Member News

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

 

New Member Spotlight: Chief Justice Kimberly Budd

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Welcome, New Member: Kimberly Budd, Chief Justice, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court!

 

Kimberly was appointed to the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Charles Baker as both an Associate Justice (sworn in on August 24, 2016) and as the Chief Justice (sworn in on December 1, 2020).  She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from Georgetown University and law degree from Harvard Law School.

New Member Spotlight: Amanda Fernandez

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Welcome, New Member: Amanda Fernandez, CEO and Founder, Latinos for Education!

 

Amanda is a social entrepreneur and CEO/Founder of Latinos for Education, the first Latino founded and led national organization solely dedicated to creating leadership pathways for emerging Latino education leaders and diversifying education nonprofit boards. Amanda began working on issues of educational opportunity and representation serving as the Vice President of Latino external engagement at Teach For America and a Director at The Bridgespan Group, supporting clients on organization and talent development. Amanda’s career spans over 25 years working in the fields of recruiting, diversity, organization development, change management, strategic planning and Latino community engagement.

New Member Spotlight: Linda Dorcena Forry

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Welcome, New Member: Linda Dorcena Forry, Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion & Community, Suffolk Construction!

 

Linda is a Senior D&I executive with experience in business, state and municipal government and corporate governance. She spearheaded the establishment of Suffolk Constuctions’s first Diversity and Inclusion department and strategy and develops ongoing company strategy and programming for employees with focus on senior leadership. Linda is a former Democratic member of the Massachusetts Senate, who represented the 1st Suffolk district from June 2013 – January 2018.

 

New Member Spotlight: Elizabeth Lowrey

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Welcome, New Member: Elizabeth Lowrey, Principal, Director of Interior Architecture, Elkus Manfredi!

 

Elizabeth has been responsible for Elkus Manfredi’s interior architecture studio since the firm’s founding in 1988, and a part of the firm’s leadership since being named a principal in 2002. Today she is on the vanguard of workplace design as employers plan for a post-pandemic return to the office, coining the phrase, “The workplace is no longer a mandate, it must be a magnet.” Admired for her sophisticated design eye, business acumen, and skillful management, she attributes her success to her collaborative approach with clients.

New Member Spotlight: Bridget Long

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Welcome, New Member: Bridget Long, Dean and Saris Professor of Education and Economics, Harvard Graduate School of Education!

 

A member of the HGSE faculty since 2000, Long is an economist whose work focuses educational opportunity and success. She has made major contributions to the field’s understanding of the factors that influence student enrollment decisions and success in postsecondary education.  Long has evaluated the effects of policies as well as developed and tested interventions that aim to address challenges with affordability, academic preparation, and incomplete or complex information.