A Message from MassBudget’s Board of Directors
It is with deep gratitude that the Board of Directors announces the departure of MassBudget’s President, Marie-Frances Rivera. The entire Board congratulates Marie-Frances on her outstanding leadership and dedicated service to the organization. Marie-Frances’ last day will be September 29, 2023 after which the board will appoint interim leadership.
Marie-Frances became President in 2018 after serving in various staff roles at the organization. During her time at Mass Budget, Marie-Frances had a keen focus on increasing Mass Budget’s ability to contribute to the movement for economic and racial equity. Her work to create and promote an antiracist state budget demonstrates her bold and courageous vision. Marie-Frances’ leadership helped to usher in transformational tax reform efforts in our state which ranks 6th in economic inequality. To advance MassBudget’s work, Marie-Frances developed strong relationships with a wide range of community-based organizations to build a long-term coalition that can serve as the engine for a social movement for economic and racial justice.
While transitions are difficult, change is constant. Marie-Frances leaves MassBudget in a strong position for continued growth. MassBudget’s Board is actively planning for a smooth transition and will oversee the process to hire a new president.
Over the next few months, our goal is to find the best person to lead MassBudget while maintaining a stable and effective organization. Given MassBudget’s extraordinary staff, our policy analysis, reports, and communications will remain timely and thoughtful thus continuing to center racial and economic justice perspectives into policy narratives for the Commonwealth. MassBudget will also continue to nurture solidarity with community partners, particularly those most adversely affected by economic injustice. In so doing, The MassBudget team will remain a vital contributor to true economic democracy.
We wish Marie-Frances the best of luck in all her future endeavors.
With Trust in Our Collective Power,
Dr. Alexandra Piñeros Shields
Chair, Board of Directors, MassBudget
A Message from Marie-Frances
After a decade of dedicated service and five rewarding years leading this powerful organization, I’ll be leaving MassBudget at the end of September to begin the next chapter of my life and career.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible opportunity to serve as President and be part of this organization’s remarkable journey. I’ll be taking the next few months to spend more quality time with my loved ones and to reflect on both the small and colossal victories that I’ve been blessed to be a part of with you.
During my time as President, I have led MassBudget in redefining its mission, vision, and values. I’m proud to have worked to transform MassBudget into an antiracist organization that strives to center BIPOC voices and communities with lower incomes. Our Envisioning Equity policy platform has ignited important conversations and lasting changes that will move us toward an antiracist state budget, tax justice, economic security, and an inclusive democracy for all. During my tenure, our organization’s budget has more than doubled and we have forged transformative partnerships, like Delivering on Equity, which has raised millions to directly support local organizing partners across the Commonwealth. I want to thank my incredible team and all of our stakeholders for being part of this movement.
Because of our work together, people are seeing billions of new dollars flow into their communities for free, healthy school meals and will continue to see improvements in transit and public education. The passing of the Fair Share Amendment in November 2022 resulted in the reshaping of the Massachusetts’ tax system for the better. It’s truly a capstone of my personal and professional journey.
As I embark on my new chapter, I carry with me the pride and gratitude for all we have accomplished together, and I look forward to seeing MassBudget thrive in the years to come.
In solidarity,
Marie-Frances Rivera
President, MassBudget
