Real Life Experience Serving on Civic Boards
04/14/2026 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM ET
Admission
- Free
Description
Real Life Experience Serving on Civic Boards
Tuesday, April 14
8:30 - 9:30 am ET via Zoom
Decisions made at the state and local levels can impact our daily lives, the built environment, economic opportunities, how our tax dollars are spent, and far more. These decisions and priorities are often shaped by dedicated citizens who are appointed to municipal and state boards and commissions. Some of those citizens are members of The Boston Club.
The Civic Engagement Committee is pleased to host a panel discussion featuring TBC members Lisa Prior, Kimberly Lee, and Jane Obbagy, each of whom brings firsthand experience serving on a civic board, and moderated by member Allison Bauer, a health policy and strategic philanthropic leader. Join us for a candid conversation about what it really means to show up, weigh in, and make a difference in your community.
Our Speakers
Kimberly A. Lee, Ph.D.
Kimberly A. Lee, Ph.D., is a community advocate and former scientific leader who has translated her career in research and innovation into meaningful civic engagement. Previously Director of Proteomics at Cell Signaling Technology, she now focuses on strengthening local governance and supporting the nonprofit sector in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Kim serves as a Council Member for the Lynn Arts and Culture Council and has held roles across multiple nonprofit boards, advisory councils, and civic committees. She is also Co-Chair of The Boston Club’s Nonprofit Board Committee and volunteers with Empower Success Corps. A graduate of Cornell University and the University of Washington, she brings a strategic and hands-on approach to building a more vibrant and equitable community.
Jane Obbagy
Jane Obbagy is a global business leader with decades of experience driving growth, leading change, and scaling organizations across industries including energy, pharmaceuticals, government, and hospitality. She began her career at Arthur D. Little, advising Fortune 500 executives on risk and ESG strategy, and has since held senior leadership roles working closely with CEOs and private equity partners on expansion, governance, and successful exits.
Today, she is the founder of an ESG advisory firm, helping organizations navigate responsible growth and complex market dynamics. Jane also serves as Chair of the Newton Economic Development Commission, in addition to advising private companies, mentoring startups, and contributing to nonprofit governance. She holds an MA from Tufts University and a BA from the University of Vermont.
Lisa Prior
Lisa Prior is the Founder and CEO of Prior Consulting, a leadership and organizational development practice serving Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 clients for more than 25 years across healthcare, financial services, and higher education. She previously served as Chief of Staff at BankBoston (now part of Bank of America), where she helped lead a nationally recognized corporate responsibility initiative, and has taught in executive education programs at Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management.
Lisa serves on the Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council, a governor-appointed body overseeing economic development incentives. She is a former President and Board Chair of The Boston Club (2022–2024) and an author whose work focuses on leadership, career development, and the changing relationship between employers and employees.
Allison F. Bauer, JD, MSW (Moderator)
Allison F. Bauer is Director of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging and a leader in public health, policy, and philanthropy. She most recently served as Associate Chair for External Relations and Teaching Professor in the Department of Public Health & Health Sciences at Northeastern University.
Her career spans senior roles across government and nonprofit sectors, including Director of the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Senior Director of Health and Wellness at The Boston Foundation, and Staff Director & Chief Counsel for the Massachusetts House Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use & Recovery.
Allison serves on the advisory board of Playworks New England and the Leadership Council of Bowdoin Street Health Center. She holds degrees from the University of Rochester, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and is known for advancing innovative, systems-level solutions in public health and social services.