Executive Insights - Boston

Jim Kinney, Altus Dental Insurance

In this conversation, Carolyn Jones, market president and publisher of the Boston Business Journal, talks with Jim Kinney, vice president of sales and business relations at Altus Dental Insurance Company. Kinney details the “Altus Advantage,” highlighting a boutique approach supported by a dedicated local service team, as well as the company’s significant growth. “The Massachusetts market has had some challenging times. We took that head on, changed our model around a little to make sure we were flexible and adapting to that changing marketplace,” Kinney said.

Venky Venkatachalam, dean of the College of Management at UMass Boston

In this Executive Insights conversation, Carolyn Jones, Boston Business Journal market president and publisher, talks with Venky Venkatachalam, dean of the College of Management at UMass Boston. They explore the program’s evolving curriculum, increased AI integration and the diverse student body. Venkatachalam also highlights the school’s mission of social mobility, strong retention and graduation outcomes. “Our success is heavily dependent on the City of Boston’s success,” Venkatachalam says. “So we are deeply committed in community engagement and engagement with the businesses. All that is engagement is built into our curriculum.”

Fred Clark, president Bridgewater State University

In this interview, Boston Business Journal Market President and Publisher Carolyn Jones and Fred Clark, president of Bridgewater State University, discuss the institution’s rich history and mission, including its significant contributions to education and the Boston business community. Clark emphasizes the university’s standout programs and state-of-the-art facilities, like the BSU Cyber Range, as well as its ongoing efforts to align education with the evolving needs of Massachusetts employers. Watch the full video to learn more about: ·      Clark’s personal connection to Bridgewater State (0:32) ·      The ways Cyber Range is innovating cybersecurity education (5:13) ·      How programs are tailored to prepare students for their careers (8:35) ·      BSU’s business partnerships (11:08)

Gary Kaufman, ABI-LAB COO

In this conversation, ABI-LAB Chief Operating Officer Gary Kaufman joins Carolyn Jones, market president and publisher of the Boston Business Journal, to discuss the innovative ways ABI-LAB is supporting biotech startups.

Andrew Bull, ALKU President

Carolyn Jones, market president and publisher of the Boston Business Journal, talks with ALKU President Andrew Bull to discuss what it means to be one of Boston’s "Best Places to Work [https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2025/04/09/bbj-s-best-places-to-work-largest-honorees.html]" — for 14 years. Bull talks about cultivating a bottom-up innovation mindset, maintaining an in-office policy and investing in people and communities.