United South End Settlements (USES) announced the following five new board members who will join USES’s 20-memberBoard of Directors starting this month:
Professor of Practice and Director of Urban Leadership Program at Simmons University Gary Bailey;
Director of Diversity Recruiting and Advising at IES Abroad Gretchen Cook-Anderson;
Investment Analyst at Finepoint Capital Kevin Koslosky;
Executive Director at Parenting Journey Imari Paris Jeffries; and
Owner/Principal at Planeta Design Group LLC Patrick Planeta of Jamaica Plain.
For 127 years, USES has served families and communities in the South End and surrounding Boston areas; its mission is to harness the power of its diverse community to disrupt the cycle of poverty for children and their families. USES’s strategic plan, Vision125, includes further expanding and enhancing programs to increase access, engagement and impact for families and communities to achieve economic mobility. The plan also includes rebuilding a new Harriet Tubman House at its 48 Rutland Street location, creating a comprehensive campus for programs with community space for the neighborhood.
With support from the Board, which is 40 percent people of color, 50 percent South End residents, and includes USES parents and alumni, USES President and CEO, Maicharia Weir Lytle, is leading the Vision125 initiative. “We’re very excited to welcome these new board members whose diverse experiences and perspectives will be invaluable,” said Weir Lytle. “Their insights and thoughtfulness will help us in implementing our five-year strategic plan, including our new two-generation approach to our programs, supporting children as well as their parents/caregivers so that the whole family can thrive.”
“Our commitment to USES families and our community is steadfast; it is shared by all of our board members, including our newest additions,” said USES Board Chair Julia Johannsen. “We’re thrilled to have five outstanding individuals join us in our work, helping to ensure that this long-standing organization continues to be a critical, vibrant part of the city of Boston for many years to come.” Patrick Planeta is a Boston based interior designer, well known for his work in innovative design solutions that implement client vision and desire. Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Wentworth Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree, Patrick became a standout Senior Associate/Senior Designer at CBT Architects where he worked prior to and following graduation. After much recognition for his dedication to his work at CBT Architects for 12 years, Patrick founded his own company, Planeta Design Group LLC. For the past 12 years, Planeta Design Group LLC has been highly praised, and he has been recognized individually as well. In New England Homes’ ‘5 Under 40,’ Patrick was named as “the hottest emerging talent in residential design in New England.” In addition to running Planeta Design Group LLC, he also served on the Board of Directors of Artists for Humanity in South Boston and as a part of the team building the “Creative Industries Epicenter.” Aside from working and serving on numerous boards, Patrick enjoys spending time volunteering at various charities and art-related philanthropic events.