Author: EIN Newswire

CANTON, MA, UNITED STATES, January 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP, an accounting and business consulting firm based in Canton, MA, has announced that Heather Morse, CPA, has joined the firm as a Director in the Audit & Assurance department. In her new role, Morse will oversee complex audit engagements, manage client relationships, and ensure the delivery of high-quality assurance services that meet regulatory standards and client expectations.

“We are very fortunate to have a professional with Heather’s expertise and experience join our team,” said James DeLeo, MBA, CPA/MST, Gray, Gray & Gray’s Leading Partner. “Heather has a proven track record of success in guiding and advising clients, and in using audit data to help reveal a more confident path forward.”

Heather Morse began her career at PwC, where she spent 28 years in the firm’s audit department, rising to Director in the Chief Auditor Network and guiding the development of innovative auditing practices.

Morse is a graduate of Lehigh University, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Accounting. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of CPAs.

Gray, Gray & Gray recently reaffirmed its intention to remain an independent firm amid widespread consolidation in the accounting industry, citing its 80-year history of success as proof of the value of autonomy and a people-first approach.

The firm is ranked among the country’s Top 200 accounting firms by INSIDE Public Accounting magazine, which also named them to their “Best of the Best” list as one of the nation’s best-managed firms. The firm serves clients in a broad range of industries. Gray, Gray & Gray is a member of CPAmerica Inc., one of the largest associations of independent accounting firms in the United States. For additional information, call (781) 407-0300 or visit www.gggllp.com.

Laura Hampe
Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP
781-407-0300
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A free 2-day conference on February 20-21, 2026, in Birmingham, AL, designed to support and connect LGBTQ+ founders, entrepreneurs & aspiring business owners.

BIRMINGHAM, AL, UNITED STATES, January 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — RSVP Today! The Rainbow Ventures Summit, Alabama’s premier LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurship Conference, returns for another year of connection, inspiration, and empowerment on Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21, 2026 in Birmingham, AL. This *free* event is designed to connect and support LGBTQ+ founders and CEOs of startups and small businesses while fostering a vibrant and inclusive entrepreneurial community.

The Rainbow Ventures Summit provides a platform for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to thrive by offering valuable insights, expanding professional networks, and creating a supportive environment. Open to everyone who champions diversity and entrepreneurship, this event promises to deliver actionable takeaways and meaningful connections.

What to Expect:
– Insights from Industry Experts: Gain knowledge from experienced professionals who will share insights into various aspects of entrepreneurship, such as marketing, sales, access to capital, and navigating regulatory requirements.

– Networking Opportunities: Connect with LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and potential collaborators who share your passion for innovation.

– Vendor Tables: Entrepreneurs can showcase their products and services at no cost, engaging with potential customers and partners to form valuable relationships.

– Pitch Competition: Early-stage entrepreneurs will have the chance to present their business ideas, receive constructive feedback, and compete for exciting prizes.

Event Details:
Date: February 20-21, 2026
Location: Birmingham, AL
Cost: Free, with complimentary meals provided, including coffee, lunch, snacks, and beverages.

Sponsorship Opportunities:
The Rainbow Ventures Summit is actively seeking sponsors dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusivity in the business community. Interested sponsors can contact Elizabeth or Anna at techequalsadmin@techbirmingham.com for more information.

Register to attend here: https://www.rainbowventuressummit.com.

Join us on February 20-21, 2026, at Innovation Depot as we celebrate diversity, empower LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, and fuel innovation in Alabama’s business ecosystem.

CONTACT:
Tech Equals Board Members
Email: techequalsadmin@techbirmingham.com

About Tech Equals:
The purpose of Tech Equals is to provide visibility and voice to the LGBTQ members of central Alabama’s tech community. To do this, the organization will aim to provide resources, support, and professional networking in a safe and affirming environment. In addition, this group will spearhead larger community efforts around the issues that most impact LGBTQ members by leading public discussions and forums, being involved in citywide inclusivity efforts, and serving as our tech community’s proponent for LGBTQ-inclusive, statewide non-discrimination laws.

Tech Equals’ vision is to become Alabama’s leading professional organization for LGBTQ visibility, inclusivity, and advocacy in the technology and tech-adjacent community. Tech Equals is a partner affinity group of TechBirmingham.

About The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham:
The Community Foundation was founded in 1959 by a group of generous, dedicated leaders, and though the issues facing our community change over time, our commitment remains the same. We are here to empower people, ignite passion, and pursue our vision of a brighter future and a Greater Birmingham. The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham was built on, and continues to thrive on, the idea that together, we have the power to create transformational change. We work every day to take on the fundamental issues that challenge the growth and success of the people in our communities, supporting those in need in our five-county region and supporting those who support others.

About City of Birmingham:
The City of Birmingham is a major economic and cultural hub in Alabama and the southeastern United States. Committed to fostering innovation, economic development, and inclusive growth, Birmingham actively supports entrepreneurship and small business development as key drivers of community prosperity. Through various initiatives and partnerships, the city works to create opportunities for all residents and ensure Birmingham remains a vibrant place to live, work, and build businesses.

About Innovation Depot:
Our vision is for Innovation Depot to be recognized as one of the best incubators in the country, where entrepreneurs pursue their startup dreams, build dynamic teams, and contribute to the growth of Birmingham. We aim to be the go-to destination for every tech enthusiast in the city, fostering a vibrant community of founders, startup employees, investors, and supporters. We want our building to feel like home, a place where countless hours are spent turning ideas into reality, and where everyone feels welcomed and valued.

About LunarLab:
LunarLab is a product strategy and design studio based in Birmingham, Alabama. With decades of experience, they help companies of all sizes turn their biggest software challenges into their proudest achievements. Their core service offerings include product strategy, UX and UI design, project management, and user research. As a woman-owned small business and a Certified B Corporation, they’re also invested in ensuring that their work achieves positive social and environmental impact. Learn more at www.lunarlab.io

About The Founders Playground LLC:
The Founders Playground LLC is a management consulting and fractional program coordinator provider dedicated to advancing economic development through innovative, inclusive practices. Offering services like entrepreneurial program development, technical assistance, grant writing, and accelerator implementation, the firm empowers startups and small businesses. Guided by values of courage, accessibility, and belonging, The Founders Playground partners with organizations to make entrepreneurship accessible and impactful.

Tech Equals Board Members
Tech Equals
email us here

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A purpose-built intelligence platform redefining strategic physician workforce planning

CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, January 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — 3Dhealth, the definitive partner for hospitals and health systems navigating the complexities of Provider Development Planning, today announced the launch of a custom build of 3Dperspectives, a proprietary intelligence platform created exclusively for healthcare leaders seeking strategic clarity in physician workforce planning.

Following a successful design phase, development begins this month with a projected 16-week build timeline. Once complete, 3Dperspectives will integrate 3Dhealth’s proprietary data and analytics – powered by 3Dhealth’s data engines – into a single, intuitive environment. The platform is designed to deliver dynamic insights that support Provider Development Planning, Community Need Assessments, and systemwide strategic initiatives.

“At 3Dhealth, we believe every community deserves access to the right physicians,” said Ron Flower, President and Chief Executive Officer of 3Dhealth. “3Dperspectives was built to think the way healthcare leaders do, uniting data precision, strategic context, and intuitive design to illuminate opportunity and guide confident decision-making.”

Rather than adapting a pre-packaged business intelligence tool, 3Dhealth made a deliberate choice to pursue a custom-built solution – one engineered for the realities of healthcare strategy and the complexity of provider planning. The decision reflects the firm’s commitment to building tools that go beyond dashboards, enabling hospitals and health systems to align physician supply, market demand, and organizational priorities in one integrated view.

3Dperspectives draws on 3Dhealth’s rigorously modeled national datasets and methodologies, refined through more than two decades of workforce planning experience. Every visualization is designed for decision clarity, helping executives interpret provider need, capacity, and opportunity at a glance. Each implementation will be tailored to reflect the nuances of a client’s service lines, geography, and growth strategy, recognizing that effective provider planning is never one-size-fits-all.

With 3Dperspectives, healthcare leaders will gain a dynamic, interactive view of their physician workforce landscape, combining analytical depth with executive-level usability. Leadership teams can quantify physician need and demand by specialty, anticipate workforce change, model “what-if” scenarios, and make data-driven decisions with confidence.

“The custom development of 3Dperspectives represents more than a product evolution, it’s the next step in our 24-year commitment to helping hospitals and health systems plan with precision, confidence, and purpose,” added Flower. “Our clients don’t just gain access to data, they gain a strategic perspective that helps align resources, strengthen networks, and meet community need.”

For more than two decades, 3Dhealth has helped hospitals and health systems plan smarter, align better, and recruit strategically. By investing in a purpose-built platform, the firm is extending that mission, ensuring its clients not only see their provider landscape clearly, but also act on it with foresight and confidence.

About 3Dhealth
3Dhealth is the definitive partner for hospitals and health systems navigating the complexities of Provider Development Planning. The firm combines the industry’s most accurate data, proven methodology, and expert insight to deliver planning that’s not just smart, but actionable. Powered by its data engines and 3Dperspectives, 3Dhealth equips healthcare leaders with the data, tools, and strategy to ensure every community has access to the right physicians. Learn more at www.3dhealthinc.com

Shane Foreman
3Dhealth
+1 312-423-2671
email us here
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MCZ Development, Farpoint Development secure major retailer for premier Lincoln Park space

CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, January 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — T.J. Maxx will anchor a prominent Chicago retail corridor, signing a 10-year lease for a prime street-level space in a mixed-use property in Lincoln Park.
Farpoint Development and MCZ Development landed the national retailer for 939 W. North Ave., a 200,000 square foot building located at the southeast corner of North Avenue and Sheffield Avenue. MCZ Development has begun a complete modernization of the building constructed in 2002, which will include a new façade and building systems, modern amenities and infrastructure, as well as an enhanced retail presence, with impressive floor-to-ceiling windows.
T.J. Maxx is set to open in Q3 2026.
“We’re thrilled to welcome T.J. Maxx to 939 W. North Avenue,” said Alex Katz, Principal at Farpoint Development. “This lease brings new energy to an already thriving Lincoln Park retail market while solidifying our repositioning strategy. It confirms what we knew all along: our property is a gateway to Lincoln Park’s premier retail corridor.”
“Our team has loved the property and believed in its ability to revitalize the North Sheffield corridor ever since we first walked the space. With its perfect blend of commercial, medical, and office tenants, plus the addition of T.J. Maxx to that mix, we’re excited for how our upcoming modernization plans will enhance the area’s future,” said Curt Bettiker, Managing Partner of North Sheffield, LLC.
T.J. Maxx, one of the nation’s leading off-price apparel and home fashions retailers, is leasing 26,000 square feet. What drew T.J. Maxx to the high-traffic location was the abundant indoor covered parking exclusive to the building, the walkable Lincoln Park neighborhood, excellent public transit access, and the existing retail and dining options.
The development team’s significant investment in the building includes a repositioning strategy focused on attracting quality tenants that will offer diverse retail, lifestyle, and healthcare options. The building’s renovation will preserve the character with the addition of contemporary amenities.
T.J. Maxx will join tenants such as Fitness Formula Clubs, Iteld Plastic Surgery, and Urban Oasis.
Paul Bryant and Jaime Bertsche of Mid-America Real Estate Corporation represented the landlord, and Gary Greenfield and Steven Baer of Metro Commercial Real Estate represented the tenant.

Meghna Krishna Bondili
Farpoint Development
+1 312-971-2525
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HOUSTON, TX, UNITED STATES, January 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — As a global leader in online competitive sports, PitPat continues to redefine how people participate in athletic events. By integrating smart fitness hardware with digital technology, PitPat removes traditional limitations of time, location, and environment, enabling athletes worldwide to compete fairly under a unified system. As 2025 draws to a close, PitPat officially unveils its flagship year-end event — 2025 PitPat Final: Joy to 2026 10km — inviting runners across the globe to bid farewell to the old year and welcome 2026 through a ceremonial 10-kilometer challenge.

Centered on a 10km running format, the event will be open globally from December 29, 2025 to January 11, 2026. A total prize pool of USD 11,000 will be awarded across multiple winning spots to top-performing participants. Results will be evaluated under a unified standard, with male and female athletes ranked separately to ensure fairness and professionalism. To maintain result integrity, the race emphasizes continuous completion, as extended pauses during a run may affect final performance validation. Participants are also encouraged to challenge themselves multiple times throughout the event period, continuously improving personal records and striving for higher-level breakthroughs.

To further enhance the commemorative value of this annual finale, PitPat has prepared exclusive rewards for its core users. Holders of the 2025 Grand Final Pass who successfully register and complete the event will receive a limited-time rare cosmetic reward after the competition concludes, reinforcing the significance and lasting value of this year-end milestone.

At the event launch, PitPat Founder Kevin Zhang shared:

“Joy to 2026 is more than a running challenge — it represents a shared moment of transition with our global community. Through online competitions, PitPat aims to make fitness a more sustainable, long-term, and deeply connected lifestyle. Looking ahead, we will continue investing in technology and event innovation so more people can experience competition that is both authentic and emotionally engaging in the digital world.”

With an open device ecosystem, users can seamlessly connect to the PitPat platform via smart fitness equipment such as DeerRun and SupeRun, enabling real-time data synchronization and full participation in online events. This deep integration bridges home workouts with a global competitive arena, allowing users to experience the intensity and sense of achievement of racing — all within a familiar environment.

The first major advantage of online competitions lies in their ability to truly eliminate geographic and venue barriers. Traditional offline races are often constrained by city locations, travel requirements, and time costs. In contrast, online events allow participants from different countries and time zones to complete challenges within the same event window. Regardless of location, every run is recorded, ranked, and evaluated under the same rules, creating a genuinely global competition and turning sport into a universal language.

The second core advantage is the high level of flexibility in participation. Online events no longer require athletes to be present at a fixed start time. Instead, participants have the freedom to plan their race according to personal schedules and training conditions, completing the challenge without disrupting work or daily life. This low-barrier, highly inclusive format significantly reduces entry difficulty and opens the door for everyday fitness enthusiasts to experience the atmosphere of a formal race.

The third advantage comes from data-driven fairness and transparency. Through smart devices and platform algorithms, PitPat accurately records and analyzes every workout, minimizing uncertainty caused by human intervention. Performance evaluation, ranking logic, and reward distribution are all executed under standardized rules, ensuring that every participant’s effort is authentically reflected. This data-centric competition system not only enhances credibility but also builds long-term trust among users.

About PitPat
PitPat is a global leading online competition platform dedicated to building a digital sports ecosystem across running, cycling, rowing, and more. By connecting smart fitness devices with innovative event mechanisms, PitPat delivers fair, accessible, and immersive online sports experiences for users worldwide, continuously advancing the development of digital fitness and scientific training.

Allison Wilson
JOYFIT
+1 888-625-8777
email us here

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Complementary solutions automate discovery, governance, and enforcement of data sharing and transfer

SAN MATEO, CA, UNITED STATES, January 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Kiteworks, which empowers organizations to effectively manage risk in every send, share, receive, and use of private data, today announced a strategic partnership with Concentric AI to deliver robust capabilities for securing data in motion.

The collaboration addresses the need for organizations to share data outside the enterprise—via file sharing, managed file transfer, SFTP, email, data forms, and APIs—without relinquishing control. Kiteworks’ advanced security capabilities and automated policy enforcement are enhanced with context-based discovery, classification, and data risk insights from data security governance provider Concentric AI, allowing for the application of appropriate layers of security to data records.

Concentric AI secures data at rest, in motion, and across all the GenAI applications users interact with. Its Semantic Intelligence™️ platform uses patented AI to autonomously discover, classify, monitor, and remediate sensitive data across cloud and on-premises environments.

Kiteworks’ Private Data Network consumes Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) labels applied by the Concentric AI platform, which can then be used to create and automatically enforce policies when data is being shared externally. This includes whether it can be copied or downloaded, and how long recipients have access.

“Organizations invest in DSPM to understand their sensitive data, but protecting this data requires comprehensive security data governance,” said David Byrnes, VP of Global Channels at Kiteworks. “Kiteworks transforms Concentric AI data risk insights into automated protection that follows data wherever it travels. Together with Concentric AI, we’re helping customers achieve continuous data protection—from discovery through secure external collaboration.”

“Enterprises struggle not just with discovering sensitive data, but also with maintaining control when that data needs to be shared with partners, customers, or vendors,” said Dhruv Jain, VP of Product at Concentric AI. “Our end-to-end data security governance capabilities combined with Kiteworks’ automated enforcement capabilities help ensure that data classifications drive real-world protection.”

The partnership enables organizations to maximize their data security investments by ensuring that data discovery and risk insights translate into automated protection. When Concentric AI classifies data as “Confidential,” or when it applies compliance labels like “HIPAA” or “GDPR,” Kiteworks automatically enforces appropriate controls—encryption, access restrictions, watermarking, or possessionless editing—when that data is shared externally. This automated governance eliminates manual processes while providing complete audit trails for compliance and security analysis.

Kiteworks and Concentric AI will jointly engage customers through field events, enablement programs, and industry-specific initiatives focused on regulated sectors, including healthcare, financial services, energy, and government. The partnership supports compliance with key frameworks, including HIPAA, GDPR, CMMC, and NIST 800-53, empowering organizations to confidently meet audit and governance requirements while enabling secure external collaboration.

About Kiteworks
Kiteworks’ mission is to empower organizations to effectively manage risk in every send, share, receive, and use of private data. The Kiteworks platform provides customers with a Private Data Network that delivers data governance, compliance, and protection. The platform unifies, tracks, controls, and secures sensitive data moving within, into, and out of their organization, significantly improving risk management and ensuring regulatory compliance on all private data exchanges. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Kiteworks protects over 100 million end-users and over 1,500 global enterprises and government agencies.

About Concentric AI
Concentric AI is intelligent data security made easy. Its Semantic Intelligence™ platform uses context-aware AI to discover sensitive data, monitor risks, automate remediation, simplify compliance, and accelerate investigations. It delivers smart, targeted protection by understanding how data is used, shared, and exposed. Concentric AI also offers managed services to keep security programs lean, scalable, and effective. This end-to-end platform protects data at rest, data in motion, and all the GenAI tools users interact with—so organizations can stay compliant, reduce exposure, and safeguard critical information wherever it lives and however it travels. Concentric AI is venture-backed by leading Silicon Valley VCs and is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. For more information, see https://www.concentric.ai.

David Schutzman
Kiteworks
203-550-8551
email us here
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