Kendall Square Association adds seven new board members to guide inclusion across New England’s innovation district
Cambridge, MA (April 13, 2021)— The Kendall Square Association (KSA) announced today that it has elected seven new community and industry leaders to the board of directors. These new appointments come on the heels of the organization’s 13th Annual Meeting, where 350+ members reflected on Kendall’s potential to build the most inclusive innovation ecosystem on the planet by harnessing the catalytic power of proximity.
You can watch the Annual Meeting here.
“Together we’re fostering a culture of belonging for everyone, because inclusion drives innovation,” said C.A. Webb, the Association’s president. “These leaders bring a diverse set of experiences and capacities to our collective work which will help us continue to radically adapt to meet the evolving needs of public health.”
New KSA board members, include:
Michael Dawson, Co-Founder & CEO of Innovators for Purpose
Noelani Gabriel, Director of Family and Community Engagement, Community Charter School of Cambridge
Johanna Jobin, Global Head Corporate Reputation & Responsibility, Biogen
Keane Johnson, Managing Director & Senior HR Leader for Microsoft Engineering and Research for the North American – East
Michal Preminger, Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, East North America
Wendy Richard, Director, CSR & Community Relations, Sanofi Genzyme
Tali Sasson, Software Engineering Lead at Google
‘Being a part of this community has always given us a sense of pride, never more so than now,” said Michal Preminger, Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, East North America. “Look at how many new companies have formed, received funding, and settled in Kendall – despite COVID-19. The lights are on all around, in labs that are delivering the next wave of new therapies, vaccines, and the enabling technologies. My trust in the resilience and strength of this community makes me optimistic.”
“I think 2021 is our year to make an external impact in the leadership roles we are trying to take around the global equitable community,” said Wendy Richard, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility & Community Relations, Sanofi Genzyme. “This is an exciting opportunity for us to make important and lasting changes.”
“We have a moral imperative to contribute positively to social and racial justice in this country and world,” said Noelani Gabriel, Director of Student and Family Engagement. “I am grateful to work with colleagues, families, and students who are interested in changing the way we relate to each other, address conflict and harm, and thus build a stronger community.”
###
Media Contact: Abigail Phillips
abbey@kendallsquare.org
(617) 455-9003