Inversant CEO, Charles Desmond, Recognized at the State House as a Black Excellence on the Hill Honoree
We are pleased to share that our CEO, Charles Desmond, was recognized at the State House on Monday, February 4, as a Black Excellence on the Hill Honoree for his distinguished career in higher education.
Charles was nominated by Senator Joan B. Lovely – Second Essex District, and Representative Theodore C. Speliotis – 13th Essex. An excerpt from the program book outlining Charles’ distinguished career in higher education is below.
Congratulations, Charlie! We are so proud of you!
Over the last four decades, Dr. Charles Desmond has had a long and distinguished career in higher education. He presently serves as the CEO of Inversant, the largest parent-centered children’s saving account initiative in the Commonwealth. He is the past-chair of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and was a higher education policy advisor to former Governor Deval Patrick. In many and varied roles, he has been at the forefront of educational access, retention, and college completion issues for low and moderate-income citizens here in the Commonwealth and across the nation. A Fulbright Scholar and philanthropic leader, he has been a tireless advocate for increased attention, support, and engagement with programs serving at-risk children, adults, and the communities in which they reside. He is Chair of the University of Massachusetts-Boston’s Board of Visitors; he also served the University as Associate Chancellor and as Dean of the College of Public & Community Service. He earned his Education Doctorate in instructional leadership from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Northeastern University. He has received numerous honors and awards from local and national organizations and he is the recipient of three Honorary Doctoral degrees bestowed by Framingham State University, Westfield State University and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He is a twenty-one year member of the Danvers Human Rights and Inclusion Committee and President of the Friends of the Danvers Human Rights and Inclusion Committee. He is a past Chair of Building Bridges Through Music in Lynn and his current roles include service as a Trustee of Teachers College, Columbia University; Senior Fellow of the New England Board of Higher Education; member of the North Shore Medical Center Board of Trustees; and Chair of the Advisory Board of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst College of Education. He is on the Advisory Board of Murphy, Hess, Toomey & Lehane, LLP, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, receiving both Silver and Bronze stars. He visits Selma, Alabama annually to honor the Civil Rights Movement past and present during the re-enactment of the Bloody Sunday march. Dr. Desmond is married to Phyllis Boyd Desmond; they have three children and one grandchild.