In the Community

The MGH Leadership Council for Psychiatry’s mission is to expand awareness of mental illness, diminish its stigma, and advance research and clinical care through the work of the department. Members are ambassadors for the department’s mission and provide annual philanthropic support.

Michele Kessler is a co-founder of the leadership council and has been instrumental in the Council reaching over 100 members/ member families and raising more than $30 million since 2007 to advance the mission of the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. Michele currently serves as Co-Chair of the Council and Brian Kessler and his wife Jennifer are members of the Council. Michele and Howard Kessler host annual seminars at their home in Palm Beach to highlight the latest research advances and treatment innovation in mental health taking place at MGH. In addition, the Kessler Family Foundation has given a chair for Public Health.

Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) is an international leader in virtually every area of medicine and has been the site of pioneering breakthroughs that have improved lives around the world. A major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, BWH has a legacy of excellence that continues to grow year after year.

The Kessler Family Foundation has been a strong supporter of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston for many years. Michele Kessler is a member of the Women’s Health Leadership Forum at Brigham and Women’s Hospital as well as a member of the President’s Advisory Council. The President’s Advisory Council assists the President of Brigham and Women’s and Faulkner Hospitals in a consultative capacity. Considered confidants to the President, members provide guidance related to the institutional and philanthropic mission of the hospital, drawing from their personal and professional areas of expertise.

In addition, the Kessler Family Foundation has given significant contributions to the hospital to support improved surgical facilities as well as public facilities for patients and their families including the Kessler Library on the main campus of BWH in Boston.

Since its founding in 1947, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts has been committed to providing adults and children with cancer with the best treatment available today while developing tomorrow’s cures through cutting-edge research.   Michele Kessler serves on the Board of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute where she co-chairs the Visiting Committee for Gastrointestinal cancers.  In addition, the Kessler Family Foundation started the Global Fund for Rwanda with Dana-Farber to bring needed medical care to Rwanda.

Born out of compelling community need in 1967, Boca Raton Regional Hospital is a not-for-profit, advanced tertiary medical center with 400 beds, over 2,100 employees and more than 800 primary and specialty physicians on staff. The Hospital is a recognized leader in Cardiovascular Care, Oncology, Women’s Health, Orthopedics, Emergency Medicine and the Neurosciences, all of which offer state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging capabilities. Brian Kessler serves on the Boca Raton Hospital Foundation’s Board with a focus on helping the hospital meet the growing demand for services and meet the needs of all patients.

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. In addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers services in four other areas: communications services and comfort for military members and their family members; the collection, processing and distribution of blood and blood products; educational programs on preparedness, health, and safety; and international relief and development programs.

The Kessler Family Foundation is an active supporter of the American Red Cross and Michele Kessler is the Global Ambassador of the Measles Initiative focused on raising awareness and inoculation against measles around the world.

The American Ireland Fund (AIF) is an organization that raises funds for the support of peace and reconciliation, community development, education, and arts and culture in Ireland.  Since its founding, it has raised more than $450 million (US), benefitting more than 3,000 Irish charities.  Michele Kessler is on the Executive Committee of AIF.

The Ayenda Foundation delivers hope, pride and joy to Afghan children by implementing projects that enhance their welfare, education, shelter, safety and artistic and athletic abilities. Since 2006 the Ayenda Foundation has been building, operating and supporting schools and computer labs as well as funding health programs, providing sports facilities and equipment, and offering scholarships, training and skills development programs. The prime focus is to enhance the quality of education of the most vulnerable segment of Afghan society: women and children.  The Kessler family helped fund the building of the Ayenda Learning Center, a new school in the historic and picturesque province of Bamiyan.

The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE) is the public-private partnership dedicated to providing permanent works of American art for U.S. embassies worldwide. It contributes to the U.S. Department of State’s mission of cultural diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding within the diplomatic community and the international public. All artworks commissioned or placed by FAPE are gifts, representing generosity of some of the United States’ greatest artists and donors. As of 2016, FAPE’s donations include permanent works by more than 200 preeminent American artists placed in more than 140 countries.

Women’s Lunch Place was started in 1982 to provide women who were homeless with a safe place to go during the day. The mission is to foster respect and dignity for every woman with no questions asked. Today, meals are served Monday through Saturday. Guests may access essential services and basic needs such as showers and laundry facilities, as well as a nap room. Medical care is provided by Healthcare Without Walls and advocates assist guests with issues related to domestic violence, housing, finances, legal matters, education, employment, substance use, and access to benefits. A resource center and library is available with access to computers and phones, the Internet, and office supplies.

Michele Kessler is on the Advisory Board of Women’s Lunch Place and the Kessler Family Foundation has been an active contributor to the cause.

The Palm Beach Zoo houses over 700 animals from Florida, North, South and Central America, Australia, and Madagascar. More than 314,000 people visit each year, and over 5,900 households maintain annual memberships. The Palm Beach Zoo undertakes many conservation programs with an aim to inspire people to act on behalf of wildlife and the natural world.

Michele Kessler is Chairman of the Board for the Palm Beach Zoo helping guide the direction and growth of the organization.

Since 1945, the Town of Palm Beach United Way has been committed to improving lives and building strong communities throughout Palm Beach County. The United Way envisions a world where all individuals and families achieve their full potential through education, income stability and healthy lives. Their goal is to create long-lasting and measurable changes that improve the quality of life for struggling individuals, families and children.

The Palm Beach Civic Association exists to protect and improve the quality of life in Palm Beach by taking proactive stands on civic affairs, educating and engaging residents on key town issues, working with local government, and encouraging citizen involvement in the community.

The Palm Beach Police Foundation exists to support the Town of Palm Beach Police Department and its employees through the acceptance, management and disbursement of tax-deductible gifts and contributions.   The Foundation distributes donations to a variety of causes that include scholarships and grants for education, new equipment and assistance to officers in need.  In addition, the Foundation provides funding to various community, residential and business crime watch programs.

The Palm Beach Preservation Foundation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the preservation of the historic, architectural, and cultural heritage of Palm Beach, Florida. Through advocacy initiatives, educational programs, architectural resources, and cultural events, the Foundation’s goal is to encourage the community to learn about and save the historic buildings that truly make Palm Beach special.

South Florida PBS broadens the boundaries of communication, and is an agent for innovation and growth; culturally, socially, economically and historically. Through varied media and technologies South Florida PBS extends the reach of the arts and education, connects organizations and institutions across this diverse region, and preserves South Florida’s history, leading the way in this global society.

Michele Kessler is Vice Chair of the Board of Directors helping steer the expansion of the organization and supporting its mission to deliver programs and services that change lives, inspire trust, and make a difference.

The Boca Raton Police Foundation was created to assist the Boca Raton Police Services Department by providing resources above and beyond what it receives from the general public. The Foundation helps the Department acquire the training, software, hardware and equipment it needs to remain a highly progressive law enforcement agency.

The Board of Directors works closely with the chief of police to explore emerging trends and to identify effective public safety strategies. The Foundation strengthens partnerships between the Department and other programs, such as the Police Athletic League and the Police Explorers. The Foundation also encourages excellence in policing by recognizing outstanding achievement.

Recognized as a top private school in the Episcopal tradition, Saint Andrew’s School is both a day and boarding school located in Boca Raton, educating the best Pre-K through 12 students from across Palm Beach County, Florida, the United States, and throughout the world.  Saint Andrew’s mission is to build a community of learners, to provide excellence in education, and to nurture each student in mind, body, and spirit.