Marcus Allen, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, is a leader driven by service and impact. Rooted in the values of mentorship and economic mobility, he is committed to transforming lives by providing young people with the tools to achieve independence.
With a deep connection to Philadelphia—the birthplace of American independence—Marcus is tackling the city’s most pressing challenge: breaking the cycle of poverty through mentorship, social capital, and strategic community partnerships.
Success Defined by Growth and Impact
For Marcus, success isn’t about achievements—it’s resilience and influence. “Success has been driven by the challenges I’ve had to overcome,” he says, seeing obstacles as opportunities. “Even when you fail, not giving up—that’s success.”
At 53, his perspective has shifted. “I wasn’t as happy or excited once I had the achievement,” he admits. Fulfillment comes from the journey—who he lifts and whose life he changes for the better.
Early on, success meant measurable wins. “When I was younger, it was always points on the board,” he recalls, drawing from sports. But failure is inevitable, even for the greats. “Michael Jordan missed 50 percent of his shots,” he notes, emphasizing perseverance over perfection.
Now, he defines success by the leaders he develops and the legacy he leaves. “It’s not about salary or title,” he says. “It’s about who’s up next to carry the mission forward and impact more people than I could.”
A Journey from Survival to Service
Marcus never planned a nonprofit career—life led him there. Raised between Atlanta’s Techwood Projects and a rural sharecropper’s home in Thomson, Georgia, he knows poverty firsthand. “Growing up in poverty was an education in and of itself,” he says. “I wanted to change the future for people like myself.” He agrees wholeheartedly with the quote from James Baldwin, “Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how costly it is to be poor.”
Despite a doctor’s prediction that a genetic condition would keep him from sports, Marcus defied expectations. Basketball became his escape, earning him a scholarship at Paine College and a pro career overseas. When his playing days ended, he searched for a deeper purpose.
In Philadelphia, he found his calling in social impact. “What a unique idea that I could earn a living helping people who reminded me of myself,” he says. His shift from corporate roles to nonprofits led him to Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, where he saw mentorship change lives. “Sometimes, all a kid needs is someone to open a door and extend a hand,” he says.
Breaking Free and Pushing Limits
Marcus defines success by the challenges he has overcome, the greatest being his escape from deep poverty—a struggle that still lingers. “In some regards, it still has its grip on me,” he admits, recognizing its impact beyond finances. “I used to believe I didn’t deserve an amazing life. Poverty has you thinking only about survival.”
Fear of falling back fuels his discipline—building networks, seeking mentorship, and expanding his knowledge in finance and health. Born with genetic challenges, he refuses to let physical limitations define him. “I constantly have to push,” he says.
This mindset has driven him to extreme feats, including leading 19 executives up Mount Kilimanjaro and cycling across the country in 49 days during the pandemic. “The biggest challenge wasn’t physical—it was mental,” he says. “It’s mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” For Marcus, every challenge is an opportunity to redefine what’s possible.
“It’s mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
Expanding Opportunities Through Mentorship
Marcus leads Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, serving youth across southeastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey. For 110 years, the organization has proven that mentorship transforms lives. “A caring, consistent adult for just 12 months can drastically improve a child’s future,” he says.
A Harvard and U.S. Treasury study confirmed its impact—participants are 20 percent more likely to attend college, earn 15 percent more over their lifetime, and gain lasting financial stability. For every $1 invested in BBBSI, there is a $10 return in economic gains by the time a mentee reaches age 45.
According to recent research by Raj Chetty, Philadelphia ranks last in economic mobility, a reality Marcus is determined to change. By increasing mentorship access in Philadelphia, a city ranked last in economic mobility, we are actively reversing generational poverty. “ Chetty’s research shows wealthy children access up to nine life-changing opportunities, while low-income Black and brown children often have none. “Social capital is key,” he explains.
By connecting youth with mentors, Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence provides access to networks, knowledge, and opportunity. Despite its legacy, Marcus believes the organization’s broader impact is still overlooked. “We’re not just mentoring kids—we’re breaking cycles of poverty and building a stronger, more equitable society. BBBSI is not just about mentorship—it’s about preparing the next generation of leaders. Through partnerships with corporations, we can equip young people with the social capital, mentorship, and real-world experiences that ensure they enter the workforce prepared, motivated, and connected.”
Leveraging Technology to Transform Mentorship
Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence is harnessing technology to enhance mentorship, making it more efficient and impactful. “We’re really excited about AI and digital tools improving our services,” Marcus says.
A key innovation is the Volunteer Journey Accelerator, which streamlines recruiting and matching mentors (“Bigs”) with children (“Littles”). With 2,300 annual volunteer inquiries in Philadelphia alone, manual processing was a challenge. “AI helps track progress, identify bottlenecks, and speed up matches, allowing staff to focus on relationships and support,” Marcus explains.
AI also strengthens match support and communication. Tools like Dialpad automate documentation and enable real-time responses, improving service quality and youth safety. “For any child-focused organization, safety is the top priority,” Marcus adds.
By integrating technology, Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence is expanding its reach, reducing risk, and ensuring more young people access life-changing mentorship. “At the end of the day, it’s about using every tool to create better outcomes for our kids,” he says. “We are leveraging AI to modernize mentorship by streamlining volunteer matching, optimizing engagement strategies, and tracking long-term outcomes.
The Legacy of Leadership: A Father’s Greatest Achievement
For Marcus, leadership extends beyond his career—his greatest achievement is fatherhood. “I have four amazing kids, and all of them are thriving,” he says.
Each has forged their own path. His youngest, a Division I basketball player on a full scholarship, has surpassed his own athletic achievements. His second youngest, passionate about fashion since childhood, now works as an assistant buyer at Urban Outfitters’ corporate office.
His oldest daughter, a University of Pennsylvania graduate working at JP Morgan Chase in New York, is battling stage 4 cancer with inspiring resilience. “She frames her illness in a way that helps others overcome challenges,” he says.
His eldest son, based in Memphis, chose entrepreneurship over college and continues to show perseverance. “No matter what happens, he finds a way to overcome,” Marcus shares. Looking at his children, he sees both himself and something greater. “My greatest achievement is raising kids who have taken the lessons I’ve learned and elevated them to the next level.”
Power in Partnership: A Shared Mission for Change
Marcus isn’t alone in his mission. His wife, Alisha Allen, is a force of resilience and transformation in her own right. As the founder of Persevere on Purpose, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome adversity, she is a champion for both personal and community growth. According to Marcus, “Alisha is one of the strongest and most determined people I have encountered, raising three children, including one with cerebral palsy who has been wheelchair-bound his entire life, navigating the challenges of motherhood with unwavering dedication while gracing the television screens as a beauty model for over 20 years. Now, she is channeling her passion and purpose into the healthcare sector, helping individuals like her son, as well as expanding her influence in the beauty industry with her own brand.
Together, Marcus and Alisha form a powerhouse of leadership, philanthropy, and change. While Marcus tackles mentorship and economic mobility, Alisha is breaking barriers in healthcare and nonprofit leadership—ensuring that underserved communities receive the care, dignity, and opportunities they deserve. Together, they are shaping the future for countless individuals and families.”
Leading with Overflow: A CEO’s Daily Approach
For Marcus, no two days as CEO are alike, but his focus remains constant: making his people and organization better. “I see myself as the fix-it man—I ask, ‘How can I help make what you’re doing better?’” he says. His day begins the night before, reviewing his calendar and preparing mentally.
A key part of his routine is SAVERS—Silence, Affirmation, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing—from The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. Inspired by Elrod’s resilience, Marcus adopted the practice to strengthen his own. “I used to think leadership meant pouring everything into my team until my cup was empty,” he says. “But I’ve learned I need to fill my own cup first—then lead from the overflow.”
By prioritizing mental, physical, and emotional well-being, Marcus ensures he can navigate challenges, support his team, and drive the mission forward. “Fear and anxiety are not options. I need to be at my best—reading, learning, and growing—so I can pour that back into my team.”
No matter what the day brings, this mindset shapes his leadership.
Work-Life Integration: A Leadership Perspective
Marcus embraces work-life integration over balance. “I’m always representing the brand—at work, at home, or in the community,” he says. “People see the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters, not just Marcus the family man.”
Since becoming CEO in 2013, he has involved his children in his work, exposing them to events, colleagues, and the mission. He recognizes leadership’s demands fluctuate. “There are seasons when work takes more and times when family does. Neither can be neglected for too long.”
Having experienced divorce, he understands the cost of imbalance. “I’ve seen the impact—not just on me, but on my kids. That’s why I prioritize my well-being first.
For Marcus, success is about synergy, not separation. “My personal life makes me a better leader, and my leadership makes me a better husband and father.”
Mission-Driven Hustle: Impacting Lives Against the Odds
For Marcus and his team, motivation comes from one undeniable source: the mission. “We have about 800 kids on our waiting list,” he says. “Don’t they deserve an opportunity to earn more in their lifetime? Don’t they deserve a caring, compassionate adult who will help them thrive?”
This belief fuels everything they do—refining programs, expanding outreach, and recruiting mentors to serve more kids. Beyond belief, there’s proof. “What we do works,” Marcus says. “We see it in the young people we serve, and that impact ripples outward—strengthening families, schools, and entire communities.”
Yet, funding remains a constant challenge. “Philadelphia isn’t a top philanthropic city,” he explains. “A study ranked us 43rd out of 50 in charitable giving. If our region simply met the national average, we’d see over a billion-dollar infusion into nonprofits.”
This reality makes them relentless. “We’re the underdog,” Marcus admits. “We hustle—every day, every year—to secure the resources we need. These kids are counting on us.” At the core, their drive is simple: every child deserves a fair shot. And as long as there’s work to do, they’ll keep pushing forward.
Driving Innovation While Preparing for What’s Next
Marcus sees leadership as a relay, not a solo race. “A leader can take an organization from A to B, but they may not be the one to get it from B to C,” he says. His focus is twofold: ensuring a smooth CEO succession and scaling a mentorship initiative with transformative potential.
Launched last year, Power Up embeds mentorship into middle schools in high-violence districts, pairing students with paid mentors for one-on-one and group support. “It’s scalable, affordable, and effective,” Marcus says, aiming to modernize mentorship by integrating AI and data for better matching and impact measurement.
Strengthening corporate partnerships will also position mentorship as a workforce development pipeline. As the organization celebrates 110 years, Marcus is focused on evolution. “The past informs us, but it doesn’t dictate the future,” he says. Developing the next generation of leaders—both within and beyond the organization—ensures the mission’s longevity.
Redefining Mentorship as an Economic Engine
Marcus says many of today’s youth live in opportunity deserts. However, intentional mentorship can provide a greenland of opportunity when done with consistency and support.
For him, mentorship isn’t charity—it’s essential for economic mobility. “We have a business case to be the national model for mentorship economic-driven initiatives,” he says, reframing evidence-based mentoring as a catalyst for opportunity, not just goodwill.
Investing in youth means equipping them with relevant skills, not outdated systems. “It was the moon in the ’60s. It’s Mars now. It was the computer chip; now it’s AI,” Marcus says. The real question: Who will lead the next breakthroughs?
His legacy is rooted in advocacy, mentorship, and preparing the next generation. “If we’re going to remain a world leader, we have to invest in our young people,” he says. That means not just guiding them—but empowering them to write their own success stories. “We are not just helping kids—we are reshaping entire communities. Every mentor we recruit, every partnership we forge, and every program we implement is another step toward economic equity. This is bigger than mentorship—it’s a movement toward opportunity, success, and generational change.”
Leadership Through Service and Change
For Marcus, leadership is about service, adaptability, and impact. Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., he believes anyone can serve, regardless of status. Raised with little, he learned from his mother and grandmother that true leadership uplifts others. “You always have to take care of those who take care of you,” his mother would say.
He challenges future leaders to question everything, stay flexible, and remove ego from relationships. “There should never be competition in any relationship—personal or professional,” he says. Instead of seeking to be right, leaders should ask, “How can I meet your needs?” A firm believer in lifelong learning, he follows The Miracle Morning’s lesson:“If you want to be the best leader, you must commit to reading each day. Every great leader has put their thoughts in a book. Why wouldn’t you take the opportunity to learn from the best who have ever lived?”
Marcus applies this philosophy to tackling systemic challenges in Philadelphia, the nation’s poorest large city. As CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, he reinforced mentorship’s role in fostering economic mobility. His work with the United Way and Philadelphia Health Management Corporation (PHMC) reflects his commitment to poverty alleviation and social capital.
Conclusion
For Marcus Allen, leadership isn’t about personal success—it’s about action, service, and creating lasting change. Through Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence and his work on boards of other organizations addressing poverty and social determinants of health, he is championing a future where every young person has more opportunities to succeed. His vision is clear: a stronger, more equitable Philadelphia built on mentorship, empowerment, and collective impact.
