Kathy Abbott

Kathy Abbott is the inaugural President and CEO of Boston Harbor Now. She has led mergers, startups, and turnarounds across public and nonprofit organizations, with a career focused on expanding access to parks, open space, and environmental stewardship. Her leadership includes helping create Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park; launching the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the state’s first integrated park system; leading an independent campaign that increased funding for public parks; overseeing the transition of Massachusetts’ largest private park system; and significantly expanding the impact of New England’s only year-round public botanic garden. Kathy’s work spans local, national, and global partnerships across public, private and non-profit sectors, with a consistent focus on environmental, economic, and public health outcomes. She credits her success to strong teams and deep collaboration. Her experience as an executive and entrepreneur positions her to advance the positive impacts of Boston Harbor on the region. She attended Stockbridge, UMASS and Harvard.