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Elissa Spelman

Executive Director at Breakthrough Greater Boston

Elissa Spelman is a prominent figure in the nonprofit and education sectors, known for her extensive work in promoting educational equity. She served as the Executive Director of Breakthrough Greater Boston from August 2009 until June 2023, where she played a crucial role in expanding the organization significantly. Under her leadership, Breakthrough grew from serving students in one city to three, increased its annual revenue from $600,000 to $5 million, and expanded its programming duration from four years to ten years, ultimately serving over 500 students and training around 100 Teaching Fellows each year.124

Educational Background and Early Career:
Spelman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Boston College and a Master’s degree in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her career began as a third-grade teacher at Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester, Massachusetts. This early experience ignited her passion for educational equity, which has been a consistent theme throughout her professional journey.13

Achievements and Recognition:
During her tenure at Breakthrough Greater Boston, Spelman was recognized with the Ten Outstanding Young Leaders Award by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce in 2018, highlighting her commitment to improving educational opportunities and addressing systemic inequities in education.2 Her leadership has been characterized by a focus on nurturing relationships between teachers and students, with over 60% of Breakthrough's teachers being people of color, reflecting the diversity of the student body.2

Current Role:
After stepping down from her role at Breakthrough Greater Boston, Spelman transitioned to nonprofit consulting and philanthropic advising. She continues to influence educational strategies and governance through her consulting firm, Elissa G. Spelman Consulting.13

Highlights

Sep 20 · cambridgecf.org
Education as equalizer: a conversation with Elissa Spelman ...
Education as equalizer: a conversation with Elissa Spelman ...
About | Mysite - Elissa G. Spelman

Related Questions

What inspired Elissa Spelman to transition from teaching to nonprofit leadership?
How did Elissa Spelman's role at the Wellington Management Foundation prepare her for her position at Breakthrough Greater Boston?
What are some key achievements Elissa Spelman has accomplished at Breakthrough Greater Boston?
How has Elissa Spelman's leadership impacted the growth and success of Breakthrough Greater Boston?
What strategies did Elissa Spelman use to expand Breakthrough Greater Boston from one city to three?
Elissa Spelman
Elissa Spelman, photo 1
Elissa Spelman, photo 2
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Location

Greater Boston Area