Chester Eastside welcomes two new board members
CHESTER » Chester Eastside, Inc. has welcomed two new members to its board of irectors.
Lena Adams, who has more than 30 years of human resources experience, and Lisa Johnson, with nearly three decades as a senior financial executive, have joined the 12-member board. Their professional and volunteer credentials will make them excellent additions.
“As Chester Eastside continues to impact our community, it is critical that our board be equipped with diverse talents and skills,” said board Chairman John Mackey of Nether Providence. “I am honored that we have attracted two board members who ref lect this need – they are joining a stellar group.”
Serving the city and its residents for the last 35 years, Chester Eastside seeks to create an environment that supports those whose lives are tested each day by the challenges of poverty. The agency focuses both on the city’s present and future. Its food ministry programs, which meet the immediate needs of residents facing food insecurity, are coupled with those such as its after-school program (homework assistance and mentoring), summer camp and award-winning community garden.
Adams, a resident of Mt. Airy, has a diverse HR background in compensation, benefits and information systems, coupled with undergraduate and graduate degrees with concentrations in human resource management. She currently serves as the Compensation Global Process Owner in The Vanguard Group HR department, responsible for leading enterprise-wide compensa
tion projects and process improvement initiatives.
A lifelong member of White Rock Baptist Church in West Philadelphia, Adams heads the church’s library ministry. She also volunteers with American Corporate Partners, a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping military veterans transition to the private sector, providing one-onone career mentoring.
“As an undergraduate student at Widener University, I lived in Chester for four years,” said Adams. “It will be wonderful to support an organization whose mission is to help Chester residents achieve their goals.”
Johnson, of Media , has served as an independent consultant and chief financial officer for a variety of manufacturing concerns. Her skills include financial management, business process design, systems implementation, acquisitions, business development and execution and business strategic planning.
Her name is no doubt familiar to Media residents as a member of borough council and liaison to the Media Busi
ness Authority. Johnson is also a board member of the Friends of Glen Providence Park, where she established and continues to run Arts in the Park.
This spring, Johnson led the Compass Philadelphia micro project, which provided Chester Eastside with pro bono strategic consulting services. Its research offered ways for the agency to diversify funding streams, build capacity and enhance sustainability.
“Our team made recommendations on ways to increase revenues,” she said. “As a board member, I’d be happy to execute the recommendations as needed.”
The decision to serve on the Chester Eastside board is one of skill and service and Mackey, like his fellow members, is anxious for the opportunity to work with its newest recruits.
“Both Lena and Lisa are well credentialed, but more importantly, have a heart for those we serve,” he added. “I look forward to working with each of them as we support the mission of Chester Eastside to be a transformative force in Chester and beyond.”