We’re excited to welcome these trailblazers to our board. Each shares our vision of equity for all families. Their distinct expertise will greatly enhance our work to empower parents and break down the systemic barriers that affect families.
SOMERVILLE, MASS., May 23, 2018 — Parenting Journey today announced that five new members will join its board of directors: Bithiah Carter, president and CEO, New England Blacks in Philanthropy; Kate Guedj, vice president and chief philanthropy officer, The Boston Foundation; Robert Lewis, Jr., president, The BASE; Travis McCready, president and CEO, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center; and Jay Youmans, principal, Smith, Costello & Crawford.
“We’re excited to welcome these trailblazers to our board. Each shares our vision of equity for all families. Their distinct expertise will greatly enhance our work to empower parents and break down the systemic barriers that affect families,” said Imari Paris Jeffries, executive director of Parenting Journey.
Bithiah Carter is president and CEO of New England Blacks in Philanthropy, a membership driven organization that brings together Black philanthropists, trustees, and staff of grant making institutions in New England to boost philanthropic efforts that address the needs of Black communities. She focuses on informing, reforming, and transforming the practice of philanthropic giving. Previously, Bithiah has led various local organizations and has served as a consultant in the philanthropic sector, focusing on the needs of children and families in the Greater Boston and surrounding areas. Before entering the non-profit sector, she worked for nearly ten years in the financial services industry in New York, NY and Boston, Mass. In addition, she serves on the boards of several local and national non-profit organizations.
Kate Guedj joined The Boston Foundation in 2000, and is vice president and chief philanthropy officer. She oversees the Foundation’s development efforts and works with donors to help them achieve their charitable and philanthropic goals. In addition, she provides management oversight to the Philanthropic Initiative.
Robert Lewis, Jr., founder and president of The BASE, is a nationally recognized thought leader, public speaker, and passionate advocate for urban youth. He has held various leadership positions at prominent local social services organizations including, the Boston Centers for Youth and Families, National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), City Year Boston, and The Boston Foundation. In 2013, he launched The BASE, an organization that changes the paradigm for urban youth by providing student athletes with opportunities, knowledge, skills and confidence needed to develop a winning game plan for success both on and off the field.
Travis McCready is president and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, a $1 billion public–private partnership with the mission of advancing the life sciences ecosystem in Massachusetts. He directs and oversees the center’s investment strategy, including the agency’s operations, programs, and partnerships. He has shown his dedication to the Boston community as the first Executive Director of the Kendall Square Association, responsible for growing the innovation economy of Kendall Square. McCready served as the Vice President for Programs at The Boston Foundation and has held the COO and CFO positions at the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority.
Jay Youmans is principal of Smith, Costello & Crawford, Massachusetts’ premier public policy law group. He previously served the Baker-Polito Administration as Senior Advisor to the Commissioner and Deputy Chief of Staff at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). Before that, he served the Patrick-Murray Administration as Director of Government Affairs at the DPH and Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. He also served as Deputy Finance Director to former-Governor Deval Patrick.
ABOUT PARENTING JOURNEY
Parenting Journey’s work is inspired by the belief that strong families are the foundation of vibrant healthy communities and the catalyst to ignite social change. The organization is dedicated to providing programs that uplift parents and caregivers and strengthen families and communities, advocating for equitable family policies, and disrupting the social narrative around parenting in poverty.
Parenting Journey envisions a world where all parents and caregivers have access to the resources they need to build resilient families and thrive, no matter their race or socioeconomic background.
For more information, visit www.parentingjourney.org
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