By Hodan Hashi
Director of Communications 

Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) announced today the election of five prominent business leaders across the Commonwealth to its board of directors. These individuals were elected by fellow board members to fill vacancies on the AIM board.  

The newly elected directors include Elaine Chow, Founder, Chop Value Boston; Greg Batsevitsky, Group Manager Commercial Banking & Senior Vice President, M&T Bank; Kristin Forney, Chief Financial Officer, Ocean Spray; Lisa Murray, President, Citizens Bank; and Christopher Philbin, Vice President of Government Affairs, Mass General Brigham. 

These directors will join a dynamic board of business owners, and executives who represent a diverse cross-section of industries, company sizes, and regions that contribute to the vibrancy of Massachusetts’ economy.  

“AIM is thrilled to welcome these five directors, who will bring their unique expertise and deep understanding of what it takes to grow and sustain a successful company in today’s economy,” said Gregory Buscone, Chair of the AIM board and EVP/Chief Commercial Banking Officer of Eastern Bank. “Their leadership and firsthand experience driving innovation will be invaluable to AIM’s mission of supporting employers across the Commonwealth.’  

The new directors will enhance a board of 65 executives and business owners who collectively represent the economic landscape of Massachusetts. AIM directors serve three-year terms on the board. 

The new directors are: 

Greg Batsevitsky

Greg Batsevitsky, Group Manager Commercial Banking, Senior Vice President, M&T Bank 

Greg is a forward-thinking, dynamic leader with a proven record of accomplishments in sales management, client acquisition, and market development. He is committed to helping clients solve problems and capitalize on growth opportunities. An experienced commercial banking manager with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry, Greg is skilled in leveraged finance, structured finance, business-relationship management, financial services, and financial analysis. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a focus on finance from Syracuse University. 

Elaine Chow,

Elaine Chow, Founder, ChopValue Boston 

Elaine Chow is the Founder of Chop Value Boston, which turns used chopsticks into sustainable, high-quality furniture. Elaine has served the Boston community for 20 years in workforce and youth development. She now focuses on sustainability and the circular economy. Elaine is proud to be a working mom, living with her husband and two awesome kids in Dorchester. “Like many parents, I’m doing everything in my power to ensure that the world my kids will inhabit as adults will be the best it can be. My vision is for Chop Value Boston to serve as a local catalyst for circular business and inspire others to think bigger and better. Personally, it enables me to merge my passions for business and sustainability in creative and challenging ways.” Elaine earned an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management and a BA from Bates College.  

Kristin Forney

Kristin Forney, Chief Financial Officer, Ocean Spray  

Kristin Forney is a veteran of the food industry and consumer packaged goods, a leader who brings more than 28 years of financial experience to Ocean Spray—not to mention an inherent understanding of the farming way of life. 

As Chief Financial Officer, Kris leads Ocean Spray’s financial planning and analysis, corporate controller, corporate development, procurement, and transformation teams. Prior to joining Ocean Spray, she served as senior vice president and CFO for the North American segment of Hain Celestial Group, where she led a finance organization supporting a $1.6 billion revenue organic and natural products business. While at Hain, Kris’s leadership was integral in transforming the North American business into a strong operating company while building finance capabilities to position the business for growth. 

Kris also served in finance and revenue-growth leadership roles across multiple businesses at ConAgra Brands for over 15 years. She is a Certified Public Accountant, having spent five years in public accounting with Grant Thornton. 

Kris earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from Hastings College. 

Lisa Murray

Lisa Murray, President, Citizens Bank 

As Massachusetts president, Lisa represents Citizens in an official capacity with civic, business, and community leaders across the Commonwealth. In her role as Director of the Not for Profit and Professionals Banking Division at Citizens, Lisa leads a team of seasoned industry specialists to assist organizations in managing their businesses efficiently and profitably while taking risks out of the operating model. Importantly, Lisa and her team collaborate with Citizens’ bankers and senior management to strengthen the partnership between the Bank and their clients. Through her thought leadership, the Bank has augmented the not-for-profit and professional’s go-to-market approach to be more targeted and strategic, which allows bankers better opportunities to share their depth of industry experience, best practices, and proven idea generation with their clients. 

Lisa has always been actively involved in the community, both professionally and personally. Lisa is Board Chair of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable serving on their Executive Committee, and is a board member of the Massachusetts Bankers Association, MBA Charitable Foundation, and Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. Lisa also serves on the Massachusetts Business Coalition for Early Childhood Education, The Boston Foundation’s Greater Boston Partnership to Close the Racial Wealth Gap, and serves on the Economic Development Advisory Committee in her hometown. 

Christopher Philbin, Vice President of Government Affairs, Mass General Brigham 

Christopher (Chris) Philbin serves as Vice President of Government Affairs for Mass General Brigham (MGB), a world-renowned, integrated academic healthcare system and the largest private employer in Massachusetts. As Vice President, Chris is responsible for leading all local, state, and federal advocacy on behalf of MGB by identifying key policy issues, establishing legislative, executive, and regulatory priorities, and developing and implementing strategies on current and future political, legislative, and regulatory matters. He previously served as Vice President for Government and Community Relations for UMass Memorial Health Care Inc., the clinical partner of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. 

Prior to his role at UMass Memorial Health Care Inc., Chris served as Chief of Staff and Counsel to Massachusetts Congressman Jim McGovern. He practiced law as an associate of Bernstein, Burwick & Tucker, and served as Legislative Director for Massachusetts State Senator Robert Bernstein. Chris earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the New England Law and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree as a dual major in political science from the Maxwell School of Public Citizenship and public relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University