Annissa Essaibi George
President and CEO of Big Sister Association of Greater Boston
“Having a mentor, knowing that person is there for you, ready to support you and cheer you on makes all the difference in a young person’s life. It’s a role every one of us can play; I can’t think of a more important way to make a difference.”
As a mother, former high school teacher, former Boston City Councilor and now CEO of Big Sisters Boston, Annissa has seen first-hand the challenges young people face growing up. She is a leader who empowers the voices of young people and takes action to improve their lives.
Annissa was the first BPS teacher elected to the City Council and the first to serve as Chair of the Education Committee. She led the Council’s efforts to address students’ concerns through hearings on securing a full-time nurse and a full-time social worker in every school, improving school safety measures, and increasing investments for vocational education. She secured funding to support the almost 5,000 students in BPS experiencing homelessness. She created the Special Commission to End Family Homelessness and helped launch a Family Led Stability Pilot to house those students close to their schools, winning her the 2018 Navigator Award for her innovative approach to government.
At Big Sister Boston, Annissa carries on a tradition of investing in girls through one-one mentorship. We are honored to partner with Big Sisters and Boston Public Schools to empower young people.