Who we are
ABCD is part of the Community Action Network, created with the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act, which was signed into law in 1964. The Act was a sweeping plan to improve the lives of all Americans, regardless of their circumstances. As a community action agency, ABCD has a tripartite board structure consisting of members from the local private sector, public sector, and low-income community who are democratically selected by a local ABCD Advisory Board of their peers. Leaders from each of these groups collaborate on developing responses to local needs for our most underserved and at-risk neighbors.
Reporting to the ABCD Board of Directors, President/CEO John J. Drew provides leadership that’s both visionary and pragmatic. Executive Vice President/COO Sharon Scott-Chandler, Esq. brings extensive experience and operational excellence to her role.
Board Officers
Yvonne Jones
Board Chair, Dorchester
Sean Daughtry
Vice Chair, Representing State Rep. Elizabeth A. Malia
Marie Greig
Vice Chair, South Boston
Edward Katz
Vice Chair, Charlestown
Reverend Dr. Florence King
Vice Chair, Representing State Rep. Paul Donato
James A. Owens, Jr.
Vice Chair, Roxbury/North Dorchester
Patricia Washington
ABCD Board Treasurer, rep Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
Andres Molina
Assistant Treasurer, North End/West End
Julia Hardy Cofield, Esq.
Clerk, Representing Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley
Eleanor Evans, Esq.
Assistant Clerk
John J. Drew
President/CEO
Public Sector
Sean Daughtry
Vice Chair, Representing State Rep. Elizabeth A. Malia
Reverend Dr. Florence King
Vice Chair, Representing State Rep. Paul Donato
Jean M. Babcock
Representing Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards
Julia Hardy Cofield, Esq.
Clerk, Representing Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley
Samantha Bennett
Representing Boston City Councilor-at-Large Michael Flaherty
Candice Caines-Francis, CPA
Representing State Rep. Jon Santiago
Mary Chin
Representing Boston City Councilor-at-Large Anissa Essaibi George
Joyce Dennis
Representing Senator Nick Collins
Hal Jones
inventor
Liana LaMattina
Representing State Rep. Adrian Madaro
Oscar Lopez
Representing State Rep. Kevin Honan
John P. McGahan
Representing Boston City Councilor Frank Baker
Brianna Millor
Representing Boston City Councilor-at-Large Michelle Wu
Linda Monteiro
Representing State Rep. Liz Miranda
Aryelle Murrell
Representing State Rep. Chynah Tyler
Angela Williams-Mitchell
Representing Boston City Councilor Kim Janey
Private Sector
Patricia Washington
ABCD Board Treasurer, rep Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
AIM
Associated Industries of Massachusetts
Caryl Beison
Representing MelroseWakefield Healthcare
Samuel DePina
Representing Boston Public Schools
Nancy Dickerson
Representing Black Ministerial Alliance
Benjamin Sherman, PhD
Representing La Alianza Hispana
Marvin L. Venay
Representing Boston NAACP
Marian Walsh, Esq.
Representing Operation ABLE
Collique Williams
Representing Greater Boston Labor Council – AFL-CIO
Shirell Williams
Representing Homes for Families
Neighborhood Sector
Yvonne Jones
Board Chair, Dorchester
Marie Greig
Vice Chair, South Boston
Edward Katz
Vice Chair, Charlestown
James A. Owens, Jr.
Vice Chair, Roxbury/North Dorchester
Andres Molina
Assistant Treasurer, North End/West End
Nathaniel Buckholz
South Boston
Thelma Callender Burns
Dorchester
Joyce Caggiano-Hamilton
East Boston
Kimberly Cook
Head Start Policy Council
Linda G. Dumas, PhD, RN, ANP-BC
Urban College of Boston
Kathleen R. Flynn
South Boston
Reverend Art Gordon
Parker Hill-Fenway
Syvalia Hyman, III
Roxbury/North Dorchester
Dareline Jackson
South End
Mary Keith
Roxbury/North Dorchester
Lincoln Larmond
Mattapan
Mary Manuel
South End
Marguerite Mars
Representing Mystic Valley
Patricia McShane
Allston-Brighton
Patricia Powers
East Boston
Daniel Roman
Parker Hill/Fenway
Michelle Sanchez, EdD
Dorchester
Judith Ward
Jamaica Plain
Thomas Webb
Jamaica Plain
John J. Drew
President/CEO
Sharon Scott-Chandler, Esq.
Executive Vice President/COO
Hal Jones
inventor