Boston, MA ACE Mentor Program of Greater Boston (ACE) the free after-school program run by design and construction professionals with the goal of encouraging high school students to pursue careers in the architecture, construction, and engineering industries, has named a new executive director for the upcoming academic year. Effective immediately, Kristen Hurley will assume all roles and responsibilities as the non-profit organizations’ executive director.

Hurley is an experienced professional with over two decades in the non-profit sector, specializing in maximizing business growth. Her leadership skills have driven success in various organizations including the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology where she spent over five years leading partnership initiatives, client relations, and innovative business strategies, working as a member of the senior management team. 

Prior, she spent 16 years at WGBH, managing partnerships and launching public media management. Currently, she is an active board member for the Browning the Green Space organization, further demonstrating her ability to drive growth and impact in the non-profit space.

“I am truly honored and humbled to join the ACE Mentor Program of Greater Boston in a leadership role,” said Hurley. “The opportunity to contribute to an organization dedicated to shaping the next generation of leaders in architecture, construction, and engineering is inspiring and I look forward to utilize my experience and passion to empower students, foster innovation, and drive positive change within the diverse community at ACE.”

Through practical, project-based, hands-on explorations, ACE students work collaboratively and creatively to design innovative solutions to real world problems. With professional guidance by industry mentors who are full-time employees of construction, design and engineering firms, students develop the professionalism, teamwork, and collaboration that the industry requires. During the 15-week program, the students design a hypothetical project in order to learn about each discipline and take part in activities such as Trade Day, construction site visits, and special events with partners such as the National Organization of Minority Architects. 

Each year, the project changes, exposing students to new design challenges. ACE also awards college scholarships to seniors who plan to study in these fields. This year, ACE awarded a record high of $250,000 in scholarships.