The mission of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) is to advance equitable policy solutions that create an inclusive, thriving Commonwealth.
“We are pleased to announce that the MassBudget Board of Directors has welcomed three new members, whose expertise and dedication will be invaluable as we continue to advance racially and economically just policies in the Commonwealth”, says Board President, Alexandra Piñeros-Shields. “These new Board members bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to our mission,” she continues, “and we are confident that their contributions will significantly enhance our organization’s ability to meet the challenges of this moment we are in.”
Bianca Sigh Ward is an experienced fundraising professional with unique insight into the Boston civic, legal, and art communities. She joined the ACLU of Massachusetts in 2017 and now serves as its Chief Development Officer. Bianca previously worked at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston raising corporate funds for the institution and expanding the MFA’s international reach through Governor Deval Patrick’s 2011 Innovation Economy Trade Mission to Brazil. In addition to serving on MassEquality’s Political Action Committee, Bianca also served on the board of the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities as well as the Trust or Public Land and is currently an active member of the board of the Boston Center for the Arts, a local nonprofit supporting working artists to create, perform, and exhibit new work, developing new audiences and connecting the arts to community. She is a graduate of Bowdoin College with a Bachelor’s degree in Art History.
W. E. David Halbert is the Executive Director of Bay State Progress. David’s work at BSP focuses on strategic resource development to build progressive civic infrastructure to make Massachusetts the leading progressive model in the country, by uplifting and empowering historically underrepresented and marginalized communities. A lifetime civic activist and public servant for over 20 years, David has served at all levels of government and was an At-Large candidate for the Boston City Council in 2021. David serves in numerous civic leadership roles including the Advisory Board for Northeastern University’s Policy School; Union Combined Parish; and as a member of the Theta Iota Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. David received his Master’s in Public Administration from Northeastern University and his BA from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Branden Miles is the Policy and Research Manager for the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Advancement (BMA). He is responsible for working with a variety of departments and divisions to track and report on Black men and boys demographic trends, evaluate policy and program performance, and research and design new policies to guide public and private investment in Black men and boys. Before joining BMA, Branden worked at the Social Science Research Council, an independent, international nonprofit organization that mobilizes policy-relevant social and behavioral science for the public good. Branden received his Master’s in Public Policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University and his BA from Hamilton College.
We are excited to see the positive impact these new members will have on our work and look forward to their active participation in shaping the future of MassBudget.
