April 26, 2025 • 7 mins
Boston is the home to many of the region, nation, and world's most powerful people. That being said, not everyone can be truly influential. Boston Magazine has just released its latest list of the city's most influential people, and it includes all kinds of people: athletes, lawmakers, developers, even infants! Brittany Jasnoff, Executive Editor at Boston Magazine, dives deeper into the list with Nichole to talk about their process, what influence truly means, and some of their top picks.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each week we come together right here, we talk about
all the topics important to you and the place where
you live. I hope you're having a good weekend, except
for the pollen, of course. I'm Nicole Davis. Now, whether
you believe it's for better or worse, A lot of
powerful people call Boston and really most of Massachusetts home.
(00:29):
This week, Boston Magazine rolled out its latest list of
the city's most influential people. This includes everything from lawmakers
to business owners, developers, athletes, and yes, even infants. We'll
talk about that in a bit. Executive editor Brittany Jaznov
is here and we're going to break down this list
a little bit. Brittany, I really appreciate your time, and
I want to start here with the word influential itself
(00:52):
at Boston Magazine, What does influential mean to you? And
then how do you all over at the magazine determine
who is influential enough to get on the list.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Yeah, that's a great question. So we're really looking for
people who have had influence in the city over the
past year, who are kind of shaping the city through you.
Know what they're doing through their you know, main jobs,
through philanthropy, you know, just just different ways that they
that people are coming together to make a difference in Boston.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Now, when I hear of people making influential lists and
stuff like that, like time for example, people are always
up in arms. So like some of the people they
choose aren't necessarily the nicest people or the best people,
But that doesn't mean they're not influential, right.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Right, No, absolutely, that that is that's true. You know,
I think that there are people you know that are
just doing really important things in Boston that are just
that are making a difference here and Boston and the
state of Massachusetts as well.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
So let's talk about the different categories you've got here,
because this is a long list. We're talking one hundred
and fifty ish people or one fifty one, I should say,
with baby Mira because obviously Baby Mira is like an
icon at this point. I love this Babi.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yeah, I know, we had to do a bonus for
her because it has been everywhere lately.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
She really she has it's crazy. So let's talk about
how you sort of categorize these people. What are you
looking for when it comes to different areas of influence.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Yeah, absolutely, that's a great question. You know, we have
government leaders, nonprofit leaders, developers, you know, high power how
excuse me, high powered real estate agents, healthcare executive, business leaders,
university presidents, you know, just kind of runs the gamut
of everybody that's you know, making making an impact in Massachusetts.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
And then what's your process like trying to pick and
choose who gets on this list?
Speaker 2 (02:45):
You know, it's really a year long conversation with our
editors and writers and takes a year's worth of conversations
and observations, you know, and understand who's shaping our city
and how they're shaping it exactly. So you know, we're
working the zones of people you know, in the city,
from all walks of life to find out who's making
way right now. There's perennial people who are kind of
always on the list because they're always you know, doing
really important things. But you know, we're really looking for
(03:07):
people who have been wielding their influence in the past
year as well and doing and really making a difference.
We get together, we discuss, and you know, the ranking
does take a while. There are many drafts, you know,
before we arrive at this final list.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
So then let's talk about those perennial people you were
talking about, because you've got people like Governor Moore, healy
on here, Mayor Michelle Wu, You've got some of the
big business owners. Who else is in that sort of
I guess platform of the ones who are obviously going
to be on the list.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Yeah, Well we have people the people who have their
fingerprints on the city year and in year out really
include the builders, you know, and developers. They're really you know,
literally shaping the city through through their developments. So you know,
we have John and Stephen Davis, Jeremy scar from WS Development,
John Fish, and we also also l anthropists, you know,
because they are you know, giving on a regular basis,
(03:56):
and you know people like Abbie Johnson, Jonathan Kraft, et cetera.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Is there anybody that has made it onto the list
that people may be surprised to see?
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Great question? Surprised to see? I think, you know, we
did have and I don't know Nicole has answered that
question for you. But you know, our number one fifty
I think is kind of a bit of a surprise,
which was which was Karen Reid? Obviously her case is
going to trial for the second time, you know, very soon,
(04:28):
and I think that you know, she's she's been kind
of on in everyone's conversations and on a lot of
my old minds lately as that happens for the second time.
So that was our one hundred and fiftieth person on
the list, which was I think a bit of a surprise.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Yeah, I would, I would absolutely have to agree with you.
There she is. She's everywhere. You cannot get away from
Karen Reid no matter how you feel about it. She
is right there in front of all of us, and
we'll be for the next few weeks at the very least. So, yeah,
let's talk about something I noticed here. There's a lot
of on this list, which I really appreciate. How much
(05:03):
does diversity matter to you when you're putting together a list.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Like this, It's it's very important. We want to make
sure that we're representing all of the city, so that
is a it's a very important consideration for us.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Well, then let's talk about some of the new people
who might be on the list too, haven't been there before.
Anybody that people might recognize from around the city that
they say, wait a minute, oh, I see this person
now I appreciate them on the list.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Yeah, I'm trying to think we you know, I'd like
to talk a little bit about highlight number one, because
even though that may not may not be unexpected, I
think it's a really good one to talk about because
we wanted to recognize the Boston Celtics and Wick Grusbek
in particular, because they've had kind of an exceptional year.
(05:49):
You know, they had the twenty twenty four championship win
that electrified the city, and you know, there's obviously been
the big news about the team's future with you know,
recently selling the team to to massachusettstet and Bill Chisholm,
who right now is at California Private equity Exect. So
you know, but Wick isn't walking away. We know that
his succession plan includes a three year transition period, so
(06:12):
he's going to have a big hand in shaping the
team's future. And obviously we can't wait to see if
they'll have another title run in June, so that one
was kind of exciting for us. I wanted to talk
a little bit about, you know, some of our top honorees.
You know, number two we had as a twofer, which
was Sandy and Paul Edgerley, the co founders of the
Quinn House. The reason being that they're quite literally through
(06:32):
their club convening people you know that are making the
biggest impact in business, government, finance, arts, et cetera. The
nonprofit world too, and many people on the list are
actually members. And then of course talking about you know, philanthropy,
we have the founder of the bar Foundation and president
of the Boston Foundation, barbarahas that are and Lee Pelton
respectively at number three and five. So those are some
(06:54):
those are some big ones, you know for sure.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Where and when can people get to the list so
they can and see for themselves.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
So listeners can get the latest issue of Boston Magazine
at their favorite newstand actually right now, it's on newstands.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Today, fantastic, And obviously the list is on the website
as well.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Ah yes, absolutely all right, cool Bostonmagazine dot com.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
And again that's Brittany Jazzna from Boston Magazine. Go check
out the list and have a safe and healthy weekend.
Please join me again next week for another edition of
the show. I'm Nicole Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each week we come together right here, we talk about
all the topics important to you and the place where
you live. I hope you're having a good weekend, except
for the pollen, of course. I'm Nicole Davis. Now, whether
you believe it's for better or worse, A lot of
powerful people call Boston and really most of Massachusetts home.
(00:29):
This week, Boston Magazine rolled out its latest list of
the city's most influential people. This includes everything from lawmakers
to business owners, developers, athletes, and yes, even infants. We'll
talk about that in a bit. Executive editor Brittany Jaznov
is here and we're going to break down this list
a little bit. Brittany, I really appreciate your time, and
I want to start here with the word influential itself
(00:52):
at Boston Magazine, What does influential mean to you? And
then how do you all over at the magazine determine
who is influential enough to get on the list.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Yeah, that's a great question. So we're really looking for
people who have had influence in the city over the
past year, who are kind of shaping the city through you.
Know what they're doing through their you know, main jobs,
through philanthropy, you know, just just different ways that they
that people are coming together to make a difference in Boston.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Now, when I hear of people making influential lists and
stuff like that, like time for example, people are always
up in arms. So like some of the people they
choose aren't necessarily the nicest people or the best people,
But that doesn't mean they're not influential, right.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Right, No, absolutely, that that is that's true. You know,
I think that there are people you know that are
just doing really important things in Boston that are just
that are making a difference here and Boston and the
state of Massachusetts as well.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
So let's talk about the different categories you've got here,
because this is a long list. We're talking one hundred
and fifty ish people or one fifty one, I should say,
with baby Mira because obviously Baby Mira is like an
icon at this point. I love this Babi.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yeah, I know, we had to do a bonus for
her because it has been everywhere lately.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
She really she has it's crazy. So let's talk about
how you sort of categorize these people. What are you
looking for when it comes to different areas of influence.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Yeah, absolutely, that's a great question. You know, we have
government leaders, nonprofit leaders, developers, you know, high power how
excuse me, high powered real estate agents, healthcare executive, business leaders,
university presidents, you know, just kind of runs the gamut
of everybody that's you know, making making an impact in Massachusetts.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
And then what's your process like trying to pick and
choose who gets on this list?
Speaker 2 (02:45):
You know, it's really a year long conversation with our
editors and writers and takes a year's worth of conversations
and observations, you know, and understand who's shaping our city
and how they're shaping it exactly. So you know, we're
working the zones of people you know, in the city,
from all walks of life to find out who's making
way right now. There's perennial people who are kind of
always on the list because they're always you know, doing
really important things. But you know, we're really looking for
(03:07):
people who have been wielding their influence in the past
year as well and doing and really making a difference.
We get together, we discuss, and you know, the ranking
does take a while. There are many drafts, you know,
before we arrive at this final list.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
So then let's talk about those perennial people you were
talking about, because you've got people like Governor Moore, healy
on here, Mayor Michelle Wu, You've got some of the
big business owners. Who else is in that sort of
I guess platform of the ones who are obviously going
to be on the list.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Yeah, Well we have people the people who have their
fingerprints on the city year and in year out really
include the builders, you know, and developers. They're really you know,
literally shaping the city through through their developments. So you know,
we have John and Stephen Davis, Jeremy scar from WS Development,
John Fish, and we also also l anthropists, you know,
because they are you know, giving on a regular basis,
(03:56):
and you know people like Abbie Johnson, Jonathan Kraft, et cetera.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Is there anybody that has made it onto the list
that people may be surprised to see?
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Great question? Surprised to see? I think, you know, we
did have and I don't know Nicole has answered that
question for you. But you know, our number one fifty
I think is kind of a bit of a surprise,
which was which was Karen Reid? Obviously her case is
going to trial for the second time, you know, very soon,
(04:28):
and I think that you know, she's she's been kind
of on in everyone's conversations and on a lot of
my old minds lately as that happens for the second time.
So that was our one hundred and fiftieth person on
the list, which was I think a bit of a surprise.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Yeah, I would, I would absolutely have to agree with you.
There she is. She's everywhere. You cannot get away from
Karen Reid no matter how you feel about it. She
is right there in front of all of us, and
we'll be for the next few weeks at the very least. So, yeah,
let's talk about something I noticed here. There's a lot
of on this list, which I really appreciate. How much
(05:03):
does diversity matter to you when you're putting together a list.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Like this, It's it's very important. We want to make
sure that we're representing all of the city, so that
is a it's a very important consideration for us.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Well, then let's talk about some of the new people
who might be on the list too, haven't been there before.
Anybody that people might recognize from around the city that
they say, wait a minute, oh, I see this person
now I appreciate them on the list.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Yeah, I'm trying to think we you know, I'd like
to talk a little bit about highlight number one, because
even though that may not may not be unexpected, I
think it's a really good one to talk about because
we wanted to recognize the Boston Celtics and Wick Grusbek
in particular, because they've had kind of an exceptional year.
(05:49):
You know, they had the twenty twenty four championship win
that electrified the city, and you know, there's obviously been
the big news about the team's future with you know,
recently selling the team to to massachusettstet and Bill Chisholm,
who right now is at California Private equity Exect. So
you know, but Wick isn't walking away. We know that
his succession plan includes a three year transition period, so
(06:12):
he's going to have a big hand in shaping the
team's future. And obviously we can't wait to see if
they'll have another title run in June, so that one
was kind of exciting for us. I wanted to talk
a little bit about, you know, some of our top honorees.
You know, number two we had as a twofer, which
was Sandy and Paul Edgerley, the co founders of the
Quinn House. The reason being that they're quite literally through
(06:32):
their club convening people you know that are making the
biggest impact in business, government, finance, arts, et cetera. The
nonprofit world too, and many people on the list are
actually members. And then of course talking about you know, philanthropy,
we have the founder of the bar Foundation and president
of the Boston Foundation, barbarahas that are and Lee Pelton
respectively at number three and five. So those are some
(06:54):
those are some big ones, you know for sure.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Where and when can people get to the list so
they can and see for themselves.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
So listeners can get the latest issue of Boston Magazine
at their favorite newstand actually right now, it's on newstands.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Today, fantastic, And obviously the list is on the website
as well.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Ah yes, absolutely all right, cool Bostonmagazine dot com.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
And again that's Brittany Jazzna from Boston Magazine. Go check
out the list and have a safe and healthy weekend.
Please join me again next week for another edition of
the show. I'm Nicole Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.
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