YWCA Boston President and CEO Beth Chandler, a professional athlete and a recognized woman leader, grew up in a small idyllic town of NE in a loving family where Sundays were spent at church that was co- founded by her grandmother. However there were dark clouds of racism as well.
In her Chai with Manju interview, Ms. Chandler talks about being addressed with the ‘N word ‘and not being allowed to join local clubs including the country club. She also talks about her being a professional basketball player and important lessons she has learnt as a player and also leadership lessons learnt in her journey to becoming the President & CEO of YWCA Boston, which is also the first YWCA in the United States.
Today, she and her organization help individuals and organizations change policies, practices, attitudes, and behaviors with the goal of creating more inclusive environments where women, people of color, and especially women of color can succeed.
Ms. 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, Ms. Chandler served as vice president at the Achievement Network, a national non-profit dedicated to helping urban public and charter schools close the achievement gap.
She also held positions at Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, the largest funding source for civil legal aid programs in the Commonwealth and Neighbor works America, one of the country’s preeminent leaders in affordable housing and community development.
Currently, Ms. Chandler serves on the Eastern Bank Board of Advisors, The Museum of Fine Arts Board of Advisors, TSNE-Mission Works Board of Directors, the Women’s Workforce Advisory Council and the Leadership Circle of Hope Central Church.
“Her life story as been shared in this episode of Chai With Manju is an incredible and very inspiring journey that will appeal to all,” says Dr. Sheth. “On the fun side, I enjoyed chatting about her experience with trying Indian food and love for travel.”
A physician by profession, having a passion for media and commitment to serve the larger humanity, with special focus on women’s empowerment, Dr. Manju Sheth is a Board Certified Internist, currently serving patients at Beth Israel Lahey Hospital.in the Boston Region in Massachusetts.
Dr. Sheth was the co-founder and CEO of INE MultiMedia, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting and supporting charitable organizations, art, culture, education and empowerment through workshops, seminars and multimedia. Dr. Sheth is a former trustee of the Indian-American Forum for Political Education. Dr. Sheth is very dedicated to the education of the community about health related issues, and is also the producer and chair of the annual free mega Health & Wellness Expo.
Having endowed with the gift of writing, Dr. Sheth is known to be a natural storyteller and “I truly believe that every life has a story and a dream. I’m always looking to hear stories of everybody’s life, in everyone that I meet, and then I look to find the right platform and the right medium to showcase it.” Her popular “Chai with Manju” celebrity series is one of the most read news features in the New England region, where she featured celebrities and spiritual leaders such as Sadhguru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Kennedys and the like.
