Serena Powell

Ms. Powell has more than 20 years’ experience in workforce development and vocational rehabilitation, building a reputation for developing results driven programs that put people with barriers to work. This includes several award-winning models for welfare-to-work including the “At Your Service” program with 25 Boston area hotels and the “First Step” program, a nationally replicated training program with TJX Companies, which was commended by President Clinton and the National Welfare to Work Partnership.

Prior to joining Fedcap. Ms. Powell served as the President and CEO of Community Work Services, an agency providing workforce development services for low-income populations and people with disabilities in Boston, Massachusetts. Community Work Services is now part of Fedcap’s family of agencies. Prior to CWS, Ms. Powell led workforce development for Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries in Boston and performed consulting work assisting non-profit agencies with developing marketing and business plans.

Today, Ms. Powell is the Executive Director of “Breaking the Cycle”, Fedcap Inc’s premier state-wide program in Maine providing employment and educational services for individuals receiving TANF benefits. With 17 offices across the state of Maine, Breaking the Cycle since January 2017 has helped more than 11,000 Mainers take steps towards employment and greater self-sufficiency.

Ms. Powell brings her experience and love of teaching and building the skills of professionals as faculty to the Fedcap Leadership Academy. Ms. Powell is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.