Adams Presidential Center Gala 2023

A celebration of civic engagement convening more than 550 business, civic, and nonprofit leaders from across the nation.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Marriott Boston Quincy

Former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and First Lady Lauren Baker were honored at the inaugural Adams Presidential Center Gala in April 2023. As General Joseph Dunford stated, “in the spirit of John and Abigail Adams, Charlie and Lauren represent the essence of the Adams Presidential Center, good citizens with a life-long devotion to our communities, our state, and our nation.”

2023 GALA HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

LAUREN BAKER’S ACCEPTANCE VIDEO

Honoring Governor Charles D. Baker and First Lady Lauren Schadt Baker

LAUREN SCHADT BAKER

ABIGAIL ADAMS AWARD HONOREE

Lauren Schadt Baker served as Massachusetts’ First Lady alongside her husband Governor Charlie Baker from 2015 – 2023. Lauren worked to improve the lives of the children of Massachusetts. She founded the Wonderfund, a private, nonprofit that provides resources and opportunities to children engaged with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. Additionally she was a Co-Founder of the Massachusetts Covid-19 Relief Fund, which raised over $33 Million for statewide emergency humanitarian relief during the pandemic.

Her continued passion for service and social responsibility is evident through her commitment to a number of causes. Lauren actively serves on the Board of Directors for Upstream,The Museum of Science, the Phoenix Charter Academy Foundation and the Wonderfund. She also serves as an expert advisor for the Pathways to Resilience, a national initiative to raise awareness of the impact of trauma on individuals and communities and to advance trauma-responsive policies and programs across sectors.

GOVERNOR CHARLES D. BAKER

JOHN ADAMS AWARD HONOREE

Charles D. Baker served as the 72nd Governor of Massachusetts, bringing bipartisan leadership to the Commonwealth. A Republican governor serving a predominantly Democratic state, Charlie was re-elected to a second term in 2018 with 67 percent of the vote. After eight years in office, he achieved approval ratings exceeding 75 percent, making him the most well-respected governor in the United States and one of the highest-rated elected leaders in the nation. He earned widespread support by taking on issues with significant real-world impacts, and approaching them in substantive and innovative ways.

Earlier in his career, Charlie served as CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a nonprofit health benefits provider. Under his leadership, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care went from the verge of bankruptcy to 24 consecutive profitable quarters and a reputation as one of America’s top health care plans. Prior to this, he served in a variety of leadership roles in Massachusetts state government, including as secretary of administration and finance, and as secretary of health and human services. On March 1, 2023, Charlie assumed the duties as the NCCA’s sixth president.