September 14, 2023 / BOSTON, MA – At a meeting held last week, the MassINC Board enthusiastically approved the addition of five new members who will together bring substantial expertise and diversity to the organization across a range of issues and industries (see below for bios):

• Rosalin Acosta, Managing Director, Ernst & Young LLP (EY)
• Katherine Adam, VP, Denterlein 
• Keith Fairey, President & CEO, Way Finders 
• Grace Lee, EVP & MA Regional President, M&T Bank
• Elizabeth Mahoney, VP of Policy & Government Affairs, Massachusetts High Technology Council (MHTC)

“We are honored and humbled that these outstanding civic leaders have joined our Board of Directors,” said Joe Kriesberg, CEO of MassINC. “Their experience, expertise, networks and leadership skills will help us advance our mission to make Massachusetts a place of economic opportunity and civic vitality.” 

The Board also welcomes its new Chair, Eileen O’Connor, a partner in Keyser Public Strategies and a Board member since 2016. Eileen replaces Greg Torres, who sadly passed away this summer. Greg cared deeply about the “common wealth” and his contributions to MassINC are innumerable. He joined the organization in 2007 as President and CEO, and in 2018 transitioned to Chair of the Board – a role he served in until June of this year. Please click here to read a tribute to Greg from MassINC staff. 

“Greg was an extraordinary leader and I am committed to building on the legacy that he built to ensure MassINC’s continued success,” said Eileen O’Connor. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with this outstanding group of current and new board members to strengthen all three components of MassINC – our research, our journalism and our polling – with the goal of making Massachusetts a better place for all.”

About MassINC

Founded in 1996, MassINC is a nonprofit organization that includes a nonpartisan research and policy center, a nonprofit civic news publication (CommonWealth) and the MassINC Polling Group (MPG), a for-profit subsidiary. MassINC’s mission is to make Massachusetts a place of civic vitality and inclusive economic opportunity by providing residents with the nonpartisan research, reporting, analysis, and civic engagement necessary to understand policy choices, inform decision making, and hold the government accountable. We are committed to advancing equitable access to opportunities and resources at MassINC and across the Commonwealth, and to addressing barriers and structural systems that perpetuate inequity. To achieve this, we encourage robust debate, shaped by a wide range of lived experiences and informed opinions. Click here for more info: https://massinc.org/

Bios:

Rosalin Acosta, Managing Director, Ernst & Young LLP (EY)

Rosalin brings to MassINC a deep background in public sector work. In her current role at EY, she works with labor and workforce development leaders to address some of the most difficult obstacles facing state governments. Previously, she served as Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, and was appointed to this position by Governor Charlie Baker. A native of Cuba, Rosalin is a graduate of Wesleyan University and is a recognized leader, public speaker and cultural ambassador on matters of diversity, equity in the workplace, and promoting Latino leadership. She is the recipient of many national and statewide awards for her leadership and dedication to the community. 

Katherine Adam, VP, Denterlein

In her role with Denterlein, a Boston-based public relations firm, Katherine develops communications strategies for clients involving public policy, government relations, and community engagement around some of the most important issues impacting New England and beyond. She advises companies, member associations, and advocacy organizations on both long-term strategic positioning and narrative campaigns, as well as on specific projects requiring legislative or regulatory expertise. Previously, Kat served as a communications director in the Massachusetts State Senate.

Elizabeth Mahoney, VP of Policy & Government Affairs, Massachusetts High Technology Council (MHTC)

Elizabeth is responsible for the development and execution of the Council’s public policy agenda dedicated to advancing Massachusetts’ leadership as a state with a strong and multi-faceted innovation economy and a highly skilled and mobile workforce. Prior to joining the Council, Elizabeth worked in the Office of Governor Charlie Baker as a Deputy Chief of Staff and Policy Director, and then as Senior Advisor to the Governor. For eight years, she managed the development and implementation of the Governor’s policy agenda, working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including business groups and advocacy organizations. She helped to draft and pass major legislative initiatives and played a leadership role in the administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Elizabeth received a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Harvard College.

Keith Fairey, President and CEO, Way Finders

Since 2020, Keith has served as President and CEO of Way Finders, an organization focused on pursuing housing stability and economic mobility outcomes for its clients and communities in Western Massachusetts. Prior to joining Way Finders, Keith was a senior vice president for Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. where he led the management, oversight and strategic guidance of 11 regional market offices across the United States. Keith’s extensive experience in community development and real estate finance, organizational development and strategic planning allowed him to make an impact across Enterprise. Keith has a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in public finance and financial management from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in history education from the University of Delaware.

Grace has more than 25 years of public and private sector leadership experience in Massachusetts, including as a civil rights attorney for the U.S. Department of Education and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. Before joining People’s United in 2014 (which was acquired by M&T last year), she was special counsel and vice chair of the public finance group for Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott in Boston. She also served as general counsel and first deputy treasurer in the State Treasurer’s office. Grace, who received a bachelor’s degree at California State University of Northridge, earned her law degree at New England Law in Boston. She’s on the boards of the Roxbury Community College Foundation, Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, New England Council and others. She’s also an executive member of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable.

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