BPS Celebrates Superintendent Mary Skipper as 2026 Pinnacle Award Honoree

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women's Network selected Superintendent Mary Skipper as one of the 2026 Pinnacle Awards honorees.

Boston Public Schools Celebrates Superintendent Mary Skipper as 2026 Pinnacle Award Honoree

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 5, 2025 -The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women's Network selected Superintendent Mary Skipper as one of the 2026 Pinnacle Awards honorees for Achievement in Management – Government. The annual Pinnacle Awards are one of the region's highest professional distinctions for women leaders, recognizing their achievements in business, government, and management. This prestigious award recognizes Superintendent Skipper's leadership and her commitment to building a stronger, more equitable school district for Boston's students, families, and educators.

"It is an honor to be recognized alongside so many remarkable women leaders who are shaping the future of our region," said Superintendent Mary Skipper. "It takes a village to support our school communities and this award reflects the dedication of our educators, staff, families, and partners who work every day to uplift our students. Boston's youth deserve the very best and I am proud to lead a district of talented leaders and educators who are deeply committed to their success."

Since her selection by the Boston School Committee in 2022, Superintendent Skipper has championed transformative initiatives to modernize school facilities, expand multilingual education, strengthen pathways from school to career, and ensure that every student receives a high-quality education in a safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment.

Superintendent Sipper will be recognized at the 2026 Pinnacle Awards Ceremony on January 30, 2026, where more than 1,200 business, civic, and community leaders will gather to celebrate this year's honorees.

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About Boston Public Schools

The Boston Public Schools (BPS), the birthplace of public education in the United States, serves more than 48,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 121 schools. BPS is committed to transforming the lives of all children through exemplary

teaching in a world-class system of innovative, welcoming schools. We partner with the community, families, and students to develop in every learner the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career, and life.

About the Chamber’s Women’s Network

In the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Network, there is a diverse group of more than 3,000 women and male allies at all levels of their careers, from all backgrounds, sectors, and industries, and professions, with the collective mission to make Greater Boston the best place for professional women to thrive. For 30 years, the Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all backgrounds and career levels. The Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women.

About the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber is the convener, voice, and advocate of the region’s business community, committed to making Greater Boston the best place for all businesses and all people to thrive. We help our members and Greater Boston succeed by convening and connecting the business community; researching, developing and advocating for public policies that contribute to our region’s economic success; and providing comprehensive learning and development programs designed to grow strong business and civic leaders. Learn more at BostonChamber.com.

Our Work

The Leadership Development team is responsible for building a robust talent pipeline by investing in our current and future school and district leaders. We ensure that BPS has a consistent pool of highly-trained individuals ready to take on the most critical roles

Our Core Functions

Leadership Pipelines & Program Management: We design, manage, and continuously refine leadership development programs that accelerate leader growth—from aspiring leaders to newly hired principals and heads of school.
Professional Learning & Development: We deliver high-quality, equity-driven professional learning that strengthens instructional leadership, operational excellence, and culturally and linguistically sustaining practices.
Recruitment, Hiring & Selection: We oversee a transparent, equity-centered recruitment and hiring process, ensuring rigorous screening, meaningful cultivation, and strong alignment to BPS leadership competencies.
Coaching, Induction & Leader Support: We provide coaching, two-year induction, mentoring, and job-embedded supports that build leader capacity and ensure a strong start for new and developing school leaders.

Professional Development

Working with facilitators from within and outside the district, the Office provides year-long professional development programming for first and second year School Leaders and Administrative Team Members.

Mentoring & Coaching

The Office recruits and selects experienced leaders from within the district to serve as one-to-one mentors for School Leaders and Administrative Team Members who are within their first or second year of leadership. It also partners with outside organizations to ensure each new School Leader receives one-on-one coaching support.

Recruitment & Hiring

Working closely with community partners, universities, and a recruitment fellow team of current School Leaders, the Office builds robust pools of Principal, Head of School and Admin Team Member candidates each year. The Office screens and evaluates candidates for leadership positions through a multi-step process, including in-depth interviews and reference checks.

Aspiring Principal Fellowship

The Office offers year-long, intensive aspiring principal fellowships each year for a select number of district employees. These fellowships match district employees who are interested in becoming principals with actual principals for hands-on training, preparing them to step into principal roles themselves the following year.

Meet our fellows

Licensure Support

A team of experienced district leaders meet monthly with employees who are actively pursuing their DESE licensure as Principals or Assistant Principals. These leaders provide direct guidance and support with completing the requirements for the licenses.

The Dr. Carol Johnson District Leadership Fellowship

This fellowship is designed for current BPS leaders – at the school or district level – with aspirations to lead in future BPS roles such as Regional School Superintendent, Executive Director, Deputy Chief, or Chief.

Learn More

Contact

The Office of Leadership Development

Division of Schools, Boston Public Schools

5th Floor, Bruce C. Bolling Building

2300 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119

Director of Leadership Development

Dr. Monica Hall

mhall4@bostonpublicschools.org

Assistant Director of Leadership Development

Jennifer Knight

jknight2@bostonpublicschools.org