FEMALE CEO
When the pandemic struck, it hit certain industries pretty hard. For the working poor, it drove them into poverty. For those who had less, it just about destroyed their lives. So Dr. Jacklyn A. Chisholm, the CEO of Step Forward, formerly the Council for Economic Opportunities of Greater Cleveland, knew her organization was going to become a lifeline for those in need.
Step Forward offers assistance to low-income families in need of emergency assistance with heat and electric bills. Step Forward had to remain open and available to those hit hardest by COVID-19.
“We knew we were going to be the only resource that people had, and if they were going to survive the pandemic, they were going to need our help,” Chisholm said.
A Cleveland native, Dr. Chisholm is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, where she earned three degrees: Bachelor of Arts in medical anthropology, Master of Arts in psychological anthropology, and a doctorate in psychological anthropology with an emphasis in educational anthropology.
Chisholm understands the challenges of being a female, being Black and being a CEO, which is rare in today’s business circles. She must be firm, passionate with her employees, and stay open-minded at home.
The balancing act that Black, female CEOs have to manage gives them the unique perspectives to create award-winning environments for their employees and thriving businesses for their boards and shareholders.
Chisholm is the recipient of numerous awards including Crain’s Cleveland Business Woman of Note, YWCA Woman of Professional Excellence, Women of Color Foundation ISIS Award, Council for Opportunity in Education National TRIO Achiever, Cleveland Educators Forum Alumni Achievers Hall of Fame, and Who’s Who in Black Cleveland. Dr. Chisholm is an alumna of Leadership Cleveland and a past member of the Case Western Reserve Chapter of Links, Inc.
Chisholm is spearheading the rebranding of CEOGC, the largest Community Action Agency in Ohio, to it’s new name, Step Forward.
“The change in name gave us the opportunity to really define what our organization is all about. We help move people from poverty to self-sufficiency,” Chisholm concluded.
The future is bright for Step Forward with Chisholm at the helm providing leadership and guidance to those impacted by the pandemic. For anyone needing assistance with heat or electric bills, please contact Step Forward at 216-696-9077.
