Crittenton Women’s Union Adds Local Resident Heidi Brooks to Board

Crittenton Women’s Union Adds Three Members to Board

Smith, Farrar and Brooks offer business acumen and commitment to helping individuals achieve economic independence, break cycle of poverty

BOSTON—The Crittenton Women’s Union (CWU), a Boston-based nonprofit innovator in helping low-income women and their families become economically independent, is pleased to announce that Jill Smith, Toya Farrar, and Heidi Brooks have been appointed as new members to the Board of Directors. The three newest board members join an 18-person board, led by Chairperson Peter Zane, former president of Kryptonite Corporation. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jill, Toya, and Heidi to the CWU board,” said Zane. “With their strong business experience and diverse perspectives, they will contribute invaluably to CWU as we investigate and launch new programs and services that will help low-income women and their families achieve economic self-sufficiency.”  

With more than 25 years of international business experience, including 16 years as CEO of private and public companies in the technology and information services industries, Jill Smith most recently served as Chairman, CEO, and President of DigitalGlobe, Inc.  She began her career at Bain & Company, rising to Partner, before joining Sara Lee Corporation in Paris, as a Vice President. A track record of profitable growth followed her, in posts as President of eDial, Inc., and as co-founder of Treacy & Company LLC, a consulting and boutique investment business. A resident of Boston’s South End, Smith holds a MS in business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management. A frequent speaker on market strategies and corporate leadership, Smith’s business and personal travels have taken her to more than 60 countries. She lives in Boston with her husband and son.

Toya Farrar opened an Edible Arrangements store in South Boston in 2007, becoming the first woman of color to introduce the franchise to the area. She is also the only Edible Arrangements franchisee in the state certified as a Minority and Women’s Enterprise. Her business was awarded its first primary catering contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2011. Prior to opening her business, Farrar worked as a real estate agent and taught in the Boston Public Schools system for 10 years.  In 2010, the Greater Boston chapter of the National Association of Negro Women honored her with the “Women of Courage and Conviction” award. Farrar is an active member of both the Greater Boston and the South Boston Chambers of Commerce. As a volunteer in the Boston Public Schools, she instructs Boston Public school children on developing healthy eating habits, and teaches financial literacy to girls in grades 4-12. Farrar holds a BA in communication from Framingham State University and a teaching certificate from Regis College. She resides in Milton with her husband and two children.

As SVP and Director of Charitable Giving at Citizens Financial Group, Heidi Brooks leads the Citizens Charitable Foundation, and works with its senior executives to determine and execute strategy for Citizens’ community outreach efforts in its 12-state footprint. Prior to joining Citizens, Brooks spent several years as Director of Community Relations for John Hancock Financial, and served as a business development consultant.  Brooks holds a B.A. in Government and International Studies from the University of South Carolina, an M.A. in International Affairs from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Prior to business school, Brooks worked in Africa, Asia, and Latin America managing, designing, and auditing development programs for Africare, Catholic Relief Services, the International Finance Corporation, the Asian Development Bank and others in the field of international development. She has worked in 15 countries and traveled to 78. Fluent in French and Spanish, conversant in Vietnamese, she lives in Jamaica Plain with her husband and two children.

About Crittenton Women’s Union

Crittenton Women's Union (CWU), a Boston-based nonprofit innovator in breaking the cycle of poverty, uniquely combines direct service programs, independent research and public advocacy in its mission to help low-income women attain economic independence. Each year CWU helps more than 1,400 people through its mobility mentoring, housing, education, and workforce development programs.  For more information, visit www.liveworkthrive.org.