Abby was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve as the Deputy Secretary for Future of Work for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, where she is helping to develop a new social compact for California’s workers focused on access to training, skilled work good-paying jobs. Abby began her career with Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) of San Francisco in 1975 as a part-time counselor to high school students and served as assistant director for several years before becoming Executive Director in 1984. Under Abby’s leadership, JVS offered job placement and skills training to 5,000 individuals a year, including youth in special education classes, dislocated professionals, immigrants and refugees, adults and youth with disabilities, the Jewish community, and the transgender community.
In 2010 and 2008, the San Francisco Business Times named Abby one of the Bay Area’s 100 Most Influential Women. During her tenure, JVS has received the Achievement in Employment Award by the Mayor’s Committee for the Employment of Persons with Disabilities in 2000 and the Enterprise Foundation’s Award for Excellence in Workforce Development in 2001. Abby held a position on NSC’s Board from 2011-2022, serving time as board chair.
