Ryan Ribeiro-Rodriguez, incoming president and CEO of The Arc of Opportunity in North Central Massachusetts PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ARC OF OPPORTUNITY IN NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
The Arc of Opportunity in North Central Massachusetts has selected its new CEO, four months after the Fitchburg-based nonprofit’s former leader announced she would retire from the role.
The Arc of Opportunity in North Central Massachusetts has selected its new CEO, four months after the Fitchburg-based nonprofit’s former leader announced she would retire from the role.
Ryan Ribeiro-Rodriguez will begin his tenure as president and CEO of The Arc on March 16 while Mary Heafy, the nonprofit’s current leader, will step down on April 10, according to a Friday press release from The Arc.
Mary Heafy, president and CEO of The Arc of Opportunity in North Central Massachusetts PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ARC OF OPPORTUNITY IN NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
“Joining The Arc of Opportunity feels both meaningful and full circle for me,” Ribeiro-Rodriguez said in the release. “My early work supporting individuals with disabilities continues to guide how I lead and why this mission matters so deeply.”
Ribeiro-Rodriguez joins The Arc from his most recent role as chief operating officer at North Shore Community Health Center, a federally qualified health center out of Salem.
Ribeiro-Rodriguez has more than two decades of leadership experience throughout the healthcare and human services sectors, including serving as vice president, health center operations for the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, based in Boston, and as director, innovation & community health at Mattapan-based Harbor Health Services, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Universidade Tiradentes in Brazil and earned master’s degree from Cambridge College and Suffolk University, both in Boston.
“It has been my honor to serve The Arc of Opportunity for more than 16 years. I am
confident the successor Ryan Ribeiro-Rodriquez will build upon the work I have led
and take the organization to greater heights meeting the current and future needs of
The Arc,” Heafy said in the release.
Ribeiro-Rodriguez was selected out of more than 60 applicants, six of whom made it to the final rounds of interviews.
“Following a comprehensive and highly competitive national search … the search committee unanimously determined that Ryan Ribeiro-Rodriguez is well positioned to lead The Arc of Opportunity into its next chapter of growth and continued service, while responding to emerging needs and priorities,” Stephanie Williams, member of the board of directors and chair of the search committee, said in the release.
In fiscal 2025, The Arc generated $1.08 million in revenue and held $24.19 million in assets, according to nonprofit financial tracker GuideStar.
Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare, manufacturing, and higher education industries.
