BC High President Grace Cotter Regan Honored with New England Women's Leadership Award

Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester recognizes Jesuit education leader for her impact on students, schools, and the greater Boston community

BOSTON, Mass. — Boston College High School is proud to announce that President Grace Cotter Regan P’12 has been honored with a 2026 New England Women's Leadership Award (NEWLA) by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, recognizing her outstanding leadership, commitment to service, and lasting impact on education and the Boston community.

Regan was recognized during the 33rd annual New England Women's Leadership Awards, held April 29 at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel. Widely regarded as the first and longest continually running celebration of women's leadership in New England, NEWLA honors women who meet challenges with confidence, persistence, and compassion while serving as role models for future generations. Since its founding, the program has recognized 147 remarkable women leaders throughout the region.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester highlighted Regan's ability to bring together diverse communities and organizations in service of a common purpose, describing her as a leader who builds connections that create meaningful change across Boston. Since becoming the first female president in Boston College High School's history in 2017, Regan has guided the school through a period of historic growth and renewal. Grounded in Ignatian spirituality and Jesuit values, her leadership has strengthened BC High's academic excellence, financial sustainability, and commitment to forming young men of competence, conscience, compassion, and courage. Under her leadership, the school successfully completed the historic $150 million Illuminating Excellence Campaign, ensuring that BC High's mission will continue to thrive for generations to come.

Regan's commitment to Jesuit education began as a Jesuit Volunteer in Belize, where she taught and served in a community that helped shape her lifelong vocation of educational leadership and service. Before joining BC High, she served as Head of School at St. Mary's High School in Lynn and held leadership roles in advancement and alumni engagement at Boston College, the College of the Holy Cross, and the New England Province of Jesuits.

Today, she continues to serve the broader Jesuit apostolate as a member of the National Board of the Jesuit Schools Network and on the Board of Directors of America Media. She also serves on the board of The Valedictorian Project, helping expand educational opportunities for young people across Greater Boston.

More than 450 guests attended this year's NEWLA celebration, which honored Regan alongside Victoria Arlen, founder of Victoria's Victory Foundation, Paralympic gold medalist, and author; Dr. Kimberley Williams, CEO of Match Charter Public School and a Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester alumna; and Fatoumata Balde, recipient of the inaugural Leadership in Bloom Award and a BGCD member.

The event raised $400,000 to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester's youth development programs, which provide academic support, mentorship, leadership development, and enrichment opportunities for young people and families throughout the community. Club members played a central role throughout the evening as greeters, artists, performers, and presenters.

For Regan, whose career has been dedicated to helping young people discover their gifts and use them in service to others, the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester resonates deeply with the values of Jesuit education.

"The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester reflects values that are deeply aligned with our Jesuit tradition," said Regan. "I am humbled by this recognition and grateful to stand alongside so many remarkable women leaders while supporting an organization that changes lives every day."

For the BC High community, the recognition serves as an affirmation of the transformative power of Jesuit education and the school's mission to form men for and with others. Through her leadership, Regan has advanced that mission while helping ensure that future generations of students will continue to be challenged to lead lives of faith, service, and purpose.

About Boston College High School

Founded in 1863, Boston College High School is a Jesuit, Catholic school for boys in grades 7–12. Located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, BC High is committed to forming leaders who seek to do things ad majorem Dei gloriam — for the greater glory of God — through academic excellence, spiritual formation, and service to others.

Contact

Colleen Carter, Vice President for External Relations
Email: ccarter@bchigh.edu

Photo Credit: Flavio DeBarros. flaviodphotography.com