Boston is buzzing as Michael Memmolo takes the reins of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination today, becoming the first ever executive director appointed by the MCAD. This landmark decision, made public on April 11, comes as a nod to Memmolo's hefty resume, which boasts more than twenty years of public service in varying capacities—most recently as the interim executive director since 2022 and before that as the Commission's CFO and director of operations and human resources, according to a press release from the MCAD.

With the MCAD facing an onslaught of civil rights complaints and a growing backlog attributed partly to the pandemic and related policies, the agency hopes Memmolo’s strategic leadership will set a course for efficacy and inclusivity. "After 21 months in the role as Interim, I am confident in my work ethic, integrity, and ability to do the job from day one," Memmolo stated in his opening interview remarks; "Together, we have come a long way!" the MCAD press release reported.

The selection concluded a competitive hiring run starting with 64 candidates with Chairwoman Sunila Thomas George heralding Memmolo's known quality as critical for the Commission, according to the MCAD announcement. Commissioner Monserrate Rodríguez Colón expressed satisfaction with the thorough recruitment process that brought diverse strong candidates, and Neldy Jean-Francois emphasized Memmolo's unmatched operational and administrative experience during the decision-making process.

"Investing in our staff through collaboration and by simply listening to their needs and ideas are paramount to realizing stability at the MCAD," Memmolo told the Commissioners during deliberation, underscoring his commitment to strengthening the Commission's workforce and service delivery, his strategies aim to diminish the case backlog while fostering an environment where every staff member feels valued and empowered to excel—and that is his mission, a statement from the MCAD's website detailed.

As Memmolo settles into his historic role, the MCAD heralds this development as a crucial step forward. "Being at the Commission for as long as I have, this is a landmark moment and opportunity—we are improving and getting stronger!" attested Chair George, voicing her gratitude for the diligent hiring committee's efforts and the dedicated MCAD staff who strive to fulfill the agency's foundational mandate for the Commonwealth.