Martha’s Vineyard Community Services has announced the appointment of five new board members: Leah Brown, Patricia S. Favreau, Gary Foster, Howard E. Goldstein and Lorraine Wells.

As the newcomers join the board of directors, members Bob Egerton, Bruce Eckman, Iris Freeman, John Kennedy and June Manning are retiring after reaching their nine-year term limit, according to the announcement.

“Bob, Bruce, Iris, John and June are a truly amazing group of people who have made a meaningful difference and helped to usher in our organization’s success,” said Beth Folcarelli, chief executive officer of MVCS, in a statement. “This new group coming in brings a comparable multitude of talent, expertise and energy to the table, and we are very fortunate to have them join our team as we continue to meet the needs of the Island community.”

Ms. Brown, a year-round resident of Oak Bluffs, founded the nationally acclaimed non-profit Diversity Alliance for Science and is past president and CEO of A10 Clinical Solutions. A licensed North Carolina attorney, she has held several corporate executive and board positions. Fortune magazine named her in a list of Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs and her leadership has also been spotlighted by Bloomberg BusinessWeek, American Express OPEN, CNBC, NBC Nightly News and other outlets.

Ms. Favreau is the executive vice president and chief communications officer for the Church Pension Group, a $15 billion nonprofit financial services firm that serves Episcopal Church employers and employees around the world. She previously served as president of Redscout, a midsize strategic consultancy for household brands. A graduate of Amherst College and the University of Virginia School of Law, Ms. Favreau is a year-round resident of West Tisbury.

Mr. Foster is a Hollywood film producer with an extensive filmography, including the 1993 classic Sleepless in Seattle and, more recently, the 2009 movie The Soloist. He has spent the past 10 years as board member, vice chair and chair of The People Concern, Los Angeles-based nonprofit organizations located in Skid Row that seek to permanently end homelessness, improve health and build self-sufficiency among people living with severe mental illness. Mr. Foster is a seasonal Aquinnah resident.

Mr. Goldstein, also a seasonal Aquinnah resident, brings more than 35 years of investment and venture capital experience with Vedanta Capital, INVESCO Private Capital, Chancellor Capital Management, Citicorp Investment Management and Shearson Lehman Brothers. He is a founder of MV Youth and is currently an advisory board member of the Westchester Community Foundation. 

Ms. Wells, a year-round resident of Vineyard Haven, is a nationally certified school psychologist who worked for Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools for more than 18 years and currently works part time as the school psychologist at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School.  Prior to moving to the Vineyard, she worked as a school adjustment counselor, senior social worker and guidance counselor.

"The Board welcomes five new members who bring a broad mix of life, work, and non-profit experience to the table,” said Michael Goldsmith, attorney and newly appointed MVCS board president, in a statement.