Jim Anderson has nearly forty years of experience as a manager and attorney in non-profit and for-profit settings. Jim grew up in the Atlanta, Georgia area and attended the Georgia Institute of Technology (BS in Management, 1973) and the University of Georgia Lumpkin School of Law (Juris Doctor, 1977). He holds a Certificate of Completion from the Coaches Training Institute (100+ hours in executive/life coach training), a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, and a Certificate in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction from the Mindfulness Institute at Philadelphia’s Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since 1977 and is currently on inactive status.
As a lawyer, Jim worked with Oglethorpe Power Corporation, a non-profit electric utility. He was responsible for legal matters relative to the acquisition and management of the company’s real estate holdings. After moving to Philadelphia in 1981, Jim worked with Manufacturers Hanover Consumer Services and Mellon Bank. At these organizations, he was responsible for compliance with federal regulations governing consumer banking transactions.
In 1990, Jim changed directions in his career and accepted a position with Episcopal Community Services (ECS), a Philadelphia non-profit that provides diverse social services to vulnerable individuals and families. During his nearly 25 years with ECS, he held the positions of Director of Human Resources, Associate Executive Director, and Chief Operating Officer.
As Director of Human Services, Jim expanded and professionalized ECS’s human resources programs. He implemented and monitored a performance management process, instituted formal human resources policies, processes and procedures, and spearheaded the enrichment of ECS’s employee benefits offerings. He facilitated trainings to build managers’ HR skills. Jim facilitated ECS’s merger with a homeless shelter, coordinated the Board’s strategic planning process, and facilitated the search for a new Executive Director.
As Associate Executive Director, Jim was responsible for agency operations in the absence of the Executive Director. His responsibilities included oversight of ECS’s HR and IT Departments. Additionally, Jim assumed oversight responsibilities of ECS’s homeless shelter, home care services, and educational services. He centralized ECS’s quality improvement program. Jim facilitated introduction of a process for gathering relevant client data and developing improvement plans in support of achievement of client outcomes. He introduced coaching to ECS’s managers and employees and coached employees at all levels. As an internal consultant at ECS, Jim worked independently and in collaboration with outside consultants to design and deliver leadership and management development workshops.
As Chief Operating Officer, Jim continued to be responsible for day to day operations. As part of a reorganization in 2014, Jim assumed responsibility for oversight of all programmatic areas, including Home Health Care, Foster/Kinship Care, the St. Barnabas Mission for homeless women and children, Educational Services, and Youth Programs.
Jim lives in northwest Philadelphia with his spouse William di Canzio. He enjoys exploring the extensive trails in Fairmount Park. Jim is an avid music fan, and opera has a special place in his heart. He is an active volunteer with the Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network.