Ep. 48, Lee Pelton: President of Emerson College & Future CEO of The Boston Foundation
In today’s episode of Catalysts for Change, Jill talks to Lee Pelton, current President of Emerson College, who will soon become the CEO of The Boston Foundation. Starting officially at The Boston Foundation on June 1st, Dr. Pelton has an extensive background in higher education and a deep passion for service.
Throughout his career, Dr. Pelton has worked to address social justice issues. A common theme in his lectures, speeches and writing has been to ask us “to share our talents and resources with those who have not had the good fortune to participate in the bounty of life.” Pelton grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where he graduated from Wichita State University. He left Kansas to earn a Ph.D. in 19th century English and American Literature and Languages at Harvard University. After teaching at Harvard, he served as Dean of the College at Colgate University and Dartmouth College and then served for 13 years as the president of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. He has spent the past 10 years at Emerson College, where his leadership has been called “transformational”. In addition to his work at Emerson, Lee is involved with a number of non-profit organizations and supports their work with his informed take on racial equity.
We talk to Lee about his journey leading him to Emerson College, his vision and aspirations for his role with The Boston Foundation, the current state of Boston and the important issues facing its residents.
If you would like to read more about Dr. Pelton’s work, check out the resources below.