2 min readOn May 15, the Boston Chamber of Commerce plans to applaud hardworking females at its annual meeting with the theme “Women in Business: All In.”
The event celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Chamber’s Women’s Network and all the business owners and corporate executives who make the city great. The best part? The event is an all-female deal with women receiving awards, delivering keynotes and co-chairing the evening.
This year’s honorees into the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians include Sandra Fenwick, CEO of Boston Children’s Hospital, Deborah Jackson, President of Cambridge College, and Sheila Liro Marcelo, Founder, Chairwoman and CO of Care.com.
An induction into the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians is an honor bestowed on Boston-area business owners who have demonstrated a career of exemplary leadership and giving back.
“I can’t think of a better way to mark a major milestone year for the Women’s Network than by honoring these three remarkable leaders,” said James E. Rooney, president and CEO of the GBCC. “Sandra, Deborah and Sheila are the definition of Distinguished Bostonians, and their contributions resonate far beyond Boston.”
Sandra Fenwick, CEO of Boston Children’s Hospital
During her tenure as CEO at Boston Children’s Hospital, Fenwick has fostered the hospital’s resources to make remarkable research breakthroughs in pediatric care. She was primed for the role with leadership positions at CareGroup, Inc. and Beth Israel Hospital.
“I applaud the Chamber for its longstanding commitment to workplace equality, and for all it has done — and continues to do — to ensure that Boston is the best place for women to contribute and succeed professionally,” said Fenwick.
Deborah Jackson, President of Cambridge College
Prior to joining Cambridge College as their fourth President, Jackson served as the CEO of the American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts and the Vice President of the Boston Foundation. Since joining higher education she has been an advocate for students of color pursuing graduate studies. Under her stewardship, the college was named one of “America’s Top 100 Graduate Degree Producers” by Higher Education magazine and the School of Management ranked third in awarding master’s in business and commerce degrees to African-American students.
Sheila Marcelo, Founder, Chairwoman and CEO of Care.com
Marcelo’s childcare empire began in 2006 as a solution to her own challenges struggling to work, care for children and assist aging parents. Now, Care.com is the largest online destination for family care in the world.
Before launching the business, Marcelo was Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Matrix Partners and worked executive roles at Upromise, where she worked to help families save for college.
“The Chamber has always been a champion of and advocate for the advancement of women in all walks of life,” Marcelo says, “understanding that when women thrive, we strengthen families and the economy throughout the region.”
