The Barr Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of two leaders with extensive experience in the charitable sector. Following national searches for each role, in late Fall 2026, Beth Holland will join as Barr’s first General Counsel, and in early January 2027, Tony Bowen will join as Vice President of Programs. Both will serve on Barr’s Executive Leadership Team.
“For nearly three decades, Barr has been investing in potential, partnering with communities across New England to create the conditions for change makers to lead,” said Ali Noorani, Barr Foundation President and CEO. “With deep experience helping nonprofits and foundations put their ambitions into practice, and a commitment to listening, learning, and building strong relationships, Beth and Tony will help us continue to grow in how we support our partners and their work.”
Beth Holland, General Counsel
Beth Holland brings 15 years of experience advising mission-driven organizations on nonprofit law, governance, grantmaking, and partnerships. She joins Barr from The Nature Conservancy, where she led the Northeast Legal Team and served as attorney for the Appalachians Program, supporting climate, conservation, and community-focused initiatives across New England and the Appalachian region. Her work included advising on partnerships involving nonprofits, government, academic institutions, and philanthropy. Beth sees strong relationships as the foundation for effective legal partnership. Her approach begins with listening closely to colleagues, understanding what they are trying to accomplish, and bringing practical legal judgment to help navigate complexity and find a path forward.
Previously, Beth helped build the legal and compliance function at Management Sciences for Health as the second attorney hired into its General Counsel’s office. Her earlier career included work at Foley Hoag and Harvard University’s Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research, as well as international human rights and humanitarian legal work with organizations including Physicians for Human Rights and the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti.
“A theme I have observed across my work in human rights, development, and most recently, conservation is that meaningful and lasting progress comes from people who approach complex challenges with curiosity, humility, creativity, and a commitment to learning,” said Holland. “Those qualities are deeply reflected in Barr’s work, and I’m thrilled to join an organization that brings them together with thoughtful stewardship, deep partnerships, and a willingness to pursue new ideas.”
Tony Bowen, Vice President of Programs
Tony Bowen brings more than 18 years of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership, spanning grantmaking, strategy, organizational development, and team leadership. Currently Executive Director of the Fidelity Charitable® Catalyst Fund, Tony partners with Fidelity Charitable Trustees to lead the Fund’s grantmaking strategy focused on mobilizing more philanthropic resources to nonprofits serving disadvantaged communities.
Previously, Tony held leadership roles at Democracy Fund, helping build its teams, grantmaking processes, and operations as the organization grew from five to more than 55 staff. As a consultant with BDO FMA and through his own firm, Implement Together, he advised nonprofits, foundations, and family philanthropies on strategy, grantmaking, finances, and operations. Earlier in his career, he managed early education grants at the Annie E. Casey Foundation and worked at Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and GuideStar, now Candid.
Raised on Cape Cod, Tony began his work in philanthropy at the Cape Cod Foundation, which had earlier supported his education with a scholarship. Today, Tony lives with his partner in Medford and is actively involved with the Boston Foundation’s Equality Fund and Falmouth Service Center.
“New England is home,” said Bowen. “Growing up, local nonprofits across the region gave me the opportunity to be creative, expand what I thought was possible, and live up to my potential. I’m excited to work alongside the caring and committed staff at the Barr Foundation to ensure more people get access to the resources they need to thrive.”
