NEHRA / Webinar: Activating Middle-Managers to advance DE&I Efforts

Beth Chandler joined YW Boston in November 2012, with more than 20 years of experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. In August 2018, she was appointed President & CEO. Her breadth of work experience encompasses program development, delivery and evaluation, business development, and operations.

Prior to working at YW Boston, Beth served as vice president at the Achievement Network, a national non-profit dedicated to helping urban public and charter schools close the achievement gap.

Beth also held positions at Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, the largest funding source for civil legal aid programs in the Commonwealth and Neighborworks America, one of the country’s preeminent leaders in affordable housing and community development.

Beth also worked as a corporate banking associate with Bank of America in corporate banking and began her career as a research and evaluation analyst with the Urban Institute.

Currently, Beth serves on the MA Conference United Church of Christ Board of Directors, the Women’s Workforce Advisory Council and the Leadership Circle of Hope Central Church.

A former professional basketball player, Beth received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Samuel R. W. Ellison joined YW Boston in March 2021. As Manager of Partnerships, Samuel is responsible for generating program revenue by cultivating new participants and partners for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Services and supporting the stewardship and growth of existing partners.

Prior to joining YW Boston, Samuel was the Senior Administrator at The Partnership, Inc. and brings a wealth of experience developing professionals of color and supporting organizations with their DEI strategy. In 2018, Samuel co-designed and co-facilitated the curriculum for the City of Boston’s Dialogue to Action initiative, which aimed to convene conversations about racism in Boston neighborhoods, organizations, and civic associations.

Additionally, Samuel is a restorative/transformative justice practitioner and abolitionist, with a particular focus on supporting survivors of interpersonal violence and organizing men to address harmful manifestations of masculinity and skill-building for holding community members accountable for causing harm. Samuel is also an elite professional athlete training for the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 800m and was sponsored by adidas and the Boston Athletic Association from 2015-2020.

Samuel holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication, Political Science & Africana Studies from Villanova University and was a captain and seven-time All-American for the Track & Field team. Samuel also holds an MA in Migration, Superdiversity & Policy from the University of Birmingham (UK) and was the 2014-2015 US-UK Fulbright Scholar. Samuel is likely to be seen with cookies & cream ice cream and/or a chai latte in hand.