Meet the LeadBoston Class of 2022 as they begin their inclusive leadership journey
A new year brings a new class to LeadBoston, YW Boston’s inclusive leadership program. The recently assembled Class of 2022 is made up of 43 mid-to senior-level professionals who, over the course of 11 months, will be equipped with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-centered skills and knowledge. This experience will allow these leaders to create meaningful change and tackle inequity at their respective organizations and the larger Boston community.
As the cohort progresses through the program, they’ll have the opportunity to discuss Boston’s inequities with each other and expert speakers. The LeadBoston Class of 2022, as with previous cohorts, is representative of a variety of professional sectors that make up Boston. This year includes nonprofit (Strong Women, Strong Girls), healthcare (Massachusetts General Hospital), corporate (Reebok), education (Boston University), and government (Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance), among many other sectors. Participating in the program with such a professionally diverse class will allow the leaders to establish bonds and develop a unique network of over 1,000 LeadBoston alumni.
On Wednesday, January 12th the LeadBoston Class of 2022 met for the first time, for their virtual orientation. Here, through facilitated discussion, the group was able to introduce themselves to one another, learn about the logistics of the program, and build connections in breakout rooms as they took their first steps in becoming more inclusive leaders. The cohort then gathered one week later on January 19th for their first program day surrounding the topic of, “Class, Poverty, and Economic Opportunity.”
We look forward to keeping our community updated as the LeadBoston Class of 2022 progresses in their journey throughout the year.
Members of the LeadBoston Class of 2022 expressed their excitement on social media:
I could NOT be more excited and honored to be a part of the @LeadBoston 2022 cohort…you can see me down there getting my caffeine and getting amped to learn and continue to make an impact in this city that I love so very much?! #letsgo #dothework #headupstream #inclusionalways https://t.co/nKbq9bZpSs
— austynellese (@austynellese) January 12, 2022
I am SO honored to be part of the #LeadBoston 2022 cohort. You can see me there in the middle of the screen eating a potato chip and taking it all in. I can’t wait to go on this journey with all of these fellow inclusive leaders. https://t.co/uuGzylvzJb
— Koren Ashley {she/her/hers} (@korenashley) January 12, 2022
Thank you @LeadBoston for a phenomenal day 1 with an incredible group of #Leaders! Building Inclusive Brave Spaces Centered on #Equity #Inclusion #Justice! #LeadBoston @YWBoston pic.twitter.com/aALiz6BAsc
— Craig Martin (@CraigCMartin12) January 12, 2022
I am so excited to be part of the LeadBoston program for 2022! Thank you to @YWBoston for all of the work that your team puts into this program, and for @BostonPrivate and @SVB_Financial for allowing me the opportunity to participate. It’s going to be a great year! https://t.co/OnoITypUc7
— Shannon Saccocia (@ShannonSaccocia) January 18, 2022
Welcome LeadBoston Class of 2022! We look forward to seeing how you advance equity and inclusion in your workplaces, Boston, and beyond.
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Become a part of YW Boston’s LeadBoston program and join a network of over 1,000 inclusive leaders in Boston. During this 11-month program, participants explore and learn how to address barriers to inclusion through facilitated dialogue, expert speakers, and peer learning. Through experiential activities, participants delve into the social, political, and socioeconomic realities of Boston and explore innovative solutions to inequity. Interested in learning more? Reach out to Rachael McCoy, Senior LeadBoston Manager, at rachael@ywboston.org with any questions about the program.