Chief of Programs and Partnerships
Framingham, MA – January 8, 2024 – JFS is pleased to announce the promotion of Senior Director, Lucia Panichella, to Chief of Programs and Partnerships.
Ms. Panichella began her career at JFS as a graduate student intern while getting her Masters of Social Work from Boston University. In her 19 years at JFS, Ms. Panichella has gained a vast amount of experience working in, and later leading, programs supporting immigrants, refugees and older adults.
In 2017, Ms. Panichella was awarded the prestigious Sharp Rescuer Prize (joining a short list of remarkable recipients including Chancellor Angela Merkel) in recognition of her humanitarian work in the resettlement of Syrian war refugees and her extraordinary commitment to social justice. She also has received a number of awards for having forged strategic community partnerships to support agency work with immigrant and refugee children and families and with older adults.
In her new role, Ms. Panichella will continue to build upon these accomplishments to foster expansion of JFS’ work in these and other critical areas of community need.
Ms. Panichella lives in Newton with her husband and two young sons.
