Denella Clark, President and CEO of Boston Arts Academy Foundation, has been recognized by The Association of Fundraising Professionals' (AFP) Massachusetts Chapter with the Massachusetts Gives Award in the Outstanding Fundraising Professional category.

Fiercely committed to equity, inclusion, and raising revenue to advance the public good, Denella Clark has more than 30 years of experience managing nonprofits in the arts education, academic medicine, youth development and human services sectors. She also has significant experience with public policy and legislation to help women and people of color. A transformative and respected leader, she currently leads an organization that secures essential funding to support Boston Arts Academy, the city’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts. Eighty-four percent of the school’s students identify as Black or Latinx, and most come from low-income families. Many become first generation college graduates. Over the past six years, she has led the effort to grow the organization from the ground up and raised over $20M as part of a $32M comprehensive campaign. Earlier in her career, she was part of the leadership team for Joslin Diabetes Center’s successful $100M capital campaign, and Dimock Center’s first $25M campaign. In 2015 Governor Charlie Baker appointed Denella to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW). In 2020, MCSW members elected her Chair, making her the first Black woman in the Commission's history to serve in this role. Denella is also currently serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for Fontbonne Academy. Of all of her titles, Denella is most proud to be called “Mommy-in-Chief” by her son and daughter.

Denella will be recognized and honored for her achievements during the Massachusetts Gives Awards on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at the UMass Club in Downtown Boston.