Cathy Minehan Honored as YWCA Key Speaker

Back Bay resident Cathy Minehan will be the keynote speaker for the YWCA's 18th Annual Academy of Women Achievers Celebration Luncheon in June.

Minehan serves as the dean of Simmons College School of Management, and is the former and first female president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston said it will be an honor. She was also inducted into the Academy of Women Achievers in 1996.

“The organization’s drive to make Boston more equitable for everyone is a cause that we can all rally around," Minehan said. "I look forward to speaking to the issues and opportunities that are important to the city’s success.”

Her role at Simmons, which 'strives to be a center of excellence in women, leadership and management' parallels the YWCA's mission.

"YW Boston found Cathy to be a woman who truly illustrates these ideas, working to empower young women and provide them with meaningful educational opportunities to help unlock professional doors in the future," the YWCA said in a statement. 

The luncheon is on June 4, and Minehan is one of five women who will be inducted into the YW's Academy of Women Achievers.

In addition to Minehan, the inductees include: 

• Deborah Barnard, Partner, Holland & Knight
• Yvonne Garcia, Director of Segment Marketing, Liberty Mutual Group
• Crystal Johnson, Founder and Principal, Integrative Sustainability & Environment Solutions (ISES)
• Mary Mazzio, Founder and CEO, 50 EGGS, Inc.
• Jean Russell, Founder and President, BenefitsMart

“These five women are exceptional leaders who have paved the road to success for many other women” said Sylvia Ferrell-Jones, President and CEO of YW Boston. “We are also pleased to have Cathy serve as our keynote speaker. She is a true inspiration, living proof that no dream is too large, and no job unattainable.”