Dear Friends,
After four years of truly fulfilling service, I am writing to announce my transition from Board President for Friends of the Blue Hills (FBH) to a supporting role as we transition to new leadership. Mike Paglia, our current vice president, will serve as next president of the board for FBH, and I couldn’t be happier about his new appointment. The park and FBH will benefit from his stewardship.
Matt Panucci, outgoing board president
FBH has been serving the Blue Hills Reservation and the community for almost 50 years, and it has been a pleasure to help write a chapter in its rich history. I want to thank the Board, our dedicated staff, and the entire FBH community for their unwavering support.
Together we have achieved some significant milestones, including:
- Doubling the organization’s membership
- Welcoming new staff leadership for the first time in 19 years with Jen Klein, PhD, taking over as Executive Director in early 2024
- Recruiting an entirely new board of trustees
- Ensuring operational continuity through the COVID-19 pandemic
- Evolving staff positions to better serve the organization’s mission
Mike, a board member for five years, has been hiking in the Blue Hills for two decades, and still gets into the park as often as he can. He lives nearby in Dedham with his wife and two daughters and is a strong proponent of the restorative benefits of time spent in nature. He often volunteers to lead hikes, sharing his favorite spots (Buck Hill and Chickatawbut Hill) with others. When not leading group hikes, Mike finds time to work on his goal of hiking all 125 miles of trails within the park. Professionally, Mike has built a career in insights and analytics, currently with advertising agency MullenLowe as Director of Behavioral Sciences.
Mike Paglia, incoming board president
“I am honored to step into the role of Board President and build on the strong foundation that Matt has established,” said Paglia. “I look forward to working with Jen and the entire FBH community to further our mission of preserving and protecting the Blue Hills Reservation. The FBH community and the park are both incredibly special; I want to see both continue to thrive.”
“We are excited to have Mike take on this leadership role,” said Executive Director Jen Klein. “He is coming in at an incredible time of growth and transition as we onboard new board members and embark on our strategic planning process. His experience and dedication to the park will be invaluable as we continue to grow and expand the ways we live the FBH mission of preserving, protecting, and promoting the Blue Hills Reservation.”
Sincerely,
Matt Panucci
Photo: “Sunrise on Eliot Tower,” by Olga Maturana of Ashland
