Boston Public Library Fund Welcomes New Chair of the Board of Directors

Boston Public Library Fund Welcomes New Chair of the Board of Directors

Hannah Grove brings decades of leadership to the nonprofit’s work  supporting the Boston Public Library

BOSTON, November 10, 2026 — The Boston Public Library Fund (BPLF), the philanthropic partner of the Boston Public Library (BPL), is pleased to announce Hannah Grove as its new Chair of the Board of Directors. Grove begins her three-year term this fall, following six years serving as a Board member and three years as Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Grove succeeds Jeff Hawkins, Deputy Managing Partner of Bain Capital, whose leadership helped establish the BPLF and strengthen its philanthropic reach and support for the Library. Hawkins has been named Founding Director Emeritus and remains on the BPL’s Board of Trustees. 

A corporate leader with more than two decades of experience in brand, marketing, client experience and corporate governance, Grove spent 22 years at global financial services firm State Street, including 12 years as Chief Marketing Officer and a member of its Management Committee. She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Aberdeen PLC, a UK-based wealth and investment company, and on the Advisory Board of US-based Irrational Capital.

“Hannah is an exceptional and collaborative leader,” said Paula Sakey, Executive Director of the Boston Public Library Fund. “Her ability to identify opportunities and bring people together around a shared vision will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the Fund and expand its impact.” 

In addition to her corporate and executive leadership career, Grove has devoted significant time to organizations addressing critical needs in the Boston community. She has previously served as President of the Board of Directors for Women's Lunch Place, which provides essential services and a welcoming community for women experiencing poverty and homelessness.

“I am very much looking forward to working with Hannah, now as Chair of the BPLF Board,” said David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library. “Our organizational missions and personal visions for our shared work in service of the totality of Library patrons couldn’t be more closely aligned, and this transition speaks to the sustainability and long-term viability of our partnership with the Fund.”

Grove assumes the Chair at a pivotal time for the Boston Public Library and the BPLF.  As the Library advances its long-term strategic vision and plans for the future of its historic McKim Building, the Fund will play a critical role in mobilizing private support, expanding access to vital programs and services, and ensuring that the BPL continues to meet the needs of Boston's communities.

“Public libraries open doors to knowledge, opportunity and connection, regardless of background or circumstance. At a time when access to trusted information and lifelong learning has never been more important, their role is especially vital.” said Grove. “Having served on the Fund's Board for the past six years, I have seen firsthand the extraordinary impact of the Boston Public Library.  I am honored to take on this role and, along with my board colleagues, help ensure that this remarkable institution continues to thrive for generations to come.”