by Cole Harrison
In this period of difficult times but also of growth in the peace movement, we’re responding and moving forward.
I am very pleased to share the news of some exciting staff transitions at MAPA. Assistant Director Brian M. Garvey will take on the role of Executive Director of Massachusetts Peace Action and Massachusetts Peace Action Education Fund on September 1, 2024. I will be stepping down as fulltime Executive Director to continue in a half time position as Administrative Director.
Brian has served as assistant director for five years after joining MAPA as a volunteer. He initially joined MAPA’s protests of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman’s red carpet treatment at MIT and Harvard, even as he pursued a criminal bombing campaign in Yemen. As assistant director, Brian co-led the Raytheon Antiwar Campaign, the national Yemen peace coalition, the War Industries Resisters Network, and the Twin Existential Threats/ Climate and Nuclear Disarmament United campaign. He has also led MAPA’s communications, fundraising, and internship programs for the past year to two years.
“MAPA looks forward to Brian’s leadership, with his new ideas and focus on developing young leaders,” said Rosemary Kean, MAPA’s co-chair and personnel committee chair. “As we confront a US-sponsored genocide in Gaza, war in Ukraine, climate emergency, nuclear war, and racism and inequality at home, we are confident that he will continue to grow the organization’s reach and impact over the coming years.”
Brian will speak at MAPA Education Fund’s annual dinner on Sunday, Oct. 6, laying out his vision and plans for the organization. Please join me there in welcoming Brian to his new leadership role!
It has been immensely rewarding for me to have served as Executive Director since 2012. In my new role as Administrative Director, I hope to support the financial and legal record-keeping and the computer and technology systems of Massachusetts Peace Action and Massachusetts Peace Action Education Fund. Along with all of you, I will continue my participation in political and campaign work as a volunteer!
Two other young staffers round out MAPA’s roster. Ting Huang was promoted to Communications Director over the summer after serving as Communications Specialist for a year and a half. She supervises MAPA’s email, newsletter, social media, website, and video efforts.
Katrina Tummino is the newest member of MAPA’s staff, having joined as Development and Fundraising Specialist during August after working in development at Boston University. Katrina will lead the efforts of the Fundraising committee, along with its co-chairs, Hayat Imam and Brian Garvey.
In another dynamic improvement to our operations, MAPA has moved our office to St. James Place near Porter Square. St. James Place is a modern facility operated by St. James Episcopal Parish. Our office is located on the ground floor; it is fully accessible and has plenty of natural light! Our new address is 1991 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140. Our phone number remains 617-354-2169.Call us and we’ll come let you in!
We invite our members and supporters to come by and visit us – we’re typically here Monday to Thursday, from 10-4. Hope to see you here soon!