Worcester Regional Research

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Roberta Schaefer, the founding Executive Director of The Research Bureau, was elected President and CEO in 2008. Under her direction, the Bureau has grown from a one-person office preparing studies on municipal issues to a four-person regional center of information and expertise in all areas of public policy in Central Massachusetts. In the 25 years of its existence, Roberta has researched, authored and edited more than 210 reports and organized over 160 public forums on public policy issues of concern to the Greater Worcester region. Reports and forums provide well-documented information and recommendations, which public officials and business and community leaders can use for debating important issues and developing sound public policy. These programs and reports reach a broad audience throughout the region and beyond because of their cost-free availability on our website. She is often called upon to testify before local, regional, and state committees, and has been the featured speaker for public service organizations and business events. Since 2000, Roberta has overseen The Research Bureau's citizen-informed government performance measurement program funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which has received local, state, and national recognition for its citizen engagement and collaboration with government leading to measurable improvements in government performance. She has also overseen a successful New England region government performance measurement project initiated by New England States Government Finance Officers Association. She is a regular panelist on Central Mass Chronicles, a local television show, and a weekly guest on "The Midday Report" with Hank Stolz, a local radio show. Roberta holds a B.A. from Queens College of the City University of New York and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago. She served as a member of the Massachusetts Board of Education from 1996 to 2007 and served as Vice-chair from 1998 to 2001. She is a corporator of Bay State Savings Bank, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and the Worcester Art Museum. She currently serves on the Worcester Mayor's Task Force on Job Growth and Retention. With her husband, David Schaefer, Professor of Political Science at Holy Cross College, she has co-edited two books (Sir Henry Taylor's The Statesman and The Future of Cities) and authored many articles in professional journals. Jean DeIeso joined The Research Bureau in the summer of 2001. She is responsible for member services, staff coordination, managing the activities of the Executive Committee and the full Board of Directors, as well as assisting the President and Treasurer with the financial and administrative management of The Research Bureau. Jean oversees the annual Thomas S. Green Public Service Awards that has become a premiere event to honor outstanding City of Worcester and regional municipal employees. She organizes the Bureau's educational forums, working with corporate sponsors and public officials, guest speakers, and area colleges to ensure the events are well-publicized and well-attended. She also plans and organizes The Research Bureau's annual meeting.

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