Research Bureau Team

PAM KOCHER . President
pkocher@bmrb.org – 617-227-1900

Pam Kocher was appointed President of the Research Bureau in March 2019.  She was VP of Policy & Research for the previous two years.  She brings to the Research Bureau extensive professional experience working with cities and towns across Massachusetts, including Boston, on a wide range of local and state government policy and finance matters with a focus on best practices. Pam provided state fiscal and management oversight of the City of Lawrence for both the Baker and Patrick administrations. She served as Director of Local Policy in Governor Patrick’s Executive Office for Administration and Finance and as Senior Research Analyst for the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

A resident of Boston, Pam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Connecticut College and a Master of Public Health from Boston University.

LIAM MONAHAN . Senior Policy Analyst
Lmonahan@bmrb.org – 617-722-0181

Liam Monahan joined the Research Bureau in April 2022 and was promoted to Senior Policy Analyst in June 2023. In his role, Liam monitors the activities of the City Council and reports on research, with a particular interest in environmental issues. Liam brings experience and knowledge of local and state government from working at the 495/MetroWest Partnership and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and from interning at the Massachusetts State House. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration from Northeastern University. Liam also participated in the Fulbright Summer Institute at the University of Exeter in England. Liam is a resident of Jamaica Plain in Boston.

GRANT FARRINGTON . Policy Analyst
gfarrington@bmrb.org – 617-722-0182
Grant Farrington joined the Research Bureau in February 2023 as a Policy Analyst. In his role, Grant monitors the activities of the City Council and reports on research affecting the City, with a particular interest in housing, transportation and environmental issues. Grant brings experience and knowledge of policy analysis in both academic and nonprofit settings. Grant has a strong interest in municipal government and serves on his Town’s Historical Commission and Community Preservation Committee. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Government and History and a Master’s degree in American Government from Georgetown University.

ERIN McGINLEY . Membership & Operations Manager
emcginley@bmrb.org – 617-848-4322

Erin McGinley joined the Research Bureau in 2020 as the Membership and Operations Manager. Erin focuses on member development and engaging all Directors and Members in Research Bureau activities. She also facilitates the operations of the organization. In her role, Erin manages and produces the Research Bureau’s two signature events, the Henry L. Shattuck Awards and the Annual Meeting of Directors and Members. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Erin has previously worked in Shanghai, China and New York City, and she is proud to bring over a decade of experience in management, event planning, and program design to her role.

ELAINE DANDURAND BEATTIE . Senior Strategic Advisor
ebeattie@bmrb.org – 617-227-1901

Elaine Beattie joined the Research Bureau in 1985 and has held several staff positions during that time focusing on governmental research, Boston’s finances and education.  Elaine has over 30 years of experience in public policy and finance.  Currently, she is responsible for the Research Bureau’s communications, technology, website and social media programs. Elaine is also a strategic advisor on research issues and policy positions of the organization as well as events. Elaine holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University and a Master in Business Administration from Suffolk University.