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Governance Committee Announces Transition of IWF/MA Leadership

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Today the IWF/MA Governance Committee is writing to inform you of a significant transition in our organization’s leadership. We have successfully concluded a six-month organized and planful leadership transition process. As you know, Judy Habib has served as President of IWF/MA for close to three years. She has done a tremendous job and has brought our organization to a new level. Knowing that Judy would be ready to pass the baton in September, the Governance Committee embarked on a leadership succession process in the spring. I am happy to report that the Board of Directors unanimously voted to elect Adrienne Penta as our new President and Renee Connolly as Vice President. Both Adrienne and Renee bring years of experience with IWF/MA and their professional careers. They share a passion for our mission and are excited to assume their new responsibilities, which are effective immediately. Please join me in thanking Judy for her outstanding leadership as we congratulate Adrienne and Renee.

 

These leadership changes mark an exciting new chapter for our organization. Adrienne and Renee’s experience and dedication to IWF/MA will undoubtedly guide us toward even greater heights. Already, exciting changes are on the horizon, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

 

We look forward to officially inducting Adrienne and Renee at our upcoming Annual Meeting and Holiday Reception on December 4th.

 

While Judy is concluding her journey as IWF/MA President, we are please to share the she will continue to be an integral part of our organization as the Immediate Past President. In this capacity, she will provide invaluable support and guidance to our board officers and directors, ensuring a smooth transition and the continuity of our mission.

 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Judy for her remarkable leadership, passion, and unwavering commitment to IWF/MA. Her leadership through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on our organization, and her legacy will continue to shape IWF/MA for years to come.

 

As we embark on this new chapter, we encourage all IWF/MA members to start thinking about their engagement with the organization. Consider how you can contribute to our shared goals and make a difference within our community. Keep an eye out for the upcoming Call for Nominations, and think about how you can help support our organization by participating in committees and initiatives that resonate with you. If you are interested in getting involved please contact our Executive Director, Michaela Sawicki.

 

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to IWF/MA. Our organization is stronger than ever, and we look forward to achieving even greater success together under the capable leadership of Adrienne and Renee.

 

Warm regards,

Joyce A. Murphy

Chair

IWF/MA Governance Committee

December 2022/January 2023 New Member Spotlights

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IWF/MA is pleased to welcome these recent December/January members into IWF/MA:

 

Kerrie Brady
President & CEO, OcuTerra Therapeutics Inc.

Sarah Iselin
President & CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shields of MA

Ann Lagasse
Principal, Ocean Havens

 

Kristen Lepore,
Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer,
Beth Israel Lahey Health


Debbie Millin
Founding COO / Advisor, Globalization Partners

Maria Palasis, Ph.D.
CEO, Lyra Therapeutics, Inc.


Christine Schuster
President & CEO, Emerson Health

Martha Sheridan
President & CEO, Meet Boston

 

 

Michaele Whelan
President, Wheaton College

Sarah Woods
Head of Office, BTS/Boston

2022 IWF Global Leadership Conference in Las Vegas

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Viva Las Vegas!!

There’s no way that what happened in Vegas in early will stay in Vegas, and why??? Because it was just too much fun, and we can’t wait to share!! We had a record attendance from IWF/MA including:

Vanessa Calderon-Rosado, Fiona Calnan, Elizabeth Cook, Fay Donohue, Priscilla Douglas, Karina Funk, Rosalind Gorin, Judy Habib, Julie Hall, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Sheryl Marshall, Joyce Murphy, Macaire Pace, Adrienne Penta, Colette Phillips, Andrea Rosen, Lesli Suggs, Alison Taunton-Rigby, Pallavi Verma.

We enjoyed three days of enlightening sessions on important topics (two led by our very own Rosabeth Moss Kantor and one by Priscilla Douglas), unique behind-the-scenes excursions, the always-favorite DineArounds, and entertaining evenings of food, music, and let-it-rip dancing!

Full House at Smith & Wollensky

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On September 13 Diane Hessan and Carol Fulp hosted an informal get together at Smith & Wollensky in Boston. Over 20 members attended. We had an opportunity to welcome in new members, Marcela Aldaz-Matos, Patricia Howard and Marisa Kelly.

 

 

Summer 2022 Highlights

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Founding member Roz Gorin graciously hosted a group in June at her home for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before a stunning Broadway-bound performance of 1776 at A.R.T. – with an all woman cast. About 20 members joined in the fun and caught up in person before a leisurely walk over to the theater. Shout out to Priscilla Douglas for helping to organize the A.R.T. logistics of the event for us.

 

Dana Born, Geri Denterlein, Margie Marshall, Roz Gorin, Fay Donahue, Priscilla Douglas, Rosemarie Day, Dianne Hessan and Siobhan Dullea at Roz Gorin’s home.

Margie Marshall, Judy Habib and Fay Donahue at Roz Gorin’s home

 

On July 11th, another group of members enjoyed an intimate dinner at the Painted Burro in Waltham organized by Lisa Wieland. Loosely called the “Metrowest Supper Club” we encourage members from any area to suggest a place to meet and dine. Sandi Fenwick commented, “What a joy finally to be in person over drinks and dinner with interesting, fun women colleagues and friends. Hearing how people navigated these past few years with joys and sorrows in an intimate and supportive casual group setting was so nice. Looking forward to the next one!”

 

A group of members enjoys dinner out at the Painted Burro

 

June Highlights-Member Reception at the Encore Boston Harbor

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June opened on a high with our All-Member/New-Member Reception hosted by Jenny Holaday, President and CEO of Encore Boston Harbor. Over 40 members gathered in Encore’s beautiful Harborside Lounge to meet, reconnect and welcome new members in attendance including Marcela Aldaz-Matos, Jenny Holaday, Lesli Suggs and Joan Wallace-Benjamin.

Leave it to Priscilla Douglas to get the party in full gear as she took center stage and burst into song- “Viva Las Vegas”- and then invited fellow members to share their favorite conference experiences through the years from hotspots all over the world…Israel, Morocco, Finland, Stockholm and even right here in Boston. Our goal is to have 40+ IWF/MA members at the IWF Global Leadership Conference, Nov 1-3 in Las Vegas. And we’re halfway there!! Click here to get registered with IWF- once you are registered, look for a confirmation email that tells you how to get into the headquarters hotel!

 

IWF/MA Members Named 2022 Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Honorees

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Congratulations to IWF/MA members for being honored with one of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Pinnacle Awards! The Pinnacle Awards is the premier event for women in business, and honors incredible leading women for their outstanding contributions to the workplace and commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the region.
Congratulations to the following IWF/MA Members:
Vikki Spruill, President & CEO, New England Aquarium
Achievement in Management – Non-Profit
Carole Charnow. President & CEO, Boston Children’s Museum
Achievement in Arts & Education
Judy Habib, Founder & Chairman, KHJ Brand Activation
Lifetime Achievement
View the list of past Pinnacle Award honorees, which includes many IWF/MA members, here.

New Member Spotlight: Marcela Aldaz-Matos

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Welcome, New Member: Marcela Aldaz-Matos, Managing Director, MCBI Advisors LLC and Chairwoman, ALPFA!

 

Marcela is a business executive with more than 20 years of experience in strategy, talent management, and leadership with a proven track record of delivering substantial growth in highly competitive business organizations. Working collaboratively with C-suite leaders or their direct reports, her main focus is on harnessing the business value of organizational development and talent management to yield high business impact. Marcela has extensive experience in financial services, healthcare and non-profit organizations, and has managed numerous U.S. and international teams in the areas of business development and service delivery for multicultural markets locally and internationally.

New Member Spotlight: Tomiko Brown-Nagin

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Welcome, New Member: Tomiko Brown-Nagin, Dean, Harvard Radcliffe Institute Daniel P.S. Paul Professor of Constitutional Law, Harvard Law School Professor of History, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University!

 

Tomiko is a prize-winning author, legal scholar and historian, dean of Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute, and pathbreaking leader in higher education. Her groundbreaking book, Courage to Dissent, won six awards, including the Bancroft Prize in 2012. Her new book, The Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and Struggles for Equality (Pantheon, 2022), has received rave reviews. Brown-Nagin has acquired discipline- and sector-spanning insights and experiences during her twenty-year career: she has testified before Congress about civil liberties, developed innovative educational programs, built strategic partnerships, cultivated varied constituencies, managed diverse professional teams, taught and advised hundreds of students, and as a lawyer, represented clients ranging from students seeking access to higher education and Fortune 500 companies defending business practices.

New Member Spotlight: Lisa Murray

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Welcome, New Member: Lisa Murray, President, Head of New England Not for Profit and Professionals Banking, Citizens Massachusetts!

 

Lisa Murray has been in commercial banking for almost thirty years having started her career in 1992 at Shawmut Bank. Since then, Lisa has held various positions in retail, middle market and specialized lending. She joined Citizens in 1997 through their acquisition of State Street Bank. As President of Citizens Massachusetts, Lisa represents Citizens in an official capacity with civic, business and community leaders across the Commonwealth. In her role as Director of the Not for Profit and Professionals Banking Division at Citizens, Lisa leads a team of  seasoned industry specialists to assist organizations in managing their businesses more efficiently and profitably while taking risk out of the operating model.