Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | October 29, 2018 | Worcester Business Journal 25 " I commend the Worcester Business Journal for 10 years of leadership in honoring the accomplishments of exemplary business women. And to this year's nominees, I say congratulations, and I urge you to persistently pursue your passion. Ignore those who say it can't be done. There will always be reasons not to, but more reasons why you should do it anyway. " Congratulations to this year's Outstanding Women in Business Award winners Angela Bovill, President and CEO 2017 Outstanding Women in Business Award winner 14 East Worcester Street, Suite 300 | Worcester, MA 01604 774.243.3900 | info@ascentria.org | ascentria.org Find us on 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 F O C U S Roberta Brien 2015 & now: Vice president of projects at Worcester Busi- ness Development Corp. What have been your career high- lights since 2015? It is amazing what can be accomplished with a coordinated effort, a common goal, and a vision. WBDC continues to work with its part- ners to pave the way for jobs and growth in Worcester. And personally? Great trips with the family, a focus on professional develop- ment, and 15 years of marriage! How has the world changed? ere has been much more focus on women, the impact of women, and the value of women. is focus, has in some instances led to intentional change to create more opportunities for women. Linda Cavaioli 2015 & now: Executive director of YWCA Central Massachusetts What have been your career high- lights since 2015? Hit 26-year milestone at YWCA And personally? Became a great-grand- mother and celebrated 30-year wedding anniversary with John Medbury How has the world changed? We launched a $7.5-million capital campaign and $24-million renovation project of YWCA headquarters in Downtown Worcester. Susan Lawrence 2015: Co-owner of Pepper's Fine Catering in Northborough Now: President of Peppers Artful Events in Northborough What have been your career highlights since 2015? Supporting the development of our leadership team. And personally? Continuous learning with an open heart. How has the world changed? ere are so many opportunities to grow and express the talents of one's particular business, from communication to technology. Naureen Sofia Meraj 2015: Senior global director for NTT Data in Shrewsbury Now: Co-founder and chief learning officer at Teach the World Foundation in Washington, D.C. What have been your career high- lights since 2015? I co-founded Teach the World Founda- tion, a nonprofit focused on improving literacy for children in the developing world using tablets and educational games. We have thus far deployed our solution in seven different geographies, and TTWF has shown learning out- comes 2.5-times more effective than the traditional school/teacher model. And personally? I have been very proud of the work my daughter Anaiya has done over the last five years on girls' empowerment through her "Beads for Hope" initiative. Just this year for her 13th birthday, Anaiya created a viral campaign recruiting other young girls. e success of her initiative was rec- ognized by Malala Yusufzai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner who personally visited Anaiya this past June! How has the world changed? Pro- fessional women have taken greater control of their careers and demand the recognition they rightly deserve. Com- panies I have consulted for have made a conscious effort to adjust female em- ployees' salaries to be at par with males. I have been approached by corporations looking for better female representation on their boards. Joyce A. Murphy 2015: Executive vice chancellor & chief executive for UMass Medical School & Common- wealth Medicine in Worcester Now: Advanced leadership fellow at Har- vard Business School in Cambridge What have been your career highlights since 2015? Awarded Chancellor's Medal for Excellence from UMMS in August. Honored with the John M. Corcoran Excellence Award on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the St. Mary's Center for Women and Children in Dorchester, where I served as founding president. And personally? Establishing with others the Women's Leadership Council at Cur- ry College. I'm spending more time with family and friends during brief break between UMMS and Harvard. How has the world changed? e culture of the workplace in general is being more focused upon, and the #MeToo movement has opened up some un- fortunate situations women have been exposed to over the years. W

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