Eric Woods' Experience
Eric Woods was most recently the Chief Operating Officer at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. He was responsible for optimizing operational strategy to foster comprehensive performance growth across the institution, ensuring that the Museum leveraged its assets and met revenue targets. Eric’s portfolio included all operational aspects of the MFA, including business development, government and legal affairs, visitor and security functions, retail and food services, human resources, information technology, and facilities management.
Before joining the MFA, Eric served as the Associate Dean for Administration and Finance at Northeastern University, Khoury College of Computer Science, overseeing all financial, operational, and grant administration aspects for the college. Previously, Eric founded Paladin Ventures, LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to identifying and assisting entrepreneurs and emerging businesses needing strategic planning, business development, operational expertise, marketing & brand management, and investment capital across various disciplines. Selected highlights:
- He helped steward NuAmerica Agency, a multi-cultural marketing and advertising firm, to five-fold growth in the business.
- As COO of UPTOWN Magazine, the first upscale lifestyle magazine directed towards African Americans, Eric was instrumental in developing the business into a nationally distributed publication and securing investment capital.
- Eric co-founded Harlem Vintage and Nectar Wine Bar, Harlem’s first upscale retail wine shop and bar, and co-founded Bitty Foods, America’s first protein-enriched baked goods company powered by insect protein.
He began his career in financial services, first at JP Morgan and then at Goldman Sachs. Eric graduated from Georgetown University and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business. He serves on Georgetown University’s Board of Regents, is a co-founder and chair of the Georgetown University Black Alumni Council, is a founding board member of Georgetown Angel Investment Network, and sits on the Board of Trustees of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and the Advisory Board of Winchester Hospital.