Community Leadership Institute visits Beacon Hill Future Leaders Learn about Pressing State Issues

 On Thursday, March 23, 2017, nearly 40 North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce members, including the 2017 class of the Community Leadership Institute, visited the Massachusetts State House to meet with legislators, government leaders and policymakers.

 As part of the Community Leadership Institute, a year-long program for emerging community leaders, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce members started their day with a tour of one of the United States’ oldest and most storied State Houses, met with delegates in the Members Lounge, and discussed policy with state and non-government organizations.

Representatives Jennifer Benson, Kim Ferguson, Stephan Hay and Natalie Higgins were all in attendance to greet the members as well as provide information.

Over the course of the day, Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack, Secretary of Health and Human Services Mary Lou Sudders, State Budget Director Catharine Hornby  and Benjamin Forman, research director of MassInc, discussed policy, initiatives and had frank dialogue with participants about the State of the Commonwealth.

“Participating in the Chamber’s Community Leadership Institute was key to my personal and professional development within our community,” said CarrieAnne Cormier of Avidia Bank and CLI alumni member. “I was proud to have the opportunity to come back to CLI this year as an alumnus for the recent State House event. It was an important way for me to support my team’s current CLI participants, connect with other leaders within North Central – and of course re-energize with a fun and informative day in Boston”

“I have always lived in North Central Massachusetts, but the CLI has opened new doors for me and expanded my knowledge of the many resources in our own backyard,” said Amanda Landry of UMass Memorial – HealthAlliance Hospital and current Community Leadership Institute participant. “Touring the State House and visiting with key leaders who praised initiatives in North Central as well as voiced their continued support to develop the region made me even more proud to live and work here. I look forward to the continued partnerships with our elected officials in the future.”

The Community Leadership Institute has three program days left in the 2017 session which include sessions focused on healthcare, law & justice, arts & culture and a wrap up session prior to the graduation ceremony at the Chamber’s 2017 Annual Business Meeting & Luncheon held on June 15th. For more information on the Community Leadership Institute, please contact Maria McCaffrey, 978.353.7600 ext. 235 or mmccaffrey@northcentralmass.com