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 & Power issue at bostonglobe.com/magazine.
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.
