As part of the Annual Conference, MNN we present the Lifetime Achievement Awards to individuals who have rendered outstanding service to Massachusetts nonprofits and the people they serve. This ceremony is always a highlight of our conference, where the awards are presented live.
We are honored to celebrate our 2024 winners, Evelyn Friedman, former Executive Director and CEO of Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, and Robert Gittens, former Executive Director of Bridges Homeward.
Read more about Evelyn and Robert Below.
Evelyn Friedman joined the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council Inc. as the executive director in September of 2012, and retired in October of 2023. During that time, she transformed an agency with multiple challenges into one of the most effective Community Action Agencies in the state by stabilizing its programming and finances, while adding a variety of new programs to meet the community’s needs. Under her leadership, GLCAC provided vital leadership during the Lawrence gas crisis, developed greatly-needed affordable housing, and rebuilt a multimillion-dollar childcare center.
With over 30 years of strong nonprofit management experience, Evelyn has played catalytic roles in transforming challenged organizations. Prior to joining GLCAC, she was the director of the City of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development, and chief of housing under then-Mayor Thomas M. Menino. From 1990 to 2008, Evelyn was the executive director of Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation, an organization devoted to enhancing the physical, economic, and social well-being of Roxbury and other underserved populations in Greater Boston. While there, she transformed the once-failing agency into one of the premier community development corporations in the region.
Robert Gittens is the former executive director of Bridges Homeward. During his time there, Bob led the organization through some of the most trying times, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. Bob’s biggest contribution to Bridges Homeward was his initiative to embed permanency-informed social work practice into all of the programs. In 2017, Bob began guiding the development of their permanency practice. Because of his leadership, the agency remains an active leader in the Massachusetts Permanency Practice Alliance.
Before Bridges Homeward, Bob served as Vice President for Public Affairs at Northeastern University. He served the Commonwealth in many capacities, as chairman of the Parole Board, Cabinet Secretary at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and more. Bob has also served as a board member of numerous organizations including the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, Judge Baker Children’s Center, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the Red Cross of Massachusetts and Goodwill Industries.
