The next part of the presentation was a captivating discussion with Senate President Harriette Chandler, Worcester CFO Tim McGourthy, Ché Anderson from UMass Chan Medical School, and Tim Murray, President of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce. Each offered a unique perspective on the development in the city, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and creativity in the city. Data driven change and strategic requests to the state set Worcester up for success which is clearly illustrated by its growth. Moreover, recognizing diversity as an asset of the city will allow for further progress. However, several challenges remain; including more effective public transit and expanded housing access for low income residents. Worcester will continue to channel its “collaborative gene” in order to address these future challenges.