Gloria Cordes Larson, JD, a public policy expert, lawyer and business leader, assumed the presidency of Bentley College in July 2007. She joined Bentley from the leading law firm Foley Hoag, where she co-chaired the Government Strategies Group. The practice she managed covered a broad array of federal, state and local regulatory and business development issues. Widely influential in economic policy, Larson led a business advisory cabinet for Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and co-chaired his transition team. Her contributions also include chairing the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. Under her leadership, the organization oversaw renovation of the MassMutual Center in Springfield and construction of the $800 million Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. In the administration of former Massachusetts Governor William Weld, she served as Secretary of Economic Affairs (1993 to 1996) and Secretary of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (1991 to 1993). Prior to that, Larson managed business and regulatory issues as a senior official with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). She was an Attorney Advisor to the FTC Commissioner from 1981 to 1988, and the agency's Deputy Director of Consumer Protection from 1990 to 1991.

She has been honored and recognized by many groups for her contributions and commitment to civic duty, especially for raising awareness of the need for education reform and for promoting the role of business in changing that landscape.

Larson received her bachelor of arts with honors from Vassar College and earned her juris doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Northeastern University in 2005 and from Mount Wachusett Community College in 2003.