Successful Philanthropist is First Woman of Color to Serve as Chairperson

MILTON, Mass., October 1, 2024 – Fontbonne, The Early College of Boston, a leading all-girls Catholic high school, announced the appointment of Denella Clark as chairperson of its Board of Trustees. The proud parent of an accomplished Fontbonne alumna and the first woman of color to hold the prestigious position, Clark brings a wealth of experience in public policy, philanthropy, and management of non-profit organizations to the role.

“We are thrilled to welcome Denella Clark as Chair of our Board of Trustees,” said Head of School Maura Spignesi. “As a woman of courage herself, Ms. Clark’s expertise, passion, and commitment to empowering young women aligns with our mission. We are confident that her visionary leadership will propel us to new heights in delivering outstanding educational opportunities for our students.”

Originally from Jamaica, for more than 30 years Clark has led Boston-area nonprofits across various sectors, including arts education, academic medicine, youth development, and human services. Furthermore, her extensive background supporting policies and legislation that advocate for women and people of color underscores her commitment to transformative leadership. 

“I am honored and humbled to be the first woman of color to serve as chair of the Board of Trustees at Fontbonne Early College of Boston, as I am fiercely committed to equity, inclusion, and raising revenue to advance the public good,” Clark said. “This appointment is a testament to the progress we've made in creating more inclusive and equitable leadership opportunities within our community.”

In her current role as president and chief executive officer of the Boston Arts Academy Foundation, Clark has driven the organization’s growth from its inception and has raised approximately $29 million as part of a $35 million multi-year comprehensive campaign that is scheduled to be completed in June 2025. The Boston Arts Academy, the city’s sole public high school for the visual and performing arts, serves a student body predominantly from lower-income families. Many students are Black and Latino, and the school proudly boasts a 97 percent college acceptance rate. 

Earlier in her career, Clark helped lead the Joslin Diabetes Center’s $100 million capital campaign and the Dimock Center’s first $25 million campaign. In 2016, Governor Charlie Baker appointed her to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), a board that seeks to advance rights and opportunities for all women and girls. In 2020, she became the first woman of color to chair MCSW and currently serves in that role. Clark also has served on former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s Racial Equity Committee and former Mayor Kim Janey’s Executive Transition Committee. She is a lifetime member of the NAACP.

Clark’s appointment to lead Fontbonne’s Board is a further testament to her dedication to advancing educational opportunities and fostering inclusive communities. She previously served as a board member.

For more information about Fontbonne, The Early College of Boston, please visit: https://www.fontbonneboston.org/.

About Fontbonne, The Early College of Boston

Fontbonne, The Early College of Boston,  is a Catholic preparatory and early college serving young women in grades 7-12 throughout Greater Boston and the South Shore. Since 1954, Fontbonne has inspired remarkable girls and is a leader in private school education and a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston.  Fontbonne's Early College model and student-centered curriculum allow its faculty to challenge students to rise to the expectation of academic excellence while understanding the importance of collaboration and creativity. The Early College program exposes students to learning beyond the classroom, with opportunities to experience the world. Through the access students have to college classrooms, programming, and student life experiences, which allow them to use their voices, we are preparing our young leaders to create their future.  A Fontbonne education proudly encourages students to question the status quo and have conversations that challenge them. Our alumni are faithful, fearless, and compassionate leaders defining our future.