Staff

About Us

Sharon Shapiro

Trustee and Community Liaison

Ruderman Family Foundation

Sharon Shapiro is the Community Liaison and Trustee at the Ruderman Family Foundation. She has been an active member of the Greater Boston Philanthropic community for over two decades and has an unwavering commitment to addressing social causes such the pressing mental health crisis and the inclusion of people with disabilities in all facets of life. Sharon actively supports organizations working in the mental health field, particularly those focused on teenagers and college-age students. Her role entails raising awareness, decreasing stigma, creating strategy, expanding impactful programs, and fostering collaborations that lead to positive change.

Sharon’s academic journey led her to pursue psychology and nutrition. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Boston University and a B.S. in Nutrition from Simmons College. After gaining field experience, she furthered her education with an M.S. in Nutrition from NYU. As a registered dietician, Sharon worked at several long-term care facilities for seniors in New York City and Massachusetts before joining her family in their philanthropic endeavors.

In her capacity as a Community Liaison, Sharon has played a vital role in spearheading numerous impactful projects in collaboration with prestigious institutions and organizations. Notably, among her accomplishments is the commissioning and publication of several influential white papers, such as “Taking a Leave of Absence: A Guide for College Students” and “Taking a Leave of Absence: A Guide for Campus Leadership, Faculty, & Staff,” developed in partnership with the Boston University Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation’s NITEO program. Sharon has also been instrumental in various other initiatives, including the release of the 2018 research findings of the “Bryt Notes” project and the publication of the “This is the Time to Lead with Mental Health and Equity in Mind” report in collaboration with the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health.

In addition to her role as a trustee at the Ruderman Family Foundation, Sharon actively supports the community on numerous boards and committees. Her current volunteer engagements include serving on the Dean’s Advisory board at Boston University Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, participating in the Development Committee at Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael High School for Boys, and being a member of the Executive Committee at the Miriam Fund at CJP. She was also appointed to the board of William James College in July 2024. Previously, Sharon served on the boards of Gateways: Access to Jewish Education, Combined Jewish Philanthropy (CJP), the Disability Task Force of Greater Boston, and the Touro Synagogue Foundation.

Sharon resides in the Boston area with her three children. With her unwavering dedication, extensive expertise, and genuine care for the community, Sharon Shapiro is an invaluable asset to the Ruderman Family Foundation. Her leadership and commitment to building relationships ensure that the Foundation continues to make a tangible difference in the lives of those it serves, while also fostering a stronger and more connected community.