Thornton brings a strategic vision for the role ABC can play in the further advancement of economic equality for African Americans.
After a national search for a visionary and dynamic leader, Associated Black Charities (ABC) announce it has selected Chrissy M. Thornton as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Ms. Thornton will be officially installed in her new role in late January 2023 after she steps down from her current position as Executive Director of The Myositis Association, a 30-year-old international patient advocacy organization.
Ms. Thornton is an experienced nonprofit strategist and manager, fundraiser, event organizer, author, public speaker, and community leader, with a master’s degree in Business with a concentration in Organizational Management. Her past roles include both senior and executive-level leadership at Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and NAMI Maryland as well as NAMI National. Her twenty-year background encompasses successful fundraising, donor and corporate relations, digital engagement, grant writing, and the seamless execution of exceptional meetings, events, training seminars, team–building sessions, education conferences, and peer-to-peer activities. Ms. Thornton also brings to ABC her experience as a former real estate investor and franchise owner, believing fir
mly in entrepreneurship, economic development, and financial literacy as part of the pathway to closing the racial wealth gap. She currently resides in Maryland with her family, and her extensive community involvement includes service with ArtsCentric, The Carter Legacy Singers, and the Greater Baltimore County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She is also a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity.
Ms. Tawana Bhagwat, Chair of ABC’s Board of Directors and CEO of Organization At Its Best, chaired ABC’s CEO search committee. The committee, comprised of select ABC Board Members who are local business leaders, worked diligently alongside the recruiting firm HR Nonprofit to ensure a broad and comprehensive search took place. Ms. Bhagwat noted that “the committee was impressed with Thornton’s commitment to economic equity and the strategies she put forward during the interview process for a strong future at ABC. We are excited about this opportunity to build upon the work ABC is so well known for.”
ABOUT ASSOCIATED BLACK CHARITIES ABC was founded in 1985 to represent and respond to issues of special significance to Maryland’s African American communities. ABC is an educator, advocate, and supporter to eliminate race-based structural barriers and advance long-term solutions that create new opportunities for African Americans to thrive financially and build a stronger economy for all. ###
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