Stoughton Native to be honored by RFK Children's Action Corps

As Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank, America’s oldest and largest mutual bank, Bob Rivers believes that doing what’s right and smart means building a strong business that does good things to help people prosper.

For his commitment to social justice and his passionate and visionary leadership, the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps is honoring Rivers with the organization’s Embracing the Legacy Award at the JFK Library in Boston on June 1.

Named after Robert F. Kennedy, Rivers sees parallels in his own personal journey and has been inspired since his early adulthood by the words and works of the late Senator. Today, he embodies Kennedy’s commitment to equal rights and opportunity, working with like-minded community leaders to develop creative ways to take action and assist those who need it most. According to Rivers, the key to creating social change is getting individuals across all sectors not only to buy into ideas philosophically, but also financially.

“Getting people to do something good because it’s the ‘right thing’ to do will only take you so far. Ultimately, individuals and companies need to believe that taking action in the interest of our community as a whole is the ‘smart thing’ as well,” says Rivers. “Aligning one’s moral compass with their self-interest is the only way to make the pursuit of social and economic justice sustainable.”

As Eastern celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2018, it is focused on “Advancing Women” in honor of its very first customer, Rebecca Sutton. From equity in the workplace and representation among leadership, to equity through education, health care and child care, Eastern is advocating for, serving and donating to causes that eliminate the impediments that hold women back from contributing their full potential. Since 1999, its outspoken advocacy and community support has exceeded more than $110 million in charitable giving and in 2018, it will commit $1.8 million to community-based organizations focused on addressing a wide range of issues that disproportionately impact women and girls.

Under Rivers’ leadership, Eastern continues to work to increase the number of women on its board and in leadership positions. In 2017, women comprised 66 percent of its total workforce, 48 percent of its officer corps and 50 percent of its management committee. Earlier this year, the Bank announced the appointment of Deborah Jackson as its new Lead Director, the first woman and second person of color to lead Eastern’s Board of Directors. An important focus point within Eastern’s diversity and inclusion efforts is support and advocacy for the LGBTQ community. Eastern regularly testifies in support of transgender rights and for five consecutive years has been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.

“It’s important to create a diverse team who is passionate and knowledgeable about the people living in the communities we serve,” says Rivers. “Our advocacy platform allows us to take action, raise money and speak on civil liberties as well as encourage others in the business community to follow a similar path.”

In addition to his work at Eastern Bank, Rivers serves on the Boards of many nonprofits, including The Dimock Center, The Lowell Plan, The Lawrence Partnership, Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the City of Boston’s Women’s Workforce Council and 2020 Women on Boards. He is also a Trustee for Stonehill College, the Northern Essex Community College Foundation and on the Board of Corporators of Lowell General Hospital.

Rivers was recently ranked among the Top 10 “Most Influential People in Boston” by Boston Magazine.

On the 50th anniversary of the passing of Robert F. Kennedy, in whose honor and memory the organization was created, the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps embarks upon its fifth decade of service to Massachusetts’ most vulnerable youth. The organization is a national leader in developing and implementing model, successful child welfare, social service and juvenile justice programs.