Young Leaders Executive Committee
Abigail C. Furey
Executive Committee Co-Chair
Abigail C. Furley 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 Young 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.
Brianne Barrett
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Marketing/PR Subcommittee
Brianne Barrett is currently employed at marlo marketing/communications in Boston, where she manages 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 a 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).
Renita Bhatia
Executive Committee Member, Chair of Community Engagement Subcommittee
Renita Bhatia is currently a Senior Compliance Specialist at Natixis Global Associates in Boston, a distribution arm of Natixis Global Asset Management, an investment organization that acquires and works with a diverse group of independent money managers in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Prior to joining Natixis, Renita worked at Putnam Investments. Before Putnam Investments, Renita worked as a Fundraising Coordinator on a Gubernatorial Campaign in Louisiana, spent several months living in China teaching English to second grade students and interned in the Connecticut State Legislature. While making the transition from readily available volunteer opportunities in college to soliciting opportunities as a young professional in Boston, the United Way was a natural fit for someone devoted to charitable giving. Renita received a B.A. from the University of Connecticut in Political Science with a concentration in Human Rights, was a member of the Student Union Board of Governors and is a member of Alpha Phi Omega. She currently serves as an Honorary Advisor to the Lakshmi Dream Foundation, LLC., and is a member of the United Way Young Leaders Executive Board, where she co-chairs the service committee.
William Bruce
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Membership Subcommittee
William Bruce is Senior Underwriter for National and Major Accounts at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the largest health insurance company in Massachusetts. As an Underwriter, Bill works with some of the states' largest employers 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.
Lauren Kaplan
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Marketing/PR Subcommittee
Lauren Kaplan is the Government Affairs Liaison at Bain Capital. As a direct report to the General Counsel, Lauren assists with the firm's external and government affairs matters. Previously, Lauren was a Legal Affairs Associate in Bain Capital's legal department. Prior to joining Bain Capital in 2006, Lauren worked at The Kerdan Group, a pharmaceutical and medical device strategy consulting firm in Cambridge. Lauren joined Young Leaders when a friend and former UWMB employee suggested she get involved. She has enjoyed connecting with other young professionals as part of the Young Leaders program. “We all bring different skill sets and interests to the table,” says Lauren. “Our networking events and community service projects are a great reflection of each member’s commitment to this group.” A native of Northern California, Lauren received a B.A. in History from Dartmouth College.
Hilary Johnson
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Events Subcommittee
Hillary Johnson is an Assistant Vice President in the Insurance Asset 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 the President of the Boston Middlebury Alumni Association.
Greg Lucas
Executive Committee Member, Co-Chair of Membership Subcommittee
Greg Lucas is an Associate at Bain Capital Ventures where he focuses on internet, software, and clean technology. Prior to joining Bain Capital, Greg worked at The Parthenon Group advising clients in the healthcare, information technology, consumer product and education industries. He began his career as a 12th Grade English Teacher. Greg began working with Youth Leaders in 2005. He says of the Young Leaders, “The potential we have to link the broader United Way network with the people of Boston makes this a very exciting organization.” A native of Washington, DC, Greg graduated from Dartmouth College with a major in Religious Studies.
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.
Elise Shutzer
Executive Committee Member, Chair of Leadership Subcommittee
Elise Shutzer is an associate at the Dewey Square Group, a strategic marketing and grassroots communication firm serving the country’s most respected corporate and non-profits organizations as well as national political campaigns. Elise concentrates in state and local government relations and the development and management of grassroots and grasstops strategies. Elise has held positions with a number of electoral campaigns locally and nationally. Prior to joining the Dewey Square Group in 2005, Elise worked in the Corporate Affairs division of Citizens Bank, where she assisted in the fields of government relations, charitable giving and corporate communications. In addition, she was the recipient of the prestigious Rotary International Ambassadorial Fellowship to Madrid, Spain where she studied International Politics and Conflict Resolution. Elise is a native of Swampscott, MA, and graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania with a double major in Diplomatic History and International Political Science.
