Keolis Commuter Services President Selected As Top 100 Most Influential People of Color in Boston

Keolis Commuter Services, the MBTA’s operating partner for commuter rail, congratulated Gerald Francis, president of Keolis, for his selection as one of Boston’s top 100 most influential people of color. Get Konnected! (GK100) and Colette Phillips Communications announced the full list of 100 at an awards dinner this week.

“I am very proud to work for a company like Keolis because our team of 2,500 Boston area residents understands the importance of engaging with the communities we serve,” Francis said. “It’s an honor to be part of this prestigious group that includes so many top executives, entrepreneurs and leaders who are truly making a difference in the cities, towns and neighborhoods where many of us live and work.”

This list of Boston’s most influential people of color was compiled through a public nomination process, and individuals were selected by a culturally diverse and distinguished selection committee. The committee focused on a wide range of fields, ranging from academia, arts and entertainment, to government, non-profits and business leadership.

“We do not view the GK100 as a popularity list, but more of an opportunity to showcase the depth and breadth of culturally diverse talent in Boston who are contributing to the economic and social fabric of the city across various industries — including academia, business, health care, innovation and technology, and philanthropy. The GK100 should help us move beyond the phrase ‘we can’t find qualified candidates of color,” said Colette Phillips, CEO of Colette Phillips Communications and Founder of Get Konnected!

Gerald has been a transit professional and executive for the past 35 years. He joined Keolis from TASI — Caltrain, where he served as General Manager for Herzog Transit Services. Gerald serves on the board of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, a partner with Get Konnected! and as a member of The Partnership’s Executive Council.

In addition to his role as President for Keolis, Gerald, and Rita Hardiman, Keolis’ chief diversity officer, played a leading role in the creation of the Keolis Scholars program. This program has awarded $50,000 in college and job training scholarships to high school students in Boston, Brockton, Lawrence, Lynn and Worcester. Gerald continues to help advance this program today, as a new class of Keolis Scholars will be announced in May.

“GK100 honors those who are leading the greater Boston community through diversity and inclusion,” said James E. Rooney, president & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber. “Gerald and Keolis are true partners with all the communities served by the MBTA commuter rail and the recognition is well-earned.”