The Research Bureau - Staff

Roberta Schaefer, Ph.D. – President & CEO

Roberta Schaefer, the founding Executive Director of The Research Bureau, was elected President and CEO in 2008. Under her direction, the Bureau has grown from a one-person office preparing studies on municipal issues to a four-person regional center of information and expertise in all areas of public policy in Central Massachusetts. In the 28 years of its existence, Roberta has researched, authored and edited more than 218 reports and organized over 180 public forums on public policy issues of concern to the Greater Worcester region. Reports and forums provide well-documented information and recommendations, which public officials and business and community leaders can use for debating important issues and developing sound public policy. These programs and reports reach a broad audience throughout the region and beyond because of their cost-free availability on our website. She is often called upon to testify before local, regional, and state committees, and has been the featured speaker for public service organizations and business events. Since 2000, Roberta has overseen The Research Bureau's citizen-informed government performance measurement program funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which has received local, state, and national recognition for its citizen engagement and collaboration with government leading to measurable improvements in government performance. She has also overseen a successful New England region government performance measurement project initiated by New England States Government Finance Officers Association. She is a regular panelist on Central Mass Chronicles, a local television show. Roberta holds a B.A. from Queens College of the City University of New York and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago. She served as a member of the Massachusetts Board of Education from 1996 to 2007 and served as Vice-chair from 1998 to 2001. She is a corporator of Bay State Savings Bank, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and the Worcester Art Museum. With her husband, David Schaefer, Professor of Political Science at Holy Cross College, she has co-edited two books (Sir Henry Taylor's The Statesman and The Future of Cities) and authored many articles in professional journals.

Jean DeIeso - Director of Programs & Operations

Jean DeIeso joined The Research Bureau in the summer of 2001. She has responsibility over all administrative matters, including finance, development, and member services. Jean plans the Thomas S. Green Public Service Awards, the annual meeting, and various other forums and lectures that The Research Bureau hosts each year. Jean, a graduate of Clark University, has more than 35 years experience in business administration.