Year Up United Taps Veteran Susan Murray as CEO to Steer Next Growth Phase

BOSTON, MA – March 17, 2026 – In a move signaling both continuity and a commitment to accelerated growth, national workforce development organization Year Up United today named 15-year veteran Susan Murray as its new Chief Executive Officer. The appointment, effective immediately, concludes a comprehensive nationwide search and solidifies leadership at a pivotal moment for the organization and the young adults it serves.

Murray, who has been serving as interim CEO since November 2025, was the unanimous choice of the Board of Directors. Her selection represents a deep vote of confidence in an internal leader who has been integral to the organization's expansion and success for over a decade. Her tenure has been marked by a profound understanding of the organization's mission to close the "Opportunity Divide" by connecting talented young adults with meaningful career pathways.

A Legacy of Leadership and Revenue Growth

Before stepping into the CEO role, Murray’s impact was most profoundly felt during her tenure as Chief Revenue Officer. In this capacity, she was the chief architect behind the strategies that funded Year Up United’s significant expansion and innovation. Her leadership was instrumental in raising over $1 billion in philanthropy since she joined the organization in 2011, a figure that underscores her ability to build and sustain powerful coalitions of support.

Under her guidance, the organization grew its annual fundraising from $20 million to over $80 million, enabling an expansion from just six operational sites to 28 locations across the country. This growth directly translated into connecting tens of thousands of young adults with opportunities at more than 1,000 employer partners. Her work involved not just securing financial backing but also deepening corporate engagement, ensuring that partnerships were mutually beneficial and created resilient talent pipelines for businesses.

Her expertise extends beyond fundraising. Murray has been a key member of the executive leadership team for nearly her entire 15-year tenure, helping steer the organization through periods of double-digit growth in the number of students served. Her broader commitment to skills-based opportunity is also reflected in her board membership at YUPRO Placement, a public benefit corporation focused on placing skilled talent, and her community involvement as a board member for the arts institution BRIC.

Navigating a Pivotal Moment

The decision to appoint Murray comes at what the organization describes as a "pivotal time." The transition follows the departure of the former CEO last November, creating a need for steady, experienced leadership. By selecting a candidate with deep institutional knowledge, the Board of Directors has prioritized stability and a seamless continuation of its mission-critical work.

The search process, conducted in partnership with the executive search firm Spencer Stuart, evaluated a diverse field of candidates from across the country. The board's ultimate and unanimous decision to select Murray speaks volumes about her performance as interim leader and her perceived ability to guide the organization's future.

"Susan's strategic acumen, emotional intelligence, results orientation, and ability to motivate and inspire were central to the Board's decision," said Garrett Moran, chair of the board of directors. "She brings an inherent understanding of what it takes for every part of this amazing organization to succeed, and she is uniquely well positioned to guide our next chapter as we innovate and accelerate our progress toward closing the Opportunity Divide."

A Proven Model for Economic Mobility

At the heart of this leadership transition is Year Up United's unwavering 25-year mission: to expand access to economic opportunity for young adults aged 18-29. The organization has built a formidable reputation on its ability to deliver sustainable, life-changing outcomes. It provides a high-support, high-expectation model that combines in-demand technical and professional skills training with corporate internships.

The impact of this model is not merely anecdotal. Year Up United’s program has been validated by a federally sponsored, randomized controlled trial—the gold standard in program evaluation—which found its earnings impacts to be the largest reported to date for any workforce program. This evidence-based approach has cultivated a trusted network of community and corporate partners and built a thriving alumni base of more than 35,000 individuals who are advancing in their careers.

Murray's leadership is seen as essential to protecting and scaling this proven model. Her long history with the organization is rooted in a deep-seated belief in its potential to create systemic change, one young person and one career at a time.

Charting the Future of Workforce Development

Murray takes the helm as the entire workforce development sector grapples with profound shifts, from the rise of artificial intelligence to a growing corporate emphasis on skills-based hiring over traditional credentials. Her vision for Year Up United is squarely focused on navigating this new terrain and ensuring its participants are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.

During her time as interim CEO, Murray emphasized the importance of a "robust feedback loop with employers," a strategy designed to keep the organization's curriculum agile and aligned with evolving business needs. This approach ensures that Year Up United graduates enter the workforce with not only foundational career-readiness skills but also the specific technical competencies that are in high demand.

Under her leadership, the organization is expected to double down on innovation while continuing to strengthen the corporate and philanthropic partnerships that fuel its work. The goal is not just to sustain its current impact but to accelerate it, reaching more young adults and further solidifying its role as a critical bridge between untapped talent and corporate America. With a seasoned, mission-driven leader in place, Year Up United is poised to advance its vital work and help shape a more equitable and effective workforce for the future.