Eastern Bank Foundation Honors Nancy Huntington Stager With 2025 Social Justice Award
October 22, 2025Recently Retired Foundation President and champion for philanthropic innovation and community collaborations recognized for her transformative leadership and enduring impact
BOSTON, MA, October 22, 2025 — Eastern Bank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Eastern Bank, hosted more than 1,200 business, philanthropic, and community leaders at its annual Celebration of Social Justice on October 21, honoring Nancy Huntington Stager, the recently retired President and CEO of the Foundation. Stager was recognized for her visionary leadership and career-long commitment to creating greater ecosystems of opportunity across Massachusetts and New England.
The Social Justice Award celebrates an outstanding leader who, through their dedication and passion, has made significant contributions to advance social justice in the Greater Boston region.
“Nancy’s impact is woven into the fabric of Greater Boston,” said Bob Rivers, Executive Chair and Chair of the Board of Directors of Eastern Bank. “Her leadership has set the standard for corporate philanthropy, focusing on collaboration and deep and authentic connections to the communities we serve.”
During her three decades at Eastern Bank, including more than 25 years leading the Eastern Bank Foundation, Stager fundamentally redefined what the role of the Foundation could be. But her most enduring legacy is connected to her leadership in transforming the Foundation from a model of solely charitable giving to one of impact investing as well. Stager led the change to remove the word “charitable” from the Foundation’s name, intentionally shifting to a philosophy rooted in collaboration.
“Nancy changed not just what we fund, but how and why we fund it,” said Turahn Dorsey, President and CEO of the Eastern Bank Foundation. “Nancy built a model of philanthropy grounded in ensuring the Foundation didn’t simply award grants, but walked alongside communities as true partners in change. We are all beneficiaries of her imagination and courage.”
Stager’s leadership helped shape the Foundation’s strategic focus on advancing equity in the small business ecosystem, expanding access to early childhood development, securing safe and affordable housing, and strengthening workforce development. She also created the innovative Foundation Fellows program, bringing leaders with deep expertise in critical issue areas into the Foundation to share their knowledge, forge cross-sector partnerships, and drive systemic change. Her work has inspired countless leaders across sectors to think more boldly about the intersection of economic inclusion and community vibrancy.
Since its inception 31 years ago, the Eastern Bank Foundation has supported more than 7,000 unique organizations with over 36,000 grants and invested more than $180 million in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut. A regional leader in volunteerism, Eastern employees have devoted more than 730,000 volunteer hours since 1994.
Pictured celebrating at the 2025 Celebration of Social Justice are left to right: Denis Sheahan, Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Bank; Quincy Miller, President and Chief Operating Officer, Eastern Bank; Nancy Huntington Stager, Eastern Bank 2025 Social Justice Award Honoree; Bob Rivers, Executive Chair and Chair of the Board, Eastern Bank; and Turahn Dorsey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Bank Foundation.
About Eastern Bank Foundation
Eastern Bank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Eastern Bank, collaborates with businesses and community partners in the nonprofit, for-profit and government sectors to advance thriving communities. Through philanthropy, employee volunteerism, advocacy and collaboration, Eastern Bank Foundation responds to community needs and supports sustainable solutions to our communities’ most vexing challenges across eastern Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut including advancing the small business ecosystem, enriching early childhood development, securing safe and affordable housing, and promoting workforce development for adults. Learn more at www.easternbank.com/foundation.
Media contact:
Andrea Goodman
Eastern Bank
[email protected]
781-598-7847
# # #
Back to newsroom