Christina Andreoli's influence grows

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By Sam Bonacci

Christina Andreoli's influence has been quietly growing behind the scenes of Worcester -- first in City Hall as the chief of staff for City Manager Mike O'Brien and then as the vice president of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce -- but since taking on the leadership of tourism organizations Destination Worcester and the newly created Discover Central Massachusetts, Andreoli is settling into a highly visible role of promoting the entire Central Massachusetts region.

As the new tourism organization was being established, Andreoli made sure to sow the seeds of collaboration with the various promotional organizations in the area. While such a vast and diverse area has a lot to offer a wide variety of visitors, that is exactly what can make it a challenge to promote if everyone is not moving forward together, she said.

“That's how you get things done. You work with people … and you give and take,” Andreoli said.

Getting things done is a matter of getting the right people on board, she said. When you have influencers working on a project, it moves quickly. Andreoli said she has seen the eagerness to move the city forward in meetings that can be organized on short notice with a wide range of people ready to extol the benefits of Worcester for businesses considering locating within the city.

“That speaks to a city that is moving forward and is aggressive and enthusiastic about its future and what it has to offer,” Andreoli said.

It is that ability to collaborate that has allowed her to get so much done in the city, said Troy Siebels, president and CEO of the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, who chairs the board of Discover Central Massachusetts. She knows everyone, and she has a lot of insight into how the city works politically. It isn't just knowing who to talk to, but it is about making them accountable, just as she makes herself accountable, Siebels said.

“It's not just influence that allows her to get things done, but she is uniquely dependable. If she says she is going to get something done, she will. That gives her a lot of credibility,” he said, adding her friendly nature allows her to make strong connections.

In additional to collaboration, Andreoli stressed the benefit of mentors in the business community. She has formalized her mentor role with her involvement in the Leadership Worcester program as well as running the Women's Leadership Conference.

“I've had some really great mentors in my career who I am able to call and bounce ideas off of,” Andreoli said. “There are many women in the city and in the community that are in those roles who are willing to help shape and guide the next generation of women … There are many women in this community you can lean on to help your flourish and get into those positions.”