Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath) is a national nonprofit headquartered in Boston that disrupts poverty through direct services, advocacy, research, and a global learning network. EMPath's mission is to transform people’s lives by helping them move out of poverty and to provide other institutions with the tools to systematically do the same.
EMPath's previous names include Crittenton Women’s Union, the Women’s Educational and Industrial Union, and Crittenton, Inc. The organization has been continuously operating in one or more capacities since 1824. While the name has changed over the decades, EMPath’s focus on supporting women and strengthening families has not.
EMPath is known worldwide for their economic mobility coaching approach, which is founded on the belief that each pathway out of poverty is different. The organization is at the helm of a movement to shift thinking from human services to human development, and to create lasting pathways to economic mobility for all.
Mobility Mentoring is defined as the professional practice of partnering with participants so that over time they may acquire the resources, skills, and sustained behavior changes necessary to attain and preserve their economic independence.
The model has four essential elements: Coaching for Economic Mobility, the Bridge to Self-Sufficiency®, Goal Setting, and Recognition.
In 2024, Economic Mobility Pathways is thrilled to mark 200 years of empowering women and strengthening families, celebrating the far-reaching impact of their two legacy organizations – The Women’s Educational & Industrial Union, and Crittenton, Inc. The bold beginnings of both organizations were integral in driving transformative change for women in Boston and across the country – change the organization is carrying forward in the EMPath of today.
2024 Milestones:
Two centuries of transforming lives, empowering women, and advocating for change.
The 100th anniversary of Hastings House, EMPath's first and largest emergency shelter for mothers and children in Brighton, MA.
The 15th anniversary of EMPath's best-in-class coaching approach, Mobility Mentoring, with a long track record of supporting families as they climb the economic ladder.
The 10th anniversary of EMPath's Economic Mobility Exchange, the organization's learning network of 1,000+ organizations across the country, and even globally, that adapt EMPath's Mobility Mentoring approach in their own work with families.
Leadership Spotlight:
Kim Janey
President and Chief Executive Officer
Kim Michelle Janey is the President & CEO of Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families experiencing poverty dramatically improve their economic mobility. EMPath offers a unique combination of direct services; legislative advocacy; a global learning network of human services organizations; and research for what actually works.
Prior to leading EMPath, Janey made history when she was sworn in as Boston’s first woman and first Black mayor, successfully leading the city through a multitude of unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 global pandemic. Janey began her tenure with a citywide agenda of recovery, reopening, and renewal to address systemic inequities exposed and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Janey re-opened Boston’s economy and its public schools by centering equity and prioritizing health and wellness. She invested millions to support small businesses, expanded protections for renters and homeowners, and launched fare-free public transit. Under Mayor Janey’s leadership, Boston experienced its safest summer in 5 years and became one of the most vaccinated big cities in America. Prior to leading her city as Mayor, she led the most diverse City Council in Boston’s history, where she authored groundbreaking legislation.
Devoting her life to public service, Janey has 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector. In her role at Massachusetts Advocates for Children, Janey championed systemic policy reforms to increase equity, excellence, access, and opportunity in Boston Public Schools. Prior to that, Janey worked as a Community Organizer, advocating for affordable, quality child care.
Janey was recently named as a 2023 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow where she and her cohort are working to advance the prosperity and well-being of children and families all across the United States. Previously, Janey served as a Spring 2022 Resident Fellow at the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School where she designed and led a study group entitled Racial Justice and Recovery: Leading American Cities to a More Equitable Future. She also served as an Inaugural Fellow at the Berry Institute of Politics at Salem State University and as a Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Janey serves on a number of non-profit boards and has been recognized for her years of service with numerous awards, including the ARCKBoston Global Citizenship Award, the Mass Dems Eleanor Roosevelt Award, BAAF Champion Award, Boston NAACP Difference Maker Award, the Sapphire Award, and the Jewish Community Relations Legislative Leadership Award to name a few.
A proud fourth generation Roxbury resident, Janey comes from a long line of educators, entrepreneurs, artists, and advocates. Janey was raised with values that guide her to this day: the importance of education, the power of community organizing, and the fundamental principles of equity and justice.
EMPath - COO/SVP - Job Description (PDF Download)
Position Summary
Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath) is a national non-profit organization that transforms lives by helping people move out of poverty and provides other organizations with the tools to do the same. EMPath is a high-performing and innovative organization that achieves its mission through the fundamental values of inclusiveness and diversity, mutual respect, support, and learning.
In collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer and the executive team, the Chief Operating Officer/Senior Vice President (COO/SVP) will help to develop, implement, and articulate a strategic vision for the organization that focuses on strategic growth, especially in program reach and effectiveness. The COO/SVP oversees a portfolio that includes: 1) EMPath’s housing portfolio; 2) our innovative coaching programs; 3) Technology; 4) Facilities; and 5) Human Resources.
The COO/SVP reports to and serves as a trusted advisor to the CEO. The COO/SVP plays a critical leadership role at EMPath, driving operational excellence, compliance, strategic growth, and innovation across the organization. As a key member of the executive team, the COO/SVP oversees day-to-day operations, ensures the effective implementation of strategic initiatives, and cultivates a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. This position requires a strong operational leader with a deep commitment to EMPath’s mission, exceptional problem solving and crisis management skills, and the ability to manage complex operations in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
The Role and Responsibilities
Qualifications and Expectations
$178,000 to $230,000 plus benefits.
EMPath is committed to recruiting, hiring, and sustaining a diverse workforce. Highly qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender expression, sexuality, age, disability or veteran status, are strongly encouraged to apply. EMPath is an EEO/ADA/ADEA employer headquartered in Boston. To ensure greater productivity and work-life balance for their employees, EMPath has implemented a 36-hour, 4-day work week. This position requires a minimum of 3 days of in-person work in their administrative offices, with a 1 day remote option. Some out-of-state travel may also be required.
EMPath has partnered with Boyden Executive Search. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:
Wendy Wilsker
Managing Partner, Boston
wwilsker@boyden.com
LinkedIn
Wendy Wilsker has dedicated her entire career to the non-profit sector, serving in leadership roles within charitable organizations and working alongside them as an executive recruiter and consultant. She excels at identifying the unique challenges and opportunities non-profits face, and partners with senior leadership to build successful organizational structures, teams and advancement programs.
Shaké Sulikyan
Senior Advisor and Executive Search Consultant, Boston
ssulikyan@boyden.com
LinkedIn
Making the world a better place is Shaké Sulikyan’s mission in life. She has decades of experience in the nonprofit sector including senior leadership roles in healthcare, academic medicine, higher education, and social services. Shaké loves connecting nonprofit organizations and exceptional professionals and is honored to support social impact organizations throughout the United States. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.