Carter, Garrahan & Kley Join Foundation For MetroWest Board

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NATICK – The Foundation for MetroWest, the only community foundation serving the MetroWest region of Greater Boston, announced today, December 321, that three community members are joining its Board of Trustees.

They are:

• Charles E. Carter, Jr., Ph.D., LICSW, Senior Evidence Director at Project Evident and Ashland resident
• Katherine Garrahan, Partner at Bowditch & Dewey and Framingham resident
• Margaret Kley, community advocate and Wellesley resident.  

The trio’s individual perspectives and collective experience will help the Foundation advance its goal of maintaining and improving the quality of life for all residents of the region, said the Foundation in a press release.

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“Ensuring our Board of Trustees incorporates a broad range of perspectives and reflects the communities we serve is critically important to fulfilling the Foundation’s mission,” said Judy Salerno, executive director of the Foundation for MetroWest. “Charles, Katherine, and Margaret each bring distinct qualities and important insights that will enhance our organization and help us support the remarkable nonprofits that make MetroWest a great place to live.” 

Carter, Jr. is a Senior Evidence Director at Project Evident, a national organization that harnesses the power of evidence to improve outcomes for communities. He has more than 20 years of experience working with children and families with limited resources and influence. He approaches this work with equal parts curiosity, humility, passion and humor, aiming to positively impact the systems and organizations that work on behalf of vulnerable populations. Carter was previously Deputy Director and Chief Strategy Officer at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, where he led the creation of a learning strategy and built the capacity of individuals, organizations, and systems to drive and scale innovation on the ground. He earned his master’s degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Ph.D. in Social Work from Boston College. He lives in Ashland with his wife Robyn and their two children. 

“The Foundation for MetroWest has proven over 25 years that it is committed to supporting the region’s vulnerable residents and connecting our community’s needs with the organizations that can help to address them,” Carter said. “I have spent my career pursuing this same mission, and I am eager to work with the Foundation to provide help and hope to those who need it the most.” 

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Garrahan is a Partner at Bowditch & Dewey, LLP, focusing on helping commercial, nonprofit and institutional clients address land-use, zoning, permitting, acquisition, financing, and leasing matters. Her experience bridges many sectors, including schools, clinics, social services, multi-family, and specialty facilities. Garrahan has served on the Board of Directors for MetroWest Legal Services since 2003 and is currently its President. She is a Past Chair of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, where she also chaired its Public Policy Committee for several years, and currently serves as General Counsel. Additionally, Garrahan serves as a Board Member of the Alliance for MetroWest Unity and MetroWest Medical Center. 

“Having a strong community foundation is essential to the success of any region,” Garrahan said. “The Foundation has helped MetroWest improve and grow while ensuring it remains an inclusive, supportive place for all who call it home. I look forward to using my skills to help expand opportunity and prosperity for my neighbors throughout the community.” 

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Kley has volunteered on the Board of the New England Tennis and Education Foundation and has been a volunteer tutor in Boston Public Schools and at the Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center in Dorchester, as well as in the town of Wellesley. She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in chemistry and from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. Kley and her husband live in Wellesley, where they have raised their two college-aged boys. 

“MetroWest’s deep-seated spirit of volunteerism is a key part of its culture and character,” Kley said. “The Foundation for MetroWest understands how important community engagement and involvement are to overall quality of life. I will work with the Foundation to continue connecting the needs of our neighbors with the people and organizations who seek to meet them.” 

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Established in 1995, the Foundation for MetroWest is the only community foundation serving the cities and towns in the region, encompassing 700,000 residents from Westborough to Waltham and Acton to Walpole. The Foundation promotes philanthropy across the area, helps donors maximize the impact of their local giving, serves as a resource for local nonprofits and enhances the quality of life for all our residents. The Foundation is supported by a wide range of businesses, individuals, community groups and other philanthropic organizations. Since inception, the Foundation has granted $19 million to its nonprofit partners and currently stewards more than $26 million in charitable assets for current needs and future impact.