Worcester, MA –    Ascentria Care Alliance, one of the largest human service nonprofits in New England, announces the addition of four new members to their board of directors.

Marybeth Campbell is the Executive Director of the Worcester Community Action Council, a Central MA organization focused on stabilizing individuals and households through safety net programs and partnering with people to help them thrive. Marybeth has more than 20 years’ experience in public policy, public education, and project management in the areas of clean energy, education, economic and workforce development.  She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Providence College and attended Suffolk University Law School.

Charran Fisher is founder and CEO of Fisher Contracting in Worcester.   In 2011, Charran was recognized by the Small Business Administration as the Minority Business Person of the Year for the entire New England Region. She earned her BA in English and Journalism with a minor in African American studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She started Fisher Contracting in 1998 after working part-time in the field with different trades where she recognized a need for women and minorities in construction.

Dr. Brian K. Gibbs is the inaugural Vice President and Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer for UMass Memorial Health System. Dr. Gibbs will establish educational, training programs and systems for monitoring culture change leading to improved, more equitable delivery of health care for all patients, especially those who are from historically disadvantaged communities. His career spans the fields of academic medicine and health professions, which includes public health and occupational therapy. He received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University where he was a Pew Health Policy Fellow.

The Reverend Dr. Debora Jackson is Professor of Practice and Dean of The Business School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Previously,  as a non-profit leader, Dr. Jackson served as Director of Operations of All Girls Allowed; Director of Lifelong Learning at Yale Divinity School; Executive Director of the Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches, USA, and Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Needham, MA.  Prior to that, she spent 20 years in business, with an emphasis on IT and software engineering. Dr. Jackson received her Doctorate in Ministry and Master of Divinity degree, both with honors, from Andover Newton Theological School. She holds a Master of Engineering degree in Manufacturing Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Management from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Indiana University.

Of the incoming leaders to the board Angela Bovill, CEO, says, “Whenever you welcome a new member it infuses an elevated level of energy to the board. With the addition of these four professionals with their truly extraordinary skills, I expect Ascentria will benefit greatly as we strive to find sustainable solutions to problems the social services sector seeks to address.”

About Ascentria Care Alliance
As one of the largest nonprofit, human service organizations in New England, Ascentria Care Alliance empowers people of all backgrounds to rise together and reach beyond life’s challenges. We use an innovative human-centered care model to help individuals and families move forward and thrive – physically, intellectually, socially, spiritually and economically.

With many locations throughout the region, Ascentria serves children, youth and families; persons with developmental disabilities and mental illness; refugees, including unaccompanied refugee minors; and older adults.

Through productive collaborations and partnerships, we create measurable, positive impact that enriches our communities. Inspired by our faith-based heritage and guided by compassion, courage and integrity, we envision a world in which everyone can realize their fullest potential and share with others in need.