Board Profile: Sakina Evans

A valuable resource for Cushing

With nearly 30 years’ experience in human resources and talent management, Sakina E. G. Evans knows how to spot talent. And she found it at Cardinal Cushing Centers.

Evans joined Cushing’s board of directors in 2021 after being introduced to the organization by her neighbor, Jerry Vitti, who also sits on the board.

“I was fully aware of the organization’s mission, but it’s been incredible to see the work in action and meet so many of the people who make it all happen,” she said.

Evans understands that an effective business strategy starts and ends with leadership and a well-engaged team, and she was particularly impressed by the leadership of Cushing’s president and CEO, Michelle Markowitz.

“Michelle is one of the best CEOs I’ve ever seen,” Evans said. “She handles everything with a business mindset and emotional intelligence. She knows how to work with people and build incredible teams. Michelle is attuned to the organization at all levels and knows what makes it thrive.”

Evans has enjoyed serving during a time of continued growth for Cushing.

“It’s a pleasure to serve on a board that is focused on outcomes and committed to ensuring that our annual strategic planning is not just a document—we bring it to life,” she said. Cardinal Cushing is about community, and our work is necessary and impactful.”

Evans is the founder and CEO of EvansOne, a Boston-based executive consulting firm focused on helping technology companies recruit talent, build high-performing teams and integrate common-sense programs across their organization. She also serves as vice president of people for Nth Cycle, a metals processing and recycling technology company. She has expertise in both the nonprofit and corporate space, leading organizations such as Bose Corporation, Idiom Technologies, and Partners Healthcare, to build teams by identifying, hiring, developing and mentoring some of the best talent available. At Bose, where she spent 21 years, she was responsible for 9,000 employees and seven divisions serving 27 multinational markets.

Evans is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a bachelor’s in psychology and sociology. She lives in Milton with her husband, Seth, and teenage son, Miles. She also serves as a member of the advisory board for the Women’s Foundation of Boston.