Leadership Change

The Board of Directors of Advocates, a nonprofit human services provider, today announced that longstanding President and CEO Diane Gould will retire on June 30, 2026, and that it has named COO Regina Marshall as the new president and CEO effective July 1, 2026.

Gould has been with Advocates for 40 years, the last 12 as President and CEO. She grew the agency substantially during her tenure in the top job, including shepherding mergers with two other human services agencies. Even with the organizational change brought on by these very substantial mergers, Advocates maintained and even strengthened its culture as a caring agency focused on helping people overcome challenges and lead healthy and satisfying lives in the community.

She is known not only throughout the organization but across the human services sector as a warm, compassionate person who is a great listener, one capable of navigating challenging situations and solving complex problems. As the agency’s leader she is always available to clients and employees, making sure that everyone feels heard.

“One of the most important qualities of a leader is to know when it is time to step aside and make room for the next person, and for me, both personally and professionally, this is that time,” said Gould. “The successful completion of the HMEA and Family Continuity mergers, and the integration of those agencies into Advocates is a key milestone. Regina has worked alongside me for the last decade and is exceptionally well-qualified and well-prepared to take the helm next summer.”

Marshall joined Advocates in 2015 as senior vice president for administrative operations after working in a senior role at the state’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services and as director of the Massachusetts Mental Health Center. She a member of the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities and a past Black Excellence on the Hill honoree, awarded by the Black & Latino Legislative Caucus.

“I’m honored to lead Advocates at this pivotal moment,” said Marshall. “Diane’s leadership built a strong foundation rooted in compassion, innovation, and impact. As we look to the future, I’m focused on expanding opportunities to serve our communities; always guided by the voices of the people we support, our staff, and our partners. I’m excited to lead Advocates into its next chapter and find new ways to deliver meaningful, lasting change in people’s lives.”

In her role as COO of Advocates, to which she was named in 2021, Marshall has responsibility for overseeing the operations of the agency’s many clinical, therapeutic, and residential programs, which stretch across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and are staffed by more than 2,400 employees serving over 40,000 individuals annually. Marshall has spearheaded transformative initiatives to strengthen quality, compliance, and service delivery. She led the development and implementation of the agency’s strategic plan with a strong focus on innovation, accountability, and improving care outcomes. Marshall is committed to ensuring the agency’s services remain person-centered and anchored in the voice and choice of individuals and families served.

“We are profoundly grateful to Diane for her visionary leadership and the lasting impact she has made on Advocates and the communities we serve,” said Jessica Kemp, Chair of Advocates’ Board of Directors. “As we look to the future, the board is united in its conviction that Regina Marshall is the dynamic, mission-driven leader who will guide Advocates into its next chapter.  Her passion, experience, and bold vision make her uniquely suited to build on Diane’s legacy and lead the organization into a new era of impact."