East Boston Chamber of Commerce Executive Assistant Sherri Raftery during a recent speaking engagement.
Anyone who knows the East Boston Chamber of Commerce Executive Assistant Sherri Raftery knows she a dynamo filled with energy and a commitment to improving business and the overall quality of life here in Eastie.
For this reason Raftery is the East Boston Times 2014 Woman of the Year.
Since becoming the Chamber’s Executive Assistant a few years back Raftery has not slowed down one bit. She is constantly attending and promoting every Chamber event in Eastie. She’s also formed successful partnerships with other civic groups, non-profits and elected officials to bring Eastie to the next level and elevate the community’s pride, diversity, business districts and people.
Throughout 2014 Raftery was everywhere. Whether it was a community event, Chamber event, community meeting, neighborhood celebration, Raftery was there to represent the Chamber and see how it could help.
Raftery helped organize dozens of Chamber networking events but had the foresight to bring Eastie business beyond its borders. Through partnerships with the Winthrop and Revere Chambers of Commerce, Raftery was able to put hundreds of Eastie businesses on the map outside the neighborhood.
Raftery and new Chamber President Scott Heiglemann recently partnered with ChamberMaster, the number one provider of web-based software solutions for Chambers across America. This has enabled the East Boston Chamber to maximize marketing potential for its members through a social media-based website with features to build member businesses using hot deals, referrals, banner ads, email blasts, and more.
Raftery was also instrumental over the summer launching the Chamber’s program to use local businesses and Chamber members to hire teens over the summer.
At the Chamber’s “Eastie is Open for Business” event the Chamber and Rep. Carlo Basile said the new program aimed to hire 50 11th and 12th grade boys and girls that can not secure employment through the City or APAC’s SummerWorks programs and put them to work for local businesses.
Each youth has been vetted by either East Boston High School or East Boston Social Centers or the East Boston YMCA. All are from Eastie or attend school in Eastie and are deserving of the opportunity that will help each of them open a bank account, earn money, keep them off the street, learn about local businesses and much more.