Ask anyone who works at GBH, and they’ll tell you the foundation attracts a certain kind of person — curious, kind, and mission-driven. Our three Senior Development Officers fit the bill perfectly. We thought it was high-time to introduce them to you on a more personal level.
Lauren Mason: Avid Reader, Adventurous Home Cook, Road Race Runner
What’s your GBH story?
I was drawn to GBH because of the focus on storytelling that brings people together and builds community — something that’s been a through-line in my career. Most recently I was supporting Daily Table expand access to affordable food across Greater Boston, and before that I spent nearly a decade with Komera, a nonprofit in rural Rwanda. During my time there, I saw firsthand the profound importance of community building and the power of telling untold stories — values that deeply align with GBH’s mission.
At home, I’m raising two PBS-loving kids, so GBH is part of our daily life, from Work It Out, Wombats! to Arthur. As an adventurous home cook, I enjoy spending weekends trying new recipes from Lidia’s Kitchen, and as an avid reader, I deeply appreciate the diverse perspectives and inspiring stories from GBH.
What is the best part of your job?
It has been wonderful connecting with people who’ve been GBH fans for decades and who want to protect and support public media in a big way! I love hearing from parents about how they raised their children on PBS Kids, and stories about waking up to the iconic “bird show” (Morning Pro Musica with Robert Lurtsema). Being new to the GBH team, I am grateful for the loyal patrons who have such a breadth and depth of GBH history to share with me.
What is one of your bucket list travel destinations and why?
I would love to take my family to the Amazon Rainforest one day. Ann Patchett’s book, State of Wonder, inspired me further!
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
My dad gave me a Kindle for Christmas in 2020 and it changed my life. Since then, I have not missed a week of reading; 5 years and counting! Last year I read 40 books, my best year of reading yet. This year I am doing a slow-read of Tolstoy’s War & Peace — one chapter a day for 365 days. I am also working to become an Ann Patchett completist. I just finished Bel Canto and loved it, 5 stars!
I love to run, and I’m thrilled to be the Team Captain for Cape & Islands Radio’s (CAI) inaugural Falmouth Road Race team this year. Stay tuned for more ways to get involved by cheering (or running) with us in August!
Favorites:
GBH program: “Catching the Codfather” podcast (me) and Work It out Wombats! (my kids!)
Hobby: Reading, running, cooking for friends, and trying new recipes
Movie: Garden State
Book: Impossible question! Perhaps Start Where You Are by Pema Chodron
Foods: I make my own version of a fattoush salad at least three times a week. Big sumac fan. If you don’t have it in your spice cabinet, you’re missing out!
TV: House of Cards — I’ve had the same ringtone as the main character, Frank Underwood, for the past decade
Place: Cape Cod in the off-season
Deb Rourke: Antiquing Aficionado, History Buff, Lifelong GBH Lover
What’s your GBH story?
I’m a life-long fan! I grew up in Lexington, watching ZOOM, NOVA, MASTERPIECE Theatre and MASTERPIECE Mystery. Listening to GBH 89.7 introduced me to “The American Songbook,” “Afropop Worldwide,” and “The Moth.” Now, GBH News’ “The Big Dig” podcast keeps me company on dog walks!
What is the best part of your job?
The people! My colleagues are fantastic — smart, capable, friendly, and supportive. Plus, we have amazing donors who are so thoughtful, generous, committed, and caring.
What is one of your bucket list travel destinations and why?
Pompeii and Herculaneum. I love ancient history, archaeology — and Italian food!
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I was a tour guide on the Lexington Battle Green in high school — ask me about the Battle of Lexington!
Favorites:
GBH program: MASTERPIECE Mystery — Inspector Morse, Unforgotten, and River
Hobby: Antiquing!
Movie: Arrival (2016) — a mindbending sci-fi film
Foods: Olives, cheese, pickles, shrimp
TV: Buffy the Vampire Slayer — the best show ever!
Place: The beach or Brimfield, Mass.
Megan Stokes: Birding Hobbyist, Travel Enthusiast, Semi-Pro Dog Walker
What’s your GBH story?
My love for public media goes back to the very beginning — literally, “Big Bird” were my first words! I grew up on PBS, and today GBH is part of my daily life: 89.7 in the car, CRB Classical or our jazz streams through my workday, date nights with my partner where we settle in with a good glass of wine and a NOVA episode about space that blows our minds.
What is the best part of your job?
The one-on-one moments with donors — hearing incredible stories about their lives, why public media matters to them, and helping them turn that into something lasting.
What is one of your bucket list travel destinations and why?
Colombia! I’m a big birder and it’s one of the most biodiverse birding destinations in the world (home to nearly 2,000 bird species), with everything from Andean cloud forests to Caribbean coastlines. It’s high on my list for the birds alone, but I’m also excited to try surfing there, taste the coffee, and see the amazing street art.
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I used to DJ jazz music in college at clubs in New York City — which explains why you’ll frequently catch me at the jazz concerts at our Brighton studios or the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library.
Favorites:
GBH program: NOVA
Hobby: Backpacking — I’ve done all of the Appalachian Trail in my home state, New Jersey.
Movie: Back to the Future
Book: Black Lamb, Grey Falcon by Rebecca West — the ultimate travelogue
Foods: Grilled pizza
TV: The Wire
Place: Jamaica Pond, right in my backyard
To connect with Deb, Lauren, or Megan, schedule a studio tour, or learn more about your Beacon Circle benefits, email beacon_circle@wgbh.org or go to gbh.org/beaconcircle.
