Q&A with New Advisory Board Members

Over the past year, Posse Boston has significantly expanded its advisory board, adding six leaders from the Boston community. Each new board member has brought a fresh perspective to the table, and we are extremely grateful for their energy and commitment. We recently asked them to reflect on their involvement with Posse.

Mike Brock, Managing Director of Equities, Barclays Capital

Why did you decide to join the Posse Boston Advisory Board?

From the beginning I believed in the Posse mission and soon found the organization offered a lot of opportunities to interact with the students themselves. DAP [the Dynamic Assessment Process, Posse’s unique student evaluation method] in particular is a great experience, and I was hooked on my first session.  Every experience I had with the Posse team and the kids throughout the scholarship award process has cemented my confidence in the success of the program and increased my desire to be involved.

What is/are your favorite thing(s) about being a part of Posse?

Without question it has been the opportunity to interact with the students—whether in the opening round of the DAP process, at the Awards Ceremony or hearing the experiences of so many successful alumni. The students are inspirational.

Annie Drapeau, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Iron Mountain

Why did you decide to join the Posse Boston Advisory Board?

I have gotten to know Posse as a Bucknell alum. Bucknell recruits three Posses a year, and I've watched Posse Scholars transform the campus through their leadership, vision and energy. Several years ago, I decided I needed to learn more, and was invited by Bucknell to participate in the process of selecting new Posse Scholars. I've experienced the privilege of getting to know these extraordinary young people, and my alma mater has benefited so much from its relationship with Posse.

What is/are your favorite thing(s) about being a part of Posse?

I absolutely love getting to know the students participating in the Posse process. They are simply inspiring. As an HR executive, I've learned so much about talent assessment and about building teams from Posse's proven methodologies. When I go back to visit my alma mater, I love seeing the Scholars leading and thriving on campus.  It makes me proud to be a Bucknellian and to be part of the Posse family.

Richard Fentin, Senior Advisor, Fidelity Investments

Why did you decide to join the Posse Boston Advisory Board?

Posse is a success, and yet we only can help 600 or so students per year. I hope to help and share Posse’s future growth and success. I see this opportunity as a chance to help make a difference in people’s lives and maybe make a difference for the U.S.

What is/are your favorite thing(s) about being a part of Posse?

My favorite thing about Posse is watching the success stories. Over a period of years, Posse takes 17-year-old high school seniors and turns them into leaders for the next generation; it’s very gratifying.

Churchill Franklin, Chief Executive Officer, Acadian Asset Management

Why did you decide to join the Posse Boston Advisory Board?

I joined the Posse Board because of Posse New York’s involvement with Middlebury College where I have been a board member for 23 years and was board chair for four. Middlebury has just added their second Posse from Chicago. Could Boston be next? When I learned my neighbor, Paul Selian, was the head of the Posse Boston board, I knew it would be a fun group of which to be a part.

What is/are your favorite thing(s) about being a part of Posse?

My favorite thing about being part of Posse is constantly learning new and innovative education approaches and evaluation techniques relative to high school seniors.

Linda Gibson, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Distribution, Old Mutual Asset Management

Why did you decide to join the Posse Boston Advisory Board?

I decided to join Posse because, simply put, I believe in it and support its mission 100 percent.  Its energy is contagious.

What is/are your favorite thing(s) about being a part of Posse?

My favorite thing about being a part of Posse is the interaction with an extraordinary group of people.  People associated with Posse—whether advisors, Scholars, alumni or supporters—are smart, energetic, driven leaders who make a difference.  The organization inspires me to do and be more.

Susan McSwain, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Fidelity Investments

Why did you decide to join Posse the Posse Boston Advisory Board?

The first time I heard Posse President and Founder Deborah Bial’s story about why she started Posse—because of the student who said he wouldn't have dropped out if he'd had his posse with him—I immediately thought of a very similar conversation I'd had as a college freshman with a classmate who had grown up in the South Bronx. So the mission of Posse— I got it, right off the bat.

What is/are your favorite thing(s) about being a part of Posse?

The Posse Scholars are, hands down, my very favorite thing about Posse.  Every time I hear a Posse Scholar tell her story or talk about his plan to change the world, I am awed by the strength of purpose and commitment to achieve in these young students.