Bittersweet News from SSYP

Dear SSYP Friends,

It is with mixed emotions that we share the news that Executive Director Chris Sumner is leaving St. Stephen’s this month.  Chris has been an integral part of our team, providing critical leadership at a time of great transition at SSYP.  During his tenure, Chris advanced important facilities and security capital projects, built strong connections to our church partners and brought a network of new funders and friends to the SSYP community.  We deeply thank Chris for his passion and dedication.

Inés Palmarin, longtime St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church parishioner and former executive board member, has been appointed as Acting Executive Director by the St. Stephen’s Church Executive Board.  Inés brings with her a wealth of experience, most recently with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. 

Prior to joining the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Inés worked as the Senior Program Officer for Resilient Communities, Resilient Families for LISC Boston.  She spent over a decade in the public government as a Senior Planner/Project Director for the Boston Redevelopment Authority, where she led numerous neighborhood planning and economic development initiatives.

As a first-generation Puerto Rican woman, Inés has dedicated 25+ years of personal and professional life to providing resources and access to BIPOC communities to improve their economic well being. She believes that working in service and partnership with the community is a calling. 

Inés is the co-founder of Boston Mothers Care, a volunteer-run organization focused on bringing humanitarian aid to children and their families in Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Boston. She serves on the National Vital Village board and is currently attending Gordon Conwell pursuing a new path focused on Latinos and Global Ministries. Inés is passionate about civic engagement, women empowerment, and young leaders, especially in urban neighborhoods.

Inés graduated from Wheelock College in 1992, where she fell in love with Boston neighborhoods and the network of nonprofits. In 1999, she received her Master’s in City Planning from MIT.  Inés is currently enrolled in Seminary in a Latinos and Global Ministries program.

Rev. Michael Deegan, Interim Priest at St. Stephen’s, will continue to support and work closely with Inés during this time. 

If you would like to share your congratulations or schedule time to chat with Inés her email is Ines@ssypboston.org and she will be based out of our main office at 419 Shawmut Ave in the South End.