Rep Lewis Names Framingham’s Rich Robles a 2024 Latino Excellence Awardee

Framingham-On Friday, October 25, 2024, the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus hosted their annual Latino Excellence Awards at the State House to commemorate Latino community leaders and trailblazers who are moving the needle forward across the Commonwealth.  The event included a speech from Keynote speaker Alejandra Y. Castillo, an Institute of Politics Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Representative Jack Patrick Lewis was proud to nominate his constituent Rich Robles, Framingham School Committee member and Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Boston Children’s Hospital, to be recognized at

this year’s ceremony.

“Rich Robles exemplifies dedication and commitment to Framingham and the surrounding community,” noted Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis. “Through his work at Boston Children’s Hospital and his service on various boards, along with his leadership on the Framingham School Committee, he has tirelessly championed diversity and equity, fostering an inclusive environment for all. It was a joy to host Rich at the State House to be recognized for an award he so deeply deserves. Thank you, Rich, and congratulations.”

“I am very grateful and honored to receive this Latino Excellence Award and be among some remarkable community leaders uplifting those around them,” said Rich Robles. “I am deeply indebted to all those who have gone before us to pave the way for other Latinos, like me, to have access to opportunities that help us thrive and lead the lives we envisioned when we were little kids.  All of us are contributing to building a better Massachusetts for the next generation, which includes our four kids – my personal why.  Thank you to State Representative, Jack Lewis, for nominating me to receive this award and for all the intentional steps he takes to create and sponsor work that creates more inclusive communities across our state.”

Rich Robles is an indispensable member of the Framingham community. Growing up in Guatemala City, where he attended a military school before moving to the U.S., Rich honors his heritage through active involvement in the Latino/Hispanic community. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Latino Equity Fund and as a mentor for ALPFA Boston, contributing to equity initiatives throughout Massachusetts. Rich’s commitment to service has also been recognized on a broader scale, having been appointed by the Governor of North Carolina to the Advisory Council for Hispanic/Latino Affairs and serving as a board member for several nonprofit organizations.

In his role as Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Boston Children’s Hospital, Rich leads efforts to create a culture of inclusion, engagement, and belonging, enhancing the care experience for children and families. Before joining Boston Children’s, he drove diversity and inclusion initiatives at Novant Health in the Southeast, overseeing Business Resource Groups (BRGs), internal D&I programs with senior leaders, and the organization’s external D&I consulting work. Robles’ career includes consulting and internal roles in organizational development, culture transformation, leadership development, and merger integration, working with notable companies such as Bank of America, McDonald’s, Motorola, PepsiAmericas, Chicago Tribune Company, and Exelon.

The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC) presents the Latino Excellence Awards to honor leaders who dedicate their efforts to uplifting and giving back to their communities. These awards celebrate the rich diversity, achievement, and cultural contributions across the Commonwealth. Each year, honorees are recognized for their outstanding work in community engagement, education, and business. The Caucus encourages all 200 state legislators to nominate a constituent or community leader for this award.

The MBLLC’s mission is to empower communities of color in Massachusetts by amplifying their voices and ensuring that legislation remains accessible and accountable to these communities.

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