Boston, Massachusetts, June 26, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jobs for the Future (JFF) today announced a new executive team under the leadership of President and CEO Maria K. Flynn as well as a new chair and vice chair of the organization’s Board of Directors.
Effective immediately, Teresa Hassara is the new chair of JFF’s Board of Directors. Hassara, head of workplace solutions Business at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, has been a member of the JFF board since 2012, and served as the Chair of the Finance Committee during her tenure. “I look forward to chairing JFF’s Board, receiving the baton from Guy L. Patton who has admirably and graciously lead us over the past five years,” said Hassara. “JFF is a leader in representing underserved youth and adults across education and workforce development. I am proud to be part of an organization whose influence is arguably needed now more than ever to ensure economic mobility and economic advancement in our country.”
“It has been an honor to lead the JFF board and to serve this important organization,” says Guy L. Patton. “Maria, the board and JFF are in good hands under Teresa’s leadership. I look forward to continuing to work as a board member as JFF pursues its critical mission.”
JFF Board member Paul Osterman, who has served on the board for the past nine years, has been named the Board’s vice chair. Osterman, professor of human resources and management, MIT Sloan School of Management, will oversee the Board’s new Program Committee, which will assess existing programs, guide and analyze program evaluations, and facilitate discussions about program priorities for the organization.
Flynn welcomes Cassius Johnson as JFF’s new vice president, organizational strategy and policy, and Patricia Balana as the organization’s chief operating officer. Most recently, Balana directed JFF’s state-level policy network, and previously served as COO for eight years at the Belfast Education Board in Northern Ireland. Prior to returning to JFF, Johnson was the Senior Director of Policy and Government Affairs at YearUp, where he led national and federal policy and government affairs. He also worked as a program officer at the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
“I am delighted to move forward with the new executive team and Teresa and Paul in their new roles on the Board,” said Flynn. “I am grateful to Guy for his extensive board leadership over the past several years and for his steadfast guidance during my initial months as CEO. It is exciting to be directing JFF as it approaches its 35th anniversary during a period in which educating and training people for the future of work requires our society to build on the programs and policies that have proven to be effective, while developing the innovative solutions which can carry us all forward.”
In addition to Johnson and Balana, the following also comprise Flynn’s executive team:
- Melba Abreu, Chief Financial Officer
- Michael Collins, Vice President, Building Education Pathways
- Karyl Levinson, Vice President, Communications
- Kathy Mannes, Vice President, Building Economic Opportunities
- Joel Vargas, Vice President, School and Learning Design
About Jobs for the Future
Jobs for the Future (JFF) is a national nonprofit that builds educational and economic opportunity for underserved populations in the United States. JFF develops innovative programs and public policies that increase college readiness and career success and build a more highly skilled, competitive workforce. With over 30 years of experience, JFF is a recognized national leader in bridging education and work to increase economic mobility and strengthen our economy. Learn more at www.jff.org.
Twitter: @jfftweets
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/917c6cdf-54e2-48bc-9e4c-d836a4422329