Ali Noorani, who spent his early career as a non-profit leader in Dorchester, will take over as the president of one of Boston’s most high-profile foundations later this year. Noorani, 52, will lead the Barr Foundation, succeeding Jim Canales, who will conclude his 11-year tenure upon Noorani’s arrival on Dec. 1.
The foundation’s board of trustees announced the appointment last week. Noorani currently serves as program director of the US Democracy Program at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, one of the nation’s largest private foundations with assets of nearly $14 billion.
In the early 2000s, he spent three years each as director of Public Health for Codman Square Health Center and Dorchester House Multi-Service Center. He currently lives in Oakland, California.
“I am deeply humbled and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Barr Foundation at this moment and to build on its exceptional reputation as an institution that boldly stands in its values of deep and authentic partnership and investment in community,” said Noorani.
“And I am personally thrilled to return once again to Boston, a community I came to know and love early in my career,” he added. “My wife, Toya, and I are excited to raise our young daughter as a Celtics fan.”
The announcement is the culmination of an extensive national search, conducted in partnership with Russell Reynolds Associates. In early 2026, Barbara Hostetter will conclude nearly three decades as founding board chair and will remain a trustee. At that time, Canales will assume the board chair role.
