Boston Planning & Development Agency CEO and leadership

Brian Golden functions as the BPDA’s chief executive. He oversees the agency’s core missions of community-engaged planning, regulation of major real estate development, management of the BPDA’s real property (20+ million square feet), and workforce training programs. An attorney since 1993, Brian is a former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he served the Allston-Brighton neighborhood of Boston. He was also the New England Regional Director at the US Department of Health and Human Services, a Commissioner at the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy, and a member of the Board of Directors at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. Brian has served as a US Army officer, active duty and reserve, for more than twenty years. His military experience includes duty in Bosnia, Iraq, and Israel/West Bank.

Brian is a graduate of the Boston Latin School and Harvard College. He received a Master's degree from the US Army War College and a law degree from the College of William and Mary's School of Law.

Heather Campisano has served as Chief of Staff since 2014. In this position, Heather plays a prominent role in policy development, the project approval process, and strategic and tactical planning efforts within the Agency.

Prior to her appointment as Chief of Staff, Heather served as Deputy Director for Development Review for eight years. As Deputy Director, Heather was responsible for the oversight and management of all real estate development projects in the City of Boston. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of the Development Review department, Heather assisted the Director and senior staff in developing internal review strategies for development projects based on each proposal’s regulatory and community context and the BPDA’s overall policy objectives. Heather began her tenure at the BPDA as an intern in 1999, and was hired full time as a Project Assistant in 2000.

Michael O’Shea is the Chief Information Officer of the Boston Planning & Development Agency where his emphasis is on delivering improved business outcomes from the agency’s IT investments. Prior to joining the BPDA, Michael was the Manager of E-Government Operations for the City of Boston. Michael has more than 15 years experience in the IT field and received his BS and High-Tech MBA at Northeastern University.