Prior to founding Charles Street Strategies, a leading Boston-based public affairs firm, Mr. LeBretton served as Vice President of Public Affairs for New Balance and its family of brands for nearly a decade. In that role, Matt oversaw the vast expansion of New Balance’s property in Boston, MA, a public-private partnership widely lauded as a model for future such endeavors. He also secured legislative and executive branch “wins” in procurement and international trade.
Before being recruited to join the leadership team at New Balance, Matt successfully launched the Boston office of The Dutko Group, a DC-based state and local government relations agency. Later, he assisted in the firm’s expansion and rebranding efforts in what became Dutko Worldwide, then a top 10 nationally ranked lobbying shop with offices across the country and around the globe. While at Dutko, Matt focused on business development, lobbying, and public affairs throughout New England.
Matt enjoys a long history of public sector management. His experience includes his tenure with the Minority Leadership in the Massachusetts Legislature, Congressional staff positions for the former Massachusetts 6th District Congressman, senior staff roles in the administration of Governor Paul Cellucci, and an appointment as Deputy Chief Secretary to Governor Jane Swift.
Matt’s extensive statewide political experience includes service as Committee Chairman for Governor Charles D. Baker’s victorious campaign in 2014. He was honored to be asked to continue to serve in that capacity through the successful 2018 re-election. Matt currently serves on the Steering Committee for Maura Healey for Governor. His relationships and experience advocating at all levels of government, from federal to municipal, have positioned him as one of the state’s premier lobbyists.
Matt is an active member of the Greater Boston business community, serving on the Board of Directors of the New England Council, the BASE, and in 2019 appointed to the Board of Directors of the Boston Children’s Museum. He is also the immediate [JO1] Past Chairman of the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission. In addition, he received a gubernatorial appointment to serve on the Board of Trustees for his alma mater, Salem State University, where he spearheaded legislative efforts to elevate the then-college to that of a doctoral degree-granting university.
In 2021, Matt was proud to make his community theatre debut with the Company Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol,” playing a minor role alongside his far more stage-experienced daughter. He and his wife, Michelle, live in Hingham with their three children.
