Executive Director

Position Overview

The Executive Director (ED) of the Freedom’s Way Heritage Association, Inc. (FWHA) provides visionary, strategic, creative, entrepreneurial, and operational leadership for the organization and serves as the chief steward of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area (FWNHA). Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED is responsible for implementing the organization’s mission and vision, overseeing programs and partnerships across the multi-community region, ensuring compliance with National Park Service (NPS) requirements, managing staff and finances, and strengthening the visibility and long-term sustainability of the Heritage Area.

History and Current:

Freedom’s Way Heritage Association is a nonprofit organization that manages and coordinates the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area—an interconnected landscape of communities, historic sites, natural resources, cultural organizations, and stories across 45 communities in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. The Association fosters partnerships, supports community/partner heritage initiatives, and promotes the cultural, historical, and natural assets of the region.

The Freedom’s Way Heritage Association was incorporated as a non-profit in 1994 and designated the local coordinating entity for the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area by the Congress in 2009. One of 62 congressionally designated National Heritage Areas in the United States, Freedom’s Way is a nationally significant landscape where natural, cultural, historical and recreational resources combine to tell a uniquely American story.

FWHA operates on the federal fiscal year, with approximately 93% of its roughly $500,000 annual revenue (2025) provided through the National Park Service Heritage Partnership Program (HPP). FWHA, through careful financial management, has consistently lived within its financial means. Funds for the HPP are allocated through the annual Congressional appropriations process.

Future:

Building on its track record of successfully working with hundreds of partners throughout the region, FWHA and FWNHA will continue to produce high quality programming and initiatives that use the landscapes, histories and cultures of the region to promote the underlying principles of freedom and democracy. Guidance from the Board and partner organizations, through an on-going strategic review, will ensure that the most impactful work remains a priority.

Adding to the framework for evaluating future efforts, in addition to impact, will be the lens of financial sustainability, Over the past year, as the board wrestled with the potential jeopardy of federal funding, the organization has begun to more closely consider the degree to which programs might be supported more directly by funders, sponsors and grants. The organization has reviewed and considered various aspects of membership programs.

Recently the potential to produce a revenue generating publication has been discussed. All these options, and others yet to be considered, will be important work in the very near future. Creating a framework for assessing these options and prioritizing the many programs of the FWNHA to make time for this work along with advocacy for continued federal support, will be a major priority in 2026 and beyond.

During 2025, the Board identified the need for review and planning as the organization’s ten-year management plan was drawing to a close. Feedback from members of the Board and its many partners was completed and a preliminary framework for the future established. With this foundation in place, the organization is poised for the next stage of its development providing an exciting opportunity for the next Executive Director.

Other opportunities include enhancing governance processes, board engagement, and the engagement of partners.

• Leadership & Strategic Direction
  • Provide overall leadership in developing and executing strategic plans, annual work plans, and long-term goals for the Heritage Area.
  • Work collaboratively with the Board Chair and Board of Directors to shape organizational priorities, evaluate progress, and ensure mission…