From the Desk of
Richard J. Robison, Executive Director

Spring/Summer 2006

Thanking Brooke

After nine years and seven successful Galas, Brooke Heraty is retiring from her position as Director of Development at the Federation. Brooke is looking forward to spending more time in pursuit of her two favorite pastimes: spending time with her family and traveling. While we are sad to see her go, she more than deserves a rest. She has done an exquisite job of establishing the Federation’s signature event, which not only is an annual celebration of our mission, but has also provided a solid financial base for our organization.

Brooke began her career at the Federation as a student intern, while pursuing her Masters Degree in Public Policy at Suffolk University. Once she was with us, we could not let her go so we offered her the role of Director of Development.

Aside from her formal training, Brooke’s informal, and perhaps more relevant, training began years earlier with the birth of her son Ryan who has special needs. In addition to her expertise in building financial supports, Brooke knows what it takes to build supports for individuals with special needs, having successfully advocated for her son in the areas of education, healthcare, post secondary education and housing. Brooke willingly and graciously shares this expertise with other families in similar circumstances and with characteristic kindness and graciousness, for many years Brooke represented the needs of young adults with special needs on the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. Brooke’s tireless commitment and spirit of generosity has spurred her efforts to invite everyone she knows, and those beyond, to make a commitment to the Federation along with a generous contribution.

As we say an appreciative farewell to Brooke in her current role, we celebrate her “Spirit of the Federation” and wish her great satisfaction in the next phase of her life. We have all benefited from her dedication and hard work.

From all of us…

Best Wishes, Brooke and Thank You!

Dr. Richard J. Robison

became Executive Director of the Federation in April of 1997. Dr. Robison has over 20 years experience with the management of nonprofit volunteer organizations as well as six years experience in state government as a senior policy analyst to the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation. The parent of three children, two of whom have Down syndrome, he is knowledgeable in a broad range of relevant content areas. He was appointed to serve a second 3-year term on the State Advisory Council for special education required under IDEA, is an elected member of the Sudbury, Massachusetts, School Board, serves on the AAUAP Consumer Affairs Council, and in Spring 1997, he was appointed by Secretary of Education Richard Riley to serve on the Goals 2000 “America Goes Back to School” Steering Committee.