The Board of Trustees is the governing body responsible for Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center's mission, financial oversight, and long-term strategic direction.
Dr. Peter Bakkala is a seasoned financial leader, corporate advisor, and governance expert with a four-decade career spanning banking, enterprise risk, and compliance. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer at Needham Bank, directing enterprise risk, compliance, and audit functions while supporting rapid commercial expansion and an IPO. His career includes executive leadership at Citizens Financial Group—serving as President of Government & Professionals Banking and Chief Compliance Officer—as well as Principal at KPMG. Dr. Bakkala holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Northcentral University, an MA from Trinity College, and a BA from Connecticut College.
Back to topAaron Cunningham is a results-oriented finance executive with extensive expertise in financial strategy, acquisition integration, and operational efficiency across high-growth environments. Currently serving as Senior Manager of Compliance and Reporting at Viant Medical, as well as an independent management consultant, he brings strong cross-functional leadership to corporate governance. His past roles include divisional Controller at Nordson MEDICAL, Corporate Consolidations Manager for Brooks Automation, and FP&A Manager at Accellent Corp. Aaron holds a Master of Business Administration from Daniel Webster College and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance from Bentley University.
Back to topJohn Ferris is a seasoned software engineering executive with a deep background in architecting performance-driven systems and leading complex technology operations. Currently serving as Vice President of Technology at KAYAK, he has spent over a decade guiding the company’s engineering strategy, technical architecture, and software development teams through successive leadership roles. Prior to KAYAK, John served as a Software Engineer at General Dynamics C4 Systems, where he led technical teams developing next-generation network management systems for the U.S. Army. John holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science from Stonehill College.
Back to topMichi Holmes Foster brings extensive executive expertise in financial transformation, enterprise operations, grant administration, and governance. As Founder and CEO of MHFoster Group, she architects integrated operational and financial ecosystems for organizations navigating growth and complexity. Her career spans leadership roles across public and private sectors, including serving as Chief Business Officer for Project Bread, Director of Operations for MassDOT, and Director of Operations for the City of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development. Michi holds an MST in Taxation from Northeastern University, an MBA in Organizational Leadership from Edgewood, and executive credentials from Wharton and Harvard Business School.
Back to topDr. Alexandra Graham is an innovative biotech executive, global health strategist, and governance expert with over three decades of international leadership. She co-founded LaGray, establishing West Africa’s first vertically integrated pharmaceutical manufacturing platform, and currently serves as Founder and Principal of LaGray Finance. Her diverse background includes advising USAID as a Biomedical Advisor and Zika Fellow, consulting for the United States Pharmacopeia, and serving on governance boards for academic and healthcare institutions. Dr. Graham holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Lagos, a doctorate from the University of Sussex, and an MBA from American InterContinental University.
Back to topDr. Michael Hogan brings extensive executive experience in governance, regulatory strategy, and risk management across the financial services sector. Across a distinguished career spanning senior roles at Charles Schwab—where he served as Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer overseeing asset management compliance—and Brown Brothers Harriman, he has directed complex global operations and compliance frameworks. Dedicated to education and governance, Michael serves as an adjunct professor across several universities. He holds a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School, a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts, and a Master’s in Art History.
Back to topDr. Tamara Shapiro Ledley is a climate scientist and STEM education leader with a career spanning research, teaching, and science communication. She currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Bentley University, where she teaches Global Climate Change to undergraduate business students, and as a consultant through Sustaining Science Consulting. She previously served for 20 years as a senior scientist and chair of the Center for STEM Teaching and Learning at TERC. Dr. Ledley is a 2017 Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellow, an En-ROADS Climate Ambassador, and Secretary of the Education Section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She has served on the Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center Board since 2018, most recently as Board Chair, and now serves as Acting Chair of the Board of Trustees. She holds a Ph.D. in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography from MIT and a B.S. in Astronomy from the University of Maryland.
Back to topDr. Bob Maxson brings decades of high-level leadership in executive management, atmospheric science, and aviation safety to his work. He served for over 17 years as Director of the NOAA National Weather Service’s Aviation Weather Center, overseeing global aviation forecasting, strategic planning, and multi-agency partnerships. A former research pilot, he has led complex environmental and atmospheric data collection programs across NOAA and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Currently CEO of GYRE, LLC, Dr. Maxson holds a Ph.D. in Aviation Safety and Human Factors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master’s in Physical Oceanography and Meteorology.
Back to topEllen Mecray is a recognized climate services expert and strategic leader with over 25 years of experience bridging scientific research and cross-sector decision-making. She served nearly 15 years as NOAA’s Regional Climate Services Director for the Eastern Region, driving interagency partnerships and translating complex environmental data for key sectors including energy, transportation, and coastal management. Her career also includes impactful leadership roles at the U.S. Geological Survey, Climate Central, and as founder of Aeolus Climate Strategies. Ellen holds a Master of Science in Geological Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island and a Bachelor’s in Geology and Education from Colgate University.
Back to topMickey Negus is an accomplished commercial leader and technology strategist specializing in global enterprise sales, go-to-market execution, and digital asset infrastructure. He currently serves as Head of Enterprise Sales at Edge & Node, having previously scaled the company’s global technical support operations to serve over 500 enterprise clients. His background includes a decade at Sandia National Laboratories as a Counterterrorism Operations Manager and Senior R&D Systems Engineer, as well as founding two organizations. Mickey holds Master’s degrees in Systems Engineering and Communication from Johns Hopkins University and was named an Albuquerque Business First 40 Under 40 honoree.
Back to topLewis Pollock is a technology executive with more than 40 years of experience across enterprise IT leadership, having overseen a $10M+ annual technology budget and built an IT organization supporting more than 1,000 employees across five states. He studied astronomy, physics, and computer science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has maintained a lifelong commitment to STEM education and the sciences. His background spans enterprise systems modernization, data integration, and preparing organizations for AI and advanced analytics.
Back to topDane Ratliff brings over 20 years of global experience in environmental law, corporate ESG strategy, and sustainable investing. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of ESG and Corporate Development at Flow Alkaline Spring Water, where he played a key role in leading their $300M initial public offering. His international career includes serving as Director and General Counsel for the Commission for Environmental Cooperation of North America and Legal Counsel at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Dane holds advanced law degrees, certificates in Sustainable Business Strategy from Harvard Business School, and is a published author on international climate law.
Back to topDr. Cynthia Skief is an executive consultant and published author specializing in organizational governance, strategic leadership, and fiscal accountability. As Principal of Cynthia Skief LLC, she advises non-profit and corporate entities on leadership transformation, emotional intelligence, and executive succession. Her extensive public-sector governance career includes senior oversight positions with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, managing complex grant compliance and regulatory frameworks. Dr. Skief holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor’s in Information Technology Project Management from UT Tyler.
Back to topDavid Zabetakis is a four-time CEO and experienced corporate director with over 30 years of global leadership across industrial manufacturing, utility infrastructure, and engineered services. Currently Founder and CEO of Z.EVOLUTION, LLC, he serves as an Operating Partner and Director for private equity firms including MidOcean Partners and Shore Capital. His executive record includes serving as CEO of TechPro Power Group and Arco Technologies, as well as President of Doble Engineering Company. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Command, David holds an Executive MBA from Loyola College and a Bachelor of Science from Wichita State University.
Back to topDr. Alexander Evans is a scientist and executive leader serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center. He leads the Observatory’s scientific, educational, and institutional strategy, with a focus on strengthening its historic observing program, expanding public engagement, and advancing the use and accessibility of its long-term climate record.
Dr. Evans previously served on the faculty of Brown University’s Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences, where he directed the GHOSST Computational Lab. His research has addressed fundamental questions about the formation, evolution, interiors, surfaces, and environments of planetary bodies across the solar system and beyond. His scientific career has also included appointments at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, the Colorado School of Mines, the Southwest Research Institute, and the University of Arizona.
Dr. Evans holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics and Planetary Science and an M.S. in Geobiology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a B.S.E. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Back to topBlue Hill Observatory & Science Center welcomes inquiries from prospective trustees who share our commitment to science, education, and the historic weather record.
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