Briana Wales-Thaxton

Briana Wales-Thaxton, M.Ed., is an experienced leader in people and culture, currently serving as Vice President at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts since February 2021. Previously, Briana held the position of Director at Commonwealth Corporation, where responsibilities included managing partnership networks and advancing recruitment strategies. Briana also contributed as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, focusing on faculty recruitment and retention, and worked as Program Coordinator for the Western Mass Training Consortium, providing support for individuals with lived experience in the mental health system. Early roles included coordinating youth programming at Holyoke Community College and offering support to young adults with developmental disabilities at Aditus Inc. Briana earned a Master of Education in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Educational Studies from Mount Holyoke College.