BOSTON - Sept. 5 - Noah Berger, longtime president of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget), a non-partisan research organization, has announced he will be leaving the organization as of Sept. 30. Berger, whose leadership helped establish MassBudget as an essential source of fact-driven state budget and public policy analysis, will be succeeded by Marie-Frances Rivera, currently Deputy Director of MassBudget.
"For 15 years, Noah has been dedicated to building MassBudget into a strong, vibrant, and successful organization," said Carol Kamin, Chair of the MassBudget Board of Directors. "His leadership has had a profound impact on creating important research that helped drive critical public policy debates, especially those that affected the lives of lower- and middle-income Massachusetts residents. We're grateful for all he's done and thrilled to have someone of Marie-Frances' ability to fill his shoes."
Under Berger's leadership, MassBudget's research played an important role in the debates that led to the $15 minimum wage, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Earned Paid Sick Time, and tax reforms that improved the fairness of Massachusetts' corporate and individual tax laws in the state.
"It has been an honor to build and lead an organization looked to as the essential source on how smart state policies can help to create broadly shared prosperity," Berger said. "And it is very exciting to think of what the organization can become under the inspirational leadership of my successor, Marie-Frances Rivera, and the extremely talented staff of leading policy experts we have assembled."
Berger has not yet decided on his next job. "After 15 years in one position, it's been fun to think broadly about what I want to do next. I plan to take the time to explore all kinds of opportunities both in Massachusetts and at the national level. I look forward to a next chapter of finding new ways to contribute to making life better for everyone in our communities, particularly those who face the greatest challenges," Berger said.
Rivera, a native of New Bedford, Mass. and who is of Afro-Boricua descent, joined MassBudget in 2014. She earned a Master's degree in Law and Public Policy from Northeastern University and has an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Babson College. As Deputy Director, Rivera has managed staff organizational priorities, finances, and many other initiatives and projects, including authoring MassBudget's 2016 State of Working Massachusetts report. Her background includes work for the Hyams Foundation, where she helped with the creation and implementation of a new racial justice and public policy grantmaking initiative. She also spent several years in leadership at a direct service organization serving low-income young people.
"I feel honored to have the opportunity to lead an organization whose work and mission is vital to creating lasting policy change aimed at improving the lives of low-income families and communities of color in Massachusetts," said Rivera. "The exceptionably talented MassBudget team, under Noah's leadership, has built a strong organization known for reliable information and clear analysis of major policy choices facing the Commonwealth. I look forward to continuing that legacy and ushering in this next era, envisioning how MassBudget can best support transformational change in our communities."
The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces non-partisan policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.
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