
How We Support the MetroWest Health Leadership Program
The MetroWest Health Leadership Program is a six-month knowledge and skill-building program designed to change the way local health executives, managers and officials think and act as leaders. Through a curriculum that includes presentations, discussion and group work, participants gain a better understanding of their own leadership styles and how they can use their leadership skills to improve health and human services in their communities. Classes are taught by leading experts in their respective fields of knowledge.
Ten individuals comprise each class, which runs from January through June. In addition, students participate in a project that seeks to build on classroom work through the creation of a strategic and creative solution to a local health issue.
Individuals who work for a nonprofit or municipal health/human service organization serving the MetroWest region are eligible to apply. The ideal candidate is someone in a mid- to senior-level position who is passionate about learning from and with other leaders in the region. The foundation encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
The foundation covers all costs of the program, including meals, retreat lodging and supplies. Applicants are expected to attend six day-long classes, held on Wednesdays, as well as a Friday night through Saturday afternoon retreat in late January
The 2022 program will be in-person. Participants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Suzanne Baker, MS
Assistant Director of Development and Public Relations
Needham Community Council
Olivia Dufour
Tobacco Control Program Manager
Framingham Health Department
Gail Gregory, MBA
Manager, Volunteer Services & Community Engagement
Jewish Family Service of Metrowest
Rajit Gupta, MPH
Director of Public Health
Ashland Health Department
Irena Kart-Tsirulnik
Peer Support Coordinator
Advocates, Inc.
Lorraine McNally, MPA
Assistant Director/Program Developer
Natick Council on Aging
Allison O’Connell, MA
Clinical Director
Advocates, Inc.
Annie Pham, MHSA
Program Manager
Community Care Cooperative
Hannah Tavares
Health Inspector
Milford Board of Health
Shaun Adamec
Adamec Communications
Joel Barrera
Massport
Candice Belanoff, ScD
Boston University School of Public Health
Shani Dowd
Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation
Brian Mandell, Ph.D.
Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Jack McCarthy, DBA
Boston University School of Management
“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”
- Rosalynn Carter

Interested in Becoming a Health Leader?
For more information about our Health Leadership Program, contact Rebecca Donham at rdonham@mwhealth.org.