Mark & Jacqui Conrad, Leaving Their Legacy in Boston
Imagine having over 40 years of combined experience that touches families, communities, non-profits, for profits, political field, higher education, law enforcement and the overall common joy of every ethnicity in the greater Boston area!
Ethnic Online is proud to introduce you to Mark & Jacqui Conrad! They are the true definition of a “Super Couple” who have been married for 18.5 years and have learned how to combine their genuine altruism for others through their personal and professional lives. Today, as “empty nesters”, this couple has decided to take their talents to Baltimore MD, where their plan is to share their combined ”blueprint” of success in the Mid-Atlantic area.
Let’s just highlight a few of Jacqui’s accomplishments and impact over the years:
Equipped with a Master of Science, Communications Management from Simmons College, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, Sociology: Crime, Law and Deviance from Suffolk University, Small Business Entrepreneurship Certificate from Boston University Entrepreneurial Management Institute and a Certificate, Executive Leadership Training Program from the Partnership Inc., Boston MA. Jacqui is also a strong bilingual communicator with strong emotional intelligence and highly skilled in internal and external communications, thus positioning Jacqui as an effective businesswoman that produces results !
During the late 90’s through 2014 Jacqui was the Founder and President of delaCruz Communications in Boston, one of the first Latino owned marketing and communication firms. Under Jacqui’s leadership, delaCruz Communications was the driving force behind “The State of Black Boston” for the Urban League of MA (ULEM) in 2011 where she served as Co-Chair. Through a “Town Hall” approach it focused on the disparities and inequities faced by Black Bostonians in health, housing and economic development, K-12 and higher education, criminal justice, arts and culture, civic engagement, and the media. Jacqui secured the legendary journalist Soledad O’brien as the keynote speaker which attracted thousands from around the greater Boston area. Even though delaCruz is her baby, today she only takes on a few projects, it’s more of a joint business model , CLC, LLC which offers real estate consulting and manages their commercial properties.
Since 2016 Jacqui has served as Vice President, Marketing, Communications and Public Relations at Cambridge Community College in Cambridge MA where she:
Leads the marketing launch of a new online global initiative for 26 programs including social media planning, website content development, branding and public relations.
Designed and implemented a college-wide strategic marketing and communications plan resulting in a 23% increase in inquiries and enrollment.
Created and executed an integrated multi-ethnic marketing and public relations campaign that increased engagement in communities of color and yielded a :
15% increase in Latino enrollment in Massachusetts, national recognition as a Hispanic Serving Institute (HIS) and one of the Best Colleges for Latinos in Latino Leaders Magazine
18% increase in Black enrollment resulting in recognition by the Boston Business Journal as one of the Top 15 Colleges to confer advanced degrees to professionals of color and one of the top 20 Largest MBA Programs in Massachusetts
Jacqui has also served as Executive Director, “Latino Professional Network” from 2006-2009, helping to revamp the LPN brand through engaging monthly networking events, social media, email marketing campaigns and the introduction of two successful signature networking events resulting in a significant increase in online membership (from 350 to 3100 over a two-year period), and a 65% increase in membership engagement at monthly events. Designed and implemented a fundraising campaign that re-established relations with previous corporate clientele and cultivated new partnerships resulting in a 75% increase in sponsorship allocations. Designed new membership programs and college scholarships for Latino high school students throughout Boston increasing the engagement of young Latino professionals to serve as mentors.
In addition, Jacqui sits on several boards and is presently the Chairwoman of Mass Mentoring, the first person of color to assume this role in the organization’s history, she is also a board member at Jane Doe, Inc. to name just a couple and has received numerous recognition and awards over the years: “One of Boston’s 50 Most Influential Latinos, IBA,” “One of the 100 Most Influential People in the Latino Community, El Planeta Newspaper, “ “Presidents Award, Urban League of Eastern MA,” “Community Leadership Award, Boston Latino TV Access”
Mark’s experiences and contributions are just as impressive:
A proven leader who effectively advocates for socioeconomically disadvantaged, at- risk youth and adults. He is a highly respected authority in the field of security, training, policing, civic engagement and youth mentoring. Mark earned a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Curry College in Milton, MA and a Bachelor’s degree from Norfolk State University.
His roles of leadership have ranged from being a police officer offer for over 20 years to serving as Assistant Vice President at Bridgewater State University to an executive team member under the Deval Patrick Administration. Throughout his career he has developed and spearheaded programs that changed and improved the trajectory of the lives of thousands throughout Greater Boston. Employing problem solving and fiscal management skills, he has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments in the higher education, public service and civic arenas.
Mr. Conrad is Co-Founder and CEO of WesCon Personal Protection, a security firm that has been in business for close to 20 years. With clients ranging from non-profits, to residential to for-profit businesses, under his leadership, WesCon’s revenue increased from less than $150K a year to over $1.5M. Today the company is valued at close to $4M.
As Assistant Vice President and Director of the Bridge Partnership Program at Bridgewater State University (BSU), Mark provided opportunities for hundreds of socioeconomically disadvantaged, public school youth to someday realize their dreams of attending college in the future. He implemented the Bridge Program in 2011 and in just under 2 years, over 1,000 youth had studied in BSU classrooms and resided in dormitories on the campus to receive instruction from education-teams comprised of university professors, graduate-level teacher candidates, and the very educators who teach youth in their respective schools.
Prior to his appointment at Bridgewater State University, he served as Chairman of the Massachusetts Parole Board. Appointed to the Board in 2007 by former Governor Patrick, he was elevated to the chairmanship the following year and spearheaded numerous initiatives that benefited the residents of Massachusetts, such as the “S.M.A.R.T. Government Initiative” that included money-saving measures resulting in improved accountability and transparency for the agency; the “Step Forward Program,” which fosters partnerships with not-for-profit organizations that created the establishment of volunteer opportunities and 12-week training programs for parolees; and the “A.B.C. Mentoring Program,” which afforded opportunities for parolees to change attitudes and behaviors for successful outcomes.
A 24-year police veteran, Mark Conrad served in Milton and was the first African American hired for the Town of Winthrop and on the force at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
In addition to routine law enforcement duties, he was on the Motorcycle Patrol Unit, the Metro Special Weapons and Tactics (Metro-LEC) and served as the D.A.R.E. Liaison. Throughout the years, he positively affected the lives of thousands of children through summer camps, youth athletic leagues and old-fashioned, yet highly effective mentoring. For many, Mr. Conrad was the only positive male influence in their lives and to this day, several still remain in contact with him to demonstrate their current successes.
His resume includes a host of recognitions and awards from numerous organizations, including:
Governor Deval Patrick Award for “Outstanding Leadership”
National Youth Development “Award in Education” from the National Urban League
Boston University “Distinguished Alumni Award”
“Citizen of the Year” by the Milton Kiwanis Club
“Citizenship Development Award” from Gentlemen’s Round Table Organization
“Partners Recognition Award” from Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation
“The Integrity Excellence” from the State of Georgia State Board Pardons and Paroles
“Teamwork Award” from the Perez Family
Even though the Conrad’s are relocating to the Baltimore MD area, Mark will still make frequent visits to the Boston area to oversee his WesCon Personal Protection company with his business partner.
From a personal level, I can truly call Mark and Jacqui my friends as I have personally watched and experienced their impact. The both of them have certainly left their LEGACY in the greater Boston area, I know they will have continued success in the Baltimore MD area……go get em Conrad’s!
Good luck to this Ethnic GEM “Super Couple” Mark & Jacqui Conrad