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 2025 program will be in-person. Participants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Courtney Balacco, M.Ed.
Framingham Public Schools
John Byrnes, M.A., Ph.D.
Ashland Board of Health
Jessica Cliff, M.S.
Natick Health Department
Alma Cothias, Esq., MBA
Jewish Family Service of Metrowest
Travis Hinton
Wayside Youth and Family Support Network
Kayson Jones, M.A.
Wayside Youth and Family Support Network
Jessica Kirkwood
Open Table
Maria McHugh, M.S.
Framingham Health Department
Vivian Zeng, MPH
Sudbury Health Department
Shaun Adamec
Adamec Communications
Shani Dowd
BU School of Medicine
Brian Mandell, Ph.D.
Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Jack McCarthy, DBA
Boston University School of Management
John McDonough, Dr.PH
Harvard School of Public Health
Jacqueline Murphy, Dr.PH
Curry College
“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.