BJ’s Prez/CEO Named Pine Street Inn Chair

Laura J. Sen, president and CEO of BJ's Wholesale Club, has become the new chair of the board of directors of Pine Street Inn, New England's largest homeless services agency. A Pine Street Inn board member since 2005, Sen was vice chair before being named to her current role.

"I am passionate about Pine Street Inn's mission to end homelessness by transitioning temporary shelter guests to permanent housing," said Sen. "Our homeless guests' need for shelter results from social safety nets failing to catch them. They may suffer from one or more severe physical, intellectual and emotional challenges, including mental illness, substance abuse, chronic health problems and domestic violence."

Pine Street Inn is currently focused on moving individuals from shelters into permanent supportive housing. The Boston-based agency also supports job training to enable those it helps to become more self-sufficient.

"Laura's strategic thinking and planning expertise will be invaluable to the organization as we look ahead to the future," said Pine Street Inn President Lyndia Downie.

Sen additionally serves on the boards of Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the Boston Ballet, the National Retail Federation, MassMutual and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Westborough, Mass.-based BJ's operates 202 clubs and 114 gas stations in 15 eastern states.