BOSTON-Thursday, January 24, 2008-Gov. Deval Patrick today appointed 10 persons to the Commonwealth Service Corps Board, which will oversee his statewide volunteer effort, according to a press release from his office.
The appointees include Ron Ancrum, president of Associate Grant Makers; Lucas Guerra, founder of ARGUS; Madhue Shridar, president of the Ajshaya Patra Foundation USA; Waleska Lugo-DeJesus; and Lisa Wong, mayor of Fitchburg.
Gov. Patrick inducted the leadership team during a State House ceremony before delivering his first State of the Commonwealth address.
In a press statement, he said: "The wealth of experience and leadership skills they bring will help us implement a program that attracts individuals to service and helps generate a real difference in communities across Massachusetts."
Governor Patrick created the Commonwealth Corps as his first initiative when he took office last year. According to the press release, the Corps' mission is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages and backgrounds in direct service, to rebuild communities through mentoring underprivileged children, assisting the elderly, cleaning up parks and beaches, and other activities.
In addition, the Corps will recruit and organize volunteers with the hope of increasing membership to 1,000 volunteers.
Corps members will have diverse backgrounds, be 18 or older, and range from students to mid-career workers to retirees.
They will volunteer for at least one year of service to a nonprofit organization, civic initiative or public entity, providing direct service to people or communities in need, on a part- or full-time basis.
The appointees are:
Ron Ancrum, president, Associated Grant Makers - Ron Ancrum is the president of Associated Grant Makers, an organization dedicated to supporting effective philanthropic giving. Most recently, Ancrum was director of client services and senior consultant at Third Sector New England, a management support organization to non-profit foundation and volunteer organizations. Ancrum has held various leadership and management positions, including interim president of Roxbury Community College and interim manager at Freedom House. In addition to bringing a wide network of non-profit organizations and philanthropic institutions, Ancrum will provide the board with expertise in crafting and reading grants.
Robert Ansin, founder and president, MASSINNOVATION LLC - Rob Ansin founded MASSINNOVATION LLC, a smart-growth real estate development and investment firm, created with a new concept in mixed-use residential and lifestyle centers that embody sustainable development principles. Among the numerous boards and commissions he dedicates his time to, Ansin currently chairs Lawrence-based Notre Dame High School's community campaign and sits on the Essex National Heritage Commission and the board of the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club.
Maureen Curley, president and CEO, Workforce Strategies - Maureen Curley heads Workforce Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in volunteer resource management and workforce recruitment and development. Additionally, she works for Campus Compact, a national coalition dedicated to promoting civic engagement in higher education. Curley has also served as executive director of the Massachusetts Service Alliance, the nonprofit state agency dedicated to creating, promoting and supporting volunteer opportunities throughout the state. Prior to her current work, Curley was a consultant for clients including Temple University's Center for Intergenerational Learning and the AARP. Curley also helped craft the Commonwealth Corps legislation.
Lucas Guerra, founder, ARGUS - Lucas Guerra is the founder, principal and creative director of ARGUS, the only Latino full-service advertising agency in Boston. Guerra has extensive experience in multicultural marketing and advertising and is recognized for his leadership and community involvement. Before founding ARGUS, Guerra launched the graphic design firm Connexus, focused on serving the needs of publishers of architecture-related publications. Guerra serves on several nonprofit boards and is a founding member of OISTE, a Massachusetts Latino political organization.
Waleska Lugo-DeJesus, development and special events coordinator, YMCA of Greater Springfield - Waleska Lugo-Dejesus is the membership director of the YMCA of Greater Springfield. This historic institution has provided critical services for over 150 years to the Pioneer Valley community. Waleska is also on the board of Partners for Healthier Communities.
Mary Jane Powell, co-founder and treasurer, Powell Corporation - MJ Powell, longtime political activist, is a member and treasurer of the Massachusetts Democratic Party. She is especially committed to electing women to political office and was a co-founder and treasurer of Powell Corporation, a specialty nonwoven manufacturing company in Haverhill. She has served as a member of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Massachusetts Advisory Council, and was the Massachusetts co-chair for the White House Conference on Small Business. Powell recently received the Eleanor Roosevelt 2007 Award from the Massachusetts Democratic Party and the Agenda Latina "Maria Garcia Liriano 2007 Award."
David Roach, principal, Nativity School of Worcester - David Roach is a life-long educator, currently heading the Nativity School of Worcester, a tuition-free, independent middle school designed for inner-city youth. Previoiusly, Roach worked as a superintendent, leading the Millbury Public Schools for more than a decade and the Tantasqua Regional School District for five years before that. He is a strong advocate for service-learning, having initiated a nationally-recognized service-learning program in both districts and having served on the Advisory Committee on Service Learning to the state Board of Education. Additionally, Roach was engaged in crafting the legislation establishing the Commonwealth Corps.
Madhue Shridar, president, Ajshaya Patra Foundation USA - Madhue Shridar currently leads the Ajshaya Patra Foundation, a leading nonprofit organization providing mid-day meals to underserved students in government schools in India. Shridar is well known for her former role as president of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, where she led 59 local chapters throughout the Commonwealth to encourage informed and active participation of citizens in government and to influence public policy through education and advocacy. While with the League, Shridar prepared the historic Massachusetts Voters' Bill of Rights to ensure voters clearly understand their voting rights and launched several initiatives to empower young voters and future leaders.
Tim Sullivan, AFL-CIO - Tim Sullivan is the legislative and communications director for the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, the youngest director in the 50-year history of the merged state AFL-CIO. Sullivan has an extensive background in community organizing, having served as the union's public affairs coordinator for nearly three years and working as a regional field director and staffer for several campaigns. Sullivan also brings business experience to the board, having worked as manager for the CIGNA Corp. Human Resources and Operations Leadership Development Program. Sullivan will serve as the designated seat for the AFL-CIO.
Meg Vaillancourt, executive director, Red Sox Foundation - Meg Vaillancourt is the senior vice president for corporate relations with the Boston Red Sox and executive director of the Red Sox Foundation, the team's charity branch. Since 2004, Vaillancourt has worked together with Red Sox leadership, business partners, players and their wives, managers and coaches, staff and fans to support a variety of nonprofit organizations serving children throughout New England. The foundation provides support to over 800 nonprofit groups, and has become the largest team foundation in all of Major League Baseball. A former Boston Globe and television news reporter, Vaillancourt has dedicated herself to service, working for the New England Patriots and the Kraft Group before joining the Red Sox. She has worked to support the many philanthropic activities of the Kraft family, including the Patriots Charitable Foundation.
Lisa Wong, mayor of Fitchburg - Lisa Wong is serving her first term as mayor of Fitchburg, a city of 40,000 residents. As mayor, she oversees a $95 million budget and 1,200 municipal employees. Before she was elected, Wong was executive director of the Women's Institute for Housing and Economic Development and previously worked for the Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority for five years. After graduating from Boston University, Wong's work took her around the world, including human rights work in Australia and a semester teaching global economics at the University of Wyoming . Wong will serve as the designated seat for the Mass Municipal Association.
Source: EthnicNewz.com
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