Learning From Leaders

Learning From Leaders

Learning from Leaders is a Q&A series that allows Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island staff and other key supporters to get to know and learn from great leaders in our network. Each session is hosted by a Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island employee in an informal interview style, with questions focused on leadership and personalized to each participant’s personal journey, professional path, and involvement with Make-A-Wish. Each Learning from Leaders concludes with an open Q&A opportunity for those in the audience to ask questions directly. Past guests include members of the Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Board of Directors, longtime donors and volunteers, external and corporate partners, and the President and CEO of Make-A-Wish America.

If you'd like to join us for an upcoming Learning From Leaders session, please reach out to us by contacting Sarah Bonner at sbonner@massri.wish.org—we'd love to have you!

Past Learning From Leaders participants include:

  1. Al Rose, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Board of Directors member and former Board Chair; Sr. Counsel at Ropes & Gray – May 2022

  2. Amy Waryas, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Board of Directors member; EVP/Chief People & Culture Officer for the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Management – Sept 2022

  3. Linda Dorcena Forry, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Board of Directors member; former Massachusetts State Senator; Co-Founder of New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund – Feb 2023

  4. Tim Grady Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Board Chair; PwC US Chief Operating Officer – April 2023

  5. Amanda Eisel, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Board Vice-Chair; CEO at Zelis – May 2023

  6. Bill Loehning - July 2023, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Board of Directors member; retired Executive Vice President at Fidelity Investments 

  7. Rich Gotham, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Board of Directors member; President of the Boston Celtics – Sept 2023

  8. Leslie Motter, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish America – October 2023

  9. Len Ho, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Board of Directors member, Chief Legal Officer at Opensignal – Nov 2023

  10. Cheryl Wilkinson – Jan 2024, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Board of Directors member; Senior Financial Counselor and Principal at The Colony Group

  11. Serge Georges – March 2024, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice

  12. Jeff Kinney – April 2024, author of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and owner of An Unlikely Story Book Store and Cafe

  13. Kerry Collins – June 2024, Senior Director of Community Relations for the Boston Bruins

  14. Dave DeJohn – July 2024, Director of Operations for Hannaford Supermarkets and founder of Wrestling For Wishes fundraising event

  15. Peggy Ho – October 2024, General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer at Commonwealth Financial Network

  16. Leslie Williams – December 2024, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Board of Directors member; Co-Founder, President & CEO of hC Bioscience

  17. Bill Murphy, Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Board of Directors member; Branch Manager, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation