Brown has extensive experience in social justice work, both in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. She previously worked at MGM Springfield as Construction Diversity Manager, where she ensured the hiring of a diverse workforce and that women, minority, and veteran-owned companies were actively engaged and included in all bid opportunities for the construction of the casino.
"Since I was a child, I have possessed a passion for fighting for people who need allies, and I have used that passion to lead activities, campaigns, and initiatives that hold systems and individuals accountable for ensuring vulnerable populations have equal opportunities. I am excited to join BHN and use my experience to drive racial and social equity in the workplace and community," said Brown.
Brown’s experience in the nonprofit sector includes serving as manager of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ Network Capacity Building department and as Community Engagement Coordinator, where she coordinated the development of the Springfield Food Access Project. She was also a member of the Food Bank’s Management, Advocacy and Diversity Team.
Brown focused her early-career social justice and community organizing efforts on violence prevention and gang diversion. In 2005, Brown founded the nonprofit agency Alive With Awareness Knowledge & Empowerment (A.W.A.K.E), a violence prevention organization in Springfield. At AW.A.K.E., Chelan built a framework and created programs to ensure that youth of color and families were provided access to opportunities, support systems, and basic needs to live productive and successful lives.
In 2017, BHN established the Social Justice Committee (SJC), whose mission is to strengthen BHN's active promotion of a just workplace and community. BHN's social justice efforts seek to eliminate social and economic inequities and promote respect for human dignity, inclusiveness of diversity and the physical and psychological safety and well-being of all people.
According to Steve Winn, President and CEO of BHN, “Chelan Brown has a long history of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work in for-profit, non-profit and community-based contexts. We are excited that she will bring her passion, commitment, and organizational skills to BHN’s Social Justice efforts. This work is incredibly difficult, and Chelan will bring the leadership needed to help us continue to make real and lasting changes.”
