The WBUR Festival: Full Schedule

9:30am EDT

The Future of Innovation in Massachusetts

Friday May 30, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EDT

FitRec

What’s ahead for the world’s most dynamic biotech, pharmaceutical and life science companies.

Speakers

Dr. Avak Kahvejian

General Partner, Flagship Pioneering

Avak Kahvejian, Ph.D. is a life sciences inventor, entrepreneur, and CEO whose work has led to the creation of multiple high-value public and private companies. Since 2011, he has been a partner at Flagship Pioneering, where he leads a team to invent and launch new therapeutic platforms... Read More →

Julie Kim

President, U.S. Business Unit & U.S. Country Head, Takeda

Julie Kim is president of the U.S. Business Unit, U.S. country head and member of Takeda’s Executive Team. The U.S. Business Unit portfolio encompasses gastroenterology, neuroscience, plasma-derived therapies and rare diseases.She joined Takeda in 2019 through the acquisition of... Read More →

Scott Kirsner

Columnist, MassLive & Contributor, WBUR

Scott Kirsner has spent more than 25 years working as a business journalist and contributing editor at the Boston Globe, Wired Magazine, Fast Company, Variety, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Boston magazine, and other publications. He has covered many Massachusetts companies on... Read More →

Friday May 30, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
FitRec 915 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA

Business

11:00am EDT

The Color of Capital: Closing the Gap for BIPOC Founders

Friday May 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Booth Theatre

Meet the changemakers working to ensure that BIPOC entrepreneurs in Massachusetts have the resources to build thriving businesses and lasting legacies.

Speakers

Nicole Obi

President & CEO, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts

Nicole Obi is the President & CEO of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA)whose mission is to drive economic equity and prosperity for Massachusetts to achieve inclusive growth through advocacy, programming, and strategic partnerships that enable Black-owned businesses... Read More →

Friday May 30, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Booth Theatre 820 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Business

3:30pm EDT

Higher Education Today

Friday May 30, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

CFA Concert Hall

Two college presidents discuss how they’re navigating this turbulent moment in higher ed.

Speakers

Evan Smith

Senior Advisor, Emerson Collective

Evan Smith is a senior advisor at Emerson Collective, working closely with journalists and funders around the country to support the local news ecosystem. He’s also a Professor of Practice at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches... Read More →

Danielle Holley

President, Mount Holyoke College

Danielle R. Holley is the twentieth president of Mount Holyoke College. A noted legal scholar and educator, Holley served as Dean of the School of Law at Howard University (2014 - 2023) prior to joining Mount Holyoke. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from Harvard Law... Read More →

Dr. Melissa Gilliam

President, Boston University

Dr. Melissa Gilliam is Boston University’s eleventh president. She is a physician and interdisciplinary researcher focused on adolescent health and well-being. She joined Boston University from The Ohio State University, where she served as executive vice president and provost... Read More →

Friday May 30, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
CFA Concert Hall 855 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, USA

Business

2:30pm EDT

A Conversation with Katie Gatti Tassin

Saturday May 31, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

CFA Concert Hall

The personal finance expert and host of “Money with Katie” shares her best advice on how to earn, save, and invest.

The first 200 attendees will receive a copy of Gatti Tassin's book "Rich Girl Nation."

Speakers

Katie Gatti Tassin

Founder, Money with Katie

Katie Gatti Tassin is the host of the Money with Katie podcast and author of the newsletter of the same name. Her fresh personal finance advice tackles the subject at hand with a unique outlook, and her casual approach and deep, self-taught knowledge speaks directly to followers who... Read More →

Saturday May 31, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
CFA Concert Hall 855 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, USA

Business