YWCA leader appointed to inaugural Mass. Cultural Economy Advisory Council
Photo I Courtesy of YWCA Central Massachusetts
Deborah Hall, executive director of YWCA Central Massachusetts
Deborah Hall, executive director of Worcester nonprofit YWCA Central Massachusetts, has been named as one of 18 inaugural members of the state’s Cultural Economy Advisory Council, serving as the council’s sole member from the region.
The council, established earlier this year by Gov. Maura Healey, will work to strengthen Massachusetts’ creative economy, one that contributes an annual $27 billion to the state while supporting 135,000 jobs, according to a Friday press release from Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development.
To fulfill its mission, council members will work closely with the Massachusetts Cultural Council, examining policies to support the artists and cultural organizations and look for ways to generate economic opportunities within the arts and culture sector while advancing equity within the field.
The council is co-chaired by Yvonne Hao, secretary of the Executive Office of Economic Development, and Kate Fox, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
“Our cultural and arts organizations are so important to the economic well-being of cities and towns across Massachusetts,” Hao said in the release. "They support small businesses and arts entrepreneurs, add jobs, and make our state one of the best places to live. We’re excited to launch this council and look forward to working with partners to find ways to help this sector thrive.”
The 18 members of the Cultural Economy Advisory Council are:
- Yvonne Hao, secretary of the Executive Office of Economic Development (co-chair)
- Kate Fox, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (co-chair)
- Michael Bobbitt, executive director of the Mass Cultural Council
- Tiffany Allecia, executive director of the Springfield Creative City Collective
- Luke Blackadar, deputy director of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston
- Mindy Domb, Massachusetts state representative (D-Hampshire); House chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
- Maggie Gaipo-Scott, senior director of government affairs & legal affairs at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston
- Deborah Hall, executive director of YWCA Central Massachusetts
- Candace Lee Heald, former director of AHA! In New Bedford
- Joyce Linehan, assistant to the president for special projects at Massachusetts College of Art and Design
- Paul Mark, Massachusetts state senator (D-Pittsfield); Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
- Ming Min Hui, executive director of Boston Ballet
- Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, executive director and chief executive officer of the Peabody Essex Museum
- Emily Ruddock, executive director of MassCreative
- Lindsey Schmid, director of marketing at 1Berkshire in Pittsfield
- Annis Sengupta, director of arts and culture of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council in Boston
- Chad Smith, president and CEO of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
- Julie Wake, executive director at Arts Foundation of Cape Cod
Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.
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