Location:
College of the Holy Cross
1 College Street, Worcester

Agenda:
5:15pm – Cocktail Reception
6:15pm – Dinner and Speaker

Worcester’s cultural institutions are far more than destinations for entertainment and enrichment — they are powerful economic engines for our city and region.

Join the Worcester Economic Club for a dynamic panel discussion featuring four of the region’s leading cultural leaders as they explore how their organizations contribute to economic growth, tourism, workforce attraction, education, and community vitality.

From the performing arts and fine art to horticulture and science education, these institutions collectively:

• Generate millions in visitor spending
• Support local jobs and vendor networks
• Drive foot traffic to downtown and surrounding neighborhoods
• Enhance Worcester’s reputation as a vibrant, innovative city
• Invest in long-term community and educational partnerships

This conversation will provide valuable insights for business leaders, policymakers, educators, and community members interested in understanding how cultural investment strengthens economic development across Central Massachusetts.

Alan Seiffert
President & CEO
The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts

Alan Seiffert serves as President and CEO of The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. Prior to joining the organization, Alan was Head of Global Business Development for TED Conferences, where he led all business development, partnerships, licensing, and distribution activities for TED, creating recurring revenue streams across live events, audio and podcasts, streaming/television, and consumer products.

Previously, Alan served as Executive Director for Paisley Park (The Prince Estate), overseeing an active museum, production facility, recording studio, and performance space that once served as Prince’s home and creative sanctuary. He also served as Vice President & Assistant General Manager of BET LIVE at BET (Viacom), and held senior leadership roles at NBC Universal, Inc., including Senior Vice President of Syfy Ventures and Senior Vice President, Business Development & Partnerships at CNBC Asia.

Grace Elton
Chief Executive Officer
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

Grace Elton is CEO of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill (NEBG), a 200-acre garden in Boylston, MA. Since 2017, she has led the Garden to national recognition, making it one of the most visited botanic gardens in the region.

Under her leadership, NEBG completed the largest comprehensive capital campaign in its history — building a children’s garden, expanding infrastructure and ADA accessibility, increasing its physical footprint by over 60 acres, and growing its endowment.

Grace brings extensive public horticulture experience, having served in leadership roles at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (a USA Today Top 10 Garden and recipient of the National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services) and the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. She holds a Master of Science in Public Horticulture from the Longwood Graduate Program, University of Delaware, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida.

Matthias Waschek
Jean and Myles McDonough Director
Worcester Art Museum

Matthias Waschek was appointed as the Worcester Art Museum’s Jean and Myles McDonough Director in November 2011. Throughout his international career, he has focused on expanding the reach and relevance of museum offerings.

As Head of Academic Programs at the Louvre Museum in Paris (1992–2003), he introduced new art-historical perspectives to broader audiences. From 2003 to 2011, he served as Executive Director of the Pulitzer Arts Foundation in St. Louis, positioning the institution as a vital community player.

Since joining the Worcester Art Museum, Waschek and his team have strengthened the Museum’s role in the community while raising its national and international profile, notably through the integration of the Higgins Collection of Arms and Armor. He holds a PhD in art history from the University of Bonn and has published widely on 19th- and 20th-century art.

Noreen Johnson Smith
President & CEO
EcoTarium

Noreen Johnson Smith serves as President and CEO of the EcoTarium. Her career spans more than thirty-five years of community leadership and teaching.

She has held leadership roles with Family Health Center of Worcester, Inc., The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and previously taught at Assumption College. She currently serves on the board of the Public Health Museum, the Worcester Community Action Council, and as Town Moderator for the Town of Charlton.

Noreen holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from the University of Vermont. She began her career teaching science at Westborough High School and also served in the Peace Corps in the Central African Republic as a professor of health education. 

Without the generous contributions of our sponsors, this event would not be possible. We thank them for their continued support of our club and for helping to provide a platform for knowledge sharing in Central Massachusetts.

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

Reception Sponsor:
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