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FRAMINGHAM – Leadership MetroWest, a nonprofit community leadership development organization, today is announcing the retirement of longtime Executive Director Helen Lemoine. Lemoine, a graduate of the organization’s flagship Leadership Academy training program in 1993, is retiring on June 30, 2023 after serving in the Executive Director’s position since 2000.
Concurrently with Lemoine’s announcement, the Leadership MetroWest Board of Directors has released a job posting and launched the search process for their next Executive Director.
“Helen Lemoine is a fantastic leader who has served Leadership MetroWest with integrity and years of tangible and impactful results on the MetroWest community,“ said Chris Brown, Chair of the Leadership MetroWest Board of Directors. “Many of our 800+ alumni in the region across the corporate, nonprofit and public sectors are better leaders and managers in their organizations and communities today because of Helen. She has skillfully and thoughtfully guided every class since 2001 through our 10-month Leadership Academy program to develop and encourage local leaders, including the implementation of class projects that have made a real difference for so many in MetroWest. Helen will be greatly missed, and the entire Board and I wish her and her family the best as she begins her retirement on June 30th. Helen and the Board are all deeply committed to the future of the organization, and have worked to begin the process to fill the upcoming Executive Director opening. The job posting is now live. We encourage applications by anyone looking for an outstanding opportunity to join a leading and respected nonprofit who has the skills and drive to team up with the Board to implement their vision, manage our flagship Leadership Academy, interact with alumni, and strengthen community partnerships in order to grow and sustain the next generations of MetroWest leaders.”
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The job posting for Leadership MetroWest’s Executive Director’s position can be found here:
As the Executive Director of an organization with one full-time staff member, this individual will have the responsibility for programming (which includes a 10-month Leadership Academy that meets monthly), revenue generation (including fundraising), communications, and finance, with support and strategic guidance from an engaged board of directors who bring a range of skill sets, perspectives, and geographic and sector diversity.
Applications received by March 31, 2023 will receive first consideration.
“Leading Leadership MetroWest and the Academy for 23 years has been the joy of a lifetime,” said Helen Lemoine, Executive Director, Leadership MetroWest. “Moving the organization in new directions in my early years; developing programs and partnerships; creating an engaging learning environment for Academy days; encouraging hundreds of Academy colleagues to be informed, engaged, connected, inclusive leaders; building relationships with local, regional, and state leaders who became special guest speakers at the Academy and alumni events; working with caring and committed board members; and being part of the organization embracing and acting on equity, inclusion and antiracism as core values and in the Academy curriculum — all are part of my tapestry created from the fabric woven by Leadership MetroWest.”
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Lemoine is an alumna of the organization’s flagship “Leadership Academy”, crediting her involvement in community and civic affairs to that experience. Years later in 2000, Lemoine returned to Leadership MetroWest to serve as Executive Director. Throughout her 23 years in this role, she has served as the only full-time employee overseeing all management operations inclusive of annual Academy visits across the MetroWest and at the State House; organized meetings with legislators; provided professional and personal development programs and networking; and created an online alumni newsletter. Recently, Lemoine led the organization through unprecedented times during the COVID-19 pandemic, refocusing the mission to include commitment, action, and leadership in diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism work and supporting each other throughout the quarantine. Through her dedicated and thoughtful leadership, she has grown the organization into what it is today – a respected nonprofit known for its impactful Leadership Academy and network of more than 800 alumni.
“Helen’s impact can be seen throughout MetroWest,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka, State Senator representing Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway, and Natick. “Literally hundreds of our region’s foremost thinkers and doers attended the Leadership Academy during the 23 years that she served as its executive director. Those Academy graduates are today strengthening the region by leading municipal services, nonprofit programs, and businesses of all sizes. Helen is truly a leader of leaders.”
Lemoine has also served the community in many volunteer capacities over the years such as a board member of the MetroWest YMCA, Amazing Things Arts Center, Framingham History Center, and MetroWest Chamber of Commerce; as an appointed member of the Framingham’s Historic District Commission; and as an elected official serving three terms on the Framingham Planning Board. Currently, she serves on the Middlesex Savings Bank Board of Corporators, the MetroWest Economic Research Center board (MERC) at Framingham State University, and the Framingham Adult ESL+ board.
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“Leadership MetroWest and the local philanthropic community have benefitted from Helen’s expertise and deep understanding of the MetroWest community,” said Dana Nashe, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Middlesex Savings Bank, and Leadership MetroWest Academy Class of 1997 alum. “As a result of Helen’s guidance and stewardship, the program has helped to develop hundreds of local leaders who truly embrace civic engagement and cross-sector collaboration while working for the benefit and betterment of the people who live and work in MetroWest.”
Lemoine is a recipient of the “Athena Award,” a national award given regionally to honor women leaders who achieve excellence in their profession, inspire women to achieve their full potential, and give back to the community in a meaningful way. She was the recipient of Framingham State University’s first annual “Women Making History Now” award in 2016. Helen is a 1974 alumna, summa cum laude, of the Boston University School of Communication. She has lived in Framingham with her husband for 45 years and has two adult children and three grandchildren.
“Helen’s unique talent to connect individuals across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors have led to partnerships and relationships that have tackled some of Metrowest’s most challenging issues,” said Ashland Town Manager Michael Herbert, and Leadership MetroWest Academy Class of 2014 alum. “Her impact on cities and towns within the region cannot be overstated.”
“Helen put the humanity into leadership development with her tremendous capacity for empathy, compassion and care,” said David Welch, Immediate Past Chair of the Leadership MetroWest Board, and Leadership MetroWest Academy Class of 2016 alum. “She inspired me and countless others to deepen our commitment of service to the communities and institutions of MetroWest. The region will continue to benefit from Helen’s contributions and now her legacy for decades to come.”
Details on a retirement celebration for Helen Lemoine will be provided in the near future.
Leadership MetroWest is a respected community leadership development 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the region and recognizing more than 34 years of impact by 800+ alumni of the signature program, the Leadership Academy. Leadership MetroWest’s goal is to encourage and empower Academy participants and alumni to be more effective community and business leaders and to embrace civic engagement and cross-sector collaboration. Leadership MetroWest’s mission is to build and inspire a network of engaged and collaborative leaders who move the region forward. Leadership MetroWest serves the public, private and nonprofit sectors in Framingham, Natick, Ashland, Hopkinton, Holliston, Marlborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, and Wayland.
Leadership MetroWest’s flagship program is the annual Leadership Academy. Each year the Leadership Academy brings together 30 established and emerging leaders from every sector of MetroWest to explore issues, institutions, resources, and opportunities in the region. Participants engage in monthly site visits and discussions with local, regional and state leaders and experts and experience diverse schools of thought and team-building while refining their personal leadership capacity and cultivating relationships with other leaders. Topics explored include government, business, the economy, arts & culture, public safety, education, environment, health & human services, transportation, and housing.
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The Academy also includes a leadership development curriculum designed to help identify, expand and enhance core leadership capacities and explore positive actions for equity, inclusion and antiracism in the context of being a leader. The Academy’s intention is for all participants to emerge from their year-long Academy experience with valuable cross-sector connections, community knowledge, and a strong sense of personal direction. Through Leadership MetroWest, participants are invigorated, confident, committed, and better prepared to help affect community and organizational change. Following each annual academy, graduates join Leadership MetroWest’s Alumni Network. Alumni are encouraged to remain in touch through multiple annual virtual and in person events and emails to foster connections to each other, to the region and to invaluable resources to create opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, community involvement, and professional development.
For additional information about Leadership MetroWest, visit https://leadershipmetrowest.org
To apply for the Executive Director’s position, visit: https://files.constantcontact.com/d51b6ff8001/dad76aad-080e-4173-b501-b9b1c6191ee7.pdf
and email applications to: resumes@leadershipmetrowest.org
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