Meet Our New Board Chair, Mike Albert: a Decade of Dedication, Celebration, and Community Impact

Birthday Wishes is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Albert as Chair of its Board of Directors. Albert brings more than a decade of involvement with the organization and currently serves as Chief Financial Officer at Strategy Capital, LLC.

A Personal Connection to the Mission

Albert first connected with Birthday Wishes in 2010, shortly after graduating from UMass Amherst and earning his CPA license. At the time, he was working at KPMG and looking for a way to give back. A conversation with his childhood best friend sparked the idea of raising funds for children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to celebrate their birthdays. While many charitable efforts focus on holidays like Christmas, they realized birthdays—uniquely personal and meaningful for each child—were often overlooked.

That conversation led to the creation of the Putt for Presents charity golf tournament. But as Albert explains, it quickly became clear they needed a partner to bring the vision to life. “We realized we had no expertise in delivering birthdays,” he recalls. “We found Birthday Wishes online, and they helped us identify shelters we could support with the money we raised.”

For years, Albert, his friend, and his then-girlfriend (now wife) visited shelters each month to help celebrate birthdays with children living there.

From Volunteer to Board Leadership

As Albert’s professional responsibilities grew, including time at Bain Capital, he remained involved with the organization. In 2016, he joined the Birthday Wishes Board of Directors.

At that time, the organization operated out of a church in Newton and served about 100 shelters. Today, Birthday Wishes has grown to serve more than 200 shelters and transitional housing programs across seven states. The organization also recently relocated its headquarters from Natick to Sudbury.

“I think we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible,” Albert says. “I’m excited to support the team and help Birthday Wishes continue delivering on its mission.”

A Vision for the Year Ahead

As Board Chair, Albert is particularly enthusiastic about two upcoming initiatives. The first is Confetti and Kindness, a new fall family event that will be held on Thursday, November 21 at the Concord Scout House. The second is the Corporate Wrapping Program, which offers local companies the opportunity to support Birthday Wishes through team-based volunteer opportunities.

“The success of Birthday Wishes depends on the strength of our team and the generosity of the communities we serve,” Albert says. “My goal is to help empower both.”

Enduring Impact

Executive Director Denell Nuese said Albert’s appointment comes at a meaningful time for the organization. “Mike has been a steadfast champion of Birthday Wishes for more than a decade,” she said. “From organizing fundraisers to volunteering in shelters to serving on our board, his commitment has never wavered. He brings heart, perspective, and strategic leadership to his new role. We are thrilled to have him as our Board Chair as we continue expanding our mission and deepening our impact across the region.”

For Albert, the most meaningful moments remain the birthday parties themselves. “Those moments will stick with me for the rest of my life,” he says. “I’ve seen how powerful a birthday can be for a child facing housing insecurity. It’s a reminder that they are seen, valued, and celebrated.”

He encourages others to get involved, whether through donations, volunteer work, or event participation. “Our work depends on volunteers and donors just like you and me,” he says. “Please support this mission in whatever way you can.”