It is with great enthusiasm that I announce that the BCNC Board of Directors has appointed Ben Hires to serve as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BCNC, effective June 1, 2020. Ben brings to the position significant leadership experience in the non-profit sector and we are confident that his collaborative, innovative, and strategic approach to community building will strengthen BCNC’s impact and reach in empowering Asian and new immigrant families.

From his first job as a youth counselor at a therapeutic program, Ben has been serving young people and families throughout his career. Ben held leadership positions in programs, strategy, and external relations at the Boston Children's Chorus where he played a key role elevating the choir’s social justice mission to bring diverse young people and their families together. Currently, Ben is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Boston Public Library where he has established and maintained building strong relationships across education, cultural, and civic engagement sectors in order to advance the Library's mission of providing educational and cultural enrichment free to all Boston residents. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Political Science, a Master of Theological Studies, and a Master of Science in Arts Administration all from Boston University.

With his background as a Korean American adoptee and mentor to youth from the Boston Chinatown community through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and BCNC’s College Access program, Ben brings compassion and understanding of the Asian community to the CEO role. He has also served on the Pao Arts Center Advisory Committee since 2016, assisting in establishing the center as a cultural anchor for the Chinatown community and beyond.

I would like to give special thanks to the Interim Leadership Team, David Jacobs, Yoyo Yau and Joann Yung, as well as the BCNC staff for their work during this leadership transition. With Ben at the helm, the Board is confident that we will continue to empower the children, youth, and families we serve, and build healthy families and a strong community.

Eugene Mahr

Board President