MassINC has named Aimee Ward Weeden as its new Chief Operating Officer! Aimee currently serves as the Chief of Staff and Policy Director for Secretary of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) Jay Ash. She previously served as Vice President of Finance and Operations at MassINC from 2009 to 2013. Weeden will replace former COO Lauren Louison Grogan, who was recently promoted to President and CEO of MassINC and Publisher of CommonWealth magazine.“I am delighted to welcome Aimee back to the team,” said MassINC
President and CEO, Lauren Louison Grogan. “Aimee’s leadership in non-profit management and fundraising, along with her experience in economic development policy makes her uniquely qualified for this role. Aimee will bring new energy and expertise to our ongoing fundraising and marketing efforts.”
Weeden served under Secretary Ash for over three years managing the day-to-day operations of the executive office and overseeing its external affairs team. “I am thrilled for Aimee, MassINC and the Commonwealth’s Gateway Cities,” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash. “Aimee has been and continues to be a strong leader and champion for these cities. I look forward to our continued collaboration in her new capacity.”
“I am honored to have served in the Baker-Polito administration and I am excited about this new opportunity to return to the state’s leading non-partisan public policy think tank,” said Weeden. “I look forward to helping MassINC President Lauren Louison Grogan increase visibility and support in the business community, and with younger, more diverse audiences.”
In her new role, Aimee will lead MassINC and CommonWealth’s fundraising and marketing strategy in support of the organization’s mission to pursue public policies that create ladders to opportunity for Massachusetts residents.
Sal Lupoli, a pioneering real estate developer who has had great success in the Gateway Cities sees Aimee’s appointment as a tremendous addition to MassINC. “Together with Ben Forman, the Director of the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute, Grogan and Weeden will be a formidable MassINC team ready to work with business leaders and others on the challenges and opportunities in our Gateway Cities,” he said.
Over the past decade, Weeden has worked in the not-for-profit and public sectors. Prior to joining the EOHED, Weeden was Director of Institutional
Advancement at Lahey Health. She began her career in the Massachusetts State Legislature in former Senator Thomas M. McGee’s office.
“Her relationships and experience working with local, state and federal leaders will add value on day one,” said Mayor Kimberley Driscoll of Salem. “This is an exciting new chapter for MassINC and the Gateway Cities. Aimee will be a tenacious leader as MassINC continues its efforts on behalf of our communities.”