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Jane Swift

2011 Speaker

Jane Swift

Jane Swift earned her place in history as the first woman to serve as Governor of Massachusetts and as the first governor in the United States to give birth while in office, to twin girls. Swift’s term as governor capped more than a decade of public service, as a state senator, a lieutenant governor and a governor. Today, Swift is the chief executive officer of Middlebury Interactive Languages, LLC. MIL is a joint venture between K12, Inc. and Middlebury College. Swift currently serves on the boards of Suburban Propane (SPH), Sally Ride Science and the External Women’s Advisory Network for Deloitte and Touche. In addition, Swift speaks professionally on women’s leadership, education improvement and work-family integration. As a three-term State Senator, Swift assisted in drafting the landmark 1993 Education Reform Act. As Lieutenant Governor and Governor she implemented many of the critical, but controversial components of the new law. As Governor from April 2001 to January 2003, Swift implemented sweeping changes in the Commonwealth’s public schools, which have been ranked among the best in the nation. Glamour magazine once declared her “One of 11 Women Who Could Change the Country.” Swift, who has received seven honorary doctorates and numerous awards, received a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Trinity College. She is currently the Class of 1948 Distinguished Lecturer in Leadership Studies at Williams College.