This month, Friends of the Children–Boston is honored to celebrate a meaningful milestone: 10 years of leadership with our Executive Director, Yi-Chin Chen.

Yi-Chin joined Friends-Boston at a moment of uncertainty, when the organization was navigating real challenges. What became clear almost immediately is that she does not scare easily. Marie Smith, Senior Director of Programs, who has worked alongside Yi-Chin for the full span of her 10 years at Friends-Boston, shared, "She doesn’t scare easily and believes that there is no challenge that good ’ole servant leadership can’t solve.”

 From the very beginning, Yi-Chin showed us what leadership looks like in action, grounded in service, humility, and relationships.

On her first day, that leadership was already visible. Yi-Chin jumped right in, personally delivering coats and holiday gifts to families. It was an early signal of what would define her tenure: proximity to the work, a belief that leadership means showing up, pitching in, and doing what is needed, whether the moment calls for strategy, support, or a hands-on act of care.

That steadiness became especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a moment marked by fear and uncertainty, Yi-Chin led with calm, clarity, and courage. She ensured that mentoring continued, adapting our model so Achievers stayed connected to their Friends, while also helping mobilize food delivery, addressing technology gaps, and responding to urgent family needs. Her leadership was not panicked, but present.

Over the past decade, we have watched Yi-Chin’s leadership mature with intention and care. Marie reflected, “I’ve had the luxury of watching all the dreaming she did in her first few years actually come to fruition.” Yi-Chin’s curiosity, imagination, and discipline have shaped a meaningful, lasting impact.

Under Yi-Chin’s leadership, Friends-Boston has grown in both scale and strength without losing its heart. She guided our relocation from Jamaica Plain to Roxbury, established our home at historic Hibernian Hall, and championed our first expansion into East Boston through a partnership with the Mario Umana Middle School Academy. During her tenure, Friends-Boston has doubled its staff, strengthened program quality, expanded caregiver support, and grown from a $1M organization to a $4M annual operation, all in service of walking alongside youth for 12+ years, no matter what.

Beyond organizational growth, Yi-Chin has helped shape how we think about lasting change. Her TEDx talk on patient capital highlights the importance of investing time, trust, and resources in proportion to the challenges young people face, a philosophy that continues to guide our work every day. In recognition of her leadership and commitment to Boston’s youth, Yi-Chin was also honored as a Changemaker by the New England Patriots. To date, 75 Achievers have graduated under her leadership.

Leadership Rooted in Service

Yi-Chin is a teacher and a builder of people. She has nurtured leaders with care and honesty, balancing encouragement with accountability and ensuring that staff feel both supported and challenged to grow.

That belief in showing up lives not just in big decisions, but in the everyday moments that shape culture.

Whether mentoring colleagues, capturing milestones as our resident photographer, or creating a full beverage cart taking drink orders from more than 30 staff, preparing each one herself, and hand-delivering every cup, Yi-Chin leads through action and care.

These moments are not small; they are expressions of a leadership style rooted in service, presence, and deep respect for the people doing the work.

We are deeply grateful for Yi-Chin’s decade of fearless yet steady leadership, and for her unwavering commitment to Boston’s youth, families, and staff. To work alongside a leader like this is a rare gift, one we are proud to celebrate!