About

Bonnie McGilpin is the Director of Communications of the Burnes Center for Social Change at Northeastern University. In addition to leading communications for the Center’s projects and initiatives, she produces workshop series for InnovateUS. InnovateUS provides free online learning for public service professionals on data, digital, innovation, and AI skills, with an emphasis on responsible and evidence-based approaches to technology adoption.

Prior to joining the Burnes Center, she served as the Director of Communications at the Boston Planning & Development Agency where she led the agency’s communications through a rebranding, a historic building boom, multiple mayoral transitions, and the internal and external transition to a virtual workplace and organization due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She helped the agency secure a 2020 Lee Kuan Yew World Cities Prize for Boston, and attended the 2022 World Cities Summit in Singapore on behalf of Boston to accept the award. 

She previously served as a press secretary for former Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s gubernatorial campaign, and as a deputy press secretary and speechwriter for Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick. She helped manage communications following the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing and commemorative events in years following, including the 2015 launch of “One Boston Day.” Bonnie is a graduate of Northeastern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

For media relations inquiries related to the Burnes Center, please reach out to Bonnie at [email protected]