It’s our distinct honor to present Boston Scientific with BestPrep’s 2021 Humanitarian of the Year award. This award pays tribute to a company’s support of BestPrep’s efforts to ensure Minnesota students are college-prepared, work-ready, and career-bound.
Boston Scientific has been a dedicated partner of BestPrep for 20 years. The company has volunteered for nearly all of BestPrep’s educational programs. More than 650 volunteers in total have served as classroom speakers, committee members, job shadow hosts, company coordinators, and online mentors. Just last year, Boston Scientific supplied 145 volunteers, donating nearly 2,000 hours of their time. The company has been heavily involved with BestPrep’s eMentors program for more than a decade, where volunteers serve as mentors to students in underserved communities.
Thank you to Boston Scientific’s Kayla Sexton for coordinating eMentors volunteer opportunities, Taylor Passofaro for serving as a long-time eMentor and for also recording training videos, and Dave Presuhn for serving on BestPrep’s Technology Committee and helping with the organization’s technology needs.
The company’s volunteerism particularly focuses on STEM education. Boston Scientific’s CEO Mike Mahoney shared, “As advocates for education and STEM programming, we have an incredible opportunity to introduce students from underrepresented populations to the limitless possibilities of STEM learning.”
Boston Scientific’s commitment goes beyond volunteerism. Thanks to its Corporate Giving team, including Marilee Grant (retired), Jessica Aleshire, and Kayla Sexton the company also funds many of BestPrep’s programs including eMentors, Minnesota Business Venture, Classroom Plus, and Technology Integration Workshop, as well as sponsoring special events.
Special recognition goes to Boston Scientific’s Vice President of Human Resources Greg Bourland, who has served on the BestPrep Board of Directors since 2014 and as a member of the Executive Committee since 2018. Greg serves as Chair of BestPrep’s Human Resources Advisory Committee and regularly hosts BestPrep staff trainings, allowing them to gain personal and professional growth.
BestPrep salutes Boston Scientific’s amazing support of and engagement with Minnesota students to ensure a successful career journey.