Sharon Scott-Chandler among women business leaders making a significant impact on the state’s economy
CONTACT:
Jamie McIver
857.488.5068
jamie.mciver@bostonabcd.org
(BOSTON, MA) — The Women’s Edge together with its partner The Boston Globe, announced that Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) is one of the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts. ABCD ranked #56 on the list. Honorees were recognized during a celebratory breakfast event. The 100 organizations honored generated over $124 billion in total revenue in 2023, demonstrating that women leaders continue to be key drivers of the state’s economy. ABCD’s annual budget now exceeds $200 million.
“The organizations on this year’s diverse list are driving $124 billion of revenue into the Massachusetts economy and innovation across the country, from increased manufacturing capacity to breakthroughs in clinical care and therapeutics” said The Women’s Edge Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth L. Hailer. “We are honored to celebrate the Top 100 women leaders and hope it inspires others to drive for success here in our region and beyond.”
Named ABCD President and CEO in 2022, Sharon Scott-Chandler accepted the award for the organization. She is the first woman to serve in this role in ABCD’s 62 year history. “I am so proud to accept this award on behalf of ABCD and on behalf of all women who lead in any capacity,” she said. “I am among an esteemed group of women who co-founded, partnered with, or governed ABCD as board members. Of the 100,000 people in Greater Boston and the Mystic Valley who are impacted by ABCD annually, many of those are women – leading to better their own lives, their families and the community.”
In addition to her position as CEO, Scott-Chandler has held a number of state appointed leadership roles, including her recent appointment to the newly formed Massachusetts Energy Transformation Advisory Board that will advise and guide the state in the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. She joined the pioneering Community Action Agency in 1999 as director of its early education and care resource and referral program, Child Care Choices of Boston. She went on to become vice president of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services, executive vice president/COO of the organization and finally president and chief executive officer in 2022. Scott-Chandler holds a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law and a B.A. from Tufts University. She began her career in the political arena first as a staff member with the Dukakis for President Campaign, and then as a legislative aide to United States Congressman Sidney Yates in Washington DC. After law school, Scott-Chandler joined the Boston law firm of (then) Morrison, Mahoney and Miller before moving on to serve as Assistant Attorney General under Attorney General Scott Harshbarger.
This is the 24th year that The Women’s Edge – a Boston-based nonprofit organization devoted to advancing women in leadership positions — created the list through a nomination process and reviewed both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, and the 12th year that the list was created in collaboration with The Boston Globe. In addition to revenue or operating budget, factors considered in the evaluation included workplace and management diversity, board makeup, and innovative projects. The full list is published in the Globe Magazine’s Women & Powerissue at bostonglobe.com/magazine.
“These 100 exceptional leaders, and the companies they run, are at the heart of the Massachusetts economy,” said Globe Magazine editor Francis Storrs. “We’re delighted to highlight their inspiration and impact through our longtime partnership with The Women’s Edge.”
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About The Women’s Edge
The Women’s Edge is a non-profit organization that propels women leaders to achieve professional and personal success and deliver positive impact within their business and community. Founded in 1997, The Women’s Edge achieves this mission by collaborating and connecting extraordinary women at all stages of their careers — from next generation leaders to CEOs; continually building a pipeline of high performing women leaders; delivering relevant leadership programs, events and perspectives, with actionable insights; incorporating diversity, inclusion, and belonging to foster gender and racial equity; and leveraging technology to expand reach and amplify impact. Visit https://thewomensedge.org/ for more information.
About Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC
Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC (“BGMP”) is a locally owned, award-winning media company serving Boston and New England. The cornerstone of the brand is The Boston Globe, a 27-time Pulitzer Prize winning news source and one of the most successful metro news organizations in the U.S. with the largest newsroom in New England and one of the highest daily print circulations among metro newspapers. The Globe has served the region for over 151 years as a trusted source of news and has more than 245,000 digital subscribers, a growing portfolio of events, and a range of digital and home-delivered advertising solutions that reach more consumers than any other New England media brand. Boston Globe Media’s properties include The Boston Globe, Globe.com, Boston.com, STAT, The B-Side, Globe Publishing Services, Globe Events, Studio/B, and the news program Boston Globe Today on NESN and online.
About ABCD
A nonprofit human services community action organization, ABCD provides low income residents in the Boston and Mystic Valley areas with the tools, support and resources they need to transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success. Each year, we impact more than 100,000 children, adults and elders through a broad range of innovative initiatives as well as long-established, proven programs and services. For more than 60 years, ABCD has been deeply rooted in every neighborhood and community served, empowering individuals and families and supporting them in their quest to live with dignity and achieve their highest potential. For more, please visit bostonabcd.org.
