Annual “Director of the Year” honors cite Ellen Zane, Diane Hessan, and Vanessa Calderon-Rosado for leadership in corporate governance
The National Association of Corporate Directors New England Chapter (NACDNE) today announced its 2026 “Director of the Year” awards honoring top public and private company boards and three individual awards: lifetime achievement, excellence in corporate governance, and nonprofit leadership. Honorees will be celebrated at an April 30, 2026, Boston gala.
Directors of PTC Inc., the global software company that enables manufacturers and product companies to digitally transform how they design, manufacture, and service the products the world relies on, are being honored as NACDNE’s Public Company Board of the Year.
Named as Private Company Board of the Year are the directors of Shawmut Design and Construction, a $2.3 billion, 100% employee-owned national construction management firm with 1,400 employees across 15 offices, including Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. The firm is committed to combining unmatched expertise, a safety mindset, innovative solutions, and dedication to delivering complex projects that drive progress for the communities it serves. More than 80 percent of its business comes from repeat clients.
NACDNE is also celebrating three honorees with its top “Director of the Year” awards:
- For Lifetime Achievement, Ellen M. Zane, the former president and CEO of Tufts Medical Center and a member of several life-sciences, finance, and academic boards.
- For Leadership in Corporate Governance, Diane Hessan, the CEO of Salient Ventures, founder of C Space, and member of several public-company and nonprofit boards.
- And as recipient of the Myra H. Kraft Award for Non-Profit Leadership, Vanessa Calderon-Rosado, CEO of Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA), one of New England’s largest Latino-led nonprofit community development and affordable housing organizations.
NACDNE President Kevin McGovern said: “It’s a privilege to celebrate the boards of two of Boston’s, and New England’s, most innovative and successful companies and their commitment to excellence in corporate governance and boardroom diversity. PTC is recognized by customers around the world for its strategic vision and leadership in product lifecycle software, as its strong results show. In the cyclical world of construction, Shawmut Design and Construction has demonstrated resilience, steady growth, and an unwavering commitment to its clients and employees.”
Beth I. Z. Boland, NACDNE Co-Chair, added: “Ellen Zane has been an extraordinary contributor for decades to the success of so many New England healthcare and academic institutions and a valued advisor as a public, private, and non-profit board member. We’re delighted to celebrate her lifetime achievement, and to recognize Diane Hessan and Vanessa Calderon-Rosado for their own enormous contributions to corporate and non-profit leadership.”
Janice Chaffin, Chair of PTC’s Board of Directors, said: “On behalf of PTC’s Board, we are honored to be recognized by NACD New England. For over 40 years, PTC has consistently moved its industry forward, and it has always prioritized integrity and disciplined governance as part of those efforts. We are grateful to the PTC leadership team and employees worldwide for their ongoing commitment to create long-term value for the company, its customers, and shareholders.”
Shawmut Design and Construction Board of Directors Chair Kim Bishop said: “In an industry where trust, performance, and vision are essential, effective governance supports enduring success. This recognition from NACD New England affirms our Board’s commitment to stewarding the 100 percent employee-owned firm as it delivers exceptional value for clients, employees, and communities.”
NACDNE will hold its annual Director of the Year Gala celebrating all the honorees on Thursday evening, April 30, 2026, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston.
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