Worcester Business Journal

20 Worcester Business Journal | October 29, 2018 | wbjournal.com Bonnie Biocchi 2013: President & CEO of MetroW- est Chamber of Commerce in Framingham Now: Executive director of the Northeast Public Power Association in Littleton What have been your career highlights since 2013? Transitioning to a new industry and becoming the executive director of NEPPA, an organization serving the public power community across a six-state region. Serving on the board of the MetroWest Conference for Women, which gave me an opportunity to work with some amazing women and help a fledgling organization. And personally? Becoming a Nonnie to Vincent, Eliana, Arthur and Nora. Grandchildren are the greatest joy! How has the professional world changed since 2013? e increased use of technology has certainly created more opportunities for people to work remotely or have flexible schedules. is is especially valuable for women, many of whom are juggling jobs/ca- reers, motherhood, volunteer respon- sibilities and household duties, to have the opportunity to control their own schedules. I hope this flexibility will help women achieve more balance in their lives which, will strengthen fami- lies and society as a whole. Patricia Hallberg 2013 & now: CEO for the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massa- chusetts What have been your career high- lights since 2013? I serve as a co-chair for the Investing in Girls Alliance and as a commissioner on the Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. e Girl Scouts STEM conference for middle school girls, Geek is Glam, has built momen- tum around STEM activities for girls and is going strong in its sixth year. e Girl Scouts has built a program to bring the Girl Scout leadership experi- ence to girls who would otherwise not be able to participate. And personally? I have four daughters who all married in the last six years. Our family has expanded to include two grandchildren. How has the professional world changed since 2013? is award allowed me the opportunity to expand my network in the Greater Worcester area. Women are still underrepre- sented at leadership tables across the country, and even more so for women of color. F O C U S O U T S T A N D I N G W O M E N I N B U S I N E S S 2013 ALUMNAE Christine Tieri 2013: President of smith&jones Idea Agency in Sturbridge Now: Certified brand strategist, consultant and speaker at ChrisTieri.com in Sturbridge I dea Agency in Sturbridge has certainly gone through its evolutions over the past 24 years, as has its president, Christine Tieri – especially since winning an Outstanding Women in Business award in 2013 – and more specifically, over the past month or two. Over the years, starting out as Smith & Jones Advertising, the brand be- came smith&jones, smith&jones idea agency and then, Idea Agency. Tieri was the organization's founder, president and certified brand strategist Now she is a lead brand strategist with Pannos Marketing out of Bedford, N.H., having just sold Idea Agency to Pannos and joined its team on a consulting basis to get back to what she loves: brand development. Her Idea Agency team members will have roles with Pannos, said Tieri, and Idea Agency clients have come along as well. e acquisition followed Idea Agency's honing in on brand-development work several years ago, from its place as a full-service marketing agency. Marketing was making a shi, said Tieri, no longer just advertising but more about branded cultures, which involves how a workspace looks. Tieri has redone some companies waiting rooms. "Clients benefitted from our renewed commitment to brand," she said. "It offered a deeper strategy for them." en Tieri sought to get back to that core interest – branding – even more. at's when the acquisition opportunity came about. "When you run a company, it becomes about the operations and not the work anymore," she said. "While trying to be creative, I had to also make sure we were viable and that the numbers lined up." It wasn't a part of the job she wanted to do anymore, she said. She speaks highly of Pannos and the firm's partners, as well as her Idea Agency colleagues. Tieri is now writing a book, a task likely made easier with a quieter house. When she won the award in 2013, she had three teenage boys at home, all of who were playing different sports on different schedules. - Written by Susan Shalhoub Mary Ann O'Connor 2013: President & CEO of VNA Care Network in Worcester Now: Retired What have been your career high- lights since 2013? Took a leadership role in creating two innovative health- care programs providing significant opportunities for frail elders to receive advanced treatment in their own homes, avoiding unnecessary hospital- izations. And personally? Retired aer a 45 year career. How has the professional world changed since 2013? Changes in the workplace and advances in the healthcare industry has increased the opportunities for women to enter into rewarding leadership roles. Diane M. Power 2013 & now: Exec- utive director for Mirick O'Connell in Worcester, Westborough and Boston What have been your career highlights since 2013? I returned to school to become a certified professional coach, focusing on leadership development, and have enjoyed incorporating my new skills at Mirick O'Connell. And personally? Surviving the Sand- wich Generation – caring for aging par- ents while navigating my son through his teenage years! How has the world changed since 2013? It's more fast paced and compet- itive, with no end in sight. Linda M. Smith, CPA 2013 & now: Managing partner at Smith, Sullivan & Brown, PC in Westborough What have been your career highlights since 2013? Business growth and visibility And personally? Enjoying life better with more experienced staff, allowing me to take longer vacations and have more family time. How has the professional world changed since 2013? Technology has allowed us to have two full-time staff working remotely from other parts of the country. We're using video conferencing rather than driving in/out of Boston for meetings, etc. We're more efficient with better technology. Our work-life balance has improved. W W

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