BOSTON – The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, the non-profit responsible for the management and care of The Greenway, announced new leadership of its volunteer Board of Directors, as well as the election of one new member.
The new Chair of the Board will be Doug Husid, Director at Goulston & Storrs. John Shea, Chief Information Officer at Eaton Vance Corp., will serve as the new Vice Chair. Karen Johnson, Managing Director at DebtX, will be the new Treasurer, and Susanne Lavoie, Executive Director of the Wharf District Council, will be the new Clerk. The new member joining the board is Linda See, Senior Manager at KPMG.
“The Conservancy’s efforts to set the standard for great public spaces continues to transform Boston’s cityscape and competitiveness,” said Doug Husid. “I look forward to working with the Board and staff in the years ahead.”
Continuing on the Board but stepping out of current leadership roles are Chair Jim Kalustian, Vice Chair Kathryn Burton, and Treasurer+Clerk Bud Ris. This leadership team has overseen enormous progress by the Conservancy:
● The negotiation of a landmark multi-party funding agreement signed in 2017 that solidified State support and brought new funding from the City and adjacent property owners (via the Greenway BID).
● The renovation, endowment, and naming of the Carolyn Lynch Garden on The Greenway.
● National acclaim for Greenway public art, including more Americans for the Arts awards
than any other nonprofit.
● The opening of the first park beer garden in Boston, the enormously popular Trillium
Garden in partnership with the award-winning local brewery.
● The 10th anniversary celebration of The Greenway in 2019, which included new lighting
shows at the signature Rings Fountain, the creation of a wildflower meadow, and the
introduction of the first beehives in a Boston public park.
“It has been a great honor to lead the Conservancy Board along with Kathryn and Bud,” said Jim Kalustian, Chair of the Greenway Conservancy Board. “I’m excited to help build on the momentum for the next 10 years.”
At its December 17, 2019 meeting, the Greenway Conservancy Board of Directors approved its new leadership slate as of January 1, 2020:
Doug Husid, Director, Goulston & Storrs
Mr. Husid, who served for 18 years as Co-Managing Director of Goulston, is focused on
real estate, development, public-private partnerships, transportation, and medical and
educational institutions. Before joining Goulston, Mr. Husid served for four years as Chief
of Staff for the Massachusetts Executive Office Of Transportation and Construction
(EOTC), where he supervised and coordinated the agency’s legal, policy and
administrative staff and oversaw its environmental, legislative and regulatory activities. Mr.
Husid is a current Board member of A Better City and CERES, and a former Board
Member of the Massachusetts Port Authority. He has served on the Conservancy Board
since 2018.
John Shea, Chief Information Officer of Eaton Vance Corp.
Mr. Shea joined Eaton Vance in 2006, where he is a member of the executive team. John
was awarded Boston Business Journal’s 2013 CIO of the Year Award. Before joining
Eaton Vance, his experience includes time with MFS Investment Management and in the
United States Navy. John serves on several other nonprofit Boards, including those of
Anna Maria College and First Literacy. Mr. Shea has served on the Conservancy Board
since 2018 and chairs the Development Committee.
Karen Johnson, Managing Director, Product Sales, DebtX: the Debt Exchange
Ms. Johnson leads DebtX Analytics, which provides valuations and analytics on more than
$12 trillion in assets annually, working with hedge funds, global insurance companies, real
estate debt funds, banks, and government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) to help them
better understand the risks and opportunities in their portfolios. She is also a Board
Member for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. Ms. Johnson has served on
the Conservancy Board since 2017; she chairs the Investment Committee and co-chairs
the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee.
Susanne Lavoie, Executive Director of the Wharf District Council
Ms. Lavoie, the Executive Director of the Wharf District Council since 2010, is a branding
strategy expert. She is the President of Identity Marketing and has previously worked in
key positions in brand management for DeSola Group, Verizon, and others. She serves
on multiple nonprofit boards including Friends of Christopher Columbus Park, Plymouth
400 Commission, Downtown Waterfront Operations Board, and previously on the
Barnstable Land Trust. She was a member of the Mayor’s Central Artery Completion Task
Force and has served several stints on the Conservancy Board, most recently since 2016.
Also at the December meeting, the Conservancy Board welcomed Linda See. Ms. See, a certified public accountant, is a senior manager in Risk Management at KPMG LLP and has over 10 years of experience in Mergers & Acquisitions Tax at KPMG and PwC. Ms. See is a lifelong Boston resident and currently lives in the Leather District with her family. She is a proud parent at the Josiah Quincy Elementary School and Kwong Kow Chinese School, and an active supporter of these and numerous other Chinatown organizations. Ms. See was nominated by the Chinatown Residents Association and joined effective immediately.
The Greenway Conservancy Board also thanked two outgoing Board Members for their generous service. Stepping off the Board as of 12/31/19 are Bryant McBride, CEO and co-founder of Burst; and Robyn Reed, Park Art Curator for Friends of Christopher Columbus Park.
“I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to work with these dedicated board officers and
members,” said Jesse Brackenbury, Executive Director of the Greenway Conservancy. “Their leadership has allowed the Conservancy to grow The Greenway as a destination for all.”
The Greenway is the contemporary public park in the heart of Boston. The Greenway welcomes millions of visitors annually to gather, play, unwind, and explore. The Greenway Conservancy is the non-profit responsible for the management and care of The Greenway.
