Bates College has announced the election of three new trustees, effective July 1, 2026.

• Scott F. Higgins ’91, P’27 is a business leader currently working as a senior executive in the commercial insurance industry. 
• Matthew B. Schecter ’89, P’20 is a leader in the life sciences industry whose work has focused on advancing healthcare communication, education, and access.
• Sophia B. “Sophie” Wagener ’17 is an attorney based in California, whose practice is focused on general liability matters and toxic tort, defending plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits involving exposure to dangerous chemicals and hazardous substances. 

“On behalf of the board, I want to express how grateful we are to Scott, Matthew, and Sophie for their willingness to share their considerable expertise with Bates and for the not insignificant time commitment that comes with supporting the board’s work,” said Gregory A. Ehret ’91, P’23, chair of the Bates College Board of Trustees. “They join an incredibly dedicated group of trustees, and I know each of them will bring valuable experiences and perspective to the board. I look forward to working with them to help ensure Bates is fulfilling its mission.” 

The new trustees will serve five-year terms that extend to June 30, 2031.

Scott F. Higgins ’91, P’27

Scott Higgins is a business leader currently working as a senior executive in the commercial insurance industry. 

Higgins is the executive vice president for Burns & Wilcox, overseeing the firm’s North American commercial insurance division. He executes Burns & Wilcox’s comprehensive strategy and maximizes client and market relationships.

Prior to joining Burns & Wilcox, Higgins worked for Travelers for more than 30 years. He held a variety of roles at the insurance giant, working in nearly every aspect of North American operations and holding the title of executive vice president and president of Middle Market and National Property for Travelers.

At Bates, Higgins majored in political science. A football player, he was a recipient of the Robert P.  Schmidt Award, given to a teammate who demonstrates physical and mental courage while bringing honor and achievement to themselves and their team. He earned an MBA from the Lally School of Management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). As a member of the alumni community, Higgins has served as a class agent and been an Alumni in Admission volunteer. He continues to work closely with other football alumni.

Higgins’ volunteer work outside of Bates includes a deep commitment to Vista Life Innovations, a nonprofit that provides programs and services to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve personal success and independence.

Higgins and his wife Heather P’27 reside in Connecticut and are the parents of Karly and Cole ’27, a politics major with a minor in history. Cole is a member of the football team. Scott’s mother Althea Curtis Higgins ’70 also attended Bates.

Matthew B. Schecter ’89, P’20

Matthew B. Schecter is the founder and chief executive officer of The Lockwood Group, a global pharmaceutical services organization specializing in medical communications, market access, regulatory affairs, and clinical consulting. Founded in 2007, The Lockwood Group employs over 800 professionals worldwide.  In 2021, Ares Management made a strategic investment in the company to support its continued growth and expansion.

During a 30-year career in the life sciences industry, Schecter has built and led organizations dedicated to advancing healthcare communication, education, and access. 

At Bates, Schecter majored in political science and excelled at track and field. He was a three-time NCAA All-American, NCAA national champion, and still holds the college’s high jump record. He is a member of the College Key. As an alumnus, he served on his 25th Reunion committee, co-chaired his 35th Reunion gift committee, and has volunteered as a class agent and Alumni in Admission representative.

Schecter is active in several civic and philanthropic organizations, including Children of Fallen Patriots, which supports the families of fallen service members and helps their children pursue higher education. 

He and his wife Jill P’20 live in Palm Beach, Fla. They have two adult children, Zachary and Samantha ’20. Samantha earned a degree in neuroscience from Bates and works as a senior marketing coordinator at Kohn Pedersen Fox in New York. Schecter’s brother, Michael Schecter ’86, is executive vice president, general counsel and chief administrative officer for Morgan Properties. Michael is married to Sharon Jane Curry ’88, a lactation consultant at Sibley Memorial Hospital.

Sophia B. “Sophie” Wagener ’17

Sophie Wagener is an attorney working as an associate at California-based Walsworth LLP. Her practice focuses on general liability and toxic tort litigation — complex cases involving exposure to harmful substances. It’s work that calls on both her scientific background and legal precision.

Before joining Walsworth, Wagener gained hands-on litigation experience serving as second chair in two civil jury trials and helping defend clients across a broad spectrum of cases, including professional, product, and premises liability. During law school, she interned with a nonprofit supporting cancer patients, in-house at a healthcare company, at the city attorney’s office, and at the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. 

At Bates, Wagener pursued biology with a minor in public health and a concentration in Asian studies — an academic combination that reflects her wide-ranging interests and love of interdisciplinary thinking. In 2023, she earned her JD from the University of San Diego School of Law, magna cum laude, and is a member of the Order of the Coif.

Wagener is an active member of the alumni community who looks forward to annual reunion weekends with her close-knit circle of Bates friends. Her commitment to the college extends beyond participation — just one year after graduating, Wagener and her parents, Shaw B. Wagener and Debbie J. Heitz, established the Wagener Family Professorship at Bates, dedicated to advancing equity and inclusion in STEM. Today, April Horton carries that mission forward as the Wagener Family Professor of Equity and Inclusion in STEM.