PENTA Joins the WBJ In Honoring Outstanding Women in Business

On Friday, November 13, 2015, PENTA Communications, Inc., joined the Worcester Business Journal in sponsoring the 2015 Outstanding Women in Business Awards, which took place at Tuckerman Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts. Over 200 business leaders attended this event where six female leaders were recognized for their outstanding professional accomplishments and their community contributions.

PENTA has sponsored this event since 2010, and each year, CEO, Deborah Penta introduces the event keynote speaker and participates in the program. This year’s honorees included Roberta Brien, Vice President of Projects, Worcester Business Development Corporation; Linda Cavaioli, Executive Director, YWCA of Central Massachusetts; Susan Gunnell, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Southbridge Savings Bank; Susan Lawrence, Co-Owner, Pepper’s Fine Catering; Naureen Meraj, Senior Global Director, NTT DATA INC.; and  Joyce A. Murphy, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Massachusetts Medical School – Commonwealth Medicine.

“Statistically speaking,” said Deborah Penta, “Women are in the majority of the United States population at 50.8% with over 45% of women receiving college and advanced degrees in business, management, law, medicine, and the sciences. Despite this, less than 5% of today’s CEOs are women, and less than 20% of board seats in America are filled with female leaders. Events like this allow us to build awareness and bring successful female leaders to the forefront. Sponsorship in events like this also reminds us that there is still so much work to do in an effort to create a nation where gender equality in business is prevalent.”

PENTA has been a steadfast supporter of the advancement of women in business. For a decade, the firm offered a Female Leadership Scholarship, and supports community-wide initiatives for the advancement of women such as the YWCA’s quest to create social justice and equality for young girls and women, along with numerous community mentorship experiences, and other efforts in support of women’s nonprofit organizations and schools.

The Company, through its work with the United Nations Global Compact, seeks opportunities to engage in the advancement of women and tracks its progress by reporting on those initiatives of engagement each year.

Deborah Penta received an Inaugural Outstanding Woman in Business Award in 2009.  “The Company was proud to support the 2015 Outstanding Women in Business Awards event again this year, and we congratulate all of this year’s honorees who are making a profound difference to their industries, their peers, their families, and their communities,” said Penta.