Boosting Research and Discovery

Smith College President Sarah Willie-LeBreton has been selected to help lead new efforts to strengthen Massachusetts’ research and discovery economy.

As a member of Governor Maura Healey’s DRIVE Acceleration Team, Willie-LeBreton will be identifying opportunities to finance research projects, create public-private partnerships, and develop other strategies to bolster a sector that employs tens of thousands of people statewide in education, health care, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.

The Discovery, Research, Innovation for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) team, which Healey created via executive order in August, includes representatives from science, higher education, labor, business, and philanthropy.

Willie-LeBreton’s experience as a leader in higher education will be an asset to the team, Healey said.

“As a member, President Sarah Willie-LeBreton will further our mission by providing her unique insights on the talent and innovations coming out of Smith College,” the governor noted. “We're incredibly excited to have her as a part of this team, and we look forward to working together to build the next chapter of Massachusetts’ leadership in global research and development.”

“We have the top-ranked universities and hospitals in the nation,” Healey added. “When we invest in research and in higher education, the entire world benefits from the lifesaving cures and discoveries that our institutions make. That’s why the DRIVE Initiative is so important.”

Willie-LeBreton applauded the governor for launching DRIVE and, as part of the initiative, “making the bold decision to set aside $400 million dollars in the Commonwealth for research and innovation” in response to the federal government withdrawing funds from colleges and universities.

“Maura Healey is demonstrating strong leadership with her understanding that colleges and universities in Massachusetts depend on investments in research, and that the world depends on the outcomes of that research,” Willie-LeBreton said. “I’m honored that she invited me to serve on this commission.”