Celebrating the Spirit of Discovery and Innovation that makes Cambridge unlike anywhere else.
Our annual Gala recognizes innovators from the business, institutional, and non-profit communities who are truly effecting change in Cambridge and beyond. This special evening is an opportunity for the Cambridge business community to celebrate these change agents and their extraordinary impact on improving the lives of others.
The 2024 Visionary Award Recipients
Astellas Pharma's Life Science Center
The new Astellas Life Science Center (ALSC) is the home to Astellas’ first U.S. based SakuLab, a shared laboratory space for highly innovative external partners. ALSC also includes the company’s Engineered Small Molecules (ESM) unit which focuses on advancing research into targeted protein degradation, a novel treatment approach aimed at removing specific proteins from cells to unlock targets that have been considered “undruggable”.
Biogen and Eisai
Since 2014, Eisai and Biogen have been collaborating on the development and commercialization of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) treatments. Their work is reshaping the field of Alzheimer’s Disease, including through LEQEMBI® (lecanemab-irmb) - an FDA-approved treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease shown to slow disease progression in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD or mild AD dementia.
Cambridge Innovation Center
The Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), founded by Tim Rowe, for ascending to the role of global leader in building and operating innovative communities via flexible workspaces and laboratories, developing startup programming, and cultivating industry clusters.
The Education Justice Institute at MIT
The Educational Justice Institute, an MIT-based non-profit, for creating sustainable solutions to mass incarceration, social injustice, and barriers to reentry through education and emerging technologies.
Eversource and BXP
The partnership between Eversource and BXP for implementing their groundbreaking Greater Cambridge Energy Program, the first-of-its kind underground electrical substation that will enhance the resiliency of the transmission system and ensure a reliable grid while supporting the decarbonization and electrification goals of Cambridge and Massachusetts.
Leggat McCall's 40 Thorndike Street Development
Leggat McCall for transforming the neglected, Brutalist-designed East Cambridge Courthouse and jail into a modern, Elkus Manfredi Architects-reimagined mixed-use development that transforms the neighborhood and furthers the City's goal of creating more affordable housing.
The Massachusetts Next Generation Initiative
The Massachusetts Next Generation Initiative (MassNextGen) is a public-private partnership between the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) and our life science industry partners that supports underrepresented entrepreneurs in the Massachusetts life science community. The partnership is deeply committed to ensuring unwavering support to foster a more inclusive and diverse life science ecosystem.
The Resilience Hub at the Cambridge Community Center
The Cambridge Community Center (CCC) partnered with the City of Cambridge, the Urban Sustainability Director Network, and the Barr Foundation to become the first Resilience Hub in New England, a community-serving facility that helps people before, during, and after a disaster by providing a safe place for residents to get food, water, power, and other important services. The CCC’s Hub will serve as a model for other municipalities and organizations to help establish Resilience Hubs in their communities.
The 2023 Visionary Award Recipients
Alexandria Real Estate Equities for developing 325 Binney Street, the new home of the Moderna Science Center at, a 462,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art, highly sustainable science and technology complex that is designed to be the most sustainable lab space in Cambridge.
Astellas Pharma for developing an FDA approved, groundbreaking oral medication created for the treatment of menopause-related symptoms.
Broad Institute - Office for STEM Engagement and Inclusion for establishing the Broad Summer Research Program and the Broad Summer Scholars Program which have shaped the careers of more than 300 young scientists, largely from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the life sciences.
The Loop Lab and its founder, Chris Hope, for empowering minority talent in careers in the creative economy through job training and job placement.
Philips – Hospital Patient Monitoring Team for developing the Philips Visual Patient Avatar, a groundbreaking clinical decision support tool that significantly enhances the quality of patient care in anesthesia.
Sanofi for celebrating 25 years of partnerships, volunteerism, and change-making commitment to education in Cambridge.
Sarepta Therapeutics for reshaping the field of genetics by developing ELEVIDYS, the first approved gene therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare genetic disease that affects children and causes progressive muscle damage and weakness, respiratory failure, and ultimately, premature death.
Vicinity Energy for launching eSteam™, a unique and innovative technology that is the first 100 percent renewable, carbon-free thermal energy product in the United States.
2022 Visionary Award Recipients
The Amgen Operations East Coast Innovation Center
Cambridge Community Center
The Engine, built by MIT
Pfizer Kendall Square Paxlovid Discovery and Development Team
Pro EMS
The Sanofi Research and Development Teams
Senne
Takeda's Teresa Bitetti, President of the Oncology Business Unit
2019 Visionary Award Recipients
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Biogen and the Biogen Foundation
Ed Fitsch and the team at ACIR (Accelerating Cancer Immunotherapy Research)
Michael Monestime and the Central Square Commerical Property Owners
Philips Healthcare
Rubius Therapeutics
Sage Therapeutics
2018 Visionary Award Recipients
Sanofi and its ASMD Rare Disease Development Project
Dr. Wenywan Shi and the team at The Forsyth Institute
Validated Learning Company
CarGurus Inc.
Harvard and MIT for their Transportation Initiatives
The Center for External Innovation at Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Just-A-Start
2017 Visionary Award Recipients
Jennifer Brogdon and her team at Norvartis
Microsoft and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Harvard Dining Services and Food For Free
Pyara Span and Salon's "Hello Gorgeous" Program
Matignon High School