Roundtable Forums

Diverse Professionals Roundtable

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 2023, please fill out this application form . You will be invoiced for your dues after your application has been reviewed.

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 (Effective September 2022)

President: Kola Akindele
Vice President : Joseph Corazzini
Membership: Adriana Vaccaro
Secretary: Echo Louissant
Events: Michelle Memnon
Programs: Michelle Memnon
DPR Liaison: Stefanie Silva

2023 DPR Events

DPR Business Meeting

Thursday, February 16  |  8am-10am
LOCATION: Chamber Conference Room
Exclusive to DPR members only.

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Young BIPOC Professionals Night Out at Nuestra
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 | 5pm-7pm
LOCATION:Nuestra
Free & Open to DPR Members and invited guests

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CEO Breakfast

Thursday, May 18, 2023 | 8am-10am
LOCATION: Worcester State University
Keynote Speaker: Barry Maloney
Open to DPR members and invited guests.

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Annual Networking, Awards, & Recognition Event

Thursday, September 14 |  4:30pm-6:30pm
LOCATION: The Hanover Insurance Group
Open to the public.

Free for DPR members; $25 for non-members

Welcome to the City Nomination form;

Award eligibility and criteria FAQs;

BIPOC Business and/or Community Emerging Leader Nomination;

BIPOC Leader and/or Community Leader Nomination

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Educational Event

Thursday, November 16  |  8am-10
LOCATION: TBD
Free for members; $25 for DPR non-members/Chamber Members; $40 non-DPR member/non-chamber members

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 Central Massachusetts economy has been built on manufacturing for generations. Today, our regional economy’s foundation is still built on manufacturing, but with the newer additions to the economy of biomanufacturing, advanced and additive manufacturing, and research and development.

The Manufacturing Roundtable is focused on networking, advocacy, and discussion of important issues among manufacturing sector leaders who are a part of the Chamber. The Manufacturing Roundtable has featured speakers from regional organizations and manufacturing innovators like MassMEP, Solvus Global, MassHire Central Region Workforce Board, AIS, and more. The goal of the group is to develop business for our manufacturers, advocate on their behalf, and make useful connections.

Construction & Real Estate Roundtable

The hills of Worcester are alive with the sounds of construction. The face of the city has changed dramatically for the better in the past decade thanks to increased levels of investment in the city, spearheaded by economic development initiatives from the Chamber.

The Construction & Real Estate Roundtable offers our members in the construction and real estate industries an opportunity to connect, discuss, and advocate in the midst of a fast-moving real estate market that has been recognized as one of the hottest markets in the country. Speakers and topics at past roundtables include tax credit equity and incentive consultants, MassDEP, the Chief Development Officer for the City of Worcester, the City of Worcester’s Department of Sustainability and Resilience, the President and CEO of MassHousing, building performance consultants, and many more regional organizations and government agencies.

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