Beth Chandler to receive MNN Lifetime Achievement Award
The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) announced recently that Beth Chandler, President and CEO of YW Boston, will be a recipient of the MNN 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. Beth will be receiving her award alongside Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, Ph.D., CEO of Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA). These awards are given to nonprofit professionals with a strong track record of leadership and accomplishment throughout their careers.
The awards will be presented at MNN’s annual conference, Idealism in Action, on Thursday, October 19, at the DCU Center in Worcester.
“I’m honored and humbled to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from MNN,” said Beth. “It’s truly a recognition of all the wonderful people who have supported, encouraged, and worked with me during my years in the nonprofit sector. I owe a great deal to so many.”
“We’re delighted to honor Beth and Vanessa with MNN’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said MNN CEO Jim Klocke. “Their impact is large, they serve as examples, and we’re looking forward to their accomplishments in the years ahead.
Every year during the conference, MNN honors outstanding leaders who have made lasting contributions to the Massachusetts nonprofit sector. Past Lifetime Achievement Award winners include Linda Cavaioli, Michael Curry, Gladys Vega, Julianne Boyd, Hubie Jones, Chaplain Tina Chéry, Carol Duncan, Paul Grogan, Beth Smith, Michael Weekes, Joan Wallace-Benjamin, and the Rev. Gloria White-Hammond.
For more information on the awards and conference registration, please visit the MNN site.
About Beth Chandler
Beth Chandler is a proven leader with deep expertise in strategy, operations, and human capital management. She has extensive experience in change management and an established reputation for her work in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) across all sectors.
Beth has served as President and CEO of YW Boston since 2017. She successfully transformed the organization from over ten years of deficit spending to one that consistently meets or exceeds revenue goals. Beth restructured program offerings which included divesting two programs and selling one. She diversified revenue streams to include a more robust fee for service portfolio and state funding. She oversaw the sale of the organization’s building and worked with the finance committee to develop the organization’s investment policy statement for the proceeds. Beth joined YWCA Boston in 2012 as Vice President of Programs.
Prior to joining YW Boston, Beth served as VP of Operations at the Achievement Network where she worked with a team to establish the infrastructure for expansion. She drove operating efficiencies in product distribution and designed performance management systems. She also worked at NeighborWorks© America where she launched the national business development team responsible for creating value driven partnerships with national foundations and Fortune 500 companies for a network of over 250 affordable housing organizations across the U.S., Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Beth began her career as a corporate banking associate with Bank of America.
Beth was recognized as the first nonprofit recipient of the Girl Scouts of Eastern MA Leading Women Award in 2023, received the Catalyst Award from Science Club for Girls in 2021 and named one of Boston Business Journal’s Power 50 Movement Makers in 2021.
About YW Boston
As the first YWCA in the nation, YW Boston has been at the forefront of advancing equity for over 150 years. Through our DEI Services—such as InclusionBoston and LeadBoston—as well as our advocacy work and F.Y.R.E. Initiative, we help individuals and organizations change policies, practices, attitudes, and behaviors with a goal of creating more inclusive environments where women, people of color, and especially women of color can succeed.