Hi there.

After nearly 20 years, I am thrilled to be back in Boston, and to begin my term as President of the Barr Foundation. A special thanks to our Board of Trustees and Chair, Barbara Hostetter, for their trust, and to my predecessor, Jim Canales, for this incredible opportunity. My thanks as well to Barr’s staff and partners, and to friends old and new, for the warm welcome and chance to work again in this special place – at such a time as we find ourselves today.

For an organization with a mission to help all New Englanders thrive, this is a historically challenging time. Charitable organizations that Barr supports here in New England exist to make life better for people, to help them reach their dreams and overcome whatever obstacles they face. Faced with dramatic funding cuts, organizations are being forced to scramble to find the resources necessary to serve their communities and advance critical work. Add to that the deeply polarized and adversarial nature of our politics, along with the undermining of core Constitutional principles such as the freedom of speech or the rule of law, and it is no mystery why nonprofits working for the greater good are facing increased threats of political violence, cyberattacks, and intrusive investigations. This leaves leaders spending precious time and limited resources defending their staff and communities.

Yet, despite the public’s growing distrust in institutions and declining sense of control over their lives, a kinder, more equitable, creative and sustainable world is absolutely within our grasp. And, these days, I can’t help but think of all that happened just outside our windows 250 years ago.

From Barr’s office in Boston’s North End, I can see the spire of the Old North Church, where Paul Revere caught sight of the telltale beacon and set off on his famous ride to rouse the original American patriots. Over the ensuing years, the values that shape our nation’s belief in the common good were born of debate and compromise in town meetings, congregations and civic organizations across New England. Their work made an outsized contribution to the ideals that have defined America’s journey: freedom, equality, justice and toleration. I can think of no better place to make common cause with others defending and even expanding those timeless ideals.

Of the many things that drew me to this opportunity, high among them was how Barr lives out and defends these ideals. This is a place that understands we can only achieve our ambitions through partnership, through steadfast and long-term investment in local leaders, and through a determination to always listen first and lead with curiosity.

In a society as diverse as ours has always been, disagreement is inevitable. It is also completely reasonable, welcome, and necessary. At Barr, our starting point is we know we don’t have all the answers. We often don’t even have all the right questions. That’s why we need to be in conversation with people who are closest to the challenges and solutions they know will work in their communities. We also know that we need to be in conversation with people who bring different perspectives, and who come at things differently than we do.

These values have guided Barr’s work for nearly 30 years. As we look now to our next chapter, Barr’s commitments are unwavering to our focus areas of arts + creativity, climate, and education, and to our core values to strive for impact, act with humility, invest in leaders, take the long view, center racial equity, embrace risk, and demonstrate curiosity. At the same time, we know we’ll have to keep adapting and changing as the world changes around us – so that we can remain responsive to our partners and what they need to keep doing their work helping communities thrive.

Regardless of what the future brings, nothing will change our firm belief that every human being is born with unique gifts, flaws, and potential. That’s why all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. It is also why – fully aware of our human flaws and limitations – we hold fast to our mission and values, with curiosity and openness about what we will discover, together, as the best way forward.

Thank you again for this opportunity and your partnership.

Onward.

– Ali