January 2024 Links

Notes from the Executive Director

Hi Leadership MetroWest friends!

Happy 2024! Thanks to all of you who supported Leadership MetroWest and our work in 2023. As an organization, Leadership MetroWest’s New Year’s resolutions include new goals, new programs, and new opportunities to engage with all of you!

The last time we “spoke” was in the lead-up to the Fall Alumni breakfast on “Building Community in the Workplace.” Huge thank you to our speakers, Estela Shingleton (Class of 2012), Jamie Chapman (Class of 2022), Kevin Lopez (Class of 2019), and David Baldwin (Class of 2011). And perhaps an even bigger thank you goes out to our three breakfast sponsors – Damianos Photography, The Learning Center for the Deaf, and Harrington Heep.

What’s new for LMW and the Academy? On January 11th, the Leadership Academy met for our first session of 2024. The class started the day with time set aside to “close out 2023 and intention set for 2024.” In doing so, class members responded to the following questions (which I hope you’ll consider answering for yourself)!

• 2023 in Review: What new habits did you start? What did you let go of? What energized you? What drained you? What were you the most proud of this year? Who or what had the biggest impact on your life this year?
• Prep for 2024: How do you intend to be different at the end of this year? What will you do to step out of your comfort zone? How will you take care of yourself?

We then spent the day exploring the “Art & Culture Community in MetroWest” and the role played by local partners and municipal government in supporting and promoting this community. Our day included visits to the Hopkinton Center for the Arts and ātac, a panel discussion with local leaders, and ended with an opportunity to participate in the Framingham History Center’s community mural project: “Framingham’s Collective Journeys: Stories of Immigration, 1960 – Present.” All in all, a full and exciting day!

Alumni events on the horizon? Yes! Please save Thursday, February 29th (date still TBC) from 5:30-7:30 PM for a Leadership MetroWest AlumNight at the Danforth Art Museum and Thursday, May 9th from 8-10 AM for our Spring Alumni Breakfast at Framingham State University. Official invites to follow!

Sending positive vibes,

Brandon

P.S. Alumni, please join our Leadership MetroWest Alumni Facebook Group to stay up to date! https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeadershipMetroWestAlumni/

Academy Day!

The Arts & Culture panel included Janelle Codianni, Executive Director of ātac, Jessica Roscio, Museum Director & Curator of the Danforth Art Museum (Class of 2024), Mauricio Perea, Chair of the Framingham Cultural Council, and Jason Daniels, Executive Director of Access Framingham (Class of 2023).

Spring Breakfast!

Save the date for the Spring Breakfast!

More details are on the way, but nominations are OPEN!

Do you have someone you would like to nominate for the 2025 Leadership MetroWest Academy Class? Fill out the form below, and we'll reach out!

Consider inviting them to the Spring Breakfast on 05/09/2024 to meet the current class, our alumni, and engage in inspiring speakers and conversation!

Nomination Form

Can't make the Spring Breakfast?

We'd love your financial support to continue building great leaders in the MetroWest.

A donation today helps ensure that we are able to continue that mission.

Consider a donation!

We need your support

BRANDING & LOGO DESIGN:

Are you an alumn with experience in the area of branding and logo design? We'd love your support! Please reach out to Jamie Chapman, Communications Chair, at [email protected]

REVENUE COMMITTEE:

Do you or someone you know have a natural ability or interest in building community connections, thinking creatively, and fundraising for a cause? Help advance the mission of Leadership MetroWest by joining the Revenue Committee!

We are seeking new members to help us strengthen Leadership MetroWest’s financial growth by engaging our corporate and community partners as well as our ever-growing alumni association. Time commitment is minimal, including monthly meetings.

If interested, please reach out to Stephanie Esposito at [email protected]

PROGRAM COMMITTEE:

We'd love to have you join the Program Committee!

If interested, please reach out to Jen Moran at [email protected]

Alumni in the News

• Thom Begin (Class of 2018):?Has left his position with the Capitol Facilities of Fram Public Schools and is now Assistant Town Manager in Whitinsville.
• Bonnie Mitchell (Class of 2009): has come out of retirement after 20 years as Dean of FSU Library to take on a new position of manager of Collections and Outreach for Framingham History Center, working with FHC exec dir Anna Tucker (Class of 2024).
• Brandon Portillo (Class of 2022) has joined the board of directors of Framingham History Center, where he joins Jake Tosti and Yemi Ajao (both also Class of 2022), Patti McCarthy (class of 2019) and Susan Nicholl (Class of 2005).
• Nick Jennings (Class of 2023) has left MetroWest Care Connection to become Director of Operational Compliance at SMOC.
• Amy Miller (class of 2019) has left her position as Director of Annual Giving at MetroWest YMCA to become Director of Development at Family Promise MetroWest.

Learn more about Leadership MetroWest.