Dear Friend of MassINC,

We have big news! Lauren Louison Grogan has been named the next President of the Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth (MassINC), the publisher of CommonWealth magazine, and a member of The MassINC Polling Group Board of Directors. Ann-Ellen Hornidge, Chair of the MassINC Board of Directors, and outgoing President Greg Torres announced the appointment this morning. She is the first woman to lead the twenty-three year old nonprofit.

Over the past eight years, Louison Grogan served as Chief Operating Officer at MassINC where she headed the organization’s development, public policy, research, and civic engagement agendas. Prior to joining MassINC, Lauren was senior vice president at Solomon McCown & Company, where she founded and led the national public affairs practice. Previously, she led the urban-policy think tank CEOs for Cities. Lauren’s career, and her interest in public policy, began while working for Boston Mayor Kevin White.

“I am honored and excited to lead MassINC’s extraordinary team. The Institute’s rigorous journalism, nonpartisan research, data analysis, and polling have never been more relevant. MassINC and CommonWealth will continue to be places where voices from all sides and perspectives can be heard, where bold ideas can surface and be debated. Our mission, to identify and promote public policy that creates pathways to economic opportunity, makes MassINC uniquely positioned to contribute ideas that will help the entire Commonwealth participate in greater Boston’s robust economy. It is an exciting time to lead MassINC, particularly when I look across the landscape of willing and generous partners.”

Current Board Chair and partner at Mintz Levin, Ann-Ellen Hornidge stated, “The MassINC Board of Directors is grateful to Greg Torres for his eleven years of leadership as the president of MassINC and the publisher of CommonWealth.  Among Greg’s many accomplishments during his tenure has been his vision in bringing MassINC, particularly CommonWealth, into prominence through digital media, the creation of the MassINC Polling Group, and the launch of the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute.” Hornidge added, “Seamless leadership transitions are crucial to the stability of nonprofit organizations and we are very lucky to have Greg stepping up as MassINC’s next Chair, and luckier still that Lauren will be assuming the mantle as our fourth president and publisher. I look forward to working with them as a member of the Board of Directors.”

Hornidge has served as MassINC’s Board Chair since 2007. She is currently the Chair of the Lahey Health System Board and, upon regulatory approval of the merger, will become Chair of the Beth Israel Lahey Health Network Board. Greg Torres announced, “On behalf of the entire MassINC team, I extend our sincere gratitude to Ann-Ellen Hornidge for her service as Chair of the Board of Directors.”

Looking to the future, Torres is appreciative to have Louison Grogan assume this new role in the organization, saying “In Lauren we will have a passionate, experienced and collaborative leader, dedicated to MassINC’s mission and values. With her appointment, MassINC will continue to build on the positive momentum we’ve achieved together.”

Two MassINC board members, Juliette Kayyem and Jennifer Nassour, who served on the committee that recommended Louison Grogan to succeed Torres, pointed to the importance of promoting skilled, experienced women to leadership roles in Massachusetts. “Her national urban policy and private sector experience will help catalyze new opportunities and partnerships for MassINC, the MassINC Polling Group, and CommonWealth magazine,” said Kayyem. “The thing I like about Lauren,” said Nassour, “is her intelligence and unwavering commitment to non-partisan solutions to the challenges facing Massachusetts.”

Lisa Wong, MassINC Board Member and former Mayor of Fitchburg, said that Louison Grogan’s appointment is great news for Gateway Cities. “I know Lauren, I’ve worked with Lauren, and nobody understands the Gateway Cities better,” she said. “I could not be happier to support her in this historic leadership role.”

– The MassINC Family