Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | May 2, 2022 | Worcester Business Journal 11 T E C H N O L O G Y P O W E R 5 0 Since 1953, Seven Hills Foundation has been caring for people who have the ability to thrive when given support, respect, and dignity. Serving others is the foundation upon which Seven Hills was built nearly 70 years ago. With 26 years of stewardship, Dr. David A. Jordan has delivered on his vision of building an Integrated Network of Care that delivers Health Through Human Services. People with disabilities and life challenges are empowered to see the possibilities, believe in their abilities, and achieve their dreams. Under the principles of servant leadership, Dr. Jordan and Seven Hills staff align with the Core Values of Respect & Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork, Innovation, and Service to Others. Seven Hills celebrates Dr. Jordan for his recognition as one of the Worcester Business Journal Power 50 and his life-changing service to the citizens of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and eight developing nations around the world. 81 Hope Avenue, Worcester, MA 01603 • 508.755.2340 • sevenhills.org Empowering People for 70 Years LILA SNYDER CEO BOSE CORP., IN FRAMINGHAM Colleges: University of Miami, MIT In 2020, Snyder became the first female CEO in the 58-year history of Bose. Under her leadership, the $4-billion audio equipment manufacturer in Framingham has made headlines with its innovative product development. In May, Bose launched direct-to-consumer hearing aids using an app which allows users to skip a doctor visit, hearing test, or prescription and still obtain hearing aids. In March, Bose partnered with General Motors to create electric vehicle sound enhancements for General Motors' 2022 Hummer EV pickup truck. Prior to her position at Bose overseeing 6,000 employees across the globe, including 1,500 in Central Massachusetts, Snyder worked as a board member for PulteGroup, Inc., a construction company in Georgia, and served as executive vice president and president of commerce services at Pitney Bowes, an international technology, information, and media company based in Connecticut. While at Bose, Snyder has emphasized supporting the local community, including donations to schools and frontline healthcare workers and first responders, scholarships for students pursuing higher education in science and technology, providing use of its facilities for food drives, and COVID test distributions. She encourages employees to volunteer by offering three paid service days. n What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? We're based in an area with so many great technical and educational institutions, which generate rich talent that businesses in Central Mass. can benefit from, Bose included. n Early adopter: My first experience with Bose was the iconic Wave radio I saved up for and purchased during graduate school to fill my small apartment with music. JON WEAVER PRESIDENT & CEO MASSACHUSETTS BIOMEDICAL INITIATIVES, IN WORCESTER Residence: Sturbridge College: Assumption University Weaver is an instrumental figure in the world of biotech as leader of Massachusetts' longest-running biotech incubator. MBI is home to 54 early-stage companies, which bring new job opportunities and growth to the Central Massachusetts region. Over the past two years, MBI doubled its capacity to support new startups with an expansion at 17 Briden St. in Worcester, and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center in Waltham awarded MBI with a $3-million grant in March for another expansion. Over the past 22 years, MBI companies have raised $982 million in publicly available financing events with MBI's current companies representing $216 million of that total, demonstrating the rapid upward momentum that this industry is undergoing throughout the Worcester area. Weaver plays a major role in biotech beyond startups as well, working with Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester to develop a 10-week training program for English-as-a-second language students, so they could fill the need for entry-level biomanufacturing technicians at Worcester pharmaceutical researcher Abbvie. n What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? Efficiency & collaboration. Worcester is an incredibly efficient place to do business, and the community supports each other to get things done. n Tour de force: You'd never know it, but I bike the entire Cape Cod Rail Trail a couple times each summer. MICHAEL O'KRONLEY CEO & DIRECTOR ASCEND ELEMENTS, INC., IN WESTBOROUGH Residences: Westborough and Novi, Mich. College: University of Michigan O'Kronley and Ascend's goal is to be at the forefront of the public's transition from gas-guzzling cars to electric vehicles. O'Kronley joined Ascend's board in 2017 before becoming CEO of the lithium battery recycler and manufacturer in 2020. Founded with research from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Ascend has seen vast expansion over the past year with O'Kronley overseeing $95 million in investments used to expand the company's commercial markets domestically and breaking into new international markets. In January, Ascend opened a $43-million, 154,000-square-foot facility in Georgia, capable of processing 30,000 metric tons of discarded lithium. Prior to Ascend, O'Kronley was the executive director of A123 Systems, where he served as head of corporate strategy for the renewable energy semiconductor manufacturer in Michigan, which utilized nanoscale materials from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With a carbon footprint 87% less than its competitors, Ascend walks the walk as it gives new life to old batteries and reduces the need for mining lithium from the ground. n What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? With world-class universities like Worcester Polytechnic Institute and MIT in the region, Central Massachusetts is a dream location for any climate tech startup. n Walking the walk, driving the car: I have been working with lithium- ion batteries for 12 years, but I finally bought my first EV, a Ford Mustang Mach-E, last year. It's fantastic!

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