Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Announces General Counsel and Senior Leadership Appointments

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) today announced the appointment of Ashley K. Carvalho as General Counsel of the Authority, effective May 11, 2026. The Authority also announced the additions of Joyce Linehan as Chief of Staff, and Celina Barrios-Millner as Chief of Economic Opportunity.

The appointments strengthen the MCCA’s senior leadership team as the Authority continues advancing its mission of delivering world-class event experiences and driving economic growth throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Carvalho brings more than 15 years of experience in policy, governance, regulation, litigation, and legal contracting in the public sector and as in-house counsel for quasi-governmental agencies. She most recently served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which operates and maintains Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan National Airport in the Washington D.C. area.

Her previous roles include Senior Legal Counsel for the Massachusetts Port Authority, Assistant Corporation Counsel with the City of Boston under Mayor Walsh, a public defender with the Committee for Public Counsel Services, and an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Miami-Dade Office of the State Attorney.

“On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to welcome Ashely as the Authority’s General Counsel,” said Emme Handy, MCCA Board Chair. “Ashley’s extensive experience in the public sector will be a great asset to the organization. The Board looks forward to working closely with Ashley and wishes her success in her new role.”

Joyce Linehan will join the MCCA as Chief of Staff beginning April 6, 2026. She brings a vast amount of experience in government, non-profit leadership, community organizing, and the private sector. She most recently served as Assistant to the President for Special Projects at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, the nation’s only publicly funded free-standing art college.

Linehan previously served for seven years as Chief of Policy and Planning for the City of Boston under Mayor Walsh, where she advised on all aspects of the administration’s work, including the biannual state legislative package, federal advocacy, and numerous policy, planning, operational and staffing initiatives. She oversaw the creation of several new City departments and cabinets, and stewarded multiple planning efforts across departments, including the City’s first comprehensive plan in at least 50 years.

Beginning April 6, 2026, Celina Barrios-Millner will serve as the Authority’s Chief of Economic Opportunity. She brings more than two decades of experience as a results-driven leader advancing equity, economic mobility, and community-driven solutions. A trusted
strategist and coalition builder, she has led transformative initiatives across government, research institutions, and the nonprofit sector that remove systemic barriers and create pathways to opportunity.

Previously, Barrios-Millner served as the City of Boston’s Chief of Equity and Inclusion where she was charged with embedding equity and racial justice into all city planning and operations. She helped establish the City’s first Supplier Diversity program, oversaw the City’s local hire policy, and helped design the City’s Immigrant Advancement Agenda. At the State level, she led Partnership Development for the State’s Supplier Diversity Office and has led regional and national efforts to advance civic engagement and immigration reform.

"I am thrilled that Ashley, Joyce and Celina will be joining the MCCA’s senior leadership team,” said John Barros, Interim Executive Director of the MCCA. “I have had the privilege of working with this group of public servants and know that they will strengthen our leadership team as we continue advancing our mission of being an economic development engine for the Commonwealth."

About the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA)

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority owns and oversees the operations of the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center (MCEC), the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, the MassMutual Center, Convention Center Carpark & The Landing in Springfield, MA, the Boston Common Parking Garage, The Lawn On D and The Lot On D. The MCCA's mission is to deliver world-class event experiences that drive statewide economic growth, foster innovation, and exceed customer expectations all while cultivating a workplace culture that values excellence, inclusivity, and employee well-being.