Emerging Leaders Executive Committee
Abigail C. Furey
Executive Committee Co-Chair
Abigail C. Furey is the Director of Investor Relations at Clough Capital. As the primary client liaison, Ms. Furey keeps investors and potential investors informed through a monthly newsletters and quarterly reports, as well as through telephone and personal meetings. She joined Clough Capital Partners in 2001. Abigail started working on the Emerging Leaders program in 2005. “ It has been great to watch the program grow and evolve,” says Abigail. “Getting out and meeting other engaged professionals has been such a pleasure. I enjoy the change of pace from everyday work and look forward to our meetings and events. I know that this group is making a significant impact on the United Way organization and that is extremely gratifying.” Ms. Furey holds an MBA and Bachelor of Science degree in Operations and Strategic Management, both from Boston College Carroll School of Management.
David S. Safaii
Executive Committee Co-Chair
David S. Safaii is a Principal at Windspeed Ventures and has been with the firm since January, 2004. He assists in the evaluation of emerging trends within technology under consideration by the firm and is involved in all aspects of sourcing, diligence and process. He joined Windspeed from the Technology Investment Banking Group at CIBC World Markets where he focused on enterprise software. Prior to his career in investment banking, David assisted in the development of Lehman Brothers' Global Equity and Derivative Trading System and spent two years in the Equity and Fixed Income Sales Department of Oppenheimer.
David enjoys working with the Young Leaders group because "It provides me with the opportunity to further understand and help the community that I am a part of, while meeting and hanging out with like-minded professionals."
David holds a BA in computer information processing from Boston College. David is Chairman Emeritus and Director of Sponsors & Partnerships of the New England Venture Network (NEVN), the largest young venture capital organization on the East Coast. Under NEVN, he co-founded VentureNetwork.VC, the first social network built exclusively for the venture capital community. He is also actively involved with The Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) and was recognized as one of Banker and Tradesman's "New Leaders" in 2008 and Boston Business Journal's "40 Under 40" in 2009.
Brianne Barrett
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Marketing/PR Subcommittee
Brianne Barrett is currently an Account Director at marlo marketing/communications in Boston, where she oversees the agency's beauty, fitness and lifestyle accounts. She previously worked at Arnold Worldwide, one of the nation's top advertising/marketing firms, where she represented Under Armour Performance Apparel, Tyson Foods and USA TODAY.
In addition to her marketing and public relations experience, Brianne is also co-owner of women's clothing boutique, First Date. Brianne holds a B.A. from Boston University's School of Management and is also actively involved with The Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) and the United Way of MBMV's Digital Media Advisory Group.
William Bruce
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Membership Subcommittee
William Bruce is an Underwriting Director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the largest health insurance company in Massachusetts. In Underwriter, Bill works with an array of employers throughout the state developing benefit strategies and projecting health costs. Prior to joining Blue Cross, he worked as a National Accounts Underwriter at Aetna, Inc in Middletown, Connecticut.
After moving to Boston three years ago, Bill was looking for an organization that focused on giving back to the community but also offered an opportunity to network with other professionals. Bill says of Young Leaders, "Growing up, I was an Eagle Scout and in college I was a member of the Alpha Phi Omega national service organization. I was looking for an organization where I could continue my involvement with community service and further develop leadership skills. The United Way Young Leaders has been the perfect vehicle to meet these needs."
Bill is a native of Woodbridge, Connecticut and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a major in Healthcare Management. He is currently an MBA student at Boston University.
Mary Cerio
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Events Subcommittee
Mary Cerio is currently an Associate at Alcion Ventures, a real estate private equity firm based in Boston, MA, where she is responsible for the development of reporting and public relations materials, and assists with due diligence and market research. Mary is also the owner and designer of EMSI, a women’s ready-to-wear clothing line, which she launched in October 2007. Prior to joining Alcion Ventures, Ms. Cerio was a Consultant Liaison with MEDACorp, a consulting division within Leerink Swann & Co., where she was a project manager for an internal consulting group, and responsible for budget, time line and internal and external communications, as well as researching innovative medical technologies.
Prior to joining Alcion Ventures, Ms. Cerio was a Consultant Liaison with MEDACorp, a consulting division within Leerink Swann & Co., where she was a project manager for an internal consulting group, and responsible for budget, time line and internal and external communications, as well as researching innovative medical technologies.
Mary is an active participant in Boston area and National charities. She serves on the Family Selection Committee for Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston; is an advocate and event host for The Invisible Children Organization and Save Darfur Coalition; and participates in the annual Catwalk to Campground event for The Autism Project of Rhode Island. Her involvement with these organizations has led her to the United Way Emerging Leaders Committee, for which she serves on the Executive Committee. Mary holds a B.A. in Psychology from Boston University.
Drew Cortez
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Membership Subcommittee
Drew Christian Cortez is an Associate of State Street Global Advisors, where he has worked since 2006.
Prior to joining SSgA, Drew worked in a variety of roles for State Street Corporation from 2003 to 2006. Drew also held marketing internships with the Denver Nuggets in 1999 and the Baltimore Ravens in 2000.
Drew, a Colorado native, moved to Boston in 2002. Drew is a new addition to the Emerging Leaders group, which he was initially drawn to after hearing rave reviews of the Youth Ventures program. He cites the enthusiasm of the Executive Committee as his central motivation to furthering the Emerging Leaders cause.
He received a BS in Business, with a concentration in Finance, from University of Colorado - Boulder. He has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society.
Hilary A. Johnson
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Events Subcommittee
Hilary A. Johnson is an Assistant Vice President / Relationship Analyst in the Financial Reserves Management Group at Wellington Management Company, LLP. Prior to joining Wellington Management in 2006, Hilary worked as an Assistant Relationship Manager (2003-2006) at Gannett Welsh & Kotler, LLC . Hilary says of her involvement with United Way Young Leaders: "I joined Young Leaders and have remained committed to the group because I strongly support the goals and vision of the United Way. Through engaging young professionals through volunteer and philanthropic causes, we have the ability to truly effect change in the communities in which we work and live." Hilary received her B.A. in German and Political Science from Middlebury College and is currently a member of the Middlebury College Alumni Association Board.
Matthew Goulding
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Leadership and Charter Subcommittees
Matt Goulding is an associate in the Corporate Department of Weil, Gotshal & Manges. Mr. Goulding's practice focuses on private equity transactions, representing financial sponsors in deal execution on both the buy and sell side. He has also worked on equity syndication, fund formation, general corporate matters and transactions involving hedge funds.
In addition to serving on the Executive Committee of United Way of MBMV's Emerging Leaders, Mr. Goulding is also involved in various community and charitable organizations, including as a member of the Executive Committee of Copley Society Circle, Boston Breakfast Group and mentor with Year Up.
Mr. Goulding received his law degree from Villanova University School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Villanova Law Review. Matt remains actively involved with Villanova Law School, serving on the Executive Committee of the Leadership Council of the New England Alumni Association Chapter.
Mr. Goulding is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Rhode Island.
Joanna Litsas
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Community Engagement Subcommittee
Fedor Smith
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Events Subcommitte
Fedor Smith is a Vice President at ATLANTIC-ACM, a firm that provides consulting and strategic research to the telecommunications industry. Prior to joining ATLANTIC-ACM, Fedor worked at Alloy Media and Marketing in New York, and Putnam Investments in Boston. Fedor grew up in Boston, and since returning from New York several years ago has become involved in UWMB events and fundraising. Fedor went to the Pomfret School, and graduated from Hamilton College with a degree in history and economics.
Marissa Sweazy
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Marketing/PR Subcommittee
Marissa Sweazy is a Senior Account Executive/New Media Specialist with Aigner Prensky Marketing Group in Boston where she focuses on integrating client marketing campaigns and social media. She also owns Photo Fun Box, a photo booth rental company based in Boston. Marissa says of her involvement with United Way Young Leaders: " Emerging Leaders is an amazing program with strong goals and focused direction. I enjoy working with professionals on such a noteworthy cause and at the same time the networking events and community service projects are a great reflection of each member's commitment to this group." A native of Illinois, Marissa received a B.A. in Communications from Bradley University.
Erin Wilson
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Events Subcommittee
Erin Wilson works in the Corporate Communications Department at Bose Corporation. She manages new product launch campaigns and other advertising initiatives for consumer, aviation and military headphone products. Before joining Bose, Erin worked at Citizens Bank in their Sponsorships & Promotions group. She received her MBA from Boston University in 2005 and graduated from the University of Vermont in 2001. Erin grew up in Philadelphia and has called Boston home since 2002. She believes in giving back to the community and remains involved in various organizations in addition to the United Way Emerging Leaders. Erin has been involved with the Foundation Fighting Blindness for over seven years and now serves as the Marketing Chair for their annual wine tasting event. She has also helped with the launch of the Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation and writes the class notes for UVM, also winning a distinguished young alumnae award in 2006. Erin looks forward to the continued growth of the Boston Emerging Leaders and to organizing events to raise much needed funds for valuable programs.
