bios of Alan and Susan Solomont and BGS Society

Susan Lewis Solomont is a Senior Fellow at The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI), a not-for-profit consulting firm that advises individuals, family foundations and corporations on how to design philanthropy programs that create meaning and impact.  Prior to joining TPI, Susan had an independent consulting company which worked with numerous corporate clients and not-for-profit organizations, helping them with governance, corporate giving programs and capacity building strategies. 
Susan worked for 18 years at WGBH as the Director of Corporate Development where she successfully raised funds for WGBH’s premier TV and radio programs, raising more than $35 million annually from local and national companies.
Susan is an active trustee on many boards and most recently served as Chair of the Board of the New England Aquarium. She is currently the Co-chair of the Women’s Health Initiative at Boston Medical Center, and also serves on the boards of Newton-Wellesley Hospital, the Citi Performing Arts Center (formerly the Wang Center), The Commonwealth Institute, the Friday Forum, WGBH Board of Overseers, Boston Jewish Community Women’s Fund and Temple Beth Elohim. At Temple Beth Elohim, Susan is playing a leading role with their efforts to build a new synagogue.
Susan earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Cornell University and a Masters of Education degree at Tufts University.

Alan Solomont is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and political activist. As founder of the A∙D∙S Group, he was a leading provider of eldercare in New England. Today, Alan is Chairman of Solomont Bailis Ventures, whose mission is to launch new and innovative health and eldercare ventures.

In addition to his business pursuits, Alan is active as a volunteer and contributor to many community institutions and charitable organizations. He is the Vice Chairman of Boston Medical Center, and is past Chair of Hebrew SeniorLife, and of Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston. He is currently on the boards of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Cradles to Crayons, Corporation for National and Community Service, New Israel Fund and the Jewish Funds for Justice. Alan is a Trustee of Tufts University where he is a Visiting Instructor in the Tufts Political Science Department and teaches a course on the American presidency.

Active for many years in the Democratic Party, Alan was chosen by President Clinton to serve as National Finance Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in 1997. Under his leadership, the DNC raised more than $40 million. Alan has held many volunteer positions in the Democratic Party and was a key member of John Kerry’s finance team during the presidential campaign in 2004. He is now the Northeast Finance Chairman of Obama for America.

Alan received a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University in 1970 in Political Science and Urban Studies and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Lowell.

Alan and Susan have two daughters, ages 16 and 21.
 
The Ben-Gurion Society is a national donor recognition program for young adults, ages 25-45, who make a contribution of $1,000 or more to the Combined Jewish Philanthropies Annual Campaign.