Brad Kane is the Editor for Worcester Business Journal. Kane came to Worcester from its sister publication Hartford Business Journal, where he most recently served as managing editor. Kane talked his way onto HBJ’s staff in May 2010, previously working as a Boston Globe correspondent and a staff writer for the Patriot Ledger in Quincy. In another journalism life, he covered local politics in northern Ohio and southwest Florida. Kane has been honored for his work by the Alliance of Area Business Publications, the Florida Press Club, Ohio Associated Press and the National Society of Professional Journalists. He graduated from The Ohio State University, with an honor’s degree in journalism. He lives a calm, sleep-filled life in Wilbraham, Mass. with his wife, five young children and Texas heeler. In his 42 minutes of weekly free time, Kane runs the sidewalks, streets and trails of Western Massachusetts.
After the U.S. and Central Massachusetts got through the initial phases of the COVID pandemic, the economy was largely strong by traditional standards, with low unemployment and GDP growth. Yet, due to rapid inflation and the lingering effects of the COVID pandemic, the economy just wasn’t working for everybody.
Four years ago, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer and the ensuing national reckoning on race, business and political leaders in Central Massachusetts and across the nation were falling over themselves to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in an attempt to mitigate the stain of America’s original sin.
The nearly 1,000 winners of the 40 Under Forty awards from the last 25 years have gone onto great things, and we catch up with 25 alumni for the 25th anniversary.
This special edition is a celebration of everything the 40 Under Forty has meant to the Central Massachusetts business community over the last 25 years, with a heavy focus on the incoming Class of 2024.
Even though very few companies are actually using AI now – a U.S. Census Bureau survey from November found only about 4% of businesses are using the technology – the anticipation is many, many more will use it in the future.