Roundtable Forums

Diverse Professionals Roundtable

Sponsored by

MISSION STATEMENT   |   The Diverse Professionals Roundtable (DPR) is a professional program of the Chamber, committed to the development of professional and personal relationships among senior leaders of racial and ethnic diversity in Central Massachusetts. The program is a resource for the vibrant business, educational, and civic communities of the region on diversity-related issues critical to building inclusive organizations and peaceful communities. DPR has a separate membership from the broader Chamber membership. If you are interested in joining for 2022, please fill out this application form and return along with your annual dues to: Tamara Berry.

Through roundtable discussions and planned events targeted to advancing diversity and encouraging underrepresented emerging professionals, DPR members grow and expand their influence and make a positive impact on the Worcester community.

Diverse Business Directory, City of Worcester

DPR Executive Committee

Co-Chair: Eurayshia Williams Reed, Shi-Shi’s Lounge & Chamber’s Board of Directors
Co-Chair: Michelle Memnon, UMass Memorial Health
Membership: Kola Akindele, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Secretary: Open position
DPR Liaison: Tamara Berry, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce

Health Care Roundtable

Whether it’s at the caring hands of a provider, selecting insurance coverage, or weaving our way through myriad choices, we all experience our health care system. And it’s changing at lightening fast speed. This roundtable takes a comprehensive view of the industry to help the business and provider communities understand how we can work together to reduce costs and improve outcomes.

Comprised of providers, insurance professionals, and public and private partners, they work to understand the challenges and needs of the health care sector and to keep members appraised of important changes and ways to control health care spending.

Human Resources Roundtable

The Human Resources Roundtable meets quarterly to bring together HR professionals from small-large businesses to discuss best practices in talent recruitment and retention; employment law updates; compliance training; and other hot topics and pressing issues for employers.

Manufacturing Roundtable

The Manufacturing Roundtable established a legislative agenda targeting programs impacting the industry. Through the Chamber’s advocacy we secured $440.6M in funding for the following:

• Regional Economic Development Organization Grants – $650,000
• Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership – $2M
• Workforce Training Fund Grants – $22.2M
• The Innovation Institute – $2M
• Precision Manufacturing Workforce Development Fund – $1.25M
• Massachusetts Life Sciences Center – $12.5M

Construction & Real Estate Roundtable

Worcester is experiencing unprecedented growth in construction and development. We’re affordable, we’re accessible and we have investors who know it. To capitalize on this momentum, the Chamber has convened this group to establish a legislative agenda and create a climate where development is embraced and barriers impacting it are minimized.

Comprised of construction companies, architects, tradespeople, commercial lenders, and developers in both the public and private sectors, the Chamber’s Construction Roundtable works to understand the challenges and needs of this industry sector – from workforce, to legislative, to regulatory.

Financial Services Roundtable

 The Financial Services Roundtable forum is an opportunity for bankers, accountants, mortgage companies, others in the industry and invited guests to: 

• Exchange ideas and share updates and best practices in the industry
• Set a legislative agenda
• Participate in an open discussion about the issues that impact the financial services industry
• Discuss workforce needs
• Learn about new initiatives and programs that support the region’s financial services sector
• Network with other industry professionals