a light on women of color like me who have been pioneers in catalyzing diversity and cultural change in organizations across the region, ” said Ms. Phillips .

Colette Phillips pioneered inclusion and multicultural marketing in New England when she founded Colette Phillips Communications (CPC) 35 years ago. CPC , which has been named one of the top 25 PR firms in Boston by the Boston Business Journal , also recently served as the lead agency for the All Inclusive Boston Campaign, to re-imagine and re – energize Boston’s
tourism and identity . The award – winning agency provides strategic public relations and multicultural marketing s ervices , as well as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consulting to a variety of industries, non – profits, foundations, celebrities, C – level executives and sometimes even world leaders.

Read the full press release here .

The post Colette Phillips, CEO and President of Colette Phillips Communications, Receives The Boston Club’s 2022 Women in Business Racial Equity Award appeared first on The Boston Club .

Jill Medvedow, Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, Receives The Boston Club’s 2022 Women in Business Racial Equity Ally Award

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 15:04:00 GMT

The Boston Club is pleased to announce that Jill Medvedow, the Ellen Matilda Poss Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston , is the recipient of the 2022 Women in Business Racial Equity Ally A ward. Medvedow accepted her award at the Boston Club ’s annual Corporate Salute on November 15 th .

The Women in Business Racial Equity Ally Award allows The Boston Club to annually recognize a leader in the business community who demonstrates a commitment to the development of all women and people of color t hrough access to jobs, mentorship, and community support.

“ I am so pleased that The Boston Club recognizes racial equity as a core component of thei r mission. My work at the ICA, in collaboration with program partners, artists, staff, and boards, has lon g focused on a radical welcome, representation, and visibility for women artists and artists of color. This award shines a light on our collective work.” said Medvedow.

Under Medvedow’s leadership, the ICA has grown its audience and impact and transformed in to a collecting museum housed in a stunning new facility with a commitment to diversity and expanding the narratives of art history — the majority of artists in the museum’s collection identify as women and/or artists of color. The ICA now welcomes over a quarter – million visitors annually .

Read the full press release here .

The post Jill Medvedow, Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, Receives The Boston Club’s 2022 Women in Business Racial Equity Ally Award appeared first on The Boston Club .

The Boston Club Announces Our New Allyship Series

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 16:37:00 GMT

We are excited to announce the launch of our Allyship program, a multiyear effort designed to activate women leaders (as well as men) in driving workplace change and accelerating the movement towards more diverse, equitable and inclusive cultures and communities.

We define allyship as using the privilege and opportunities afforded to you to support, elevate and advocate for marginalized groups. Through authentic discussions, we’ll share stories, experiences, advice and successes and support you as leader through your own journey of impact. Along the way, we’ll connect you to a community of peers and change agents who can be both a sounding board and source of inspiration for your own efforts.

If you want to learn more or get involved in being part of this change, please reach out at president@thebostonclub.com

Our kickoff event, Aspirations for Allyship, will be held on December 7th. We’re offering a morning session (open to the first 15 registrants) from 8:30-10:00 at The Tea Leaf in Waltham, as well as an evening session (open to the first 25 registrants) at the home of Club President Lisa Prior from 6:00-7:30. Visit our events page for more information and to register!

The post The Boston Club Announces Our New Allyship Series appeared first on The Boston Club .

Femme Fatale Boston

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 09:34:00 GMT

At The Boston Club we know that women are strong, fearless, and motivated.

Femme Fatale Boston is using those qualities to harness your executive presence and step into your power.

We are honored to partner with UPWARD Boston for what is sure to be an unforgettable evening. Please join us on November 9th as we hear personal stories from incredible women executives and enjoy a spectacular fashion show.

Please learn more about this event and register at UPWARD Boston’s event page.

The post Femme Fatale Boston appeared first on The Boston Club .

2022 Corporate Salute!

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 07:17:00 GMT

We’re just one month away form our signature event, The Corporate Salute!

Join us for an interactive fireside chat with Sharon Bowen, Chair of the New York Stock Exchange, in conversation with Wendy Woods, Vice Chair, Social Impact, Climate, and Sustainability, Boston Consulting Group, discussing this year’s focus of Women Taking Charge: The Economic Playbook For the Future.

We will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of our pioneering Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers in Massachusetts’ Public Companies. This year’s report showcases the stories of women in leadership positions and the ways in which these 100 companies have been diversifying their boards and executive suites.

If you’d like to attend in-person at the Cambridge headquarters of our Premier Sponsor, Akamai Technologies, register today (seats are almost sold out), or register to join us virtually.

The Salute is a fantastic opportunity to meet or reconnect with Club members, build your network, and introduce your colleagues to the Club. We look forward to seeing you on November 15th.

The post 2022 Corporate Salute! appeared first on The Boston Club .

President’s Message – October 2022

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 17:14:00 GMT

Out of the pandemic and into the hybrid-work fire.

If you have been feeling like your hair is on fire these past months, you have company. According to Gallup, stress in the workforce has never been higher.[1] Separately, a Harvard Business Review author observed that women leaders working in hybrid situations may be more challenged to find sponsors and mentors, less likely to be seen as seriously committed to their work, and more challenged to “speak up in virtual meetings.”[2] The context for women’s empowerment and careers would appear to be fraught.

Succeeding in the face of adversity is a hallmark leadership quality of our members. For over 45 years, The Boston Club has been a magnet for amazing women who have achieved their dreams and inspired others along the way. Our offerings are the antidote to today’s volatile and uncertain world. Here you will find support, connection, conversation, and opportunity.

At The Boston Club, our mission and vision matter more than ever. I am honored to serve as your President. My door is always open.

Important Info!

Need inspiration?

Join us on November 15th for an amazing Corporate Salute featuring a fireside chat with Sharon Bowen , Chair of the New York Stock Exchange , in conversation with Wendy Woods , Vice Chair, Social Impact, Climate, and Sustainability, Boston Consulting Group , discussing this year’s focus of Women Taking Charge: The Economic Playbook for the Future. (See below for sponsorship opportunities!)

Want to honor a woman business leader?

Nominate a woman for our Women in Business Racial Equity and Ally Awards. In our second year, we continue our work to elevate women committed to women of color and allies in business leadership.

Excited about creating The Boston Club’s future together?

Join me and our dedicated board members for a fireside chat and President’s Welcome on Wednesday, October 19th for a meaningful conversation about our bold vision and plans, how you benefit, and how you can be involved.

[1] “State of the Global Workplace Report,” downloaded October 5, 2022

[2] https://hbr.org/2022/03/women-face-a-double-disadvantage-in-the-hybrid-workplace downloaded October 5, 2022

The post President’s Message – October 2022 appeared first on The Boston Club .

Seeking Applications for The Women in Business Racial Equity Award

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 17:51:00 GMT

The Boston Club’s annual Women in Business Racial Equity Awards celebrate those who have founded, managed, or owned a company or organization that demonstrates a commitment to the advancement of women of color in business.

Two leaders in the business community–one woman of color and one ally*–who currently run successful enterprises that demonstrably support all women through access to jobs, mentorship, and community support, will be honored. Both awardees will receive public recognition; the woman of color who is selected will also receive financial acknowledgment.

If you or someone you know would like to be considered, please complete the application form by October 16, 2022.

For additional information or questions, please contact RacialEquityAward@thebostonclub.com.

*An ally is an individual who uses their privilege to support, elevate, and advocate for marginalized groups.

The post Seeking Applications for The Women in Business Racial Equity Award appeared first on The Boston Club .

Donna Latson Gittens receives inaugural Women in Business Racial Equity Award

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 22:09:00 GMT

The Boston Club is pleased to announce that Donna Latson Gittens, Founder and CEO of MORE Advertising, is the recipient of its inaugural Women in Business Racial Equity Award. Ms. Gittens accepted her award at The Boston Club’s annual Corporate Salute, held virtually on November 4. The Women in Business Racial Equity Award was created to enable The Boston Club to annually recognize a woman of color who founds, owns, or leads an organization that is committed to the advancement of women into leadership positions.

“I am honored to be recognized by The Boston Club, one of the city’s most well-respected organizations dedicated to advancing the careers of women executives. The establishment of this award is a bold statement which will shine a light on the stark inequities facing women and people of color in business and inspire all of us to take action,” said Ms. Gittens. Ms. Gittens founded MORE Advertising in 1997 as a catalyst for change. The firm has a deep-seated and longstanding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and the advancement of women in business. MORE is dedicated to adding value to clients’ missions and meaning to people’s lives.

Ms. Gittens said she launched MORE to create and develop visionary campaigns to help influence attitudes and change behaviors in the following areas: health and wellness, social justice, community engagement, and diversity in the workplace. MORE Advertising is an award-winning, Black-owned and women-led, full-service marketing and advertising firm. MORE’s clients include the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), the Boston Red Sox and the Hyde Square Task Force. Most recently, Ms. Gittens and her team led the DPH’s Covid-19 “Trust the Facts. Get the Vax” campaign. Prior to founding MORE, Ms. Gittens was Vice President of Community Affairs at WCVB-TV in Boston.

The Boston Club’s President, Nancy Nager says, “We are pleased that the inaugural Women in Business Racial Equity Award goes to an individual who has been such a powerful force for good in our community. Donna will set the standard for future Award recipients who model best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion and women’s leadership in their organizations.”

The post Donna Latson Gittens receives inaugural Women in Business Racial Equity Award appeared first on The Boston Club .

Breaking Barriers – 2021 Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers of Massachusetts Largest Companies

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 21:42:00 GMT

Women now hold 27.7% of the board seats in Massachusetts’ largest public companies, the highest to date. The biggest news of this past year is the high rate at which men and women of color have joined the boards of Census companies. Breaking Barriers: The 2021 Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers of Massachusetts Public Companies includes the 100 largest public companies in Massachusetts, based on net revenues. This year, the companies range in size from the Fortune 500 through the Russell 3000 and include some companies that may be considered “small cap” as well. Together they provide a comprehensive picture of the progress that women have made towards parity in the leadership ranks of corporate Massachusetts.

But the biggest news of this past year is the high rate at which men and women of color have joined the boards of Census companies. More than 50% of the new directors added during the past year to those 88 boards that were also included in the 2020 Census are people of color. Nearly 60% of all new independent directors (those who are not company executives or major shareholders) are people of color. The addition of the new directors of color to those who already held board seats in the 88 companies increased their overall representation by 50%. Looking at all 100 companies, 67 Census companies currently have at least one woman and at least one person of color on their boards. Read the complete Census here

The post Breaking Barriers – 2021 Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers of Massachusetts Largest Companies appeared first on The Boston Club .

2021 Community Salute Addresses Healthcare Post-Pandemic

Sat, 08 May 2021 17:56:00 GMT

The 2021 Community Salute on May 5 was a huge success, with hundreds of members, sponsors and guests zooming into a terrific discussion among three extraordinary women healthcare leaders, superbly moderated by Program Committee Chair Carolyn Ferguson. We also heard moving thanks from our 2021 Advancement Award recipients, Amirah, Inc, and our first ever President’s Recognition Award recipients, Alkermes plc and BCBS of Massachusetts. Congratulations to all! If you missed the Salute, watch it here .

The post 2021 Community Salute Addresses Healthcare Post-Pandemic appeared first on The Boston Club .

Supporting Black Business

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 02:15:00 GMT

One of the best ways you can support the Black community is by expanding your business circles. From professional services to restaurants, stores to plumbers, purposefully looking for Black-owned businesses to patronize is a great way to actively support Black individuals and communities.

Below are some ideas and resources to help get you started. Next time you find yourself going to Amazon to order something, or falling back on the same old contractor you’ve always used, check out this list first!

EAT at Black-owned restaurants nationwide

GET TAKE-OUT

ORDER FROM

HIRE Black-owned business owners across all industries

BUY Black art

LISTEN to music through the Museum of African American History & Culture. Did you know June is Black Music Month?

SHOP, SUPPORT and BUY FROM our Black neighbors in Greater Boston. From full-service laundry and eyeglasses, to skin products and fitness studios, it’s all here!

And for a wider perspective on how important it is to not only support Black businesses, but also support a general redistribution of wealth in the US, listen to this NPR piece.

The post Supporting Black Business appeared first on The Boston Club .

The Boston Club, ALPFA and NAAAP start Multicultural Mentoring Program

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 17:53:00 GMT

Ten members of The Boston Club will mentor ten young members from ALPFA and NAAAP for the next several months in a pilot program for multicultural mentoring. This new initiative for the Diversity Consortium began with the program “Collaborating Across Distance” on Tuesday, March 30, led by Joyce Lee of Aperion Global.

The post The Boston Club, ALPFA and NAAAP start Multicultural Mentoring Program appeared first on The Boston Club .

Standing in Solidarity

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 18:04:00 GMT

To our friends and colleagues at The Boston Club,

We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the black community as we all grieve for the senseless murder of George Floyd and many others before him. These acts of violence and hatred are deplorable leaving us feeling anger, despair and tremendously heartbroken.

As events unfold, it is another reminder of the ongoing societal issues that drive racial tensions. It is up to each and every one of us to listen to, and strive to understand, each other’s experiences, and to lead at all times with compassion and empathy. Change starts with each one of us. We must hold ourselves accountable in our actions and behaviors.

Diversity, equity and inclusion have been long-standing pillars of The Boston Club. We strive to be inclusive and to create a welcoming culture. We are all the more committed to that principle during these difficult times. As noted from the statement on our website, “diversity is the recognition of and valuing of differences amongst members, including and not limited to race, religion, class, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental and physical abilities, and work/life balance issues. Inclusion is the action of diversity, how we live, our respect for others and how we effectively utilize our leadership. We believe diversity ensures the richness and vibrancy of ideas, topics and approaches. Ultimately, diversity and inclusion enhances the quality of experiences, promotes engagement, and develops leadership depth”.

Cultivating a culture of equity, inclusion and belonging is our core foundational guiding principle. We embrace this culture of inclusion. We want to be a part of the solution and to impact much needed change throughout our community. Let’s engage in helpful conversations to better understand the inequities that exist and to support each other in unity. To start the conversation, we offer several awareness and educational resources on our website to help and support you.

Please stay well and strong–we are better together.

Best regards,

The Boston Club Board of Directors
Rita B. Allen, President
Nancy E. Nager, Vice President
Karen A. Whitley, Secretary
Jeannine Robbins-Murphy, Treasurer
Donna Bonaparte
Beverly A. Brown
Joan L. Cunnick
Asa R. Fanelli
Jagathi Gururajan
Marianne G. Herlihy
Nancy D. Israel
Joan Kennedy
Theresa L. Mock
Hilary A. Potts
Emily C. Shanahan
Julie Trainor
Wendy Vincent
Fredia R. Woolf
Constance F. Armstrong, Executive Director

The post Standing in Solidarity appeared first on The Boston Club .

Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Fun for Families

Sat, 25 Apr 2020 12:03:00 GMT

Having children of any age home right now can be challenging–the little ones need constant supervision and the teenagers/young adults need constant feeding. There are way too many suggestions of “educational” things to do with your kids, and on top of the expectations of home-schooling, parents are throwing their hands up in protest.

So, we’re going to lighten it up a little and give you some suggestions for fun family activities that maybe–just maybe–will have you enjoying each other’s company again. And for the grandparents & grandfriends amongst us, there are suggestions for you, too! If you have feedback for us, please contact Constance at info@thebostonclub.com .

The post Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Fun for Families appeared first on The Boston Club .

Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Giving Feedback While Working Remotely

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 12:00:00 GMT

With more people working remotely than ever before, everyone from CEOs to former front line workers have had to get up to speed quickly on not only working remotely themselves, but also how to manage an at-home workforce. It can be difficult to feel like everyone is on the same page when they’re not in the same space. How can you best ensure communication is clear, employees are engaged and deadlines are being met? Read on for some suggestions! And if you have feedback for us, please contact Constance at info@thebostonclub.com .

ARTICLE : Forbes’ Top 15 Tips to Effectively Manage Remote Employees

VIDEO : Harvard Business School’s Managing Through Crisis: How to Work Remotely (with Professor Tsedal Neeley)

ARTICLE : Remote.co’s 5 Tips for Providing Feedback to Remote Workers

ARTICLE : Miro.com’s The danger of not giving feedback in a distributed team

ARTICLE : Jeanne Blake’s Offering Feedback While Working Remotely

The post Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Giving Feedback While Working Remotely appeared first on The Boston Club .

Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Keep it Movin’!

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 11:55:00 GMT

Today we’re offering some fun resources for exercise . It’s never been easier or more convenient to work out (perhaps in your pajamas?) in your living room. No matter your favorite type of exercise, we have compiled some great resources below that will help you feel better! If you have feedback for us, please contact Constance at info@thebostonclub.com .

YOGA
Yoga with Adriene offers many different free yoga videos on her YouTube channel for all levels and all bodies. Her theme for the month of April is Nurture.

Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health (located in the Berkshires) is starting a $20/month membership for unlimited yoga, meditation and top faculty talks. Add your name to the list to be notified when it goes live.

DANCE
Healthline compiled the best dance video workouts of 2019, and we agree there are some great ones listed! From Zumba to Carribean Dance, Belly Dancing to Hip Hop, it’s all here!

STRENGTH TRAINING
The original strength & cardio interval workout, Barry’s is offering a free 20-minute, high-energy workout every day on their Instagram page.

Muscle and Strength has hundreds of free workout videos focused on building strength, toning and sports performance.

VARIETY
Peloton is offering a free 90-day trial of their workout app! And it’s not only cycling–they have strength training, yoga, treadmill workouts and much more.

Fitness Blender lets you choose your type of workout–from strength training to HIIT to pilates, plus what kind of equipment you have at home–and delivers a free, high-quality workout right to your screen.

Apparel brand Bandier is hosting free workouts every day at 4pm on their Instagram page. They feature everything from dance to boxing, so you’ll never be bored!

AND IF YOU THINK YOU’RE “TOO OLD” TO WORK OUT…
… this woman will prove you are NOT!

Lastly, check out local gyms in your area, or the one(s) you may currently belong to. Many gyms and fitness centers are offering their members free streamed workouts to keep you moving!

The post Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Keep it Movin’! appeared first on The Boston Club .

Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Inclusive Leadership

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 20:17:00 GMT

Today’s learning session is focued on Inclusive Leadership. It’s a term you’ve probably heard, but what exactly is it? And how do we practice it? Read below for a mini learning lesson! If you have feedback for us, please contact Constance at info@thebostonclub.com .

Inclusive Leadership

There’s a lot of talk in leadership and management circles about inclusion. But humans–anyone who has survived middle school, frankly–can sometimes be quite exclusionary. How can we lead using the principles of inclusion? How can we open up the circle for everyone to participate fully? How do we support people from many different backgrounds? And what qualities do we need to practice and hone to become better leaders?

We’ve put together just a few great resources about inclusive leadership. Take a swing through them. Hopefully you’ll pick up a great tip or two!

Article: The Key to Inclusive Leadership from Harvard Business Review

Report: Getting Real About Inclusive Leadership from Catalyst

Video: The Power of Inclusive Leadership , Bonnie St. John @LEAD

Video: Being Inclusive, Molly Q. Ford, Senior Director of Global Equality Programs, Salesforce at the 2018 #movethedialsummit conference

The post Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Inclusive Leadership appeared first on The Boston Club .

Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Online Learning

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 20:02:00 GMT

We’ve sent our members The Boston Club’s policy and steps being taken during the coronavirus/ COVID -19 pandemic. In addition, we’ve rescheduled events, cancelled a couple, and converted some into virtual get-togethers. We are all in this together — and self-isolating shouldn’t have to mean isolation, and quarantine doesn’t have to mean no contact.

In this extraordinary time, we’d like to offer webinars and resources for women on any topic that would help us all survive and thrive. We know there’s a wealth of knowledge and experience among our members. If you have experience and interest, please contact Constance at info@thebostonclub.com .

Online Learning

“Online Learning” seems to be the word of the month…well, after those C-words. From teachers converting their classroom sessions to online courses, to parents looking for help with kids at home, to first-time-work-from-homers, to those of us just looking for something new to occupy our minds, there is so much available right now. Here are a few links we found intriguing:

The New York Times created this guide to help teachers and parents figure out the best ways to use The Learning Network for remote learning. It’s free, even if you’re not an NYT subscriber, and offers kids a chance to use journalism to increase skills in reading and writing.

If you’re charged with developing an in-house online training program for your team, or your whole company, this in-depth guide and review from PC Magazine on the best learning platforms for business may be just what you need.

Also from PC Mag, if you’re new to working full-time from home, take a look at these tips for being productive, focused, and staying balanced. Or, from Nextiva, an even more detailed list to set you up for being as effective from home as from your office.

Getting tired of Netflix? Finished all those library books you can’t return? Been thinking about taking up knitting? Or bread baking? Or drawing? Always wanted to make a cake that looks like an octopus? Mybuprint.com is offering free classes through April 9 on those activities and many, many more. Most are for older kids or adults, but there are also classes for kids and classes families can do together.

The post Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Online Learning appeared first on The Boston Club .

A Message From The Boston Club Regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 16:44:00 GMT

At The Boston Club, we have watched, along with all of you, the increased medical concern and media coverage about COVID-19 (Coronavirus). In response to Governor Baker’s declaration of a state of emergency in Massachusetts, we wanted to reach out to you now, to let you know what we are doing in regard to upcoming events as well as ongoing Committee and Affinity Group meetings.

We are closely monitoring official recommendations and are actively communicating with our sponsor hosts and our program organizers to ensure safe programming. Many companies are modifying or restricting access to their facilities, attendance at meetings, and/or travel by their employees. In addition, personal concerns may affect your willingness to participate in Club activities. Here’s what we are doing:

To learn more about the best habits to prevent infection, just link to the CDC website provided here

We will update you if there are any further changes in the coming days or weeks. In the meantime, we wish you all good health – and send you a friendly wave!

The post A Message From The Boston Club Regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) appeared first on The Boston Club .

Happy New Year, from Club President Rita B. Allen

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 01:51:00 GMT

Happy New Year, everyone!

A new year, a new decade – and a 44-year old Boston Club that feels new, too! As I said in my year-end message, this is a pivotal time for the Club , and we are embracing changes that will sustain the Club and continue to advance women’s leadership. We begin the year 2020 with a renewed vision for the decade.

We will look to be agile and open to exploring different ways of operating, both internally (member to member) and externally (with corporate partners, sponsors, and other like-minded nonprofits). We will accomplish this by leading through CONNECTIONS and COLLABORATIONS .

We will continue to implement different ways of building internal connections – sharing more member stories, welcoming new members on our Dashboard, holding more Member Collaborative roundtables, and introducing the new role of ‘Connectors’ at various events. There will be more structured networking at events, allowing more time and ways for you to build relationships with other members. We will pilot different formats and venues to enable more personal connections.

We are also excited about continuing to build collaborations and external relationships with other women’s organizations and nonprofits, as well as government agencies and higher education institutions, in addition to our amazing corporate partners and sponsors.

Our calendar is full of many substantive programs and fun events starting in January and continuing throughout the year. I look forward to seeing you at many of them!

As we kick off a new decade, I wish you all a very happy, healthy, safe and prosperous 2020! Change is good…change is necessary…change is progress! I am inspired by the possibilities the new year brings us and I am very grateful for every one of you and the spirit of connecting and collaborating we have at the Club !

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~Margaret Mead

Rita

Rita B. Allen
President, The Boston Club

The post Happy New Year, from Club President Rita B. Allen appeared first on The Boston Club .

Happy Holidays, from Club President Rita B. Allen

Thu, 26 Dec 2019 01:46:00 GMT

Happy Holidays!

As we come to the end of 2019, let’s take a moment to reflect on the accomplishments The Boston Club made throughout the past year – none of which would have been possible without the commitment and engagement of our members, as well as the dedication and hard work of our staff. It is with deep gratitude I offer a recap of few highlights:

Recently we concluded a member survey to better inform us of your needs as we begin to plan the year ahead. A record 34% of members responded to the survey – thank you! Your opinion really matters! We’ll be sharing the survey results with you, both in the Dashboard and in changes you’ll see throughout the coming year.

As we begin a new year, there is so much energy and potential ahead! I will continue to say this is a pivotal time for the Club and we are enthusiastic to lead the changes that are needed to sustain the Club and to advance women’s leadership. Next week, I’ll share some of the plans for 2020.

In the meantime, I hope your holidays are warm and wonderful!
Rita

Rita B. Allen
President, The Boston Club

The post Happy Holidays, from Club President Rita B. Allen appeared first on The Boston Club .

A Message from Boston Club President

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 18:53:00 GMT

Happy Holidays! We are coming to the end of another calendar year and have much to celebrate and acknowledge at The Boston Club.

Through the last year, we learned our members are looking for Recognition for their achievements and expertise; A ccess to other women leaders, resources, business opportunities and the community as a whole; and I mpact, to be able to make a difference in their work and within our mission of advancing women leaders and ultimately S howcasing Excellence. The Boston Club’s Core Purpose is to RAISE women in leadership and to support them in their ventures. This purpose provides a powerful bond and, as we’ve grown to 700 women, we value the diversity in our talents, interests, personal attributes, and professional accomplishments. The Boston Club is a multi-faced community that offers value to all, and last January we introduced our Personas to reflect the value members receive in a variety of ways.

Please take a moment to hear first-hand from our members representing the different personas that make up The Boston Club:

In the coming year, we will continue to build connections internally by sharing more member voices and stories like these – and we hope you’ll share your own member story of The Boston Club! And as you think about what the Club has meant for you, please spread the word… GET LOUD on behalf of The Boston Club and advancing women’s leadership!

Rita

Rita B. Allen
President, The Boston Club

The post A Message from Boston Club President appeared first on The Boston Club .

Latina Equal Pay Day

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 13:32:00 GMT

Wednesday, November 20, 2019 is Latina Equal Pay Day. More than 50 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Latinas typically earn only 54 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men and must work nearly two full years to earn what white men earn in 12 months.

The Equal Pay Act requires that men and women in the same workplace be given equal pay for equal work. The jobs need not be identical, but they must be substantially equal. Still, a persistent gender-based wage gap continues to harm women, their families, and the economy—and is particularly damaging for Latinas. 42% of Americans are not aware of the pay gap between Latinas and white women—and hiring managers are similarly unaware.

This is unacceptable. The Boston Club supports #LatinaEqualPay . Join the #LatinaEqualPay Day Social Media Storm on November 20 at 2:00 pm ET. Learn more at www.latinaequalpay.org .

ALPFA Boston, our local chapter of the leading Latino professional organization focused on developing Latino business leaders in the US, believes that Latinas and their families deserve strong policies that support economic security. It is the responsibility of every single one of us to ensure that our workplaces develop and adhere to such policies by advocating for Latina women through workplace sponsorship and the implementation of unconscious bias training for hiring managers.

For more statistics about the pay disparities Latinas face, check out these resources:

https://www. latinasequalpayday.org/

https://leanin.org/data-about- the-gender-pay-gap-for-latinas

http://www. nationalpartnership.org/our- work/resources/economic- justice/fair-pay/latinas-wage- gap.pdf

Established in 1972, ALPFA is the leading Latino professional organization focusing on developing Latino business leaders in the United States. With 42 professional chapters and over 22,000 members nationwide, ALPFA is dedicated to enhancing opportunities for Latinos and building leadership and career skills. The Boston Chapter is one of ALPFA’s largest chapters in the country with more than 6000 members and more than 40 corporate partners. For more information, go to: https://www.alpfa.org/ page/boston

The post Latina Equal Pay Day appeared first on The Boston Club .

2019 Corporate Salute Recap & Census Results

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 03:55:00 GMT

On Thursday, November 7, The Boston Club was thrilled to welcome Dame Amelia Fawcett as our distinguished speaker at the 2019 Boston Club Corporate Salute. Dame Amelia has been the Chairman of the Standards Board for Alternative Investments in London since 2001. She is also Chairman of Kinnevik in Stockholm and is the Lead Director of State Street Corporation. Additionally, she was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) and a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) in recognition of her services to the financial services industry.

here

At the Salute, we released the results of our 2019 Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers of Massachusetts Public Companies . While there is certainly room for improvement, there was some very good news as well.

Here are a number of key takeaways:

Read the Boston Globe coverage here .

Read the Boston Business Journal coverage here .

The post 2019 Corporate Salute Recap & Census Results appeared first on The Boston Club .

Get to Know Us: New Boston Club Members

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 02:53:00 GMT

Every year, a great number of new members join The Boston Club. Women from all walks of life who have demonstrated significant leadership in their professional careers join the hundreds of other accomplished women who are part of the Club. In an ongoing effort to highlight them, here is the first installment of Get to Know Us: New Boston Club Members!

Angie Castera
Angie is Vice President of People, Culture and Global Human Resources at Oxfam America . She has led a successful career as a senior human resources professional over the last 20 plus years in a variety of industries including hospitality, education, transportation and not-for-profit. As an H.R. leader, she has been a key player in defining, creating/transforming and cultivating culture in these organizations as well as developing and executing initiatives around recruitment, employee engagement, retention, diversity and inclusion, compensation & benefits, succession planning as well as learning and development. She has led teams across these functional areas and has been a member of the senior executive leadership team.

Working for an organization such as Oxfam, Angie is heavily involved in working around issues regarding social injustice, poverty and disasters around the world. She has had a lifelong desire to work in service of the betterment of others. In addition, Angie has held board member positions on several boards including the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts and most recently, Immigrant Family Services Institute.

Throughout her career, Angie has been a supporter of women, both professionally and personally as an HR leader, mentor and advisor to many women (of all ages and life stages). The transformation to more of a “feministic culture” at Oxfam has been an initiative of which she plays a key role. Angie is also a woman of color and has been a leader of diversity, inclusion and belonging throughout her life and career.

Abby Maxman
Abby has a tremendous and impressive background of over 30 years in international humanitarian relief and development. She is currently the President and CEO of Oxfam America and has a strategic focus on addressing policies that perpetuate global poverty. She has specific experience in gender and power in social change; humanitarian preparedness and response; and organizational development, behavior and culture. Since joining Oxfam in 2017, she has led much change throughout the organization within these areas. Throughout her career, she has also focused on prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse within the aid sector, and currently plays an important role within the Oxfam Confederation and among US-based NGOs to improve safeguarding practices.

Having a long career in the not-for-profit world, Abby has been a servant leader throughout. Before Oxfam, she served as Deputy Secretary General of CARE International in Geneva, providing leadership across the CARE confederation; and prior to that she served as Vice President of International Programs and Operations for CAREUSA, and in other country and regional leadership roles in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. Before CARE, Abby also had assignments with the U.S. Peace Corps, German Agency for Technical Cooperation, UN World Food Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Abby has witnessed the impact of poverty, injustice, war and disaster first hand, and has said she believes the fight against global poverty and inequality is more relevant now than ever before.

Abby is a champion of women and gender equality in communities within all aspects – social, economic, and professionally. She has been cultivating a culture of feminism supporting the advancement of women throughout her career. Abby is viewed as a role model and thought leader and has been a mentor and advisor to many women throughout her career.

Marie Beam
Marie holds a senior leadership position as Chief Development Officer at the Discovery Museum in Acton, leading a team focused on development and fundraising. A recent notable achievement is Marie’s leadership of the capital fund raising campaign to build a new museum building, raising $1.8M above the original $7M goal. This resulted in a successful 2018 opening with a significant increase in revenue and attendance for the museum. Marie’s leadership and expertise has had a direct impact on the success of this award-winning museum, in developing the skills and capabilities of her organization and in the external influence of the museum in our community and beyond. Marie is highly respected by the board and her colleagues and demonstrates her leadership in active roles on the strategic planning committee and the Data Task Force Committee.

The museum itself serves a wide community and focuses on gender, accessibility and socio-economic diversity and inclusion. In addition, Marie serves on the board of at the MetroWest Nonprofit Network which supports and strengthens the local nonprofit community by connecting people and their organizations to resources, expertise and each other. Marie also supports her local community through the Littleton Public Schools system by coaching teams and fund raising. Marie provides mentoring support through her alumni at Simmons University, particularly through the Economics Department. In her leadership role at the Museum, Marie also actively coaches and develops her colleagues.

Michelle Paul
Michelle is currently the Senior Vice President and Portfolio Management of CRIC Capital Principal . She serves on the MCP Real Estate Services Business Development Officer of Cummings Properties Board of Directors –as well as serves on the North Shore Technology Council.

Michelle’s demonstrated community leadership and accomplishments are as follows: She is with the Board of Directors – CREW Chicago – Non for profit organization promoting women in the Commercial Real Estate industry in Chicago. She is a subcommittee founding member of the Scholarship Committee Board of Directors – North Shore Technology Council (NSTC.org) which is a Non for profit organization promoting economic development in biosciences, CEO technology leadership, and sustainability. She is also an active member and program recruit for sustainability forum and is always seeking women to engage as content leaders for the CEO technology leadership programming track and biosciences.

Michelle’s clear evidence of supporting and advancing woman leaders is her active work on seeking and securing a women focused co-working operator, securing leases with women lead companies and promoting them as enriching to the ecosystem of life sciences and industries with Atlantic Lab Equipment.

Alyson Kelley-Hedgepeth, MD
Alyson is a cardiologist in the Boston area. She has recently joined the Lown Cardiovascular Group, a Harvard Medical School/ Brigham and Women’s Hospital affiliated practice. For the past nine years, she has been employed as a cardiologist and physician leader at Signature Healthcare. During her tenure at Signature Healthcare, she has served in administrative, leadership and clinical innovator roles. She has developed a comprehensive disease management program related to management of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) that is the top admitting diagnosis to hospitals in the United States. Under her leadership and work with a multidisciplinary team, the combined heart failure disease management program and post-hospital discharge clinic aptly named the “Heart Success Program,” was launched in 2016. She worked with the organization and the population health programs related to heart failure bundled payments (CMS) and risk management contracts. As a result of her efforts, her team was recognized by the American Heart Association “Get with the Guidelines Program” and received a Bronze Award in 2016, a Silver Plus Award in 2017, and Gold Award in 2018.

She has a great deal of community leadership which is as follows: teaching and medical education, served as Chief Cardiology Fellow at Tufts Medical Center and in clinical teaching roles at Signature Healthcare with the transitional year residents. She has been a member of the cardiology lecture series rotation. In the community, she has volunteered at her children’s school, Dedham Country Day School, and served as an Admissions Ambassador for the past four years.

The post Get to Know Us: New Boston Club Members appeared first on The Boston Club .

Event Recap: Diversifying Funding Streams in Nonprofits

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 02:23:00 GMT

Nonprofit organizations are facing unprecedented challenges. State and federal budgets are cutting funding for nonprofits, reimbursements are dropping and the competition for philanthropic support, especially in Greater Boston is only intensifying. New and creative public/private partnerships are growing as nonprofit, corporate and civic leaders must look for solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of community resources for our most vulnerable populations.

On October 10, a group of about 50 participants gathered to hear an outstanding and distinguished panel of speakers, hosted by the energetic and effusive past-President of the Club, Maureen Alphonse-Charles, who is currently Managing Director of Koya Leadership Partners. Our panelists included:

Jennifer Aronson, who is Associate Vice President for Programs at the Boston Foundation where she oversees the Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking operations and strategy.

Lori Smith Britton , who is the Chief Development Officer at Epiphany School in Dorchester where she is working to help complete the organization’s $25 million Starting Younger, Growing Stronger Capital Campaign and grow their overall development program, in addition to several other projects.

Joan Christel , who is Senior Vice President, Head of Corporate Citizenship & Global Inclusion for State Street. In this role, she oversees State Street’s global commitment to corporate social responsibility, inclusion and diversity, and employee engagement. Additionally, Joan holds the role of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Global Human Resources.

The panelists spoke about wide-ranging issues related to fundraising, from grant proposals to networking. Jennifer and Joan focused in on what Foundations and grantmaking organizations look for in grant proposals, while Lori shared some innovative strategies that she has implemented at Epiphany School and elsewhere.

If you’re a Boston Club member, watch the video on Facebook !

Special thanks to EY for hosting this event.

The post Event Recap: Diversifying Funding Streams in Nonprofits appeared first on The Boston Club .

ICYMI: YOUR Privilege with Deborah L. Plummer

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 13:53:00 GMT

On a windy Wednesday morning in October, a group of women gathered at Foley Hoag’s office in the Seaport and spent the next 90 minutes engaged in a dynamic, smart and often funny seminar given by Deborah L. Plummer, PhD, a nationally recognized psychologist and diversity management thought leader. Dr. Plummer is currently Vice Chancellor/Chief Diversity Officer at UMass Medical School and UMass Memorial Health Care.

Attendees were challenged to take a close look at their own privilege by filling out sections of a “Diversity Petal,” and convening in small groups to discuss the many ways privilege shows up–or doesn’t show up–in their lives.

Dr. Plummer also, through multitudes of research, helped attendees examine the effects and impact privilege has on our daily behaviors, practices and policies. At the end of the session, attendees left with a greater understanding of individual privilege and its interplay with race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, ability, class, religion, education level and other dimensions of diversity.

If you’re interested in reading more of Dr. Plummer’s work, check out her books:

Author: Some of My Friends Are…The Daunting Challenges and Untapped Benefits of Cross-Racial Friendships (Beacon Press)

Advancing Inclusion: A Guide for Effective Diversity Council and Employee Resource Group Membership (Half Dozen Publications)

Racing Across the Lines: Changing Race Relations through Friendships (Pilgrim Press)

Editor: Handbook of Diversity Management (Rowman and Littlefield)

The post ICYMI: YOUR Privilege with Deborah L. Plummer appeared first on The Boston Club .

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 19:44:00 GMT

As we are an organization devoted to elevating women in leadership positions, we also believe that, with Breast Cancer Awareness Month upon us, we are here to remind you to make your mammogram appointment and to keep up your self exams.

For more information about breast cancer and how you can keep your breasts healthy today and into the future, visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation website .

The post Breast Cancer Awareness Month appeared first on The Boston Club .

Event Recap: Planning for Board Service? Know the Current Trends

Fri, 27 Sep 2019 03:27:00 GMT

On Thursday, September 26, the Club’s Corporate Board Committee presented the event Planning for Board Service? Know the Current Trends. The event was generously hosted by Ernst & Young LLP.

The distinguished panelists included Mohamad Ali , CEO of IDG, who currently serves on the boards of iRobot, Oxfam America, and the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council; George Neble , former Managing Director of the Boston office of EY, who serves on the boards of and is the audit committee chair for Everquote and Rgse, and for the Yawkey Foundation, along with some private companies; Tee Taggar t, former Senior Vice President & Partner at Wellington Management LLC, who serves on the boards of Albemarle (ALB) and Hanover Insurance Group (THG) and several major nonprofits; and Pascale Witz , Founder and President of PWH Advisors, and who currently serves on the boards of Fresenius Medical Care, Perkin Elmer, Horizon Therapeutics, and Regulus Therapeutics. The event was moderated by Grace Keeney Fey , President of Grace Fey Advisors. Grace currently serves as a Trustee of the John Hancock Financial Services Funds and is on the board of Fiduciary Trust Company. In addition, she is Trustee and Chair of the Investment Committee of WGBH, a member of the Mass Development and Finance Agency and a Trustee of the Mabel Louise Riley Foundation. And, she is a member of the board and Chair of the Investment Committee of The Boston Foundation.

With a panel this accomplished, you can expect a lively discussion–and this certainly occurred! From navigating board positions through “war” and “peace” times, to what to do when a board member goes rogue, to differentiating between CEO and board responsibilities, the panel covered it all. If you’re a member of the Club, you can watch the event recording on our private Facebook page .

The post Event Recap: Planning for Board Service? Know the Current Trends appeared first on The Boston Club .

The Boston Club Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 03:22:00 GMT

Each year from September 15 to October 15, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Source: https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about/

The Boston Club celebrates women leaders of Hispanic and Latino heritage and recognizes their presence and contributions in executive suites and boardrooms.

The post The Boston Club Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month appeared first on The Boston Club .

Event Recap: Setting the Pace and Changing the Face of Health and Life Sciences

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 04:39:00 GMT

On Thursday, September 12, several of the most exciting female health and life science innovators in Boston gathered at EY to speak to a room eager to hear their insights.

The event was expertly moderated by Susan Garfield, PhD , who heads up the Commercial Strategy and Market Access function within the Life Science Advisory practice at EY. Featured on the panel were Laura T. Housman , MPH , Head, Access Outcomes and Population Health at Exact Sciences, an Adjunct Faculty member at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Founder of Access Solutions Consulting (ASC), a healthcare advisory firm; Jennifer Joe , MD , a Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital nephrology graduate turned physician entrepreneur CEO andFounder of Medstro, a leading software service platform for digital communities and online challenges for healthcare and medicine; Elizabeth O’Day, PhD, CEO and Founder of Olaris Therapeutics, a precision medicine company that identifies “biomarkers of response” (BoR) to stratify patients into optimal treatment groups; and Lauren Quigley, PhD, the Senior Scientist at 1Cell Bio, a single cell transcriptomics company that is enabling new scientific breakthroughs by developing and delivering versatile single cell technologies that provide researchers the freedom to follow their science.

The conversation ranged from how the panelists have challenged certain industry norms to affect change, examples of how they spoke out in situations when it was unexpected, and even a breakdown of how panelists choose certain colors to wear in meetings.

If you’re a Boston Club member, you can watch a livestream in our private Facebook group !

The post Event Recap: Setting the Pace and Changing the Face of Health and Life Sciences appeared first on The Boston Club .

A Message from Club President Rita B. Allen

Sat, 07 Sep 2019 13:14:00 GMT

Welcome back from a brief summer break which I hope was full of much recharging, relaxation, exploration and fun! We are very excited to kick off another calendar year that offers many program options, topics and opportunities.

Our vision is that No Woman Stands Alone and to reinforce this vision, you will see a focus on more opportunities to build one-on-one relationships and connections with fellow members. One way we intend to do so is by implementing structured networking within our programming to facilitate more of these connections. This will enable members to meet more members and learn about each other in a purposeful yet informal manner. Another way we intend to do this is to hold more of our ‘member collaboratives’ which bring together a small group of members to meet with board members and staff to engage in an open, intimate and casual dialogue around their Club experiences, needs and challenges. As a Club, our number one priority is to cultivate a culture of inclusion where all members feel a sense of belonging, are welcomed and engaged.

We have an impressive calendar of upcoming events starting with our “ Setting the Pace & Changing the Face of Health & Life Sciences “ and “ Planning for Board Service: Know the Current Trends ” in September; followed by “ YOUR Privilege with Deborah Plummer ” and “ Diversifying Funding Streams in Nonprofits ” in October. All these upcoming programs are not to be missed, offering a distinguished list of esteemed speakers and panelists. Lastly, we are extremely excited to have our Corporate Salute scheduled for November 7 ^th with the unveiling of our 2019 Census of gender diversity on corporate boards. Many thanks to all the committee members and staff who have worked hard throughout the summer months to create and implement these substantive programs!

Thank you all for your continued commitment to the Club and I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event!

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel.” –Maya Angelou

Best regards,

Rita
Rita B. Allen
President, The Boston Club

The post A Message from Club President Rita B. Allen appeared first on The Boston Club .

Annual Golf Outing

Thu, 29 Aug 2019 12:29:00 GMT

On August 27, over 40 women from The Boston Club and the Portsmouth, NH chapter of Women on Course gathered at the Wentworth By The Sea Country Club in Rye, NH and played their hearts out on the course. The weather was exceptionally gorgeous — and surprisingly, we haven’t had a rainy day yet!

Enjoy some photos of the day below.

The post Annual Golf Outing appeared first on The Boston Club .

Data Shows Women Leaders Help Companies

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 18:18:00 GMT

In this week’s Boston Business Journal , Club member Lisa Cohen wrote a letter to the editor regarding recent data that shows–nay, proves–that “companies with more women in leadership roles have delivered better returns than companies with fewer women in leadership roles.”

Read the article here on the BBJ . Or, read it re-printed below.

To the Editor:

For leaders who are women, the quest for gender equality in C-suites and on boards is too often a trek mired in bias and resistance. Hope for eventual parity has been sustained by incremental achievement and the publication by supportive organizations of facts and data that substantiate the general economic benefits of gender equality. The recently released 5-year track record of the Impax Global Women’s Leadership Index (“GWLI”) and the fund that uses it as a benchmark, the Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Fund, is a game changer in the quest for a proof statement, validating the long-term financial success of companies with a critical mass of women leaders on the board and in executive management.

The metrics of the GWLI index are simple: start with a global index of public companies (MSCI World Index) and narrow it down to those that have the highest gender leadership scores. Over the past five years that group of companies – about 400 of the roughly 1600 – has delivered 1.36% more in annual return than the index as a whole. What does this mean? That companies with more women in leadership roles have delivered better returns than companies with fewer women in leadership roles.

What’s so important about that? Quantitative data about the results delivered by women in C-suite and executive leadership has been accumulating for some time. Nevertheless, they resist. One of the ways of resisting is to ask for data, for proof of what we as women leaders bring to the table. Here’s proof.

The Boston Club is now and has been for many years a regional trailblazer supporting companies and organizations in their efforts to advance women leaders. We actively support our members and other high-achieving and community-minded women as they work toward achieving leadership roles in their chosen fields. The Boston Club regularly conducts research on the progress of women in leadership in Massachusetts’ largest companies and nonprofits. While we can indeed report forward motion in specific areas, we’d like very much to see and report broader change. We applaud the many companies and organizations who are enthusiastic supporters of multiple dimensions of diversity and the many others who are on their journey.

More women in leadership roles means demonstrably superior financial results over time. Shareholders, stakeholders, students, and other constituents of communities being served by organizations deserve the best outcomes our leaders can deliver. Instead of devoting energy to resisting, let’s work together to put more women leaders in place and accomplish more together.

The post Data Shows Women Leaders Help Companies appeared first on The Boston Club .

Affinity Groups Are For Everyone!

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 18:35:00 GMT

As a member of The Boston Club, you may be assessing the numerous opportunities available for connection within the Club. Events, lectures, panel discussions, committees, online learnings–you name it, we’ve got it! One of the more popular opportunities to connect with people who share common interests or simply a location is within our many Affinity Groups.

We have 17 Affinity Groups inside the Club, ranging in topics from Financial Services to Health and Life Sciences, North Shore to Dinner Club, Writer’s Talk Process and Product to Outdoor Club, Sudbury/Concord to Third Age.

What happens inside the Affinity Groups is as unique as the group itself. Michele Baillie runs the North Shore Affinity Group (recently taken back over from Diane Green) and says, “The North Shore group consists of TBC members who live and/or work North of Boston. We meet for dinner 4-6 times a year, usually at Su Chang’s in Peabody. The dinners are small–around 10 people–giving the members an opportunity to develop deeper relationships. The format of the group is informal, with each member having opportunities to suggest an activity or venue. The group is open, so anyone interested is welcome to attend.”

She continues, “We encourage our members to discuss wishes, challenges, and needs so that the others can help. Our members have been generous in offering introductions and suggestions.”

Rachel Rice runs the Sudbury/Concord Affinity Group and says, “Our purpose is get to know the group of TBC members who live and/or work in our neighborhoods. We get together about 1x/month for dinner and conversation. We either meet at a restaurant or someone hosts dinner at their place. We generally catch up with each other about how we’re doing with work and life, and then conversation often shifts to new things happening in the Club, politics, women in leadership, climate, news, etc. We’ve built nice relationships over time.”

Kathleen Stone runs the Writer’s Affinity Group, where the purpose is to help writers at any stage of writing set achievable, self-directed goals. Discussion centers around best methods to get words down on paper (or through a transcription program), feedback on drafts, and how to hold each other accountable, among other topics. Some members have only just started to think about writing a book or article, while others are well into their second or third book. All learn from one another!

Interested in joining an Affinity Group? Check out the options in MemberClicks and join one today!

Affinity Groups are open to current Boston Club members only. Pictured is the MetroWest Affinity Group.

The post Affinity Groups Are For Everyone! appeared first on The Boston Club .

Our Strategic Framework

Fri, 28 Jun 2019 03:06:00 GMT

Our approach to the strategic planning undertaken in the last year was to create a framework of principles that would enable us to stay true to our “DNA,” but would also allow us the freedom and agility to adapt and experiment. We wanted to honor and build on the aspects of the Club that members and sponsors have valued for over four decades, while enabling the Club to adapt as our members’ needs evolve and the world around us changes at an ever-increasing rate. The Board’s role is to ensure alignment and fiscal responsibility, while we encourage members to engage more, to ensure that they derive value from their membership.

We are striving to provide members with opportunities to:

This strategic framework summarizes our work, and we’ll discuss the different elements of it in future blogs.

The post Our Strategic Framework appeared first on The Boston Club .

What are The Boston Club’s Personas?

Fri, 21 Jun 2019 14:46:00 GMT

In our last post about the Club’s strategic planning process, we talked about our common desire for the Club to RAISE us as individual members and collectively – providing opportunities for Recognition, Access, Impact and Showcasing Excellence. This time we’ll focus on the remarkable diversity of the Club and its members, who span different generations, career types, professional stages, industries and identities.

We are committed to having each one of us feeling included and at home at TBC, and wanted to have a way to bring us all together and yet recognize our differences.

As part of our long-range planning process, we borrowed an analytical tool for new product development that enables us to recognize each of our many different parts without putting anyone in a box. Personas are not for market segmentation or categorization. They are, in fact, an empathy tool, helping us to get insight into the motivations that drive people in the different roles they assume – not to describe them literally. They help us to think about our offerings in terms of serving those shifting needs and motivations, and they can help you identify the different facets of your own roles and responsibilities as they change over time.

For example, in a given day, a member who is a Corporate Leader in her work role, may be serving as a Mentor to a more junior person, and also be a Rising Star as an upcoming Board Member.

How many of TBC’s Personas do you identify with? You can also check them out on this page of the website !

Corporate Leader
Mentor/Board Member
Independent Business Owner
Rising Star
Educator/Community Leader

The post What are The Boston Club’s Personas? appeared first on The Boston Club .

The Boston Club’s Annual Meeting

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 17:49:00 GMT

On June 11 at the Westin Hotel Copley Place, we held our Annual Meeting! We welcomed our newest members, reviewed and approved the 2019 slate of officers and directors, said thank you to those officers moving off the board, celebrated our committee accomplishments over the past year, and bestowed a number of creative gifts and abundant thanks to the winners of The Boston Club Awards! We also heard from Club President Rita Allen about her vision for the next year–how we will collectively work to RAISE women in leadership and support them in their ventures, and how No Woman Stands Alone !

In terms of our Boston Club awards, “Rising Star Awards” went to Gabrielle Beaudry and Mary Churchill. Kerry Hawitt was crowned the “ Duchess of Do-Everything ,” and Maureen Maas received the “ Madam Ambassador Award. ” For the first time ever, we gave out three President’s Awards – to Ellen DiResta and Fredia Woolf for their work on the strategic plan, and to Marianne Herlihy for her leadership on the Program Committee. The Deane Laycock Award , the Club ‘s highest honor which has only been given out nine times in 16 years, went to Beverly Brown for her long-time commitment to the Club , her leadership on the Nonprofit Board Committee, and the creation of the Nonprofit Board Census, including serving as its chair 3 times.

Rita ended her remarks with a saying that resonated with her in regards to the Club : “Be the girl who roots for the other girl, tells a stranger her hair looks amazing and encourages other women to believe in themselves and their dreams!”

Enjoy some photos from the evening, and have a wonderful summer!

The post The Boston Club’s Annual Meeting appeared first on The Boston Club .

Who Wants to be an Ambassador?

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 03:07:00 GMT

Imagine this: your colleague said you had to join The Boston Club. She brought you to a couple of events and you met some great women, learned some new stuff, had fun…and then completed the online application to join. A few weeks later, you received a long welcome email, with links to The Boston Club’s social media pages, and information about the website, and encouragement to consider joining a Club committee. A lot to think about, and maybe you started to wonder…how will I meet people? How do I figure out how I can help the Club? Where do I fit in?

Then, somewhere near the bottom of that long message, it said that someone had volunteered to be your “Ambassador.” Not long after you received that email message, you got another one — from that Ambassador, someone who’s been a Club member for at least two years and who has volunteered to help you find out just how terrific your Club membership can be!

In The Boston Club, no woman stands alone! Each New Member of the Club is assigned an Ambassador, who has volunteered to assist with your orientation to the Club. She wants your membership to be deeply satisfying – and knows that the best way to experience the benefits of membership is through engagement and involvement. She’ll want to meet you in person, help to answer any questions you may have about your membership, the Club, events, the website resources, and anything else. She will attend a New Member Breakfast with you. And she can assist you with other important on-boarding tasks such as completing your New Member Profile to maximize its efficacy.

Being an Ambassador is a truly meaningful way to enrich your own membership. The Membership Committee will train you for the role, you’ll learn more about the Club, and you’ll meet other women who want to share the experiences that you’ve found valuable in The Boston Club.

With over 100 women joining the Club each year, we are always looking for more Ambassadors! If your Ambassador made your first months of membership terrific, pay it back and volunteer to help another new member!

The post Who Wants to be an Ambassador? appeared first on The Boston Club .

Our Annual Meeting

Thu, 30 May 2019 15:08:00 GMT

Tuesday, June 11, 2019
5:30 – 8:30 PM
The Westin Hotel Copley
Staffordshire Room
Ten Huntington Avenue, Boston

Whether you recently joined or are a long-time member of the Club, this is an event you will not want to miss.

Our year end get-together is always special, and this year is no different:

And if you’re a newer member , we will have special tables set aside just for you to meet other new members and celebrate the rich history of The Boston Club.

Please join us to have fun, and hear about the issues, events and accomplishments that shaped the Club’s 2018-2019 year — and what lies ahead!

The post Our Annual Meeting appeared first on The Boston Club .

The Boston Club’s Strategic Planning Process

Thu, 23 May 2019 13:32:00 GMT

TBC’s Long Range Plan: Our Belief and Purpose

Over the past year, the Strategic Planning Committee has led The Boston Club through a three to five-year planning process. Now, we are excited to share our conclusions with you.

We have tried to uncover what are the key ingredients that have enabled us to last and thrive for over forty years, and, at the same time, to recognize that the world around us is rapidly changing.

How do we need to adapt if we want to continue to grow, thrive and have a positive impact, on our members, and on the advancement of both women leaders and women’s leadership?

Over the coming weeks, we will blog about what we have learned, to give you a better insight into who we are and where we are going.

As a membership organization, WE ARE TBC, and we, the members, drive what happens. It’s our imagination, our work, our passion and our commitment to the belief and purpose that we all share, that will keep the TBC show on the road.

Our Core Belief, which underpins all we stand for, is:

Women’s leadership has a positive effect on business results, organization success, and society at large.

And our Core Purpose, the reason for all that we do, is:

To RAISE women in leadership and to support them in their ventures.

The term RAISE is an acronym from our research on our members’ most expressed needs:

In our next posts, we’ll share how our new strategic framework will focus on fostering a culture of Inclusion as we seek to RAISE the possibilities, prospects and experience of all our members.

The post The Boston Club’s Strategic Planning Process appeared first on The Boston Club .

Women Finding the Cure: Medical Innovation on the Cutting Edge

Thu, 16 May 2019 03:48:00 GMT

On Tuesday, May 14, a panel of distinguished leaders in life sciences came together to discuss the fascinating and ever-changing world of biotech and solving pressing issues and charting new paths in both rare and increasingly common diseases.

The panelists included:

Dr. Aoife Brennan, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer, Synlogics

Dr. Deya Corzo, Chief Medical Officer, Sigilon Therapeutics

Dr. Annamaria Kausz, Chief Medical Officer, Allena Pharmaceuticals

Jennifer Reilly, President & COO, Safety Partners, Inc.

and moderated by Kerry Hawitt, PhD, Vice President, Business Operations, Takeda

The discussion was wide-ranging. Panelists talked about how a drug comes to market through many years of hard work by a dedicated team, successful clinical trials and, finally, approval by the FDA. They talked about how risky the industry is, and how failure occurs regularly–and, as one panelist put it, if someone in the industry claimed they had never failed, they were not telling the truth. They discussed how they pitch their companies and missions to venture capitalists to secure funding. And they discussed what it is like to be a woman at the top of the organization, and how few women there are in executive suites and on boards of biotech companies.

The post Women Finding the Cure: Medical Innovation on the Cutting Edge appeared first on The Boston Club .

Leveling Up: Resilience

Fri, 10 May 2019 03:04:00 GMT

On May 1, The Boston Club held Session 3 of the series entitled “Leveling Up — How to Be Strategic in Advancing Your Career.” The event, featuring panelists Robyn Bolton, Victoria Nessen, and Carol Thomas, and moderated by Rochelle Seltzer, was focused on the topic of resilience .

The panelists readily shared stories of personal setbacks/crises and how they impacted their careers. They all struggled, took risks and reached out for help in their own ways. Yoga, mindfulness and a strong sense of humor helped them move through the difficult phases of their lives and become more resilient along the way.

Rochelle shared with the audience a few minutes of mindfulness teaching, looking at how we live reactively and how in those moments, we also have the opportunity to create. “Slow down, stop yourself, breathe and be present,” she said. “If we go too fast forward, we might miss what we can do right now.”

Rochelle also guided audience members through an exercise, asking them to think of a challenge they are currently facing, then writing an email to themselves with advice based on the things they heard during the session. Afterward, people partnered up to share what they had written. The event ended with many participants engaged and inspired.

The Boston Club would like to thank JLL for their generous sponsorship of this event.

The post Leveling Up: Resilience appeared first on The Boston Club .

Women Finding the Cure: Medical Innovation at the Cutting Edge

Thu, 02 May 2019 19:02:00 GMT

Join us for our upcoming event featuring some of the most exciting female scientists in Boston!

Tuesday, May 14, 2019
5:30 – 8:30 PM
Takeda (formerly Shire)
125 Binney Street
Cambridge, MA 02142

Generously sponsored by Takeda

Did you know that the life sciences sector is expanding twice as fast as the overall economy? Or, that diseases previously thought untreatable can now be cured and even prevented due to exciting new technologies being developed right here in MA? Our distinguished panelists are leaders of companies that are completely redefining our world, both professionally and personally. Join us to get a peek at the future and what it takes to create it.

Our Panelists:

Dr. Aoife Brennan, Chief Executive Officer, Synlogics , joined Synlogic in September 2016 as chief medical officer responsible for the oversight and direction of the company’s clinical development strategy and operations. Aoife previously spent six years at Biogen, where she most recently served as VP and head of the Rare Disease Innovation Unit, which included programs ranging from pre-clinical to commercial. She has also led programs across multiple therapeutic areas including the late phase development of nusinersen for spinal muscular atrophy and ALPROLIX® and ELOCTATE®, treatments for Hemophilia B and Hemophilia A. Prior to joining Biogen, she was director of clinical development at Tolerx, a start-up biotech company focusing on immunotherapy for Type 1 diabetes. Aoife holds a medical degree from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland and has completed post-graduate training in internal medicine, endocrinology and metabolism. She has completed post-doctoral training in clinical research and metabolism at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and is a graduate of the Harvard Medical School Scholars in Clinical Science Program.

Dr. Deya Corzo, Chief Medical Officer, Sigilon Therapeutics , is an expert in biotechnology drug development, genetics and rare diseases with nearly two decades of experience leading clinical research initiatives. Previously, Deya served as Chief Medical Officer of Sojournix Inc., a privately held company in the women’s health space, where she was responsible for leading the build-out of the company’s clinical research organization. She previously served as SVP of R&D and Therapeutic Area Head for liver-amenable gene therapies at uniQure. In that role she led efforts to develop a portfolio of preclinical AAV-based programs and oversaw a proof-of-concept clinical trial in hemophilia B for a gene therapy product that obtained Breakthrough Therapy and PRIME designation. Deya launched her career at Genzyme where she led the medical team responsible for the global registration of Myozyme and Lumizyme, the only approved enzyme replacement therapies for Pompe disease. She is a faculty member of Harvard Medical School and a board-certified attending physician in Clinical Genetics at Boston Children’s Hospital. She completed a residency in Pediatrics at Maimonides Medical Center and a clinical fellowship in Genetics at Boston Children’s Hospital. Deya received her medical degree from the Universidad Industrial de Santander in her native Colombia.

Ms. Jennifer Reilly, President & COO, Safety Partners, Inc. , leads the daily operations of the company and manages its strategic growth. For 25+ years, over 550 biopharma companies have turned to Safety Partners to provide best-in-class environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs. Leveraging her 25 years of experience in scientific research, health and safety, and lab operations, Jennifer has brought Safety Partners to its next level, with over 50 employees supporting hundreds of clients both in greater Boston and across the US. Prior to joining Safety Partners in 2007, Jennifer spent five years at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA, where she served as Senior Laboratory & Safety Manager for the laboratory facility. She developed and maintained its environmental health and safety program as well as managed the animal care facility. Prior to Alnylam, Jennifer held research positions at Biogen, Inc., Curis, Inc., and Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. Jennifer holds an MA in Biology from Harvard University as well as a BA in Biology from Saint Anselm College.

Our Moderator:

Ms. Kerry Hawitt, PhD, Vice President, Business Operations, Takeda , has held senior leadership positions at Takeda’s predecessor Shire since 2006, including Head of Quality Systems & Product Quality, Head of Product Lifecycle Quality, Head of Product Quality Management, and Director of Global Quality Compliance. Kerry is a member of the Royal Society of Biology; Parenteral Drug Association; HBA – Healthcare Women’s Association; and The Boston Club. She serves on the board of the Discovery Museum. Kerry was educated in the United Kingdom, where she earned BS and PhD degrees in Microbiology at the University of Manchester. She is co-author and co-editor of a monograph on ‘microbiological control for non-sterile pharmaceuticals’, first published in 2008.

The post Women Finding the Cure: Medical Innovation at the Cutting Edge appeared first on The Boston Club .

The 2019 Community Salute

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 20:47:00 GMT

On Friday, April 12, over 350 women and men gathered at the Westin Copley Plaza Hotel to hear the results of The Boston Club’s 2019 Census of Women Directors and Chief Executives of Massachusetts’ Largest Nonprofit Organizations, entitled Opportunities Abound, Intentionality Needed.

The news was not great — on average, women hold 35% of the board seats in the Census organizations, the same percentage reported in previous three biennial reports. Each of the Census organizations has at least one woman on its board, also unchanged from the past two Census reports. Read the entire Census here .

The Advancement Award was presented to Girls on the Run Greater Boston. To read more about what they do, click here .

Abby Maxman, CEO of Oxfam America was interviewed by Lauren A. Smith, Co-CEO of FSG and discussed Collaboration Goes Global: Leveraging Effective Multisector Partnerships . Abby discussed her many years of living and working abroad as well as her tenure at Oxfam America, and how those experiences have allowed her to work across cultures, governments and the public and private sectors.

One of the most resonant takeaways was that it is critical to be “strategically principled and tactically flexible.”

Watch some attendee reactions to the Salute!

The post The 2019 Community Salute appeared first on The Boston Club .

The Boston Club’s 2019 Nonprofit Board Census

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 02:03:00 GMT

The largest 150 nonprofits in Massachusetts show no meaningful progress in the number of women CEOs and the number of female board members, according to “ Opportunities Abound, Intentionality Needed ,” The Boston Club’s 2019 Census of Women Directors and Chief Executives of Massachusetts’ Largest Nonprofit Organizations. On average, women hold 35% of the board seats in the Census organizations, the same percentage reported in previous three biennial reports. Each of the Census organizations has at least one woman on its board, also unchanged from the past two Census reports.

The research, presented at a breakfast at the Westin Copley, found that among the very largest organizations in the Census report, those with more than $500 million in revenue, the percentage of women on the board is even lower, 30.4%, while below that revenue point the percentage rose to 37.2%.

“We were pleased to identify eight organizations among the 150 that lead the others in increasing the percentage of women on their boards since we began the Census: Elderhostel DBA Road Scholar, YMCA Greater Boston, Brandeis University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Gordon College, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Milford Regional Medical Center Inc., and Lahey Clinic,” noted Beverly Brown, Chair of The Boston Club’s 2019 Nonprofit Board Census Committee.

The 2019 Census includes two qualitative research reports, one developed by Babson College interviewing 39 women directors, and one produced by The Boston Club that interviewed 17 Boston Club members who serve on major nonprofit boards. Both reports confirm the importance of board members’ own active and structured management of their entry and participation into nonprofit board work to their effectiveness and progression in their roles. The reports describe directors’ “intentional” actions, such as working to become “visible faster” in order to maximize opportunity and success.

Key findings of the Census, produced by Simmons University, include:

The Census was presented at The Boston Club’s 2019 Community Salute, “Collaboration Goes Global; Leveraging Effective Multisector Partnerships,” which included the presentation of the 2019 Advancement Award to Girls on the Run Greater Boston and an interactive discussion with Abby Maxman, President & CEO of Oxfam America, moderated by Lauren Smith, Co-CEO of FSG.

Methodology: Annual revenue is the primary criterion for inclusion in the list of the largest 150 nonprofits. The Census was produced by Simmons University using data submitted by public charities in Massachusetts to the IRS, specifically, 2016 forms 990 via GuideStar as of November 5, 2018.

The Boston Club is a community of women business and professional leaders that promotes the advancement of women into significant and visible leadership roles. Our ambition is to have lasting and meaningful impact on business performance and the economic health of our communities. We connect and enrich women leaders from a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences. We measure the progress of women in corporations and nonprofit organizations, place women on corporate and nonprofit boards, celebrate organizations that elevate women leaders, and engage in public discourse about the importance of the issues. Research plays an integral part in The Boston Club’s mission, focusing attention on the identification and development of a vital pool of women’s expertise for leadership positions.

Download press release here.

Download Census here.

The post The Boston Club’s 2019 Nonprofit Board Census appeared first on The Boston Club .

Speed Networking Event a Great Success

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 15:47:00 GMT

On February 28, over 30 women gathered in the Atrium of PwC in the Seaport for a fully revamped Speed Networking event. The event was held by the Rising Generation Committee of the Club, although it was open to all Club members regardless of age. The intention was to have an evening of fun activities conducive to connecting with others and getting to know people on a deeper level. Activities like People Bingo and Ripple were played as individuals talked, laughed and connected on both personal and professional levels.

Joan Kennedy, Chair of the Technology Committee, attended the event and said, “As an introvert, I generally find speed networking exhausting. However, I wanted to support the team who was working so hard to organize the event. I’m so glad I went! They had activities that made it fun to meet folks and then in smaller groups to learn more about each other. The questions were deep enough that I even learned more about people I already knew well. I got to meet several new members and make some useful connections. Overall, it was a very valuable session and I hope to see another event like this soon!”

To see some videos of the event, click here , here and here .

The post Speed Networking Event a Great Success appeared first on The Boston Club .

Leading With Passion: Women in Philanthropy

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 16:47:00 GMT

On Wednesday, March 20, over 150 women and men gathered in a beautiful sunlit (and then super moonlit) room inside New Balance’s headquarters in Brighton to hear a distinguished panel of passionate women who had each started at least one nonprofit of their own. Moderated by Lisbeth Tarlow, the panel included Betty Francisco, Andrea Silbert, Reverend Cheng Imm Tan, and Renata von Tscharner. The panelists shared their experiences building boards, finding funding, marketing their causes and even succession planning, which they all agreed can be difficult when so much of the founder is embedded into an organization they’ve founded.

Thank you to New Balance for sponsoring and hosting this great event.

The post Leading With Passion: Women in Philanthropy appeared first on The Boston Club .

Join Us for International Women’s Day on March 8!

Fri, 08 Mar 2019 19:32:00 GMT

2019 will be our third annual celebration of International Women’s Day!

Balance for Better!
on
International Women’s Day
Friday, March 8, 2019
presented by the Club’s Corporate Board and Nonprofit Board Committees
and generously hosted by Ernst & Young LLP

The 2019 International Women’s Day theme is “#BalanceforBetter.” As the IWD says, “From grassroots activism to worldwide action, we are entering an exciting period of history where the world expects balance. We notice its absence and celebrate its presence. Balance drives a better working world. Let’s all help create a #BalanceforBetter.”

Join our terrific panel to discuss exactly how gender diversity creates a better workplace, better organizations, better communities and a better world! We look forward to celebrating International Women’s Day with YOU!

For more information, click here.

The post Join Us for International Women’s Day on March 8! appeared first on The Boston Club .

Announcing the 2019 Community Salute

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 19:49:00 GMT

The Boston Club’s 2019 Community Salute
Collaboration Goes Global:
Leveraging Effective Multisector Partnerships

a conversation with:
Abby Maxman, President & CEO of Oxfam America
moderated by
Lauren Smith, Co-CEO of FSG
&
presentation of
The Boston Club’s 2019 Advancement Award

Friday, April 12, 2019

Registration:
7:15 – 7:45 AM
Breakfast & Program:
7:45 AM – 9:30 AM

The Westin Hotel Copley Place
America Ballroom
Ten Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02116

Charge:
Reg and School St Members: No charge
Associate Members: $75
Guests & Non-Members: $100

Abby Maxman, President & CEO of Oxfam America, says, “Increasingly, philanthropy has become a pre-requisite to creating sustainable change and altering social landscapes. At Oxfam, we know that philanthropy is the critical difference between simply keeping people alive and empowering people to help build better lives for themselves. And by changing lives, together we change the world.”

These days, philanthropy comes in many packages, and increasingly the most effective initiatives are multisector partnerships of corporate, social, and government organizations. Join us for a discussion of the essential elements of effective collaboration across these sectors, and the challenges in working through barriers to collaboration. We’ll also be looking at these collaborations through a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lens, as we consider both issues and potential solutions. And, of course, we are always interested in learning about the paths that took our speakers to their current leadership positions.

This Community Salute will include the presentation of The Boston Club’s 2019 Advancement Award to a local organization that offers programs addressing women’s fundamental health issues, both physical and mental, to establish long term personal and family health.

And we’ll share with you the results of our 2019 Census of Women Directors & Chief Executives of Massachusetts’ Largest Nonprofit Organizations.

Join us for an informing and inspiring morning! Click here to register!

The post Announcing the 2019 Community Salute appeared first on The Boston Club .

Winter Fest!

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 15:01:00 GMT

On January 30, over 130 Club members gathered at the Westin Copley to eat, drink and be very merry. We also unveiled a small piece of our new website–the “personas”–in life-size format (well, almost), and many of our members had a grand time getting their photo taken with them. Check out a few pics from the event!

The post Winter Fest! appeared first on The Boston Club .

Follow us on social media!

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 08:44:00 GMT

Did you know The Boston Club has social media accounts across all major social media? Follow us on:

and coming soon, Instagram!

The post Follow us on social media! appeared first on The Boston Club .

Prospective Member Breakfast

Wed, 23 Jan 2019 14:30:00 GMT

On January 10, about 40 women joined us for a Prospective Member breakfast at the Westin Hotel Waltham. Current members introduced their guests to other Boston Club members, including Board members and our Executive Director, Constance Armstrong. It was an energetic and positive morning!

The post Prospective Member Breakfast appeared first on The Boston Club .

Social Media Technology Coaching

Sun, 06 Jan 2019 19:50:00 GMT

On January 17, we held our first lunchtime virtual social media technology coaching event. Over 40 Club members joined us to learn the ins and outs of Twitter and LinkedIn, and how to use them more effectively. We held the event on Zoom, and even utilized the breakout room feature. Thank you to everyone who joined us. Because demand for this type of event is high, we will have additional ones in the futures, so stay tuned!

The post Social Media Technology Coaching appeared first on The Boston Club .

The Boston Club

The 2025 Census is Live

New Report Shows Slowest Progress for Women in Corporate Leadership in Nearly a Decade and Sharp Decline in Demographic Reporting

The Boston Club and Bentley University Annual Census Finds Corporate Transparency on the Decline as Companies Withhold Data

The Boston Club Announces FY25 Board of Directors and Leadership Council

The Boston Club is Thrilled to Announce our FY25 Board of Directors and Leadership Council

June is Pride Month

June is Pride Month ﻿

2024 Women’s History Month

The Boston Club Celebrates Women’s History Month

2024 Community Salute

Women’s Leadership In Times Of Disruption | A Focus On Higher Education

2024 Black History Month

The Boston Club Celebrates Black History Month

2023 Corporate Salute: Passion, Purpose, Breaking Barriers

Special thanks to our 2023 Corporate Salute Sponsors

Colette Phillips, CEO and President of Colette Phillips Communications, Receives The Boston Club’s 2022 Women in Business Racial Equity Award

Jill Medvedow, Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, Receives The Boston Club’s 2022 Women in Business Racial Equity Ally Award

The Boston Club Announces Our New Allyship Series

Femme Fatale Boston

2022 Corporate Salute!

President’s Message – October 2022

Important Info!

Seeking Applications for The Women in Business Racial Equity Award

Donna Latson Gittens receives inaugural Women in Business Racial Equity Award

Breaking Barriers – 2021 Census of Women Directors and Executive Officers of Massachusetts Largest Companies

2021 Community Salute Addresses Healthcare Post-Pandemic

Supporting Black Business

The Boston Club, ALPFA and NAAAP start Multicultural Mentoring Program

Standing in Solidarity

Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Fun for Families

Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Giving Feedback While Working Remotely

Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Keep it Movin’!

Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Inclusive Leadership

Coming Together to Cope with COVID-19: Online Learning

A Message From The Boston Club Regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Happy New Year, from Club President Rita B. Allen

Happy Holidays, from Club President Rita B. Allen

A Message from Boston Club President

Latina Equal Pay Day

2019 Corporate Salute Recap & Census Results

Get to Know Us: New Boston Club Members

Event Recap: Diversifying Funding Streams in Nonprofits

ICYMI: YOUR Privilege with Deborah L. Plummer

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Event Recap: Planning for Board Service? Know the Current Trends

The Boston Club Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Event Recap: Setting the Pace and Changing the Face of Health and Life Sciences

A Message from Club President Rita B. Allen

Annual Golf Outing

Data Shows Women Leaders Help Companies

Affinity Groups Are For Everyone!

Our Strategic Framework

What are The Boston Club’s Personas?

The Boston Club’s Annual Meeting

Who Wants to be an Ambassador?

Our Annual Meeting

The Boston Club’s Strategic Planning Process

Women Finding the Cure: Medical Innovation on the Cutting Edge

Leveling Up: Resilience

Women Finding the Cure: Medical Innovation at the Cutting Edge

The 2019 Community Salute

The Boston Club’s 2019 Nonprofit Board Census

Speed Networking Event a Great Success

Leading With Passion: Women in Philanthropy

Join Us for International Women’s Day on March 8!

Announcing the 2019 Community Salute

Winter Fest!

Follow us on social media!

Prospective Member Breakfast

Social Media Technology Coaching

June is Pride Month