Worcester Business Journal

16 Worcester Business Journal | March 4, 2024 | wbjournal.com F O C U S B U S I N E S S L E A D E R S O F T H E Y E A R BY SLOANE M. PERRON Special to WBJ T he coronavirus pandemic was well under- way when Connie Askin was first appoint- ed as the new CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Mass and MetroWest. e lockdowns presented unprecedent- ed problems for all businesses: budget issues, loss of staff, adapting to new regulations, and finding creative solutions for problems never previously navigated. However, Askin came into the role prepared with a business savvy mind and a dedication to serving the families who rely on Big Brothers Big Sisters. "I was a COVID hire, so just stabilizing the organi- zation and putting us on a path to growth. I like to say we have been building a puppy with large paws that we are ready to grow into. We had our first year of pro- gram growth in 10 years last year, and we are on solid Askin has guided Big Brothers Big Sisters through times of great transition Small Nonprofit Leader of the Year Connie Askin CEO Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Mass and MetroWest, in Worcester Employees: 15 Birthplace: Montevideo, Minnesota Residence: Wayland Foreign exchange: "I was an exchange student to Portugal in my junior year of high school." PHOTO | MATT WRIGHT financial footing," Askin said. During her three years at Big Brothers Big Sisters, Askin has overseen some major transitions for the non- profit including a physical move from the organization's previous Worcester location in the Denholm Building to its new home on Chestnut Street. e nonprofit gen- erates about $1.2 million in annual revenue, according to its most recent filings with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Askin has reached out and strengthened bonds with her community partners to obtain more wrap-around resources for the families the nonprofit serves, includ- ing creating curriculum-based programs like SNACS, a curated weekend program focusing on science, nature, arts, civics, and sports; launching a new partnership with the National Association of Black Accountants; and leading the agency through a recruitment cam- paign called 60 Men to Mentors, matching 60 boys from Worcester with a mentor in honor of the agency's 60th Anniversary. Building relationships between bigs and littles is integral to the mentorship format of Big Brothers Big Sisters, she said. "Our purpose is, through the engine of mentoring, to empower youth to achieve their full potential. Each child or young adult we serve is paired with a caring adult mentor. Each has their own needs and their own strengths. We are in the relationship business, and each of our matches positivity influences the Little's educa- tional success, socialization, and mental health," Askin said. Askin began her career as a secretary, paid her way through school and worked in marketing, even starting her own marketing consulting firm before shiing gears and entering the nonprofit field as a CFO. "I have also been a fundraiser and an operations leader – so this role [as CEO for Big Brothers Big Sisters] takes advantage of absolutely every experience,"

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