Accomplished Public Finance Attorney Joins FUEL Education Board of Directors

Area Nonprofit, FUEL Education, Appoints Attorney Meghan Burke of the Nationally Esteemed Law Firm Mintz Levin to Board of Directors

Boston (December 30, 2013) – Boston-based nonprofit FUEL Education—a local program that provides financial incentives and college access curriculum to low-income families—has added a new member to its Board of Directors. Meghan B. Burke, a Chambers-ranked public finance attorney who leads the education practice at the nationally recognized law firm, Mintz Levin, is the newest addition to FUEL’s esteemed Board of Directors.

Named to the Best Lawyers in America: Public Finance Law list for the past five years, Burke has established herself as one of the foremost public finance attorneys in Boston. She has extensive experience in public finance and public agency representation, serving as bond counsel and as counsel to underwriters, borrowers, trustees, and purchasers in connection with tax-exempt and taxable general obligation and revenue financings related to transportation, higher education, health care, economic development, project finance, water, and wastewater. Specializing in education financing, Burke also leads her firm’s multi-discipline education practice, which provides counsel support for legal issues for public and private educational entities.

In her new role on the board of directors, Burke will lend her passion for education and in-depth knowledge of the capital flow surrounding colleges and universities to FUEL’s program. Burke has a keen interest in applying her unique, macro-level understanding of college financing to the micro level, helping FUEL families understand the same financing principles and capital flows that surround their students’ college education.

“As part of my role as a public finance attorney, I provide support and guidance to higher education institutions that many students aspire to attend,” said Burke. “I am excited to provide the same skills to the aspirational families in the FUEL program, who are so dedicated to making college a reality for their children.”

Burke, who lives in Marblehead, Mass., also has background in financial management, serving as an investment banker in the Boston office of a major Wall Street firm prior to entering law school. Her extensive knowledge of collegiate internal financial workings and her sound financial management expertise make her an invaluable asset to FUEL’s Board of Directors.

“Meghan brings a unique insight to the financial hurdles that face our FUEL students and families,” said Gene Miller, FUEL Education Executive Director. “One of our primary goals is to equip students and families with the knowledge to navigate the difficult financial landscape that comes with higher education. Meghan’s expertise will not only help us reach this goal, but also help expand and improve our practices to fit the changing tides of education financing.”

FUEL’s Board of Directors currently includes 11 members including Burke, whose backgrounds range from the President and CEO of a major credit union to Chairmen of education nonprofits to the President of a development corporation. The Board’s diverse makeup allows FUEL to accurately and effectively assess the financial, educational and social hurdles facing FUEL students and families, and to provide effective, attainable solutions.  

About FUEL Education

FUEL Education fuels the college dreams of underserved families. It is a high impact, innovative nonprofit providing knowledge, connections and financial incentives that empower low-income families to propel their children into higher education. FUEL was founded by Robert Hildreth, a banker and social entrepreneur, in 2009. The program currently runs successful sites in Boston, Chelsea and Lynn, Massachusetts. More information is available at www.fueleducation.org. Follow us on Twitter @FUEL_Education.