Dr. Aisha Francis Receives 2023 Pinnacle Award for Achievement in Arts & Education

February 1, 2023

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network is pleased to announce the 2023 Pinnacle Awards, honoring nine remarkable female professionals in Greater Boston for outstanding achievement in business, government, and management. The Pinnacle Awards were formed by the Chamber’s Women’s Network to honor leading women for outstanding achievement in the workplace, demonstrated leadership that has made a difference, and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the region. The award is the most prestigious honor for female professionals in the region.

“I am thankful to the Chamber for recognizing the life-changing work we are doing at Franklin Cummings Tech,” said Dr. Francis. “I am driven by the recognition that the work my team and I carry out, and so many other educators who came before us who were committed to removing historic barriers to equity, opportunity, and focused on building generational wealth.”

This year’s honorees were recognized on January 27, 2023 at the annual Pinnacle Awards held at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. Past honorees include Governor-Elect Maura Healey, Micho F. Spring, Dr. Pam Eddinger, Secretary Rosalin Acosta, Liz Walker, Kate Walsh, and Nia Grace. View all past honorees by achievement here.

“Congratulations to the Pinnacle Award honorees, who are leading in their industries, our communities, the entire region and beyond. The Pinnacle Awards recognizes and celebrates the leaders who are forging ahead and breaking through barriers.  We are inspired by their transformative vision, influence, and impact, and the Chamber is ensuring that the business community champions every leader who works to build a competitive, inclusive and resilient economy,” said James E. Rooney, President & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

“Congratulations to the 2023 Pinnacle Award honorees! These leaders represent the best in innovation and impact—inspiring our communities every day. Thank you to the honorees for their continuous commitment to the future of Massachusetts,” said Susan Loconto Penta, Chair of the Women’s Network Advisory Board and Co-Founder and Managing Partner at MIDIOR.

The 2023 Pinnacle Award honorees are listed below:

Achievement in Arts & Education
Dr. Aisha Francis, President & CEO, Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology (now known as Franklin Cummings Tech)

Achievement in the Professions
Jess Ackerman, Audit & Assurance Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Emerging Executive
Devanshi Purohit, Associate Principal, Urban Design, CBT

Achievement in Management – Government
Democratic Whip-Elect Katherine Clark, 5th District of Massachusetts, U.S. House of Representatives

Achievement in Management – Nonprofit
Lauren Baker, Founder, Wonderfund

Achievement in Entrepreneurship
Dr. Maya R. Said, Founder & CEO, Outcomes4Me Inc.

Achievement in Health Care & Life Sciences
Sandra Cotterell, CEO, Codman Square Health Center

Achievement in Management – Private
Mary Anne Heino, President & CEO, Lantheus

Lifetime Achievement
Juliette Kayyem, Faculty Chair of the Homeland Security & Global Health Projects, Harvard Kennedy School

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About the Chamber’s Women’s Network
In the Chamber’s Women’s Network, there is a diverse group of more than 3,000 women and male allies at all levels of their careers, from all backgrounds, sectors, and industries, and professions, with the collective mission to make Greater Boston the best place for professional women to thrive. For more than 25 years, the Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all backgrounds and career levels. The Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women.

About the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
We are the convener, voice, and advocate of our region’s business community, committed to making Greater Boston the best place for all businesses and all people to thrive. We help our members and Greater Boston succeed by convening and connecting the business community; researching, developing and advocating for public policies that contribute to our region’s economic success; and providing comprehensive learning and development programs designed to grow strong business and civic leaders. Learn more at BostonChamber.com.