Join us for a cross-sector convening on waterfront access and equity, grounded in shared insight and designed to spark collective action.
Kathy Abbott
President and CEO, Boston Harbor Now
Kathy Abbott is the inaugural President and CEO of Boston Harbor Now. She has led mergers, startups, and turnarounds across public and nonprofit organizations, with a career focused on expanding access to parks, open space, and environmental stewardship. Her leadership includes helping create Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park; launching the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the state’s first integrated park system; leading an independent campaign that increased funding for public parks; overseeing the transition of Massachusetts’ largest private park system; and significantly expanding the impact of New England’s only year-round public botanic garden. Kathy’s work spans local, national, and global partnerships across public, private and non-profit sectors, with a consistent focus on environmental, economic, and public health outcomes. She credits her success to strong teams and deep collaboration. Her experience as an executive and entrepreneur positions her to advance the positive impacts of Boston Harbor on the region. She attended Stockbridge, UMASS and Harvard.
Nicole LaChappele
Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Nicole LaChapelle serves as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, which manages over 450,000 acres of parks, forests, beaches, bike trails, and watersheds across the Commonwealth — one of the largest state conservation systems in the United States. Prior to her appointment as Commissioner, Nicole served as Mayor of Eastampton, Massachusetts, where she developed a reputation for bold, progressive leadership on climate, sustainability, and community investment. Her career spans elected office, public administration, and conservation management, making her one of the most experienced public-sector voices on the intersection of government stewardship, community engagement, and entrepreneurial partnership.
Diana Fernandez Bibeau
Commissioner of Parks and Recreation and Deputy Chief of Open Space, City of Boston
Diana Fernandez Bibeau, is the City of Boston Commissioner of Parks and Recreation and Deputy Chief of Open Space. Prior to that role, she served as Boston’s Deputy Chief of Urban Design for the Planning Department since 2022, bringing over 15 years of experience in the private and public sectors to the position, including a substantial design portfolio to advance equity, sustainability, and resilience through Boston’s built environment. Prior to joining the Wu administration, she practiced landscape architecture and design at Sasaki for over seven years, working on several significant projects, including the Frederick Douglas Memorial in Roxbury and coastal resiliency efforts in Charlestown and East Boston, and led large parks projects across the country, such as the Port of Los Angeles Wilmington Waterfront. She will also be making history as the first Latina to serve as Commissioner of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, responsible for leading over 300 full-time staff and the stewardship and programming of 2,200 acres of permanently protected open space.