Lawrence is a sociology student at Emmanuel College and he is also interning at the Hildreth Institute as an Operations Assistant. Prior to this internship, he previously worked for Inversant as a Forest Foundation Intern. Lawrence is excited to join the Hildreth Institute team in advocating for a more equitable and affordable higher education system.

Bahar is an experienced research professional interested in issues related to social justice and development. She holds a Ph.D. in political science from McGill University. After working on various research projects in international development and peace-building, Bahar co-founded ‘Socially Responsible Research’ a consultancy partnership offering evaluation and research support to nonprofit organizations. Working closely with Inversant, she developed a keen interest in the US higher education system and how it relates to the pervasive inequalities present in our society. Bahar is thrilled to lead Bob Hildreth’s new initiative, the Hildreth Institute, where we seek to fight for a fairer and more sustainable higher education system that benefits all.

Ariana O’Rourke has kicked off her professional career with the Hildreth Institute as their Communications Associate. Having worked with nonprofits throughout her college experience, Ariana is eager to join the fight for sustainable higher education alongside Hildreth. Born in Western MA and having received her BA at Wheaton College in Business with a concentration in equality, diversity, and social responsibility; Ariana has developed a strong sense of devotion toward the creation of a more just and equitable society. She is excited to continue that dedication with Hildreth in helping to create an education system that benefits everyone.

Dr. Charles Desmond is the chief executive officer of Inversant, a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure that through parental engagement every low-to-moderate income family has the resources and understanding they need to achieve their goals for higher education. He was Chair of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and a policy advisor to former Governor Deval Patrick. Under Charles’ leadership, Inversant has moved to the forefront of the Children’s Savings Account (CSA) movement by establishing relationships in both the private and public sector. In his short tenure with Inversant, he has helped establish new programs in the Salem and Revere Public School Systems, as well as being instrumental in spearheading a five-city partnership with the Massachusetts State Treasurer’s Office to launch SoarMA, a program that helps parents of 7th-grade students to open Children’s Savings Accounts (CSAs).

A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Desmond served from 2002 to 2009 as Executive Vice President of the Trefler Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving educational opportunities and success for Boston’s urban youth. Prior to Trefler, Dr. Desmond worked for more than 30 years at the University of Massachusetts Boston, with a focus on student affairs and community collaboration. He has also served as a guidance counselor at Northeastern University’s African/American Institute, and in the Boston Public Schools.

Dr. Desmond is active in civic and community organizations, including service as President of AARP Massachusetts and as a member of the Review Committee for the Broad Prize in Urban Education, Board of Governors for the Northeast and Islands Regional Educational Laboratory at Brown University, Brown University Design Group/Annenberg Institute for School Reform, and Cambridge College Board of Trustees. He was the co-chair and executive director of the Urban Educators Corps and is a past president of the Massachusetts Educational Opportunity Association, and he has been active with the American Council on Education, and the Council for Opportunity in Education, among other organizations.

Dr. Desmond earned his Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a B.S. in sociology from Northeastern University. He is a decorated Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Army, receiving both Silver and Bronze star

Claudio Martinez is the executive director of La Vida Scholars, a nonprofit organization seeking to equip low-income, high-achieving Lynn students with resources and preparation needed to enter great colleges, and awards parents who save with matched funds and the training necessary to make informed decisions regarding their child’s higher education.

has worked to advance education, culture and economic development in Boston through leadership roles in the nonprofit, private and public sectors. For 17 years, he was the Executive Director of The Hyde Square Task Force. Under his leadership, the organization received several awards including the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, the nation’s highest honor for out-of-school arts and humanities programs. As a neighborhood advocate, community organizer, and parent, Claudio has worked in Boston school reform efforts for the past 25 years, also serving as a member and Vice-Chair of the Boston School Committee. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Boston Foundation, the Youth Violence Prevention Funders Learning Collaborative, and Boston After School and Beyond. He is a member of the inaugural class of the Barr Foundation Fellows Program and a Mel King Community Fellow of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is current Co-Director of Boston University’s BRIDGE Program.