Woburn Resident Named Board Member at BAA Foundation

Boston Arts Academy Foundation announced today that three community leaders have joined its 22-member board of directors: Sue Brady Hartigan, Boston's veteran radio DJ and philanthropist; Dawn Perry, Esq., vice president and deputy general counsel at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts; and David Felton, senior vice president and Director of Business Banking and at Cambridge Trust. All three are committed supporters of the mission of Boston Arts Academy (BAA), the city's only public high school for the visual and performing arts, and will play an integral role in the Building Our Future campaign, a six-year effort to raise $32 million to augment the school's budget and build long-term sustainability.

"BAA thrives on the power of community, and it is with steadfast support from our board of directors that our students have the opportunity to develop their talents and reach their full potentials," said BAA Foundation President Denella Clark. "Sue, Dawn and David bring diverse perspectives and expertise to our organization and I look forward to working with them on strengthening arts education in Boston."

Brady Hartigan worked as a radio host on 100.7, WZLX, Boston's Classic Radio. She also co-produces The Public Affairs Show for WBMX-Boston and is a contributor for Boston Common. She is involved with various organizations throughout Boston, including Boston Children's Hospital, The Ellie Fund, ArtbeCAUSE, The Vernon Cancer Center, Boston Athletic Association, The Bruins Foundation, Boston Medical Center, Red Sox Foundation, Back On My Feet, Rosie's Place, The Esplanade Association, Shriner's, St. Jude's, Walker School and Susan Komen. She is a strong advocate for mental illness affecting children and is the proud daughter of a veteran.

"As a performer myself, I'm proud to be part of an organization that supports such remarkable students, alumni and faculty," said Brady Hartigan. "My career in radio started when Boston radio legend Sunny Joe White hired me to work for Kiss 108FM when I was 15 years old, so I am thrilled to support the unmistakable passion for the arts present in each and every student at Boston Arts Academy."

Perry is an accomplished trade/transactional attorney with diverse experience in general corporate matters and regulatory compliance and extensive subject matter expertise in the retail industry. She provides astute counsel and employs a pragmatic approach to the practice of law and its effect on each client's business. Prior to her role at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, she held several leadership roles at Ahold USA, Inc., and progressed through roles of increasing responsibilities, including Senior Counsel and Director of Business Law, Director of Business & Regulatory Law, and Vice President of Business of Regulatory Law. Perry currently serves on the board of the Ricciardi College of Business Advisory and is a member of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy. She previously served as Board Vice Chair of the Bessie Tartt Wilson Initiative for Children, Board and Committee member of Bottom Line and a member of Suffolk Business School's Alumni Board.

"I am proud to be able to join an organization that helps foster our next generation of leaders," said Perry. "BAA's students are unique individuals who have a passion for creativity and inspiring those around them through their work. It is an honor to help these students excel and go on to even greater things."

Felton has spent over 15 years in business banking and commercial banking roles in Greater Boston. Prior to his role at Cambridge Trust, he spent over nine years at Rockland Trust, where he worked with small and middle market businesses and nonprofit organizations handling all aspects of their banking needs, including cash management, commercial lending, and investment management. He was also responsible for sales, relationship management, marketing, employee training and product management. Felton has previously served on the Board for Opportunities for Inclusion in Waltham and the Board as well as Board of Advisors for Understanding Our Differences in Newton for the past seven years.

"As soon as I was introduced to BAA Foundation, I knew I wanted to get involved," said Felton. "I am thrilled to support its mission and goal of raising essential funds for BAA's unique arts curriculum, which is integral to shaping future artists, scholars and citizens. I look forward to being a part of the school's next chapter as its newly constructed campus in the Fenway nears completion."

About Boston Arts Academy Foundation

Established in 1999, the BAA Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that raises essential funds from private philanthropic sources to augment the BAA school budget. The BAA Foundation helps bridge the gap between the school's allocation from the Boston Public Schools, and the true cost of a high-quality education that is both arts-intensive and college preparatory.

Construction of the new BAA school building will not change BPS's funding formula, which supports BAA's academic offerings. Through the six-year, comprehensive Building Our Future campaign, the BAA Foundation is raising $32 million to augment BAA's school budget and ensure long-term sustainability. The campaign includes raising $10 million to bring the BAA Foundation endowment to $13.5 million, and securing $15.5 million in operating reserves. The endowment and reserves support what makes BAA unique, including expanded programming, the Health and Wellness Program, STEAM (STEM+Art), and funding for the arts. The endowment will support college scholarships for graduating seniors. The campaign supports BAA Foundation's Annual Fund, which raises $5,000 per student each year. Building Our Future will ensure that as BAA's student body grows, students can become successful artists, scholars, and citizens.

About Boston Arts Academy

Founded in 1998 as the city's only public high school for the visual and performing arts, Boston Arts Academy (BAA) has distinguished itself among urban public high schools as a leader in innovative and effective student-centered education. Consistently recognized locally and nationally for its achievements, BAA exemplifies the power of an arts-rich education and many BAA graduates have found success in college through the arts. In fact, for the past six straight years, at least 97 percent of BAA graduates have been accepted to college, with most being first-generation college attendees. BAA's dynamic program prepares graduates to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, collaborators, and creators. Students come from all 23 Boston neighborhoods to receive the formal arts training and academic instruction that will make them Boston's next generation of artists and cultural leaders.

In October 2018, the BAA community broke ground on a new $125 million facility at its Fenway location, which will expand from 121,000 to 153,500 square feet and open for students in January 2022. Among many highlights, it will include new and much-needed enhanced theatres, career center, academic classrooms, dance studios, music practice rooms and fashion technology studios and workspace. When BAA opens its new school building, the number of students enrolled will increase to 500, and eventually grow over the years.