By PNC Bank

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On this episode of PNC C-Speak, Alan Trefler, founder and CEO of Pegasystems, joins to discuss his entrepreneurial journey that led to a billion-dollar company. He shares the importance of fostering curiosity in business, managing technological transitions and the impact of AI on future business processes. 

Trefler also touches on his passion for chess — he became a master at age 19 — and his experiences and lessons as the son of a Holocaust survivor and his philanthropic efforts through the Trefler Foundation.

Listen to the podcast to learn more about: 

·      Pega’s business model and impact (2:05)

·      How Pega has navigated major technology transitions (4:32)

·      Trefler’s North Star as he leads the company (6:39)

·      How chess factors into Trefler’s business strategy (12:46)

·      Trefler’s favorite spot in Boston (22:16) 

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In this episode, Saskia Epstein, SVP PNC Bank in New England, sits down with Eneida Roman, president and CEO of ALX, and Kristin McSwain, senior advisor for early childhood and director of the Office of Early Childhood for the city of Boston, to discuss the state of early childhood education in the region. 

McSwain shares how she became interested in early childhood education and what led her to become involved in The Boston Opportunity Agenda, as well as to spearhead development of programs for young people and child care in the Office of Early Childhood.

“I think it’s really important for our child care providers to see themselves as business leaders,” McSwain says. “They’re providing those first formative four or five years for our littlest learners that are really important for the economic prosperity of our region.” 

In the episode, Roman discusses the fact that a significant amount of child care providers in Massachusetts are Latina and how she has focused on providing programs for those individuals to set children up for success.

“I have this immense awareness of how important it is to make sure we have a structured child care space for children so that when they’re ready to enter a school, they have the basic knowledge and tools to be able to be successful,” Roman says. 

Listen to hear more about:

·      The Boston Opportunity Agenda and early childhood initiatives (1:59)

·      Boston’s approach to early childhood and the child care census (5:50)

·      Mentorship and business skills for child care providers (13:57)

·      What actions the business community can take to support early childhood education (26:23)

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Eneida Roman aims to help close the opportunity gap in Massachusetts. 

“We're talking about investing in the Latino community,” said Roman. “This is an investment because economic prosperity of the Latino community is American prosperity."

Roman is the president and CEO of Amplify LatinX, a nonprofit focused on helping Latinos in Massachusetts and beyond attain not just wealth but influence. The organization centers on three pillars: economic development, leadership representation and policy advocacy. 
“We understand that all three (pillars) live in similar spaces, and we need to make sure that we're advancing policy solutions that close opportunity gaps for disadvantaged communities.”

Tune in to this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast to learn more about:

• Why Roman’s first time experiencing opportunity gaps for the Latino community inspired her to found The Latino Circle (1:10)
• Amplify LatinX’s annual campaign honoring 100 Latino leaders across the commonwealth (9:39)
• A piece of advice Roman would give her younger self (14:55)

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At creative agency Arnold, says CEO George Sargent, designing marketing campaigns – whether with large brands or growth companies – comes down to listening and becoming immersed in the client’s culture.

That’s how Arnold’s campaigns for PNC Bank, Progressive and others have brought companies’ brands to life.

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Sargent discusses one client with whom Arnold has had an 18-year relationship, as well as the agency’s recent “Brilliantly Boring” campaign for client PNC Bank.

“There was a like-mindedness in terms of the kind of work that we were going to be able to do together,” Sargent says about the collaboration between Arnold and PNC. “Our north star for clients is that we make it safe to be brave (with messaging).”

Listen to the episode for more about:

•What makes Sargent “tick” (10:08)
•How his agency sustains a culture of inclusion (20:39)
•The book Sargent is currently reading and recommends (25:04)

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For Lisa Wieland, president of National Grid’s New England business, today is the best time to work in the evolving energy sector.

“To be at the heart of the energy transition is a pretty exciting place to be,” she said. The company’s goal, “is to build out the future grid while also balancing the need to ensure that we continue to support and enable economic development, not only here within the city but across the commonwealth.”

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Wieland also sheds light on National Grid’s role in shaping a diverse workforce pipeline that serves the needs of 2.3 million consumers. 

“Last year, we created what we're calling our infrastructure academies, or energy infrastructure academies, that really target people across the spectrum,” Wieland said. That ranges from STEM-related academies that targets secondary education students, to energy infrastructure training designed for “work-ready adults.”

“At National Grid, we’re investing to build tomorrow’s workforce today.”

Listen to the episode to hear more about:

• Why National Grid invested in the commonwealth’s iconic, red-roofed international terminal (7:16)
• What attracted Wieland to National Grid (10:20)
• How National Grid engages with the community (16:21)
• Her professional and personal role models (13:32)
• Three pieces of advice for listeners, from up-and-coming leaders to current C-suite executives (19:03)

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Creating an inclusive, equitable workplace and “workforce of the future,” says Dr. Anne Klibanski, is imperative for any organization with a goal of delivering patient-focused health care. 

“I think one of the most important lessons for all hospitals is to think about the local community,” says Klibanski, president and CEO of Mass General Brigham – which, she notes, “needs to look first at how to leverage what we have to create that working force of the future.”

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Klibanski details Mass General Brigham’s multipronged efforts to put patients “at the center of everything we do.”

“We are seeing a movement toward health care very much focused on patients, which is where health care always needs to be focused,” says Klibanski. 

Listen for more from Klibanski about:

• How her leadership style has evolved alongside the health care system (3:42)
• What care changes she’s most excited about (10:19)
• Her favorite place in Boston (27:54)
• Her wish for the city (28:40)

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For Brooke Thomson, president of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the statewide business advocacy organization’s mission is clear.

“We are here to help businesses succeed. We know that when our businesses are strong, when our economy is strong, we can hire more people, we can pay great wages, people can have a good quality of life and do the things that they want to do,” Thomson says.

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Thomson also shares details on AIM’s commitment to foster inclusion not only within its board and staff but also with the diverse suppliers on its membership roster.

“Creating access to opportunities for members is really what is key,” says Thomson. “That's what drives us at AIM every single day.”

Listen to the episode to hear more from Thomson on:

• The best advice she’s been given (13:37)
• Top post-Covid-19 issue for AIM’s constituents (20:49)
• Her childhood career ambition (26:44)
• A Boston leader to watch (28:12)

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What drives innovation? Andrew Bialecki, CEO and president of Klaviyo, says it’s people willing to take chances and “embrace the willingness to be wrong.”

“If you surround yourself with a lot of other ambitious, thoughtful people, you're just naturally going to want to try things,” says Bialecki, one of the company’s co-founders. “At Klaviyo, we're not afraid to take risks.”

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Bialecki not only details the history and philosophy of Klaviyo – a tech company providing an automation platform for email and SMS marketing – but shares a pivotal piece of career advice.

If you're not good at something yet,” he says, “just get your foot in that door, crack it open an inch and then don't ever let somebody stop you from opening it all the way.”

Listen to the episode to hear more from Bialecki about:

• Two milestones not celebrated at Klaviyo (11:15)
• What he finds interesting about AI (16:10)
• His career aspiration as a child (22:43)
• The hobby he pursues in his spare time (24:42)

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The Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund’s goal, says Dr. Makeeba McCreary, is to raise $100 million to support nonprofit leaders of color. 

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, McCreary, president of the fund, delves into how the organization is disrupting the philanthropy sector.

 McCreary, born and raised in Boston’s South End, launched her career in service to others, which included working in shelters, and theatrical performances before moving to “education policy.”

 “I really wanted to be a part of solutions around systems issues that I thought could have made a real difference for some of my friends who I grew up with that didn't have as many successes, I guess you could say, as I did,” McCreary says.

 Listen to the episode to hear more from McCreary about:

• Her guiding principle (12:01)
• Advice to her younger self (13:26) 
• What she finds troubling (15:06)
• Why impatience is necessary (22:10)

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The New England Aquarium, says president and CEO Vikki Spruill, is far more than a tourist attraction. 

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Spruill details the scope and significance of the 54-year-old institution’s contributions – research, education and advocacy, among others – to Boston and far beyond the city limits.

As the leader of a marine-based nonprofit with a workforce of 290 and two campuses, Spruill is passionate about climate resiliency, ocean conservation and the role the aquarium plays in furthering those objectives.

The aquarium’s mission is working “for a vital and vibrant ocean for all,” Spruill says. “We hope to inspire everyone to form a deeper connection with the ocean and take action to protect it.”

Listen to the episode to hear more from Spruill on:

• The aquarium’s plastic-free gift shop (6:04)
• “Working at the speed of trust” (9:39)
• The job of a leader (16:56)
• Her wish for Boston (26:21)

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Robert Lewis Jr. will never forget Boston’s desegregation busing crisis in the 1970s – an intensely volatile period during which his home was firebombed. 

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Lewis, now Nicholas President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and a longtime community leader, reveals how the unrest became the genesis for his purpose. Lewis, who was 16 when his East Boston home was targeted, vowed “to do work that's about bringing people together, about bringing communities together."

A member of the Boys & Girls Clubs during his childhood, Lewis now helms an organization with eight locations, whose future, he says, is “around academics, workforce readiness, and health and wellness.

 “We want the Boys & Girls Clubs to be the place that our teens are excited about,” he says.

 Listen to the episode to hear more from Lewis on:

• What he does when he’s not working (9:16)
• “Passion points” providing access to opportunities for young people (20:07)
• His life-threatening battle with Covid (21:37)
• What’s on his bucket list (31:37)

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As president and CEO of Meet Boston, Martha Sheridan’s job is to position Boston “as one of the premier destinations in the world.” 

On this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Sheridan details how she and her 501(c)(6) organization – that markets the Boston area as a destination for meetings, conventions and leisure visits – accomplishes that goal.

“if we don't invite them, they're not going to come back, so our work is incredibly valuable,” Sheridan says.

Meet Boston’s efforts are bolstered by its commitments to boosting workforce development in the hospitality sector and showcasing nontraditional visitor destinations, like Dorchester, East Boston and Roxbury. 

Listen to the episode to hear more from Sheridan on: 

• Her former job as a tour director on motor coaches. (3:23)
•  Engaging and retaining Meet Boston’s team through hybrid work. (10:34)
• Avoiding the mistake of “burning a bridge.” (20:59)
• The most overlooked spot in Boston. (23:50)

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On this episode of PNC C-Speak, Lila Snyder, CEO of Bose Corp., discusses her vision for the company’s future, leveraging AI to enhance user experience and Massachusetts’ role as a hub for talent and business.

Snyder also touches on the company’s culture of innovation and how her team pushes the envelope in audio technology. 

“Most great innovation comes from understanding where your customer has pain points, so we spend a lot of time being customers ourselves, talking to customers, learning about what our customers really care about,” Snyder said.

Listen to the podcast to learn more about: 

• The importance of leadership and connection during the Covid-19 pandemic (3:15)
• Snyder’s personal career path from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to Bose (8:19)[JL2] 
• Advice Snyder would share with her younger self (13:49)
• The future of innovation at Bose and how AI fits in (21:11)

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Perhaps there’s no one better to lead the academic institution ranked No. 1 in entrepreneurship by U.S. News & World Report than a serial entrepreneur who developed a small Utah business into a national franchise brand.

On this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Stephen Spinelli, Ph.D., details “the intersection between business” and Babson College, where he is president. Spinelli’s entrepreneurial journey began right out of college when he and several partners crafted a plan to buy a quick-service oil change business they eventually rebranded as Jiffy Lube International. 

After a slow start, Spinelli thought, “Boy, I’m either not good enough or I’m not educated enough. And so I made the decision. If I wasn’t educated enough, I could try to get some (entrepreneurial) education.” That led him to Babson, where he earned an MBA and, later, a doctorate in economics from the University of London.

Spinelli was named Babson’s 14th president in 2019. 

“I think the education system, and in particular, the colleges and universities (in Massachusetts) are an exceptional network of intellectual, human, sociological, spiritual capital that is rare in the history of the world,” Spinelli says.

Listen to the episode to hear more from Spinelli on:

• His first job as a health care administrator. (2:08)
• “Hard lessons” learned about failure. (13:42)
• One thing people don’t know about him. (22:00)
• His wish for Boston. (24:32)

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For Sarah Iselin, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts, being raised by parents who led “lives of service” has had a huge impact on her career choices – including her current executive role with a mission-driven, not-for-profit health care plan.

“Our new mission is to show up for everyone like they're the only one,” says Iselin on this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast. “And our core values are (to) be the example, do what's right, not what's easy, be kind, act with humility and heart, be courageous, ask questions, seek diverse perspectives, bring bold ideas and make them happen and be community focused, always.”

Listen to the episode to hear more from Iselin about: 

• De-stigmatizing mental health. (9:44)
• How the company uses AI to provide care. (13:25)
•  Her advice for career novices. (19:09)
•  What’s driving her company’s commitment to DEI. (23:08) 

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The arts’ contribution to the state’s GDP is significant, says Michael Bobbitt, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The sector in Massachusetts is a $27.2 billion industry, Bobbitt says on this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast. That’s based on a 2021 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report. 

“We know that arts are great for supporting people's health needs and their education needs, but also great for business,” says Bobbitt. “The more we can build those relationships with our sector and those sectors, the more everyone will benefit from having this deep infusion of arts and culture.”

The council’s statewide initiatives range from providing grants for individuals, organizations and groups statewide to building relationships with industries and sectors to help support its activities. 

Listen to the episode to hear more from Bobbitt about:

• His entry into the arts. [3:07]
• Past and current musicals he’s written. [4:47]
• The council’s Culture Rx arts “prescription.” [8:31]
• Why public support for the arts is important. [14:04]

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Glynn Lloyd has a passion for advancing entrepreneurship and community.
Lloyd is executive director of Mill Cities Community Investments (MCCI), a community development finance institution that helps to provide capital “where traditional capital usually doesn’t get to,” historically redlined communities of “folks of color,” he says on this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast. And he founded City Fresh Foods, a mission-driven business feeding many people, including Boston public school students and Meals on Wheels recipients.
In this episode, Lloyd – who grew up in the suburb of Sharon – commends the contributions of the city’s “hidden heroes,” who, he says, have done “incredible work, built platforms and still to this day are impacting a lot of folks positively.”

Listen to the episode to hear more from Lloyd about:

• Pivotal entrepreneurial lessons from childhood through college.
• MCCI’s “high-touch advisory approach” for Black and Latinx businesses.
•  What makes him laugh.
• His favorite spot in the commonwealth. 

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If you’re in need of advice on how to emerge from corporate devastation, Rob Hale, CEO and president of Granite Telecommunications, has plenty to share.

In 2002, Hale’s thriving company, Network Plus, went bankrupt during the stock market crash. “That morning (Feb. 4) when we went bankrupt, that equity, which was $1.4 billion, officially finally became zero, never to return,” he recalls.

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Hale details how he – with the unwavering support of his family – went about building Granite Telecommunications, a company with $1.85 billion in sales as of 2024.

Listen to the episode to hear more from Hale about:

• Mentors including his entrepreneurial father and titans Robert and John Kraft.
• His family’s history of philanthropy.
• DEI and creating “a platform where leaders excel” at Granite Telecommunications.
• The key ingredient to innovation.

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Dr. Kevin Tabb’s self-described “eclectic background” includes service in the Israeli military, completing medical school and a residency, and roles in health care IT on the east and west coasts in the U.S.  

Over the years, he’s witnessed an evolution in patient care that he notes, “will always be needed in hospitals, but more and more care is provided outside of the four walls of the hospitals.” 

“We're rapidly moving towards a place where we will be providing more than 70% of the care that we provide outside of the confines of the academic medical centers,” said Tabb, president and CEO of Beth Israel Lahey Health. 

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Tabb highlights an example of this shift in patient care – Hospital at Home – an initiative Beth Israel Lahey Health has launched. 

Listen to the episode to hear more from Tabb about:

•  Beth Israel Lahey Health’s partnership with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
• How the health care system is creating a more diverse workforce and fostering inclusivity.
• Tabb’s personal half-marathon “bucket list.”

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JD Chesloff credits a diverse range of mentors, and experience, for his ability to transition from public service to the private sector. A former state and federal employee, Chesloff began developing key insights that continue to shape his approach to work.  

“Showing up, getting out of your lane and bending toward collaboration are three lessons that I have lived by,” said Chesloff, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, which works with state public policy makers on various issues. 

Chesloff, CEO of the roundtable for 13 years, details his career journey in this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast.

Listen to the episode to hear more from Chesloff about:

• Lessons learned during the height of the Covid pandemic and the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder.
• How this self-described “son of hippies” morphed into a leader in the business community.
• His favorite spot in Boston.

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Paul Ayoub, chair and partner of the law firm, Nutter, grew up in West Roxbury (Ward 20) in a Syrian and Lebanese American family that instilled strong values in him. In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, he says his family never took anything for granted and his dad taught him, “The privilege of whatever you receive is to give back.” 

Ayoub’s dad is the reason he has invested more than 30 years serving on the board at St. Jude Research Hospital. 

“Service to others is the greatest of contributions that we can make. And it is the most important of legacies we can leave,” Ayoub said. “Younger people may not be thinking about their legacy, but they should be thinking about their present and their reputation, and how they're showing up in the world around them — whether in their family, community or work.”

Listen to this episode to hear more about:

• Ayoub’s upbringing in Boston and how his dad helped write the bylaws for St. Jude Research Hospital alongside actor Danny Thomas.
• His role at Nutter, where he specializes in business and commercial real estate finance and development, and what makes it fulfilling. 
• Forming the CRE-DEI Collaborative.
• Some of the hard lessons Ayoub has learned in life.

 
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Kendalle Burlin O’Connell relishes a challenge. That’s just what she got her first day leading the purchasing consortium in 2008 with the company now known as MassBio – when a vendor said she was “not the right person for this job” because she lacked experience in biotechnology.

Burlin O’Connell, an attorney, ended up negotiating what’s now MassBio’s largest supplier agreement. “I think that because I wasn't from industry, I was more brave and more willing to take risks in making a really big change at the time,” said Burlin O’Connell, now CEO and president of MassBio, a premiere biotech trade organization.

Burlin O’Connell details her experience with the company’s “amazing team” in this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast.

Listen to the episode to hear more about:

•The company’s rapid growth in the span of a few years.
•MassBio’s commitment to DEI.
•Burlin O’Connell’s “hobby and guilty pleasure.”
 
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Passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 proved to be the catalyst for Cain Hayes’ pivot from the financial services sector to health care.

“What I saw is that people would oftentimes do a great job of building financial health in retirement only to get to retirement and have a poor quality of life,” said Hayes, now president and CEO of Point32Health. 

Hayes details his experience in the industry, including how he stays focused and positive when encountering major obstacles, in this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast.

Listen to the episode to hear more about:

• How Point32Health defines and addresses health equity.
• Why Hayes, a self-described optimist, subscribes to the late Colin Powell’s definition of optimism.
• His fondness for baseball – “the ultimate team sport.”

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Nearly 75% of employees in the U.S. have caregiving responsibilities outside of work, and more than two-thirds of children age 6 and under have two parents who work, which underscores the importance of supporting parents in the labor force. 

“We took this data and thought, ‘What if there’s an opportunity to really focus in on the internal policies that these businesses have,’” said Sadie Funk, national director and co-founder, The Best Place for Working Parents. “Could we build a multi-pronged solution that really allows these businesses and supports these businesses to attract and retain their top talent?” 

In this episode of PNC C-Speak: The Language of Executives, Funk joins Brooke Thomson, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), to talk about the innovative ways businesses are supporting their working caregivers. The two organizations partnered to bring the Best Place for Working Parents designation to Massachusetts in 2022.

This episode is the latest segment in a C-Speak miniseries exploring the relationship between early childhood and the economy. Tune in to learn more about:

• How Massachusetts is leading the way in implementing family-friendly policies (9:40)
• Where businesses stand on flexible work arrangements and remote work (14:49)
• Low- to no-cost solutions for working caregivers, including accessing the Best Place for Working Parents Toolkit (20:49)
• Why Massachusetts was named the No. 1 state for women by Wallethub (26:42) 
• How Thomson has handled parenting challenges (39:10)

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A self-described “social impact entrepreneur” with experience in multimedia arts, Jean Dolin said an early fascination with storytelling and American culture are key factors in his current role as a community advocate.

Dolin, founder and creative director of “Portraits of Pride,” details his journey from being a young news junkie in Haiti to a prominent leader in Boston, in this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast.

“Portraits of Pride,” his public-art photography exhibit, features LGBTQ leaders and advocates throughout Massachusetts of various ages, races, languages and backgrounds.

“If you love people, you love ‘Portraits of Pride’ because it is a gift to anyone who recognized the humanity in each other because that's where we center it,” said Dolin, who is gay.

Listen to the episode to hear more about:

•Dolin’s roles in politics and the nonprofit sector.

•His efforts to launch an LGBTQ museum.

•What he’s most optimistic about.
 
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According to Colette Phillips, president and CEO of marketing and public relations firm Colette Phillips Communications, the best way to make a difference is to get involved and form real relationships, she said in this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast. 

“Young people tend to think if they’re on social media with a thousand followers, or if you hooked up with 500 people on LinkedIn, that you’re an influencer and you are connected. No, you are not. You don’t know half of those people, really,” Phillips said. “Until you have had a real-life, sit-down, face-to-face connection with another person, you haven’t made a connection.” 

In this episode, Phillips, a 2021 Boston Business Journal Power 50 Movement Maker, talked with hosts Carolyn Jones, publisher of the Boston Business Journal, and Saskia Epstein, senior vice president, client and community relations, at PNC Bank, about how her love of bringing people together inspires her work. Listen to the episode to hear more about Get Konnected!; Phillips’ networking organization for people of color; what she believes makes a good leader; and how Phillips’ GK Fund aims to help young entrepreneurs of color succeed in business. Powered by PNC Bank.

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Nicole Obi, president and CEO of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA), never expected to be leading the organization a year or so after she began working with them as a consultant.

“It’s the hardest thing, but the most satisfying job I’ve ever had,” she says. “It’s stretching me personally and professionally.”

In this podcast episode of PNC C-Speak, Obi dives deep with hosts Carolyn Jones of the Boston Business Journal and Saskia Epstein, senior vice president, client and community relations, at PNC Bank. They discuss mistakes that turned to learning experiences, her advice for future leaders in the community and what she’s most optimistic about when it comes to building a more diverse workforce. Powered by PNC Bank.

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Aisha Francis’ childhood dream was to be a teacher – which is why she pursued the education field after graduating from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. Now president of Franklin Cummings Tech (formerly known as Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology), Francis relishes “leading an institution that has so much connection to the future of this economy,” as she said in this episode of PNC C-Speak.

Francis is also proud of the “minority-serving” institution’s legacy, rooted in the school’s dual mission to advance the trades of education and entrepreneurship.

Amid the pandemic and recent social justice movements, Francis has witnessed the need for empathetic leadership as well as flexibility. She believes both are pillars that enable greater access to opportunity for people in the workforce.

Listen to the episode to hear more about:

• The college’s move to a new campus in 2025.
•  The two novels and a nonfiction book Francis is currently reading.
• Her wish for Boston and the college’s alumni.

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 Tom O’Brien’s early-career stint as a campaign worker for presidential candidate and governor Michael Dukakis didn’t pay much – he remembers not being able to make car payments – but was nevertheless a rewarding, “transformative experience,” he said in this episode of PNC C-Speak. O’Brien, co-founder, managing partner and CEO of HYM Investment Group, believes others can benefit from work in the public sector. 

“I would encourage people to think about politics and government, particularly at an early stage of their career,” O’Brien said.

Over the years, O’Brien has assembled a diverse team at HYM Investment Group consisting of people with varied life experiences and perspectives. “What we care mostly about is honesty” and kindness, he said. Whatever skills someone might need can be taught, “but we can’t teach you to be a good team member. You need to bring that to our organization.”

Listen to the episode to hear more about:

•  O’Brien’s wife of 30-plus years, Trisha, who’s taught him to be “present in the moment,” a better listener and more empathetic.
•  His concerns about affordable housing and the need to “fix the Boston public school system. 
•  What gives him the most joy.

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Experience as a classroom teacher in California set Jim Canales on the path toward his role as president of The Barr Foundation, Canales shares in the latest episode of PNC C-Speak. One of the foundation’s focus areas is education. In 2022, the foundation awarded nearly $140 million to grant recipients.

“The foundation’s mission is to invest in potential,” says Canales, a Boston Business Journal Movement Maker, by awarding grants — in collaboration with businesses — for education and the areas of arts, creativity and climate. “These are challenges that require the engagement of a broad range of sectors to address them effectively. In philanthropy, even with our resources, we need partnership with the business community.”

Listen to the episode to hear more about Canales’ views on diversity among leaders in Boston; the best advice he’s been given — and gives — to others; and his favorite spot in the city. Powered by PNC Bank.

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Flywire CEO Mike Massaro does not take credit for building the once-struggling tech startup into a global, publicly traded company. The credit goes to the company’s “flymates,” aka employees, Massaro shares in the latest episode of PNC C-Speak. 

 Massaro, who once considered himself unprepared for the job and thought he’d be “the shortest-tenured CEO in the history of tech CEOs,” was the recipient of the 2019 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in financial services.

During Flywire’s early days, Massaro says, the company’s culture was unearthed but not defined. Now it’s part of the organization’s core values. So are diversity, equity and inclusion. Massaro credits Flywire’s Chief People Officer Gary Cunningham with making him realize “if you can solve for equity and inclusion, you will inherently become more diverse.” These days, Massaro considers Flywire to be a “uniquely diverse company.”

Listen to the episode to hear more about how Massaro worked toward building a great culture at Flywire; the best advice he has been given; his outlook on Boston business; and what makes him laugh these days. Powered by PNC Bank.

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Salient Ventures CEO Diane Hessan has always wanted to “lead something big,” as she shares in the latest episode of PNC C-Speak. That desire was the impetus for leaving her role with a small startup and founding Communispace, now known as C Space, in Boston. These days, she leads angel investment firm Salient Ventures in its efforts to support early-stage companies that show a lot of promise.

Hessan’s embrace of startups, and their inherent risks, stems from her happy, secure childhood. “I just asked myself (back then), what’s the worst thing that could happen? And my worst-case scenario is that I would be back in Norristown, Pennsylvania,” a prospect she didn’t mind, she says. Hessan has encouraged other startup entrepreneurs to consider their worst-case scenarios — and still pursue opportunities.

A quintessential example of authentic leadership, Hessan fervently believes in leading people in ways that demonstrate you care about them, and the importance of seeking out mentors for guidance along the entrepreneurial journey. Powered by PNC Bank.

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Massachusetts, says Locus Robotics CEO Rick Faulk in this episode of C-Speak, has “lots of robots looking for a problem as opposed to a problem looking for a robot.” That’s because numerous companies lose sight of two things: adhering to their core mission and catering to their clients’ specific needs, according to Faulk.

Faulk points to targeted growth as an integral element in Locus Robotics’ evolution from a third-party logistics business to a two-time Boston Business Journal Fast 50 company mulling an IPO. Initiatives such as hiring “folks smarter than” senior management and carefully selecting workers who fit into the company’s culture of being “maniacally focused” on the success of the client are also integral to that evolution, says Faulk.
Faulk speaks with C-Speak podcast hosts Jon Bernstein of PNC Bank and Carolyn Jones of the Boston Business Journal about providing tools for clients that turn them into “heroes,” his excitement about incorporating AI and analytics into operations at the company, and its investment in various community initiatives through the Locus Foundation. Powered by PNC Bank.

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Jim Heppelmann, chief executive officer of Boston-based digital transformation firm PTC, admits he can get a little bored if things start to feel routine — and he says that’s a good thing. 

“I’m open to changes, very much so,” he says in this episode of PNC C-Speak. “It’s a good set of skills, I think, for a CEO to be able to imagine things working differently and be impatient enough to go after them on a regular basis.” 

Listen as Heppelmann shares his career journey with PNC C-Speak co-hosts Jon Bernstein, regional president of PNC, and Carolyn Jones, market president and publisher of the Boston Business Journal. In the episode, Heppelmann touches on key tenets of industrial innovation, what startups can teach big companies and how he focuses his teams in challenging situations. Powered by PNC Bank.

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Early childhood educators are making a big impact on the Boston community. Their work affects not only the local economy, but even more importantly, the course of a child’s future.

“If we invest and pour into our children — not as the proverbial babysitters, but as educators at the earliest of ages — that will absolutely change the trajectory of a child's life,” said Sandra McCroom, president and CEO of Children's Services of Roxbury (CSR), one of the largest Black-led nonprofits in Massachusetts.
In this episode of PNC C-Speak: The Language of Executives, McCroom and Ben Hires, CEO of the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, discuss early education, the importance of trauma-informed care and their visions for the future of their communities. 

This episode is the latest segment in a C-Speak miniseries exploring the relationship between early childhood and the economy. Tune in to learn more about:

• The importance of investing in early childhood education (11:40)
• Opportunities for growth within the early childhood education sector (14:21)
• What business leaders need to know about early education (24:34)
• Trauma-informed care, and why it’s critical in early education (21:05)
• How McCroom and Hires stay energized while managing a demand career (29:08)

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Dr. Brent Chrite faced unusual challenges when he stepped into his role as president of Bentley University in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are a residential, place-based university, and that operating model no longer held,” Chrite said in this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast. “We had to recalibrate everything from knowledge transfer, to pedagogy, to what it means to be an engaged faculty, to balancing the need to maintain our commitment to education and knowledge creation versus keeping our community safe.”

Chrite speaks with hosts Jon Bernstein of PNC Bank and Carolyn Jones of the Boston Business Journal about his journey from his childhood in Detroit to a university presidency in Boston; how he works to create a great employee experience at Bentley; the issues he feels are critical for leaders to address in our future; and why he’s optimistic about the capacity of young people to overcome challenges. Powered by PNC Bank.

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Lauren Solotar has seen a lot of changes in her years at the May Institute, from when she first joined the team as vice president and chief psychologist in 1996 all the way to her current role as CEO. But she’s most excited about the nonprofit’s dedicated efforts to bring on the “best and the brightest from around the country” as it begins building out centers of excellence to better serve individuals with autism spectrum disorder. 

This special episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, hosted by PNC Regional President Jon Bernstein and Boston Business Journal Publisher Carolyn Jones, takes a deep dive into Solotar’s work with the May Institute in recognition of Autism Acceptance Month. 

 Listen to the episode to hear more about how the May Institute serves people with autism spectrum disorders across their entire lives, Solotar’s first reaction when she was approached to be CEO, and why early detection of autism is so critical. Powered by PNC Bank.

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Jim Sullivan joined NWN Carousel – a Boston Business Journal Fast 50 company – as CEO in May 2019. His deep knowledge of the enterprise technology space came in handy starting March 14, 2020, when NWN Carousel’s customers started to flood the company with urgent pleas for help amid the emerging, global spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent shutdown of commerce across many sectors. 

Sullivan praises NWN Carousel’s long-standing mission to help customers overcome tech-related challenges and the “incredible people” throughout the company committed to that ideal.

In this episode of PNC C-Speak, hosted by Jon Bernstein, Sullivan shares the keys to succeeding at recruiting and retaining talent, the importance of communicating with customers, and some of the pivotal moments in his career that shaped his leadership style. Powered by PNC Bank.

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As a veteran of the Army and the son of a Vietnam War veteran, Imari Paris Jeffries understands the importance of serving his country and the community. Now president and CEO of Embrace Boston, he has been serving the Boston community in leadership roles since joining the team of JumpStart Boston, an early education organization, at the age of 18. 

 “While I've worked at congregate care organizations or family serving organizations or educational organizations, I've tried to supplement those experiences with being on boards of charter schools, higher education institutions and environmental or conservation organizations," said Paris Jeffries, named a Power 50 Movement Maker by the Boston Business Journal for two consecutive years. “As human beings, our lives and these sectors are interrelated." 

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Paris Jeffries details the connection between Embrace Boston and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. — which led to the creation of a Boston monument in King’s honor — and his perspective on how the business community can help to make the city more friendly and inclusive. Powered by PNC Bank.

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Pratt Wiley says he grew up in The Partnership, a leadership development organization for people of color formerly run by his mother. Now president and CEO, Wiley says some of the sessions were even conducted in his parents’ home in Brookline.

Years later, while working in the Obama administration as an advocate for voting rights, Wiley saw the need for an organization like The Partnership in just about every city he visited. So, the decision was made to expand The Partnership’s presence nationwide by leveraging the organization’s alumni and clients such as Biogen, Liberty Mutual and TJX. 

In this episode of PNC C-Speak, Wiley – a 2021 Boston Business Journal Power 50 Movement Maker – discusses why: 

• Failure is “information,” not “ratification.”
• It’s important to “zag when everyone else is zigging.”
• There’s reason for optimism and pessimism about the state of diversity and inclusion in the U.S.
• The key to recruiting talent in today’s job market is retaining employees – particularly those of color – who are thriving in the workplace. Powered by PNC Bank.

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When Manny Lopes started working at East Boston Neighborhood Health in East Boston after finishing high school, he never thought the “part-time gig” would launch him on a long, successful career in health care. His nonlinear journey extended to other states, but Lopes — nominated as a Power 50 Movement Maker by the Boston Business Journal in 2021 — always intended to return to Boston, where he was raised. 

After a successful decade as president and CEO of East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Lopes recently joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. But no matter where he’s worked, Lopes has had a passion for health equity. The genesis for that passion stemmed from growing up in a single-parent household that faced many of the same challenges under-resourced households deal with in low-income communities. “I feel like it’s my responsibility now to make sure that I … try to address some of those challenges and some of those barriers within these communities,” Lopes explains.

In this episode, Lopes delves into initiatives aimed at removing barriers to care, such as Community Care Cooperative; the future of health equity and health care; his belief that executives in all sectors “have a responsibility to be mentors”; and two of his most-prized moments in Boston. Powered by PNC Bank.

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Andrea Silbert’s longtime mission has been to advance gender equity and women’s economic prosperity. That explains, in part, why Silbert, president of the EoS Foundation, has been named a 2022 Power 50 Movement Maker by the Boston Business Journal, her second time on the BBJ’s list of distinguished recipients. 

Silbert launched her professional life in the field of finance after earning a degree from Harvard Business School. Still, Silbert says, “civil service was a big part of my upbringing.”

In this episode of C-Speak, Silbert shares more about her “circuitous” career journey, the “feminization of poverty” she witnessed while traveling throughout Latin America, the opening of the Center for Women in Enterprise (she calls it her best professional moment) and her dedication to a life of service. Powered by PNC Bank.

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The future of the Boston Red Sox is about inclusion, according to Zineb Curran, the organization’s senior vice president and chief communications officer. Curran notes the Red Sox have already made historic progress from a coaching standpoint, naming its first Black coach, a woman, on a pro team as well as its second female coaching staffer. “Now we have two women in uniform,” says Curran, which for baseball is absolutely incredible.”

In this episode of PNC C-Speak: “The Business of Sports,” Curran discusses the business of sports in Boston and beyond in a conversation with Demeka Fields, general counsel for global sports marketing and data privacy at New Balance; Jessica Gelman, CEO of Kraft Analytics Group; and Wyc Grousbeck, governor of the Boston Celtics. Their conversation was moderated by Keith Motley, Ph.D., professor in the College of Management at UMass Boston. 

In this episode, Curran, Fields, Gelman and Grousbeck touch on changes in the fan experience, brand partnerships, today’s most compelling sports stories and how they’re addressing equity issues in their organizations. 

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Marcus Wilson’s company, NOBULL, is driven by a shared philosophy: “If you want to be better, you have to put in the work.”

As a result of putting in the work over the years, the startup co-founded by Wilson has established a partnership with the New England Patriots – QB Mac Jones is a NOBULL spokesperson – and an upcoming sponsorship of the NFL Scouting Combine. 

“It’s all about helping to build awareness,” Wilson says about the footwear, apparel and accessory brand for athletes.

In this episode, Wilson discusses NOBULL’s intention to build awareness and its focus on cultivating a community of “everyday athletes.” Powered by PNC Bank.

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As a former MIT math professor, Tom Leighton, Ph.D., approaches business with rigor and a critical eye toward uncovering the truth. As a leader whose company, Akamai Technologies, was deeply challenged during the dot-com era, he also understands an organization’s culture and the people make all the difference in its success. 

In this episode, Leighton also outlines how Akamai makes the online experience better and safer for users, the leadership skills he gained as the company grew and how executives can help create a great employee experience in their own organizations. Powered by PNC Bank.

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“If you don’t innovate,” says John Lee, “you can't invent the products people use.” 

In this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast, Lee, president and CEO of MKS Instruments Inc., shares the origin story and trajectory of the nearly 60-year-old tech enterprise. Based in Massachusetts, the company supports the advanced electronics industry. 

Innovation is only half of the secret sauce for MKS Instruments. The other prime ingredient, according to Lee, is inclusion.
“I’ve spent a lot of time making sure everyone in the company – no matter where you are, which country you're in, what your political beliefs are or any other beliefs you have within the walls of MKS –  will be included. We will respect each other and you will be welcomed.”

Tune in to this episode of the PNC C-Speak podcast to learn more about:

• Crisis lessons Lee learned during the Covid-19 pandemic (3:40)
• The components of team dynamics (8:29)
• Which major sporting event is on his bucket list (19:33)

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 When it comes to achieving greater patient health outcomes through precision medicine, Reginald Swift, founder and CEO of Rubix LS, realized early on that digital health technologies and research trials must have a focus on inclusion to effectively serve all patients.  

 In our latest miniseries, PNC C-Speak is highlighting the BBJ 2021 Power 50 Movement Makers, a list of community leaders whose work and actions are helping to shape a more equitable Boston.

In this episode, Swift shares more about career challenges, what drives his need to innovate, what lies ahead in his journey with Rubix LS and one wish he has for listeners. 

Sandy Edgerley describes her career as having three major chapters: first as a consultant for Bain & Co., next as the founder of the real estate development firm Hexagon Properties, and most recently as a co-founder of private social club The 'Quin House, alongside her husband Paul Edgerley. 

In our latest miniseries, PNC C-Speak is highlighting the BBJ 2021 Power 50 Movement Makers, a list of community leaders whose work and actions are helping to shape a more equitable Boston. 

In this episode, Sandy shares the "happy accident" that led her to The 'Quin, the social impact mission of its members, and some of the best advice she's learned from leaders she has worked with over the years. 

When it comes to the work Daren Bascome is doing with Proverb, the creative marketing agency he founded in 1997, much of the focus is on creating vibrant and purposeful communities. In the wake of the pandemic, the idea of bringing people together into a physical space with a clear purpose has been a rebranding theme in particularly high demand. 

In our latest miniseries, PNC C-Speak is highlighting the BBJ 2021 Power 50 Movement Makers, a list of community leaders whose work and actions are helping to shape a more equitable Boston.

In this episode, Bascome shares more about the All Inclusive Boston campaign Proverb is doing with the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, the latest D&I initiatives from the Museum of Fine Arts and what he sees as the biggest changes ahead for the region. 

An environmental economics teacher set Elizabeth Turnbull Henry on a course that led her to her current role as President of the Environmental League of Boston. Today the organization's mission is to ensure Massachusetts leads the country in environmental policy and becomes a model for other states and nations.

In our latest miniseries, PNC C-Speak is highlighting the BBJ 2021 Power 50 Movement Makers, a list of community leaders whose work and actions are helping to shape a more equitable Boston. 

In this episode, Elizabeth discusses how the business community can support ELM's mission, why tackling climate change is an issue of equity, and how cross-country biking tours helped shape her leadership style.