East Boston’s Senator Anthony Petruccelli, Representative Carlo Basile, and City Councilor Sal LaMattina will all be part of a newly formed 10 person Advisory Board at East Boston Excel Academy Charter School. Jack Kelly, CEO of the East Boston Social Centers will also serve on the board to further support the advancement of the organization and to extend Excel Academy’s impact on urban youth and its host communities.
Excel’s Board of Trustees made the announcement last week that Eastie’s three elected officials and Kelly as well as Susan Passoni, Founding Board Member, Excel Academy Charter Schools, Bob Giannino, CEO, uAspire, Jordan Meranus, CEO/Co-Founder, Ellevation Education, Karen Schwartzman, Principal, Polaris Public Relations, Alejandra St. Guillen, Director of the Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians, City of Boston and Rebecca Sullivan, First Vice President, MassDevelopment were appointed to the board.
“I’m thrilled at the launching of this new group of Excel supporters, particularly knowing they represent such a diverse and impressive range of organizations and constituencies,” said Excel CEO Owen Stearns. “Many Advisory Board members have already played critical roles in getting Excel to where we are today, and I’m confident that as a group they will be key to our success going forward.”
Petruccelli, an early supporter of Excel’s mission in Eastie said he looks forward to working with the board and help Excel’s growth.
“As an inaugural member of the Excel Academy Advisory Board, I’m eager to work alongside some of the most vital voices in our community to ensure our students are provided with the necessary tools to succeed in high school, college, and the workforce in the years to come,” said Petruccelli. “Since its inception in 2003, Excel has proven itself to be an integral educational establishment in the East Boston community and I look forward to reaffirming my confidence in their cause and the work they do through my support.”
The Advisory Board will provide ongoing counsel about fundraising, external and government relations, and strategic growth as Excel continues to expand its network of schools in East Boston and Chelsea. In 2015, Excel Academy will open the first-ever college-preparatory high school in East Boston.
“For more than five years, uAspire has been a partner to Excel in its efforts to support alumni with their college affordability needs. From that vantage point, I’ve had the chance to see one of our Commonwealth’s highest-performing school networks and have been in awe of the progress they’re making with young people in Boston. I look forward to assisting Excel, in any way I can, to expand and enhance its impact on young people in greater Boston,” said uAspire CEO Bob Giannino. Alejandra St. Guillen, recently appointed Director of the Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians, shared her enthusiasm. “I’m proud to be a member of the Advisory Board and hope to bring my experiences and expertise to benefit Excel Academy Charter Schools. Excel has had a transformative effect on the lives of its students and their families and has become essential to the fabric of the East Boston and Chelsea communities.”