Roundtable Members Discuss Impact of Business on Society

By Helen Henrichs, Director, News and Public Relations, Bentley University Do Americans trust businesses to use AI responsibly? When should companies speak out on social and political issues? Should companies consider a four-day workweek? These were some of the topics discussed by Roundtable members during a dinner co-hosted by the Roundtable and Bentley University. The conversation focused on this year’s Bentley-Gallup…

What We Heard This Summer in Our Roundtable Member Meetings

During our annual series of conversations with almost 50 Roundtable members this summer about their business, their industry, and the economy, one quote stood out: “The economy is throwing everyone for a loop.” There are high interest rates but low unemployment. It’s still hard to find workers in some industries, but the labor market has cooled. Inflation was up, then…

Strategies for Employers to Respond to Social Issues

At the Roundtable, we regularly hear from employers about the top issues they are navigating. In recent months, Roundtable members have explored what role, if any, employers should have in response to social issues. After hosting two convenings following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the Roundtable has observed several common considerations and best practices applied when…

Reflecting on My Fellowship at the Massachusetts Business Roundtable

By Mahesh Admankar Mahesh Admankar is a Civic Action Project Fellow, at the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and PhD scholar at the McCormack School of Policy & Global Studies at University of Massachusetts Boston. The Massachusetts Business Roundtable opened my eyes to the amazing work of the business community in affirming informed public policy and social justice. When I was selected as…

Mental Health in the Workplace

Katie Joyce of Alkermes has shared with the Roundtable and fellow Board members resources to encourage dialogue, greater awareness, and understanding of mental health as we mark May as Mental Health Month. Alkermes, a global biotechnology company that specializes in drug development for serious mental illnesses (in addition to cancer), partners with the Mental Health America (MHA) which has shared…

Continue to be an AAPI Ally in the Workplace

In commemoration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Roundtable is sharing strategies Grace Lee of M&T Bank (formerly People’s United) provided to members in 2021 to encourage AAPI allyship within the workplace. Following several horrific attacks on Asian Americans in Massachusetts and regions across the country last year, Dr. Paul Watanabe of UMass Boston shared a historic and…

Moving from Intention to Impact on DEI

Roundtable Guest Contributor(s): The Lazu Group and State Street Roundtable members The Lazu Group and State Street are collaborating to provide a platform for conversations at State Street and among employees to promote racial and social justice in the workplace. As part of this series, the two organizations first explored the diversity, equity, and inclusion through the lens of Black…

A “Thank You” to Bob Rivers

At our Annual Meeting of the Roundtable Board of Directors last month, we passed the virtual gavel from Bob Rivers to our new Chair, Jane Steinmetz. We are thrilled to welcome Jane and want to take a moment to extend our gratitude and thanks to Bob. After serving an extended term in the midst of the pandemic, Bob’s tenure as…