Emily Ruddock
Emily Ruddock is the Executive Director of MASSCreative. She has 15 years of experience in strategic and management roles for nonprofit arts organizations. Before joining MASSCreative in 2017, she was the artistic producer at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, overseeing artistic operations, budgeting, and education initiatives.
As the first director of Lynn’s Downtown Cultural District, she played a key role in revitalizing the area through arts and culture, working with city and state officials to promote the community and draft legislation for the city’s first Public Art Commission. She also organized free public events showcasing local artists and community groups.
Ruddock serves on the Board of Directors for the Mass Nonprofit Network. A potter, she enjoys creating ceramic art for her home, family, and friends. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School and a Bachelor’s in Critical Social Thought from Mount Holyoke College.
Advocacy is a powerful tool for driving systems change, yet many organizations—especially those newer to advocacy—struggle with where to begin, how to build sustainable advocacy efforts, and how to navigate socio-political challenges. This session will provide actionable strategies for developing effective, equity-driven advocacy agendas while addressing real-time issues that affect policy, funding, and systemic reform.
Panelists from diverse sectors will share how they have strategically mobilized advocacy efforts to drive policy and structural change. Attendees will leave feeling informed, empowered, and equipped to refine their own advocacy strategies in alignment with their mission and communities.
Please choose one session per 1:45pm time slot.
Moderator: Catherine T. Morris, Director of Arts & Creativity, The Boston Foundation also the Founder and Executive Director of Boston Art & Music Soul (BAMS) Fest
Panel: Emily Ruddock, Executive Director, MASSCreative, and Erin McAleer, President & CEO, Project Bread
Speakers: Catherine T. Morris, Erin McAleer, Emily Ruddock
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