Introducing Our New
Chief Executive Officer

LETTER FROM BOARD PRESIDENT JANET SWEENEY RICO, PHD

To The Arc of Massachusetts Community:

I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Maura Sullivan, MPA, as the new Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of Massachusetts. On November 2, Maura will succeed Leo Sarkissian, who is retiring after an impressive 33 years of dedicated service. In a historic moment, Maura becomes the first parent of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to lead The Arc since its first Director, Pearl Birnbaum Hurwitz, in 1954.

Maura Sullivan has been a dynamic force within The Arc of Massachusetts for over a decade, leading Government Affairs and serving as the Director of Operation House Call, the nationally recognized training program that equips students in medical, nursing, and allied health professions across Massachusetts with the skills and understanding needed to care for individuals with IDD and autism.

Maura is a well-respected advocate, whose work has led to significant legislative achievements, including the passage of Nicky’s Law, Police Training in Autism, and the continued success of Operation House Call. At the State House, Maura has been instrumental in securing increased funding for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) budget, the direct support workforce, and MassHealth.

Beyond her legislative successes, Maura actively contributes to numerous state and national advisory boards and commissions focused on transition age youth with IDD and autism. She collaborates with prestigious institutions such as Drexel University, the Institute for Exceptional Care, and Harvard Medical School. Her involvement extends to the Massachusetts Governor’s Autism Commission for Healthcare and the Massachusetts Initiative to Improve Healthcare Transitions. In addition, Maura directs the policy and advocacy of Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts.

A former LEND Fellow, Maura holds a master’s degree in public administration from Suffolk University. She is also a devoted mother of three, including two transition-age sons who have autism. Her personal and professional experiences uniquely position her to lead The Arc of Massachusetts into a new era.

The Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint Maura, which reflects our immense confidence in her leadership abilities, vision for The Arc, and proven track record. We could not be more excited about the future of The Arc under her guidance and look forward to the continued growth and success of our organization.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Leo for his tireless dedication, commitment, and effectiveness and for all that he has done for people with IDD and autism and their families.

Please join me and the Board in congratulating Maura!

Sincerely,

Janet Sweeney Rico, Ph.D.
President

“Maura’s dedication and proven track record in advocacy, as well as her personal experience, uniquely position her as the perfect choice to lead The Arc of Massachusetts. I’ve personally seen Maura’s knowledge and commitment in action.  Her ability to listen and translate voices from the community into powerful messages have made a difference in our effectiveness. I have no doubt that The Arc will thrive with her as CEO and see continued success in improving the lives of individuals with IDD and autism.” – Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director, The Arc of Massachusetts

“I’m thrilled that Maura Sullivan has unanimously been appointed to serve as the new Chief Executive Officer for The Arc of Massachusetts. She has been a tireless advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for so many years. Maura has been a strong and collaborative partner with me and my colleagues in the Legislature and state government. She always has her pulse on the issues and demonstrates a thoughtful and compassionate approach to serving this vital population. Having served at The Arc in her roles as Head of Governmental Affairs and Deputy Executive Director, it will be a seamless transition into her new position. The future looks bright indeed for The Arc of Massachusetts!” – Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means

“Maura has the one quality that can’t be learned and that is passion for the work we do. Her success with the legislature and Operation House Call, to name just two achievements, speaks for itself. We look forward to working together for the future for people with disabilities and their families. With Maura as our leader, I am optimistic about our future. I applaud the Board of The Arc of Massachusetts for choosing Maura as the next leader. We have accomplished much and I know she will continue that trajectory.” – Jo Ann Simons, Chief Executive Officer, Northeast Arc

“Based on my many years of working with Maura, I know that The Arc of Massachusetts will greatly benefit from her passionate advocacy for all people with intellectual disabilities. She is a real visionary.” – Dr. Brian Skotko, Director of the Down Syndrome Program at Massachusetts General Hospital

“We are so excited about Maura Sullivan’s new role as Executive Director of The Arc of Massachusetts. Maura has vast personal and professional experience, deep knowledge of advocacy, and many relationships throughout legislature and the autism/IDD community as a whole. She truly has everything it takes to lead the organization and its extended community to create a more inclusive, accepting Commonwealth for people with disabilities and their families. We at the Flutie Foundation are excited to continue our long-term partnership with The Arc of Massachusetts under Maura’s visionary and action-oriented leadership.” – Nick Savarese, Executive Director, The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism

A MESSAGE FROM MAURA SULLIVAN

I am honored and humbled to be named CEO of The Arc of Massachusetts.

It is a privilege to be the first parent of children with disabilities to lead The Arc since our founder and volunteer Board Chair, Pearl Hurwitz. It is a privilege to stand on the shoulders of great leaders and changemakers of The Arc, especially Leo Sarkissian. I have been inspired by his unwavering commitment to this community since I first met him 13 years ago.

When I came to The Arc through Operation House Call, I felt like I found my second home. I connected deeply with The Arc’s dedicated team and the powerful community of advocates. The mission of The Arc became my passion, too.

I am proud of our advocacy accomplishments over the past decade, as well as the growth of our health equity initiatives. As CEO, I feel tremendous urgency to end the workforce crisis, eliminate archaic policies, and address the gaps in home- and community-based services, particularly for those who have high support needs and those who are marginalized.

Thank you to our Board President Janet Rico and the Board of Directors for their wholehearted trust in me. I am also grateful for the support of our 17 chapters of The Arc in Massachusetts. They continue to inform and inspire my work.

As CEO, I ask that you stay connected to The Arc through volunteerism, advocacy, and financial support. Let’s work together to make advocacy an integral part of our lives. I am eager to lead The Arc into the future with passion and innovation.