The board of directors of Philadelphia OIC announced this morning that Renée Cardwell Hughes will become president and CEO of the storied workforce development organization, effective immediately.

“We are extremely lucky to have a new CEO and president of the caliber of Renée Cardwell Hughes,” Board Chairman Atif Bostic said via the emailed announcement. “She has dedicated much of her life to serving communities and understands the plight of the people we serve implicitly. We look forward to working with Renée to expand and uplift our efforts.”

Cardwell Hughes holds degrees from Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Virginia, and was a trial judge for the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia for more than 15 years. As such, she handled complex civil and criminal cases, specializing in homicides, and founded the City’s mental health court. She also co-authored a book on witness intimidation, before becoming the CEO of the American Red Cross of the Eastern Pennsylvania Region in 2011.

Most recently, Cardwell Hughes served as CEO of the Hughes Group, a team of business advisors consulting on strategic planning, change and crisis management and leadership development, and has served on the boards of Independence Health Group, the Haverford Trust Company, the African American Chamber of Commerce, and the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), among others.

In her new role at Philadelphia OIC she will return to her greatest passion: public service and community development and, according to the announcement, will be only the fourth CEO  — and the first woman — to lead Philadelphia OIC since it was founded.

Philadelphia OIC was founded at the height of the civil rights movement by Rev. Dr. Leon Sullivan, with a mission to eradicate poverty through education and job skills. “It is a privilege to lead Philadelphia OIC, an organization that has been a pillar of the Philadelphia community for over 50 years,” Cardwell Hughes said in the announcement. “I am passionate about bringing my experience, vision and commitment to excellence to ensure that Philadelphia OIC will continue to provide a path to success for the men and women of our community.”