PRESS RELEASE
New England Aquarium President and CEO honored with prestigious Pinnacle Award from Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
Vikki N. Spruill recognized for Achievement in Management – Nonprofit
BOSTON, MASS. (Dec. 13, 2021) – The New England Aquarium is pleased to announce that President and CEO Vikki N. Spruill has been named a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce 2022 Pinnacle Awards honoree for Outstanding Achievement in Management – Nonprofit.
The Pinnacle Awards were formed 28 years ago by the Chamber’s Women’s Network to honor leading women for outstanding achievement in the workplace, demonstrated leadership that has made a difference, and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the region. The award is the most prestigious honor for female professionals in the region.
Throughout her career, Spruill has worked to strengthen ocean conservation. Since joining the New England Aquarium in 2018, she has sought to combine the convening power of the Aquarium’s 1.3 million annual visitors with cutting-edge scientific research and education to advocate for vital and vibrant oceans. She has also led on climate resiliency and waterfront issues, advocating to rethink the future of Boston’s downtown waterfront and launching a multi-faceted effort to educate elected officials, engage Boston’s residents, and build allies in the community in order to realize a waterfront for all—one that is climate resilient, accessible, and equitable.
“Congratulations to Vikki. Vikki’s Pinnacle Award is well-deserved and recognizes her transformative vision for the New England Aquarium as well as our city’s resiliency, our waterfront, and our competitiveness. I want to personally thank Vikki for her service as a Chamber Board member and Chair of our Climate and Energy Leadership Council. We are lucky to have Vikki’s leadership in Boston,” said James E. Rooney, President and CEO, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber honors ten women annually for outstanding achievement in business and management. This year’s honorees will be recognized on Friday, January 28, 2022, 12:00pm – 1:30pm, at the annual Pinnacle Awards held at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. The 2022 Pinnacle Award honorees are listed below by award category:
| Achievement in Entrepreneurship | Irene Li | President, Mei Mei Restaurant Group |
| Achievement in Management – Private | Roxann Cooke | Consumer Bank Regional Director and Managing Director, New England & Philadelphia, JPMorgan Chase & Co |
| Achievement in Management – Government | Secretary Rosalin Acosta | Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development, Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
| Achievement in the Advancement of Women Professionals | Lisa Hughes | Anchor & Reporter, WBZ-TV/CBS Boston |
| Achievement in the Professions | Cheri Ruane, FASLA | Vice President | Landscape Architecture, Weston & Sampson Design Studio |
| Achievement in Management – Nonprofit | Vikki N. Spruill | President & CEO, New England Aquarium |
| Achievement in Health Care & Life Sciences | Marcela del Carmen, MD, MPH | President, Massachusetts General Physicians Organization & Executive Vice President, Mass General Brigham |
| Achievement in Arts & Education | Carole Charnow | President & CEO, Boston’s Children Museum |
| Emerging Executive | Falguni Desai | NA Brand VP Grooming, Procter & Gamble, and CEO & Managing Director, The Art of Shaving |
| Lifetime Achievement | Judy Habib | Founder & CEO, KHJ Brand Activation |
About the Women’s Network & Pinnacle Awards
The Greater Boston Chamber’s Women’s Network was founded in 1994 to promote and expand economic opportunities throughout the Greater Boston region for all women in business through shared leadership and expertise. The Women’s Network offers programs that provide career enrichment and development opportunities for women at all professional levels, spotlight the accomplishments of women, and promote the positive influence that women have upon the Greater Boston region.
About the New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium is a global leader in marine science and conservation, working to safeguard ocean animals and habitats. With more than 1.3 million visitors a year, the Aquarium is one of the premier visitor attractions in Boston and a major public education resource for the region. The Aquarium’s research and rescue efforts build on the institution’s 50-year legacy of protecting the blue planet and advocating for vital and vibrant oceans. In the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, scientists conduct applied marine research that informs ocean management, policy, and industry practices, and contributes to the innovation of new technologies. Through its Sea Turtle Rescue Program, the Aquarium helps protect critically endangered and threatened sea turtle populations through rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Pam Bechtold Snyder – psnyder@neaq.org, 617-686-5068