New board members at Mass Insight Education & Research

BOSTON – June 25, 2020 – Mass Insight Education & Research (Mi) announces the addition of two new members to their board of directors. Chris Horan and Jill Norton will join the board effective July 1, 2020.

“We’re excited to have these new members lend their unique perspectives to our board,” said Board Chairman Dick Taggart of State Street Corporation. “We look forward to working together with our new colleagues to advance the mission and goals of the organization.”

Chris Horan is the founder and managing partner of Horan Communications. Chris provides coaching and consulting services in strategic communications to school districts, public agencies, non-profits, and emerging businesses. He previously served as the first Chief Communications Officer for the Boston Public Schools, designing and executing the launch of an award-winning communications strategy for the largest public school district in New England. He is a former Chief of Staff for Superintendent Thomas W. Payzant and served as Director of Speechwriting for Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.  

“I’m honored to join the Board of an organization with such a strong reputation in Boston and across the country,” said Chris Horan. “As school districts grapple with how best to serve families during these unprecedented times, the support that Mass Insight provides is more critical than ever.” 

Jill Norton most recently worked as Director of Education Policy at Abt Associates, where she led projects for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Early Education and Care. Prior to that she worked at the state’s Executive Office of Education as a senior policy advisor in the Patrick and Baker administrations. She helped lead a project that compared Massachusetts’ assessments and made recommendations to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which ultimately led to its decision to revise MCAS and replace PARCC. Prior to joining state government, Jill was the Executive Director of the Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy. 

“I am especially excited to join the Mass Insight board during this moment of uncertainty and change in education,” said Jill Norton.  “I’m glad for the chance to support Mass Insight’s critical work toward ensuring that all students have access to rigorous and engaging coursework.” 

The new members join Taggart, David Adams of the College Board, Jeffrey Davis of EY, Gary Evee of Evee Security Consulting Group, Cecilia Frerotte of Wolf & Company, Dr. Beth Gamse of Gamse Partnership, Paula Garcia of Wolters Kluwer Health, Ernesto Gonzalez of Charles River Development, Kamau Hixon of Prudential Private Capital, and Fran Kelly of CEOVIEW Branding. Dr. Susan F. Lusi, Mass Insight’s President & CEO, is an ex officio member.  Mass Insight has expanded its board of directors from four to thirteen members since the beginning of 2019.