Regional Lead: Northeast, LISC / Verizon Digital Ready
Meredith Phillips Almeida is an economic development strategist and capacity-building leader with more than 20 years of experience helping communities, organizations, and small businesses thrive. She currently serves as the Northeast Regional Lead for the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready initiative through LISC, where she partners with more than 25 business support organizations across the region to expand access to digital skills training, mentoring, and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs. In this role, Meredith works at the intersection of technology, small business development, and ecosystem building, helping partners integrate Digital Ready into their advising, outreach, and programming. She is passionate about ensuring that all entrepreneurs have access to practical tools and trusted guidance to grow resilient businesses in an increasingly digital economy.
Meredith is also the founder of Meridiana Partners, a consulting practice focused on economic development, organizational strategy, and ecosystem collaboration. Previously, she served as Executive Director of the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, where she led award-winning neighborhood development and community initiatives.
Meredith is also an adjunct professor at NYU Wagner, where she serves as an advisor to students in the MUP capstone program.
For more information
LinkedIn
The Business Summit Session: Judge for "Pitch It!"
Colleen DelVecchio is the Founder and Chief Maximizer at Maxady, where she helps individuals, teams, and organizations harness their strengths, build inclusive cultures, and move forward with clarity and confidence. With more than 20 years of experience in leadership development and organizational change, she’s the go-to coach, speaker, and strategist for those ready to step into their potential, and do it in a way that feels authentic and energizing.
A certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach, Colleen works with leaders and teams to prevent burnout, elevate engagement, and foster strengths-based leadership that actually sticks. Her superpower? Making people feel seen, heard, and empowered to take meaningful action. She’s partnered with Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, colleges, and nonprofits across the country to create workplace cultures where people thrive, not just survive.
Colleen is also the co-host of Embrace the Squiggle, a top 5% podcast that dives into the real, messy, and squiggly career journeys of professionals from all industries. The show has become a space where unfiltered honesty and powerful storytelling spark deep connection and plenty of ah-ha moments.
She holds a BA in Sport Psychology from Boston University and an MS in Nonprofit Management from Bay Path University. When she’s not coaching leaders or speaking on stages, you’ll find her encouraging people to stop chasing the “perfect path” and instead embrace the beautifully unpredictable twists and turns that lead to real growth.
For more information
LinkedIn
Virtual eBook or Book Purchase
Amazon
The Business Summit Session: Shift Happens: Transitioning from Employee to Manager
Business Assistance Manager, Common Capital
Emil Farjo is the Business Assistance Manager at Common Capital, where he helps entrepreneurs build stronger, more sustainable businesses through business coaching, financial education, and strategic technical assistance. With more than 25 years of business ownership experience and over 15 years of supporting small businesses, Emil specializes in helping entrepreneurs improve their financial management, prepare for financing, strengthen operations, and achieve long-term growth.
Throughout his career, Emil has worked with hundreds of startups and established businesses across a wide range of industries. He designs and delivers business training programs, workshops, and webinars on topics including financial management, bookkeeping, marketing, cash flow, and business planning. His approach combines practical experience with personalized coaching, empowering business owners with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions.
Emil is passionate about helping entrepreneurs succeed and believes that strong businesses create stronger communities. He enjoys building meaningful relationships with business owners and guiding them through every stage of their entrepreneurial journey.
For more information
LinkedIn
The Business Summit Session: Judge for "Pitch It!"
Founder and Principal, M&A Supplier Diversity Consultants (M&A SDC)
Maria Gonzalez is the Founder and Principal of M&A Supplier Diversity Consultants (M&A SDC), a boutique consulting firm specializing in supplier strategy, program development, and certification support for community-based and small businesses. With more than 25 years of experience in the public sector, she is widely recognized for designing compliant, results-driven initiatives that expand access and participation for small and underrepresented businesses in competitive procurement markets.
Before launching M&A SDC, Maria held key leadership roles within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including positions with the Operational Services Division and the Executive Office for Administration & Finance. During her tenure, she developed and led programs that supported more than 1,000 small businesses and nonprofits in building operational capacity, achieving certification, and successfully navigating public procurement opportunities through targeted education, mentorship, and strategic guidance.
Maria’s leadership extends beyond her firm. She serves as a Certified SCORE Business Counselor with the Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter, is a Trustee of Bristol Community College, and is an active Executive Co-Chair for the Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce. She also serves on several nonprofit boards, contributing her expertise to strengthen community and economic development initiatives. Additionally, she is a member of the Supplier Diversity Office’s Diverse and Small Business Advisory Board.
A sought-after speaker and subject matter expert, Maria is frequently invited to deliver keynotes, moderate panels, and lead workshops nationwide. She is known for her practical insights, engaging delivery, and commitment to expanding economic opportunities.
Outside of her professional work, Maria enjoys gardening, reading, and daily walks with her two dogs. An avid salsa dancer and devoted vegetarian, she brings energy, balance, and authenticity to all that she does.
For more information
LinkedIn
The Business Summit Session: From Certification to Contracts: Navigating Massachusetts Procurement with Confidence
General Partner, Frankenbuild Ventures
Cvic Innocent is General Partner of Frankenbuild Ventures, investing in the inevitable, underpriced, & frontier physical tech of the future. This means dual-use, industrial, and sustainable systems across space, ocean, compute, and advanced manufacturing. She is ex-NASA and held various investing roles before founding Frankenbuild Ventures in 2023. For global policy and technical advisory, Dr. Innocent has engaged with the United Nations (Feb 2025), COP30 (Nov 2025), and the World Economic Forum in Davos (Jan 2026). Lastly, in October, she was named 2025 Startup Supporter/Investor of the Year by ACT, the largest U.S. hardtech and climate trade organization.
For more information
LinkedIn
The Business Summit Session: What Gets Funded, and Why
Senior Credit Analyst, East Cambridge Savings Bank
Angela Krupica is a Senior Credit Analyst at East Cambridge Savings Bank. In this role, she evaluates the financial strength of commercial borrowers and structures credit recommendations to support the Bank's lending portfolio.
Prior to joining ECSB, she built a career in international banking across the Caribbean and Central America. She held various roles in credit, notably serving as the Credit Risk and Monitoring Manager for Popular Bank, where she oversaw portfolio monitoring and risk mitigation strategies.
Angela holds a B.S. in Finance and Accounting Management from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) in the Dominican Republic. Angela is part of a military family, as her husband serves in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Together they have a one-year-old daughter. In her free time, Angela enjoys traveling, exploring new places, and making memories with her family.
The Business Summit Session: The Loan Readiness Lab
Principal/Co-founder, The Castle Group
For more than 30 years, Sandy Lish has been a key connector, thoughtful leader, and critical communications partner for some of the most impactful organizations across New England.
As principal and co-founder of nationally recognized, women-owned public relations and events management firm The Castle Group, Sandy has helped grow the company into an award-winning, highly in-demand agency known for its expertise in media relations, crisis communications, public affairs, marketing, and mission-driven storytelling.
Since co-founding the firm in 1996, Sandy has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Boston Business Journal’s Power 50 Movement Maker Award and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Pinnacle Award for Entrepreneurship. In 2025, Sandy and her co-founder, Wendy Spivak, were recognized with the BBJ’s prestigious ICON Award for their professional achievements, leadership, entrepreneurial skills, and community service. Under Sandy’s leadership, The Castle Group has earned accolades including Forbes’ Best PR Agency, PR News’ Agency Elite, and Inc. Power Partner.
The first in her family to graduate from college, Sandy is passionate about sharing lessons from her journey with others. She serves on several influential boards, including at MassBay Community College, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, the Alliance for Business Leadership, the UMass Boston College of Management, and is a previous member of the Center for Women & Enterprise board, where she served for more than 14 years.
A nationally recognized leader in crisis communications, Sandy is frequently cited in major outlets including The Washington Post and The Boston Globe and regularly advises organizations who are navigating complex communications questions regarding personnel issues, policy, stakeholder engagement, business affairs, and government relations.
Sandy is deeply committed to using her strong relationships across sectors to advance inclusive growth for clients, colleagues, and partner organizations, often acting as a key connector and bridge builder between entrepreneurs, policymakers, civic leaders, and more to deliver powerful results for her clients and, more broadly, the Greater Boston region as a whole.
For more information
LinkedIn
The Business Summit Session: Opening
Founder, Chronicles Collective
Zuhaly Ramon is a marketing strategist, storyteller, and educator who helps organizations and professionals turn experience into clear, usable brand direction.
With a background in sociology and advertising, her work focuses on helping people articulate who they are, what they stand for, and how to show up with intention across their work, content, and careers.
She is the founder of The Chronicles Collective, where she leads brand and storytelling efforts at a national scale. Through her newsletter, *The Comment Section*, and her workshops, Zuhaly supports people navigating pivots, reinvention, and growth with practical tools that bring clarity to moments of change.
She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Smith College, an M.S. in Advertising from Boston University, and an executive certificate in Brand Management from Harvard Business School.
For more information
LinkedIn
The Business Summit Session: Transforming Your Story into Impactful Strategies
Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer, East Cambridge Savings Bank
Trish began her banking career as a commercial lender. Her banking experience spans two decades and includes senior roles at Bank of America, Sovereign/Santander, and Citi Commercial Bank. Throughout her career, she has been recognized as a consistent top producer, with deep expertise in credit and risk analysis, business development, and treasury products.
Schiapelli holds a Master of Business Administration from Simmons Graduate School of Management and completed the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce "Future Leaders Program" in Leadership & Ethics, sponsored by Harvard Business School. She has been actively involved in the local nonprofit community through her role as a Board Member for Raising a Reader Massachusetts and Cambridge Center for Adult Education. Born and raised in Tustin, Calif., Schiapelli currently resides in Medford, Mass.
The Business Summit Session: The Loan Readiness Lab
Deb is a former corporate attorney with extensive experience in corporate finance, transactions, and technology licensing. Deb has volunteered with the Center for Women & Enterprise for over 20 years and has served on its Board of Directors for 11 years, working in fundraising, programs, women-owned business certification, and strategic planning. Deb’s other non-profit volunteer experience includes the ACLU of Massachusetts and serving as Board Chair of a Montessori infant through eighth grade during a merger transition.
For more information
LinkedIn
The Business Summit Session: Elevate Your Supplier Engagement Strategy - Facilitator
Adriana Vaccaro is an award-winning entrepreneur, organizational culture strategist, and best-selling author dedicated to transforming the way we work by centering people, purpose, and performance. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Adriana’s journey reflects resilience, vision, and a deep commitment to building workplaces where humanity and strategy coexist.
With over 15 years of experience across human resources, organizational development, and process improvement, Adriana helps organizations align people practices with business goals. Her work bridges behavioral science, data, and culture change, guiding leaders through complex transformations that elevate trust, collaboration, and inclusion.
She is the Founder and CEO of Culture Redesigned, a consulting firm that partners with mission-driven organizations to build cultures of belonging and innovation. Under her leadership, the firm has delivered measurable results across sectors, strengthening executive teams, improving employee engagement, and increasing organizational effectiveness through data-informed culture strategies.
Adriana is also the author of Culture-Minded: Six Tools to Transform Organizational Culture and Empower Humanity, an Amazon best-seller blending research, practical tools, and real-world case studies.
For more information
LinkedIn
The Business Summit Session: Scaling Your Business Without Losing Your Mind: The FARTHER Model for Sustainable Growth
Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer, East Cambridge Savings Bank
Lynn Wahlquist is a Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer at East Cambridge Savings Bank, a $1.7 billion in assets mutual bank headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with over 170 years of serving customers and communities. Lynn specializes in C&I (Commercial & Industrial) loans, Commercial Real Estate (CRE), and SBA financing with over 20 years of banking experience in originating, underwriting, and managing loan portfolios.
Lynn is passionate about fueling the growth of local enterprises. She is known for her hands-on approach, working directly with business owners, developers, and investors to structure customized financing solutions that align with their long-term growth and capital expenditure goals. Whether it involves acquiring a new commercial property, securing equipment financing, or optimizing working capital lines, Lynn provides clear guidance through every stage of the underwriting and closing process.
The Business Summit Session: The Loan Readiness Lab
The Summit
Special thanks to our sponsors.
Silver
Bronze
