Haiti Summer Institute 2017
Meghan McGrath is an accomplished nonprofit leader, educator, and artist dedicated to advancing social justice, equity, and healing through the arts. She has served as the Executive Director of Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) since 2020, driving significant growth in the organization’s capacity, programming, and regional impact. A defining milestone of her leadership is the early 2026 opening of JAE’s first brick-and-mortar home in Nubian Square (Boston, MA), a vibrant, permanent hub for Black dance, music, and community engagement.
Meghan’s leadership is informed by more than a decade of deep history with JAE, where she began in 2010 as a founding company member and teaching artist. She has been pivotal in expanding the organization’s educational and cultural programming, including its flagship, free Summer Dance Institute (SDI) in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Prior to her executive role, Meghan spent over 15 years as an early childhood educator utilizing the arts as a tool for empowerment and inclusion and also performed with Boston’s BoSoma Dance Company and Austin Allegro Dance in Austin, TX.
An advocate for holistic community care, Meghan holds an MEd in Creative Arts in Learning from Lesley University, a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University, and a BA in Psychology and Dance from UMass Amherst. She is also a certified 200-hour yoga instructor who integrates mindfulness into her service work.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Meghan enjoys cooking, biking, and spending time with her family. She remains deeply grateful to the JAE community and is energized to continue expanding the organization’s reach as a vital catalyst for dialogue, healing, and cultural understanding.