Academy of Women Achievers

Lauren Cook

Lauren Cook has served as Chief Executive Officer of Ellis Early Learning since 2018, leading a team of more than 120 professionals dedicated to providing high-quality early education, care, and family support to over 300 children annually across Boston. Under her leadership, Ellis has deepened its commitment to equitable access, innovation, and meaningful community engagement. 

Lauren’s career in the nonprofit sector has been guided by a lifelong dedication to service and a focus on advancing the well-being and economic mobility of women and children. She brings extensive expertise in program development, organizational transformation, and strategic partnerships. Her leadership is rooted in building organizational capacity, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and driving measurable impact for vulnerable populations. 

Prior to joining Ellis, Lauren served as Senior Executive Director of Programs and Partnerships at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, where she led program design, evaluation, and strategic partnerships across 11 clubs citywide. Earlier in her career, she served in the Peace Corps in Guatemala, an experience that profoundly shaped her approach to community-driven and culturally-responsive leadership. 

Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies with a minor in Spanish from Hamilton College and a master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is also a graduate of Boston University’s Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership. 

Nathalie Gauthier

Nathalie is a vice president on the Internal Communications team at State Street. Her primary focus is partnering with Global Human Resources teams and all corporate functions on their strategic communications plans for the workforce worldwide. With over 17 years of experience, she has developed and executed strategic communications, project management and analytics reporting across State Street for the Global Human Resources division, and previously for State Street business areas including Talent Marketplace, Global Markets Technology Project Management Office, Global Operations – Risk Excellence, Corporate Finance and Global Procurement Services.  

Inclusion, diversity and belonging initiatives are ever-present passions for Nathalie at State Street and in the community. At State Street, she is the co-chair for the Professional Women’s Network (PWN) – Mass chapter and PWN Americas region lead, after leading the Black Professionals Group for over 6 years, and before that VP of Public Relations for Toastmasters. She was also the workstream lead for #10 of State Street’s 10 Actions in Addressing Racism and Inequality (focused on Civic Engagement and Reflection). Given her internal and community efforts, she was selected as State Street first Women’s Bond Club Rising Star in 2020, and honoree for Leadership and Impact with Dress for Success in 2023.  

In the Boston community, Nathalie is a fellow founding member of the Women’s Dinner Group. She currently serves as Board of Trustees member of Neighborhood House Charter School, and advisory board member of Bentley University – Center for Women in Business, and Career Agility. She is also a member of the AJS Haitian Connection Group. Previously, she served on the board for National Black MBA Association – Boston Chapter as Vice President of Operations and Corporate Relations Director, Tomorrow’s Women Today and Communities for Haitian Entrepreneurs & Start-Ups (C.H.E.S.).  

Ms. Gauthier graduated from Bentley University with a B.S. in Marketing. She is also a graduate of the Bentley Leadership Accelerator Program, Diversity Leadership Associates Program at The Partnership, and the Management Accelerator Program at McKinsey. Her most fulfilling honor is being mother of son, Javon and adopted son, Kevin.  www.linkedin.com/in/NathalieGauthier-Oneofakind 

Sandra M. McCroom

Sandra M. McCroom is a visionary leader, trailblazer, and unwavering advocate for equity, justice, and community empowerment. Since becoming President & CEO of Children’s Services of Roxbury (CSR) in 2015, she has propelled the organization into a new era of growth and impact. Under her leadership, CSR has doubled its revenue, expanded its reach, and strengthened its infrastructure, including the strategic acquisition of its 57,000- square-foot headquarters in Roxbury in 2021. Today, CSR is one of the largest Black-led nonprofits in Massachusetts, with more than 400 employees across four cities and a $50 million budget.  

Sandra McCroom President & CEO, Children’s Services of Roxbury Sandra’s leadership is deeply rooted in a commitment to uplifting children and families of color. Inspired by the legacy of her parents, both Civil Rights activists, she brings a unique blend of compassion, determination, and system-level thinking to her work. From serving three years in the Peace Corps in Thailand to leading CSR, her vision centers on celebrating the strength and resilience of families while addressing the root causes of inequity through community-driven solutions. 

Prior to CSR, Sandra served as Undersecretary for Criminal Justice in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, where she oversaw the Department of Correction, the Sex Offender Registry Board, and the Massachusetts Parole Board. Her cross-sector expertise has shaped her steadfast belief that early investment in children and families is critical to breaking cycles of involvement in the child welfare and criminal justice systems.  

A proud graduate of Spelman College, Sandra completed Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management from Harvard Business School. Her contributions to social justice and nonprofit leadership have earned her multiple honors, including the Community Advocate Award from the Eastern Bank Foundation and recognition as one of Boston’s Liberation Leaders by the Boston Women’s Fund.  

Beyond her professional work, Sandra finds joy in painting, music, and spending meaningful time with her family. 

Yves Salomon-Fernández, Ph.D.

Yves Salomon-Fernández, Ph.D. is the President of Urban College of Boston, where she leads a mission-driven institution dedicated to serving first-generation, multilingual, and working-adult learners. Dr. Salomon-Fernández brings personal passion to her professional mission of ensuring that higher education opens doors for all, especially those for whom economic opportunity has been elusive.  A nationally recognized higher education executive, Yves is committed to advancing economic mobility, intergenerational wealth-building, and inclusive prosperity through higher education, philanthropy, and cross-sector partnerships. 

Yves Salomon-Fernández is also an adjunct professor who has taught at UMass Amherst, Salem State University, Boston College, William and Mary, and Purdue Global. She is a scholar-practitioner with multiple articles and book chapters published. Dr. Salomon-Fernández serves as a peer reviewer for Johns Hopkins University Press and is a member of the Editorial Board for Wiley Publishing’s New Directions for Community Colleges. She currently serves on the Board of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, College Unbound, Codman Academy, the Immigrant Family Institute, and co-chairs the Board of Double Edge Theater. 

Dr. Salomon-Fernández is widely regarded for her integrative leadership approach, blending data-driven decision making with a deep focus on belonging, psychological safety, and organizational culture and innovation. Yves speaks and publishes regularly on innovation in higher education, women’s career mobility, the future of work, and institutional resilience across urban, suburban, and rural higher education institutions. She is a staunch advocate for early childhood education and a supporter of domestic violence survivors. 

Yves earned her Ph.D. from Boston College, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts Boston. In addition to English, Yves is fluent in Spanish, Haitian Creole, and French. 

Shavel’le Olivier (Sylvia Ferrell-Jones Awardee)

Shavel’le Olivier is an advocate for positive change who creates and implements visions that strengthen communities. She is deeply committed to the neighborhoods where she lives, works, and travels, with passions in youth development, community leadership, and a people-centered approach to transportation. Her notable contributions are focused on the transportation passions of her work including founding Mattapan on Wheels, a major biking event that promotes safer infrastructure, cultivates youth leadership, and elevates cycling culture in Mattapan. She also co-founded Transportation Talks in 2020 to bring residents of Mattapan, Dorchester, Roxbury, and BIPOC communities together to explore how transportation shapes quality of life. 

Shavel’le earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management & Leadership from Boston College, followed by a master’s in Nonprofit Management with a concentration in Organizational Communications from Northeastern University. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition (MFFC), where she leads community-driven initiatives focused on health, mobility, and equity. She also completed a graduate certificate at the Boston University School of Public Health and is a doctoral candidate in Organizational Development at Merrimack College. 

Alongside her nonprofit leadership, Shavel’le co-founded Consult LeLa, a consulting agency that engages young people ages 10–40 in shaping planning processes within their neighborhoods, ensuring youth voices and joy are centered in decision-making. She is also a Boston Business Journal 40 Under 40 (2024) nominee, recognized for her impact, vision, and commitment to creating more vibrant, connected, and equitable communities.