MBAE honored Representative Alice Hanlon Peisch and Vertex Pharmaceuticals at its annual Leadership in Education Awards luncheon for their outstanding contributions to expanding educational opportunity and advancing student success across Massachusetts.

Representative Peisch received the MBAE Paul Reville Leadership in Education Award in recognition of more than two decades of public service and unwavering commitment to educational equity and opportunity. Since joining the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2003, Peisch has been a leading advocate for educational excellence, equity, and accountability.

As chair of the Joint Committee on Education from 2011 to 2023, she helped advance major reforms in school finance, special education, educator preparation, and literacy. She co-chaired the 2014 Foundation Budget Review Commission, whose recommendations helped shape the landmark Student Opportunity Act, and served on the National Assessment Governing Board, including as vice chair through 2024.

The award was presented to Representative Peisch by Massachusetts Secretary of Education Stephen Zrike who along with Commissioner Pedro Martinez shared remarks during the event.

The MBAE Jack Rennie Award for Business Impact in Education was presented to Vertex Pharmaceuticals and the Vertex Foundation for their commitment to advancing education, innovation, and community well-being. A leading corporate citizen in Massachusetts, Vertex partners with schools, nonprofits, and
community organizations to expand access to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education, particularly for students from historically underrepresented and under-resourced communities. Through mentorship, hands-on learning experiences, and exposure to STEM careers, Vertex helps students envision pathways into science and innovation.

MBAE’s awards are named in honor of its co-founders, Paul Reville and Jack Rennie, who together led a five-year push for sweeping reform in the state’s K-12 education system, resulting in the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993. Reville later served as Massachusetts Secretary of Education.

MBAE’s annual awards luncheon celebrates the business community’s commitment to excellence in public education.