Thursday, May 4, 2023
Dear Friends of MHSA:
I am writing to share some important news with you. With the full support of the MHSA Board of Directors, Joe Finn has transitioned to the role of MHSA’s President and Joyce Tavon has been appointed to the new position of Chief Executive Officer.
As many of you know, Joe has been dealing with chronic health issues for some time. Joe feels, and the board agrees, that this new leadership structure will allow MHSA to further advance its work as a leader in ending homelessness. While Joe’s role and title are changing, he will remain a dedicated member of the MHSA team, focusing primarily on supporting fundraising and advocacy efforts.
During his tenure at MHSA, Joe has impacted the lives of thousands of people across the Commonwealth. In early 2025, after a nearly twenty-two-year association with MHSA, Joe plans to retire. At that time, we will celebrate his commitment to our most vulnerable neighbors and his efforts to implement innovative solutions to help them get, and stay, housed. Until then, we will continue to benefit from Joe’s ideas, passion, and guidance.
We are fortunate that Joyce has agreed to serve as Chief Executive Officer. In this new position, Joyce will direct the organization, oversee MHSA’s overall strategic initiatives and partnerships, and lead efforts to end homelessness.
Joyce’s dedication to ending homelessness is long and deep. In the early 1990s, she was MHSA’s first paid employee. She went on to become the founding executive director of HomeStart; consulted in federal homelessness strategy and nonprofit fundraising; led the South Shore Network to End Homelessness; and served as director of program development at Father Bill’s & MainSpring. She returned to MHSA in 2018 as the Senior Director of Policy & Programs, where she has overseen MHSA’s programs, worked closely with partners across the Commonwealth, and played a leadership role in statewide advocacy for permanent supportive housing. Joyce is an influential leader in her own right with more than 30 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector.
Throughout this period of transition, we remain committed to our ongoing work with you – our member agencies, providers, legislative partners, community members, and donors – who have been engaged and dedicated partners. Together, we will continue advocating for important resources and housing solutions and the expansion of permanent supportive housing across Massachusetts.
Please join me in congratulating Joe and Joyce as they enter this new chapter in their careers and as we move into an exciting next phase for the organization. Feel free to contact any of us if you have questions or need additional information. Thank you for your continued support of MHSA.
Sincerely,
Ben Josephson
Chair, MHSA Board of Directors