Statement by MASSCreative Executive Director Emily Ruddock on Boston Foundation’s aPPOINTIMENT OF M. Lee Pelton AS President & CEO

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Written By Kelsey Rode

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BOSTON (12/2/20) - The Boston Foundation has announced that M. Lee Pelton will serve as its next president and chief executive officer.


MASSCreative Executive Director Emily Ruddock issued the following statement in response:

“This is wonderful news, and we congratulate Lee Pelton as well as The Boston Foundation. The demands placed on our communities by the COVID-19 pandemic are unrelenting. Continuing to adapt to those needs while also planning for a comprehensive recovery that will include people of all races, genders, backgrounds, abilities, and occupations requires bold, visionary leadership from our institutional leaders. 

Throughout his career, Lee has been just that sort of leader in education, philanthropy, racial equity, economic development, and the arts—where he has demonstrated a deep understanding of the vital role that cultural engagement plays in all aspects of civic and community life. MASSCreative is grateful for the partnerships we have developed with Lee and with Emerson College under Lee’s leadership. We have no doubt that Lee will lead with the knowledge that recovery from the pandemic requires support for art, culture, and the humanities— which bring joy, contemplative moments, and connection to our lives even as they scale the impact of economic development, education, and public health and well-being. 


MASSCreative looks forward to working with Lee in his new role.” 


About MASSCreative


MASSCreative works with artists, cultural councils, arts organizations and the broader creative community to build a Commonwealth where arts and creativity are an expected, recognized, and valued part of everyday life. Working with our coalition of 400 arts and cultural organizations and artists from across the Commonwealth, MASSCreative uses public education and awareness, grassroots organizing, advocacy campaigns, and other civic and political engagement to ensure that arts, culture, and creativity are considered when important policy and political decisions get made at the state and local level.

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Kelsey Rode
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