Action for Boston Community Development has promoted Ronald Marlow from director of workforce development and alternative education to vice president overseeing those two strands of the anti-poverty agency’s work.
His responsibilities at ABCD include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), ABCD’s education alternatives, University High School and Ostiguy High School, Youth Services and the MassHire Metro North Career Centers.
“Ron’s experience in the workforce development arena at ABCD the past four years, at the National Urban League and with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and beyond has prepared him to lead ABCD’s workforce development and educational programming initiatives at the highest level,” said ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler.
Before joining ABCD, Marlow served as vice president for workforce development at the National Urban League in New York City. In this role, he was responsible for programs delivered by local affiliates across the country.
As undersecretary for workforce development in Massachusetts, Marlow oversaw implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. He brought a specific focus on populations that historically have disparate employment outcomes as compared to whites and pushed for the creation of a state task force to examine the systemic barriers that lead to such outcomes and make recommendations to mitigate those barriers.
Born and raised in Boston, Marlow earned his bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and his master’s degree in law, policy and society from Northeastern University.
Marlow attributes some of his long-term success to his participation in ABCD programs as a child.
“I am a proud alumnus of both ABCD’s Head Start and SummerWorks programs,” he said. “A strong foundation prior to first grade, and then into the workforce as a teenager via ABCD helped bridge the access and opportunity gaps for me, as a kid who attended ABCD Head Start in Dorchester and then later when my family moved to Mattapan as a SummerWorks participant. This is truly a full circle moment, and I am appreciative of Sharon’s confidence in my abilities and for the opportunity to give back to the community from the same well from which I received.”
