Emerson College President Lee Pelton named new head of Boston Foundation

Lee Pelton, president of Emerson College in downtown, has been named the next head of the Boston Foundation.

Pelton will take over leadership of the community foundation from Paul Grogan on June 1, the organization announced Tuesday night. The foundation has net assets of $1.3 billion.

“I want to offer my deepest thanks and appreciation to the Boston Foundation’s Directors, and to the remarkable Paul Grogan,” said Pelton.

“The Boston Foundation has no equal,” he added, “and I am deeply honored by the Board of Directors’ faith in my capacity to continue to grow its mission, and to lead the Foundation in addressing the challenges facing our city and region, promoting a just and equitable recovery from the pandemic and a long-overdue racial reckoning so we can build and sustain a vital, prosperous city and region, where justice and opportunity are extended to all.”

Grogan, who has served in the role for nearly 20 years and is now stepping down, called Pelton “a rare talent.”

Grogan added: “He’s been a great partner and friend to the Foundation during my time as President and CEO. I can’t imagine a better fit for the Boston Foundation as it enters its next era of work. The Boston Foundation Board could not have made a better choice.”

Pelton grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where he graduated from Wichita State University. He left Kansas to earn a Ph.D. in 19th century English and American Literature and Languages at Harvard University. He taught English and American literature at Harvard.

He’s been the president at Emerson College since July of 2011.

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 4: Lee Pelton, president of Emerson College, Boston Arts Academy Foundation board chair and ÒBuilding Our FutureÓ Campaign co-chair speaks during an event launching the fundraising campaign, which aims to raise $30 million to support BostonÕs only public high school for the visual and performing arts, at the Parkman House on April 4, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 16: Emerson College President Lee Pelton speaks during a news conference in response to proposed changes to Title IX at Boston City Hall on January 16, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 4, 2018: Emerson College President M. Lee Pelton, center, stands with Norman Lear as a statute honoring Lear is unveiled at Emerson College on Thursday, October 4, 2018 in Boston Massachusetts. (Staff photo By Nicolaus Czarnecki)
‘BORDERLESS CAMPUS’: Emerson College President Lee Pelton says the college will open ‘global portals’ in places such as Lugano, Switzerland, inset, even as it expands its Boston campus, below.
(Boston, MA - 7/16/18) Emerson College President Lee Pelton is seen in front of the Little Building during construction, Monday, July 16, 2018. Staff photo by Angela Rowlings.
IMPACT: Emerson College President Lee Pelton. Photo by Arthur Pollock
BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 15-SATURDAY: The facade of the Paramount Theater that also houses Emerson College dorm rooms shown August 15, 2020, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Connors/Media News Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 15-SATURDAY: The facade of the Paramount Theater that also houses Emerson College dorm rooms shown August 15, 2020, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Connors/Media News Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON MA. - OCTOBER 1: Emerson College on October 1, 2019 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 4, 2018: The audience applauds as a statute honoring Norman Lear is unveiled at Emerson College on Thursday, October 4, 2018 in Boston Massachusetts. (Staff photo By Nicolaus Czarnecki)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 4, 2018: The audience applauds as a statute honoring Norman Lear, center, is unveiled at Emerson College on Thursday, October 4, 2018 in Boston Massachusetts. (Staff photo By Nicolaus Czarnecki)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 4, 2018: Norman Lear smiles as he stands near a statue honoring him at Emerson College on Thursday, October 4, 2018 in Boston Massachusetts. (Staff photo By Nicolaus Czarnecki)
(Boston, MA - 7/16/18) A welder works at Emerson College's Little Building, Monday, July 16, 2018. Staff photo by Angela Rowlings.
(Boston, MA - 7/16/18) Emerson College's Little Building is seen during construction, Monday, July 16, 2018. Staff photo by Angela Rowlings.
(Boston, MA - 7/12/18) Emerson College building on Boylston Street, Thursday, July 12, 2018. Staff photo by Angela Rowlings.