Meet Our Leadership Team

Chrissy M. Thornton serves as the dynamic President and CEO of Associated Black Charities (ABC), a 40-year-old racial equity organization headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. With a career built on the pillars of community empowerment, coalition-building, and economic justice, Chrissy brings not just leadership but a movement-driven approach to everything she touches. Under her guidance, ABC thrives as a catalyst for equity and systemic change, leveraging strategic partnerships to uplift Black communities and advance opportunities across sectors.

A native New Yorker with a deep-rooted passion for transformative leadership, Chrissy is recognized for seamlessly integrating visionary strategy with hands-on execution. She balances high-level goal setting with practical implementation, from the development of professional pipelines and innovative events to digital inclusion initiatives and community dialogues. She possesses a unique ability to bring people together across divides, cultivating trust and collaboration to create meaningful impact.

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With over 20 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, digital engagement, grant writing, and program execution, Chrissy has a proven track record of elevating organizations to new heights. Her leadership extends to designing and facilitating staff development activities, large-scale events, and board initiatives, while also executing exceptional fundraisers, training seminars, education conferences, and peer-to-peer engagement efforts.

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Chrissy has consulted with non-profits nationwide, diagnosing challenges, rebuilding programs, onboarding boards and committees, and driving organizational growth through innovative fundraising strategies and marketing efforts. Her work reflects a strong belief that equity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement are essential to systemic change.

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In addition to her non-profit expertise, Chrissy is an author, consultant, and entrepreneur. Her notable book, Stop Scrambling, Start Bringing Home the Bacon: A Guide to Establishing an Effective Fundraising Plan for Your Non-Profit Organization, has become a trusted resource in the sector. As a former real estate investor and franchise owner, Chrissy champions financial literacy, economic education, and the power of entrepreneurship.

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A community advocate and arts enthusiast, Chrissy previously served as the President of the Board of Directors for ArtsCentric, a color-conscious theatre organization. She also volunteers as the Administrator for The Carter Legacy Singers, a performance ensemble named after Dr. Nathan M. Carter of her alma mater, Morgan State University and is an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. Her involvement extends to Jack and Jill of America, Inc., where she was recognized nationally for her award-winning youth programs and served as the Past President of the Greater Baltimore County Chapter and is the Immediate Past Regional Teen Advisor.

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Chrissy is also the founder of My Girl Power Matters, a discussion and event series that empowers women to overcome obstacles and live their best lives. Her dedication to community leadership is reflected in her affiliations with several organizations, including the Black Leadership Circle, Executive Alliance, CHIEF, and the Baltimore Women's Civic League. She also serves on multiple boards and advisory councils, such as the Greater Baltimore Committee, Baltimore Center Stage, The Arc Baltimore, the sitting Chair of the Baltimore County Human Relations Commission, Color of Gastrointestinal Illnesses (COGI), Advisory Board for the Liberal Arts College of Morgan State University, and others.

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Chrissy’s numerous accolades include being named a Baltimore Sun 2023 Top 25 Woman to Watch, Daily Record’s Maryland Top 100 Woman in 2023 and 2025, 2024 Most Influential Marylander, 2024 Empowering Women awardee, and 2024 Most Admired CEO, and a 2024 Baltimore Business Journal PowerShift Honoree. She was the 2024 Woman of the Year for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a 2024 Baltimore City Council Trailblazing Woman, a 2024 National Philanthropy Day "Champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" from AFP Maryland, a 2024 Baltimore County Community Hero, a 2024 Black History Hero named by the Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association, a 2025 Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award winner, a Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 2025 Honoree, a 2025 i95 Business Magazine Woman of Influence, and 2025 Most Influential from Who’s Who In Black Baltimore. A member of the 2024 Class of Leadership Baltimore County and 2025 Class of The Leadership, Chrissy continues to push boundaries, ensuring that equity and inclusion remain central to Baltimore’s progress.

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Armed with a master’s degree in business with a concentration in Organizational Management, Chrissy is also a sought-after public speaker on topics ranging from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and health equity to entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, wealth building, and non-profit stakeholder engagement. Her motivational speaking style reflects her unwavering belief that energized leadership and strategic action are key to achieving lasting impact.

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At the heart of everything Chrissy does is a commitment to creating spaces for dialogue, trust, and transformation. Whether leading complex initiatives, mentoring young leaders, or building bridges between communities, Chrissy exemplifies what it means to lead with passion, purpose, and vision. She is not just running an organization—she is advancing a movement for equity, justice, and empowerment.