Tenacity, diversity and technology are necessary elements of an economic recovery that will allow Massachusetts residents to prosper in a time of uncertainty, Associated Industries of Massachusetts President and CEO John Regan said Friday.

Regan told hundreds of business leaders during the 2022 State of Massachusetts Business Address that amid the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, a generational shortage of qualified workers and accelerating inflation, many Massachusetts companies and their workers are still finding ways to thrive. He noted that Massachusetts employers have created more than half a million jobs since the depths of the pandemic, with many members of the AIM Board of Directors reporting that their companies posted record results last year.

“These contradictory signals shroud the road to recovery, challenging our ability to make the right decisions. The alchemy of economic success has become uncertain in a world in which work has become increasingly disaggregated from place and large segments of the population have been left behind by the fastest growing sectors or the economy,” Regan said.

He said AIM is intent on providing creative and practical strategies to move Massachusetts down the road to economic recovery.

Last year, for example, AIM responded to the troubling exodus of women from the work force by calling upon employers to make substantive adjustments to their policies to help women and caregivers balance work and personal responsibilities. Scores of companies stepped forward and took steps such as giving pay increases and advancement to women and caregivers “on schedule” rather than penalizing those who have been on leave or working limited hours.

Regan said that in 2022, the association would announce a bold initiative to ensure that the Massachusetts economy reflects all the diversity and creativity that makes the commonwealth such a great place to live. The initiative will connect businesses owned or led by Black and Brown entrepreneurs with opportunities at AIM-member companies looking to diversify their supply chain spending and support minority business development.

Finally, Regan announced that AIM would join the opposition to a punitive income surtax proposal scheduled to appear on the statewide ballot in November.

Corey Thomas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Boston-based cybersecurity company Rapid 7, introduced the State of Massachusetts Business speech. Thomas said the speech was originally scheduled to take place at Rapid 7’s new offices on the site of the former Boston Garden before a surge in COVID cases forced the event to be done virtually.

Regan used Rapid7 as an example of a company that understands that the future belongs to those who meld advanced technology, disciplined management and a commitment to sharing the opportunity their work provides. Rapid 7’s approach to success, Regan said, is essential because the recovery from the COVID-19 recession has at times separated haves from have-nots.

“The ultimate success of the Massachusetts economic recovery depends upon the ability and willingness of business leaders and elected officials to address that gulf between haves and have-nots. It depends upon our commitment to giving people the training, experience and incentive to participate in the promise of a new economy and a better life for all,” he told the audience of business leaders.

“That’s really what the American dream is all about. And we can, and will, make it happen here in Massachusetts.”

The speech was part of the 2022 AIM Economic Outlook Forum, which also featured a panel discussion moderated by Laura Teicher, Executive Director of FORGE, and featuring comments by Kumble Subbaswamy, Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst; Sarah Locke-Henderson, Senior Public Engagement East Coast Lead for the Public Policy team at DoorDash; and Ezequiel “Cheque” Montemayor, Chief Executive Officer of Harbar LLC of Canton.