At the Roundtable’s March Board of Directors meeting, it was abundantly clear what is on the minds of members: the cost of living and a growing concern about the state's economic outlook. When asked to identify the issues they are most closely watching, the cost of housing, health care, and energy emerged as the top three. When asked about expectations for the economy over the next six months, 84% said they expect it to weaken, and at the same time, 95% indicated that changes in federal policy are negatively impacting the Massachusetts economy. 

These challenges are not unrelated. High costs of living and doing business, exacerbated by continued uncertainty at the federal level, are causing headwinds for our economy. At the Roundtable, however, we see this as an opportunity to meet these challenges head-on. This is the focus of our 2025 Annual Report, “Leading Through Uncertainty: Collaboration to Strengthen Competitiveness.” As the report highlights, across workforce, cost of living and doing business, housing, energy, and more, the Roundtable serves as a platform where business leaders and policymakers come together to align priorities, share perspectives, and advance solutions. 

As we move further into 2026, we continue in that spirit of collaboration, working with the public sector and community partners across a range of issues, including health care, the future of education accountability, research and innovation, the defense sector, and with a particular focus on strengthening the state’s AI ecosystem.

This newsletter highlights what the Roundtable has been up to in Q1, but perhaps more importantly, how we’ve been doing it. Collaboratively, and with leaders from across sectors, we remain focused on addressing the state’s challenges, celebrating our strengths, and advancing solutions. As we continue the work ahead, we are grateful to Roundtable members who continue to use their voices, take action, and remain committed to the Commonwealth’s long-term economic prosperity.

Best,

JD Chesloff

Roundtable Releases its 2025 Annual Report

Earlier this quarter, the Roundtable was pleased to share its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting the work we undertook to strengthen the Commonwealth’s competitiveness. As the report reflects, 2025 was defined by uncertainty, from shifts in federal policy to ongoing economic volatility and rapid advances in AI. Yet throughout the year, Roundtable members remained deeply engaged and committed to working collaboratively to address the challenges facing Massachusetts. Whether advancing a refreshed Talent Agenda, advocating for policies that support growth and innovation, or convening leaders to exchange ideas and best practices, the Roundtable remained focused on ensuring Massachusetts continues to be a place where people and businesses can thrive. Read the full report here.

Roundtable Board Meeting

Quarterly Meeting of the Board of Directors

Roundtable Hosts Board Meeting Featuring the National Business Roundtable

In March, and in response to members identifying federal policy as a top area of interest, the Roundtable hosted its first Board Meeting of the year, featuring Matt Miller, Senior Vice President, Government Relations at the national Business Roundtable. Matt shared insights from his work with federal leaders and discussed key issues, including AI, energy, permitting, and other important federal issues. In addition, Roundtable staff conducted a pulse poll to gather feedback on a range of economic and policy issues. View photos from the meeting.

Welcome to the Roundtable

Join us in welcoming new members who joined the Roundtable this quarter!

Kellen Ingalls

Ørsted

Michael McCurdy

Beacon Bank

Tanisha Sullivan

Sanofi

Going Around the Table

Sharing a few highlights from member companies!

Johnson & Johnson Hosts Workforce AI Event: The Roundtable was honored to host a Workforce of the Future event with the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, AIM, and Johnson & Johnson at their DuPuy Synthes site in Raynham. The event, which brought together leaders in education, workforce, industry, and government, focused on AI and how Massachusetts stays competitive as the world of work evolves rapidly. This was the first of ongoing conversations about how we work collaboratively to ensure Massachusetts is a leader in AI and that our greatest competitive advantage, our people, are prepared for the rapid changes shaping today’s workforce. See pictures from the event here.

Franklin Cummings Tech Celebrates New Campus: Congratulations to Aisha Francis of Franklin Cummings Tech on the opening of their new, state-of-the-art campus in Roxbury’s Nubian Square, marking a major milestone for education and workforce development in Massachusetts. The new facility was designed to enhance hands-on, career-focused learning and features visible, sustainable building systems that integrate real-world applications into the classroom experience. Read more about the exciting new campus in this Boston Globe story.

Delta Dental of Massachusetts Community Impact: Delta Dental of Massachusetts recently partnered with Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, 98.5 The Sports Hub, and Sam Hauser for a visit to the Boys & Girls Club of Charlestown, spending the afternoon with inspiring kids and community leaders. During the visit, Erik Montlack, President of Delta Dental of Massachusetts, shared why community engagement is a core part of their mission and how promoting good oral health plays an important role in supporting overall health and well-being. See a video from the day.

Avangrid Completes NECEC Project: In March, Jose Antonio Miranda Soto of Avangrid announced the completion and launch of the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line, a significant advancement for Massachusetts’ clean energy future. The 145-mile, high-voltage power line is now delivering climate-friendly hydroelectric energy from Quebec to the Commonwealth, with the capacity to supply approximately 20% of Massachusetts’ total electricity needs. The project represents a significant investment in energy reliability, emissions reduction, and long-term affordability. Congratulations to Jose and the entire team at Avangrid!

AT&T Supports Youth with New Laptops: Teenagers from the Boys and Girls Club of Boston and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke celebrated the 150th anniversary of the first phone call with new laptops during two recent events supported by AT&T. The teens participated in telephone-themed STEM activities and were surprised with 150 new laptops, which are part of a broader effort to help close the digital divide. See videos from this great event here and here.

Takeda Center for Community Health and Nutrition: Recently, Takeda announced a partnership with the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) to establish the Takeda Center for Community Health and Nutrition. The Center will help create greater access to nutritious and medically tailored food for communities throughout Eastern Massachusetts. This $4M grant is also the largest donation in GBFB’s history and builds on Takeda and GBFB’s long-standing partnership and shared commitment to innovation, community impact, and understanding the critical connection between food and health. Read more about this exciting and important partnership.

Expanding the Table

Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace

This quarter, the Roundtable hosted a virtual convening for Black Professional ERN leaders in partnership with Schneider Electric. The event created space for connection, shared learning, and cross-company collaboration. During the session, Ray Mills, Issue to Prevention Leader at Schneider Electric, spoke about the different initiatives and events Schneider Electric hosted to celebrate Black History Month. He also shared ways organizations can continue building momentum as they prepare for Juneteenth. For more information or if you have an interest in joining the Black Professional Community ERN group, please contact Lauren Nwagboli. Please save the date for the next convening on June 17!

Two Important Guest Blogs by Roundtable Partners

Strengthening Families, Strengthening the Workforce: A recent guest blog post by Damon Hart, Board Chair of The Home for Little Wanderers and Executive Vice President at Roundtable member organization Liberty Mutual, highlights the critical role that child and family services play in building a stronger Massachusetts workforce and economy. As one of the region’s largest providers of behavioral health, education, and family support services, The Home’s work underscores an important connection for employers: when families have access to the resources they need, children are more likely to thrive—and over time, that translates into a more stable, prepared, and resilient workforce. For Roundtable members, this serves as a reminder that addressing challenges such as mental health, housing instability, and access to care is not only a social priority but an economic one. Read the guest blog on our website.

Mentoring as a Competitive Advantage in Workforce Development: A new blog from Hannah St. Laurent of Mass Mentoring Partnership and Michael Harrison of the Lilly Seaport Innovation Center reinforces the growing importance of mentoring as a strategic workforce tool for employers and highlights an ongoing partnership with Lilly and New Mission High School in Boston. From early exposure to careers through partnerships with schools to ongoing support for employees within organizations, mentoring helps build critical skills, strengthen engagement, and improve retention. For Roundtable members, the takeaway is clear: mentoring is not just a “nice to have,” but a cost-effective strategy that expands talent pipelines, supports diverse and early-career talent, and drives long-term workforce success. Read the guest blog on our website.